My Old-Time Crush, Calvin Chen

Last night, Calvin Chen was seen in my dream. It was a beautiful dream and I was very happy to meet him even in my dream like that. Calvin Chen was a part in my life - as he's someone who inspires me since I was a teenager. It's been more than 10 years being a fan of him. Though I would say, I am not a super big fan, following him here and there, but at least there were some memories of my old time crush.

In my dream, I met Calvin at the beach, I guess it was Bondi Beach. It's just suddenly we bumped into each other and it happened that we talked to each other while playing around. He's just charming, like the way he used to. I recognized him at the first meeting, and just because I met my idol, that doesn't mean I have to scream out of my happiness. It's just that I blankly dunno what I should do. We just talk to each other casually. I was asking him for what activities he came there. 

Suddenly there were some crowds appearing around us, as I knew right from their face. They knew it was Calvin Chen and they were trying to talk to him. Some people also tried to take picture with him, and it was me who helped them took picture. It was hard for me, as I also want to take picture with him as well! But what could I do? After that, I would just leave the place, back to the bench. Right after the crowd was over, Calvin came and we just chatted again. We took picture of us with my phone and when it's time for him to come back, he asked my number so that I can send him the picture. And when I typed my number and wanna give back the phone to him.... RINGGG.... my alarm rang and it's morning. I woke up from my beautiful dream, funny enough is that, I smiled all day long. 

It's funny how I suddenly thought of Calvin, whereby it's been many years ago. Maybe it's myself who wants to go back to that moment. Admitted that nowadays, living is hard. But that's living, otherwise there's no challenge and there will be no life, right? Besides, I watched Temperature of Love because of Kim Jae Wook and found him pretty similar with Calvin Chen. I dunno what's so similar, but the vibe, the charisma and his eyes are just the same with Calvin. 

How To Travel to Japan Without Tour Guide

Japan has been gaining much popularity with its tourism during the past few years. Due to easy travel access, Japan is a good choice to travel on your own without joining for tour arranged by travel agency. I am not saying which one is the best, but I mean, you could go to Japan even without tour. It's up to your choices whether you want to travel by yourself or with tour and that will also depends on your travel budget. Here's the what you have to know before travelling to Japan. I'll be sharing what I have done for the preparation and hopefully it can help you guys: 

I am not a fan of Japanese culture nor country, as you might have guessed since I have blogged several post with Korean dramas, mostly I would say, I am more interested with South Korea rather than Japan. But this time, since my parents would like to visit Japan, then it goes to me to do the research and all other things to plan before we had our holiday. Thus, I started to begin my searching from Japan maps. You have to know which are you would like to visit first, after that you could plan where you want to start the journey. 

Seasons
Japan has four seasons; Spring (March - May), Summer (June - August), Autumn (September - November) and Winter (December - February). The best time to go to Japan usually during Spring and Autumn when there is little rainfall, skies are clear, and temperatures are mild. What's more, the delicate cherry blossom of spring and vivid hues of autumn leaves are visually stunning. 

Airline Ticket
Indonesia Tourism Board has encouraged tourism with so many travel fair, specially during the January to March in the first half of the year and August to September during the second half of the year. This kind of travel fair is a MUST to go if you would like to get an affordable airline ticket price to go to Japan. Mostly, this travel fair is divided into several travel fair, and the most popular one is:

• Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair (GAFT) - direct flight

I’ve heard few stories, where you could get the cheapest price by going to GAFT. GAFT is usually held on March and August, two times a year at Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC). For each sessions, they had a range you could book the airplane ticket. For example, during GAFT on March 2017, they only open the trip until 31 March 2018, usually within the range of one year. Thus, it allows you to plan your budget and money.

The first thing you have to check which bank facilitates the airline booking and payment. For GAFT, usually Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) collaborates with Garuda with discount and installment payment method. For those who came earlier can queue for the cashback program – making your ticket price even cheaper. However, as what has been circulating, the queue is unbelievable, maybe you should camp around the night before because they had a limit per day, usually around 150 up to 200 person/day and the amount of cashback is also different for certain amount of people.
But don’t worry, as even if you do not get the cashback event, you could still win the discount as GAFT offers airplane ticket with discount up tp 75%, specially during happy hour (10.00 – 13.00 and 16.00 – 18.00) with payment using the affiliated bank credit card, of course. Most favorite destination for this travel fair is Japan. Garuda offers return ticket from Jakarta to Japan for
Rp 4jt – 6jt without any transfer (direct flight). For more information, you could search and look for more information on GAFT.

• Cathay Pacific Travel Fair - transit in Hongkong

Almost the same with Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair, Cathay also offers affordable ticket price around Rp 4jt – Rp 5jt with transit in Hongkong. The difference is that, the affiliate bank is not BNI, instead HSBC. It offers 0% installment for three months with minimum transaction of Rp 10jt. Besides, HSBC also offers cashback of Rp 1jt, but you have to queue in the morning (there are limited for certain amount of people) and must do the transaction within the same day. For more information, you could check on HSBC website for Cathay Pacific Travel Fair.

• Singapore Airlines Travel Fair - transit in Singapore

Same with other travel fair but the affiliate bank is Bank Central Asia (BCA) with 0% installment for 6 months and also offers cashback of Rp 1.5jt

• Japan Travel Fair (ANA, Japan Airlines) - direct flight

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the largest airline in Japan and the most prestigious one. It offers direct flight from Jakarta to Japan. Usually the normal price for return ticket is around Rp 10jt, while you could get discount price for return ticket only for Rp 4jt with BNI credit card. It also offers 0% installment for 12 months.

