Japan Autumn Trip 2017 Part 1

Hello guys, I just came back from our private Japan Trip. We departed from Soekarno Hatta International Airport Terminal 2 on 30 November 2017. This time around, we planned to visit 5 cities in Japan for our autumn trip. However, we ended up with only a few cities to visit because there is not enough time, but we are still really glad and happy for having this trip. 

Day 1 - Layover for 6 hours at Hongkong International Airport

Our flight was midnight at 00.10 am for Hongkong. I was so ready for this trip and prepared to sleep peacefully. However, since it was an Economy class, the seat was a little bit upright and small, so I don't get a good sleep.

But after 4.5 hour, we arrived at Hongkong International Airport around 5.50am HK time in morning. Our plan for the six hours layover is to check the Tian Tan Buddha near Ngong Ping Village which is located just 15 minutes bus ride from Hongkong International Airport. The immigration is quiet long for Hongkong International Airport but we are leaving the immigration area around 7am, went to toilet and fix the makeup for 30 minutes, and tried to find the leave baggage area for another 30 minutes. If you want to leave the baggage, please do come to Terminal 2 Hongkong International Airport and it will cost HKD$ 12/hour/piece.

So after we finished the immigration, leave cabin baggage at the airport service, we took S1 bus just across the airport. The ride is about 15 minutes and will only cost HKD$ 3.5 (which is around Rp 6.500,-) for one way. It's much cheaper and faster rather than taking Airport Express.

At S1 Bus - The bus looks like one in Singapore but it's double decker bus

The good thing is that, I was also there witnessing some of the Korean stars who came for MAMA Awards. I don't know who was there, but there were so many people grouping around the exit area and can suddenly screams for I dunno who. 

We are very lucky to meet an Indonesian uncle who has lived in Hongkong for 15 years, so we asked where we should go for the cable car. The uncle told us to just walk 100 meter and you will find the opening gate. At the gate, we saw the cable car will open at 10.00am and we are there too early. So we decided to just go around Tung Chung mall area to have a dimsum breakfast. Before that, we checked the Starbucks area and Oh my God, the bread looks all delicious and was totally different compare to Jakarta. Here's what it looks like:

We went to Federal Palace restaurant who is the only dimsum restaurant open from the morning. It was 9am in the morning, so we ordered congee and some dimsum for us to eat. After that, as the clock keeps ticking, it was time for us to go back to Ngong Ping Cable Car area.

We took the purchasing ticket line and decided to ride the Crystal Cabin (round trip) for HKD$ 290/person. What's the different? There are two type of cabin, the Standard Cabin and Crystal Cabin.

The difference is only at the bottom of the cable car, if you choose the Crystal Cabin, you can see the view on your bottom. FYI, the difference is about HKD$ 80/person. 

The ride was about 25 minutes and it crossed the bay, high mountains and it was so cloudy. The temperature was also a bit cold, so prepare yourself. But the view was magnificent.

Finally we arrived at Ngong Ping Village. First is to take picture first, second is to find coffee! We are so sleepy, but still walk to the Tian Tan Buddha.

Unfortunately, as we are quite afraid if we could come back late to the airport, so we didn't climb up. 

We went back to Hongkong International Airport by taking S1 bus again and find lunch around the departure area. Then our flight was called and we went to be ready for another departure to Tokyo!!

We arrived Haneda International Airport at 9.10pm (Tokyo Time), went for immigration (be prepared if the immigration office ask you some questions - at least you have to know where you are gonna stay) It doesn't happen to me though, no question at all - but it happened to our of our member. 

Xmas setting at Haneda International Airport

After finish collecting up the baggage, we tried to find a place to sleep. The arrival lobby is on 2nd floor, so the light wouldn't be dimmed. Be prepared if you want a good sleep, please bring eye mask. It's a bit hard to find place to sleep near the charging area, and we tried to sleep at the arrival lobby bench. Really, a new kind of experience. FYI, there were so many people who did that also. The thing that disturbed the most is the cleaning service, as the machine was quite loud and it will disturb your peaceful sleep. But overall, the airport was pretty safe, so don't worry about your bag. 

We plan to take shower and went out at 5.30am, but we are quite late from our schedule. We finished having shower and prepared to go at 7am. If you happen to go around 7am, please note that, there is Keikyu Information Center which opens from 7am - 10pm everyday and has the tourist welcome ticket. Please bring your passport at it can only bought by toursit. 

Keikyu Line one way + Tokyo Subway 24 hour= 1,200 yen

Keikyu Line one way + Tokyo Subway 48 hour= 1,600 yen

Keikyu Line one way + Tokyo Subway 72 hour= 1,900 yen

Or you could also buy Tokyo Subway at Tourist Information Centre once you have arrived Haneda International Airport arrival lobby 2nd Floor - open from 5.30 am - 01.00am (the next day). Your passport is required to purchase this discount ticket. 