For Low Cost Carrier (LCC) airlines:

• Air Asia - transit in Kuala Lumpur 
• Jetstar - 2 times transit (Singapore & Taipei) before arriving in Osaka Kansai Airport
• Tiger Airways - 2 times transit (Singapore & Taipei) before arriving in Tokyo Narita Airport

Personally, I would say it is up to you which airlines you would like to choose. If you could, just pick the cheapest one. You could also book for open ticket, for example, arriving in Tokyo - Narita and departure from Osaka. There is no need to worry this airlines would arrive in which Airport since when you use Japan Rail Pass, everything is settled. I would discuss separately for Japan Rail Pass.

Please note that usually for one way ticket, the price would be higher rather than return ticket. Besides, you have to note that subway & trains only operate till midnight. So, if you arrived late at night, it is possible that you have to take taxi to go to the city (which is not cheap) or maybe to sleep near the Airport.

This time, I choose Cathay Pacific because we would like to transit in Hongkong for a while. Personally, I think each travel fair offers the same program. It’s just whether you are willing to queue or not. The most important thing is that, you should prepare option (date and time of your flight) to minimize time for booking the flight and possibly allows you to get the cashback. However, for GAFT, you could also get discount even if you don’t queue in the morning. Another thing, you could check on Traveloka whereby they would also offer the same price as on the travel fair. The negative thing is that, you have to pay in full and installment is not possible at all, though refundable option is available.

Transportation
It is recommended to use trains, bullet trains and also subway all around Japan because it is easy to access even if you would like to change from one city to another city. There are many type of pass which allow you to explore the city within one or two days with affordable transportation cost.

To explore Japan's wide are from city to city, you could use Japan Rail Pass which

Based on what I've researched, it takes around 170 to 280 yen each time you take subway, even if it's one station only, it will still cost you 170 yen (~ Rp 20.000,-) thus, by using pass, you could cut down the travelling costs. However, you have to note that you might need to calculate and compare the total price whether it can be covered with the pass or not. For checking the transportation cost and route, you could try using Google Maps or Hyperdia

Accomodation

Talking about accommodation in Japan is not easy. It depends on the lifestyle of each person. But I would say, if you are fine with hotel price in Singapore, then you would have no problem in Japan. In Tokyo the price usually range from 7,000 -  10,000 yen per night for nice budget hotel (standard: single bed with length of 120 cm and 10m2 wide for the room ~ well, quite small). The price will vary with the number of guest present. If you book your hotel, do make sure the size of the bed otherwise, you will suffer that night.

Osaka has a bigger room if you compared to Tokyo, with slightly cheaper price per night. Meanwhile, Kyoto has a seasonal price range because this city is the most favorite for tourist, either local or international. Thus, if you plan to visit Kyoto, it is recommended to book the hotel at least 3-4 months ahead, specially during cherry blossom and autumn leaves since it is a peak season in Kyoto itself.

There are certain choices you could try to check:

• Standard Western Hotel 
• Japanese Style Hotel
• Ryokan
• Airbnb (apartment rental – which is quite popular nowadays)
• Hostel/Guesthouse (shared bathroom & private bathroom by choice)

For budget hotel, you could try to check; Hotel Mystays, Daiwa Ryonet, Toyoko-Inn. Personally, I, myself tried to find hotel from searching platform; Booking.com and Agoda.com which will help you to find a good deal. Another tips, if you are alright with shared bathroom, try to check hostel. My fave one is Grids Nihombashi East Hotel & Hostel around Nihombashi Station. Try to check Sakura Terrace The Atelier also in Kyoto.

Internet Connection

The most important thing if you travel by yourself is to have internet connection to check the direction and schedule of trains. Usually, there are several travel agent company who offers wifi-rental for 500 yen per day (~ Rp 60,000) which can be used up to 3-4 people. You could ask to be dropped at hotel or airport.

Meanwhile, you could also buy the tourist SIM Card for Rp 350.000,- from Indonesia (you can check on Japan Travel Fair as there will be travel agent who will  offer the simcard). This simcard can be used for 8 days unlimited 4G.

Budget

Talking about budget, it is again back to your style of travelling. Usually, the regular price when you eat at the restaurant is around 1,000 – 2,000 yen one time. Thus, it is recommended to make a budget of 3,000 -  4,000 yen per day. However, for budget traveller, you can also choose convenience store meal which cost around 400 – 500 yen per meal and the taste can also be said good.

Regarding how much to spend for shopping, that itself will be based on your spending pattern. For me personally, I would save up and research first the price for Japan Cosmetic Products locally then compare it with the price there.

To take note, Japan is a cash-basis country, thus many restaurants and hotels do not accept credit cards. Some will accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB. However, please be prepared just in case. It is advisable to do the foreign exchange in your home country rather than in Japan because the rate fluctuation is kinda big.


Itinerary

It is extremely important to plan out your itinerary really well if you want to have a budgeted trip, otherwise, the transportation cost would be affected much and you will waste a lot of time. It will be different totally if you are flexible about your budget and time.

I would say, it's best to go in one direction instead of going back and forth. If you happen to get good airplane ticket, try to move from Tokyo to Osaka or the other way round, Osaka to Tokyo.
This time, since I am not searching good enough, my flight would be to arrive in Tokyo and depart from Tokyo also, which costs a huge amount of transport if I planned to go to Kyoto & Osaka as well. So, plan your itinerary well.

Will share about the budget & whole itinerary after the vacation :)

Stay tuned :D