Tokyo subway 24 hour = 800 yen

Tokyo subway 48 hour = 1,200 yen

Tokyo subway 72 hour = 1,500 yen

Sadly, when I was about to buy the Keikyu Line + Tokyo Subway, the counter was closed already. They closed exactly at 10pm, so even you were late for 1 minute, you won't get the ticket. And so, we bought the Tokyo subway 48hr by itself because we thought we would be leaving the airport before 7am in the morning - but end up leaving at 7am LOL. So, we took the Tokyo Monorail (covered by JR Pass) which cost 490 yen/person for one way from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho Station. In the end, the difference in cost is only 90 yen (aroud Rp 10,000,-)

Day 2 - Tokyo (Gingko Avenue, Ginza, Shibuya)

Because it's over the weekend, the hotel price around Tokyo was a bit crazy. It happened that I got a good price at Oak Hotel Edo which is located near Morishita Station (Toei Oedo Line). We only need to transfer once after arriving at Daimon Station. FYI, Hamamatsucho Station is a JR Station with its subway station called Daimon. You need to walk a bit to transfer to Daimon Station. So, from Daimon Station, we used the Tokyo 48hr for the first time. You just need to insert the card to the machine and get them back when you crossed the gate. Everytime you enter the subway, don't forget to insert the card and get them back and always bring it anywhere you go. 

We went down to Basement 3 floor using lift and took the subway towards Ryogoku and stopped at Morishita Station (7 stops). Then we went to A6 exit as I have already researched for the exit with lift. The stupid thing is that, we didn't check the lift before we took the escalator up. I thought the lift would be there after we took the escalator. instead it was located at the back behind the escalator. We went up by escalator and there was only stairs now. It was like a big decision, is whether to bring the luggage up or down by stairs, both decision is not a good idea. So we took the luggage up one by one. Suddenly the grandpa said that there were lift, OMG, I was speechless at that moment. Stupid us. Buy a new kind of experience. Be prepared that you have to use stairs. 

Has a sweet taste for Tamago (Egg) - just not my taste. I thought it was salty. 

After dropping the luggage, we went to Tsukiji Fish Market. It was on Toei Oedo Line as well, 5 stops from Morishita Station and we stopped at Tsukijishijo Station. It was the first time we saw the Gingko tree and so, took picture first (so Indonesian), and later went to the outer market of Tsukiji Fish Market. There were numbers of Sushi Restaurant with long queue. Our group doesn't like sushi, so looked for restaurant and end up at Yoshinoya type of restaurant, which served Donburi rice (rice topped with beef) and it was delicious though. I didn't eat beef but this time round, it will be hard because Mom's friend is also there, so pork is a bit hard. 

Afterwards, we went to Aoyama Icho Namiki which is quite famous for the Gingko Tree along the street. As we didn't know the exact place, we just stopped at Aoyama Itchome Station (6 stops from Morishita Station - on the same line, Toei Oedo Line). We walk about 500 meter and found a nice spot for photography and enjoying autumn in Tokyo. 

Afterwards, we decided to go to Ginza (5 stops from Aoyama Itchome Station on Tokyo Metro line). 

Ginza station was really huge. I was amazed by Tokyo transportation. It was on magnificent scale compared to Subway in Singapore or Hongkong. You would be surprised and I swear you wouldn't know where you are standing actually, either B1, B2, B3 or B7. We spotted the famous Wako Building as well. 

We stopped at Uniqlo and shopped for underwear, sweater, socks. As it was near lunch time, we looked for something to eat. I checked online and based on ladyironchef's recommendation, we tried to find Tendon Tenya Tempura restaurant which is located near Higashi-ginza Station. Sorry Mom & Dad, but we have to walk quite a bit (about 800 meter) because the food around Ginza is quite expensive and I don't know about the taste.

But it's all worth it, because the tempura was really delicious, it also only cost 520 yen for a bowl (which is quite large for my size). 

As we are quite tired, we went back to Hotel first to check in and take a rest. It was quite easy, just use Google Maps and you would know which line to take and where to transfer. The subway was connected underground and it made easy for us to change line. After 3 hours of sleep due to lack of sleep, we took shower, and at night, we went out to Shibuya for dinner. Shibuya is a bit far from our hotel as it took around 30 minutes to get there and we have to change from Toei Shinjuku Line to Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line but again, the transfer was quite easy. It might be confusing at first but you will get used to it, I promise. Just follow the sign and you would be safe. 

We checked Hachiko Statue, took some pictures and saw the famous Shibuya crossing street. We also did some experience taking picture on the crowded street and it was funny. Now I see how much struggle the photographer has to do for a good picture there.

We crossed the street towards Tsutaya Building and went to look for something for dinner. We found a kind of Matsuya kind of shop and went for dinner instead. It was quite cheap as well, for about 590 yen/bowl and it was nice as well. I think there is nothing that taste bad in Japan. 

As tomorrow we need to go to Mt. Fuji, we do not have enough time to explore Shibuya, so we decided to go back because most of the shop was about to close as well. Actually, if you have more time, do try visit Daikan-yama or Naka-meguro area, near Shibuya for the famous log road, fred segal and the brooklyn of Tokyo. Ohya, before I forget, please bring a small wallet for coins, because you will definitely need it. 

Day 3 - Mt. Fuji (Lake Kawaguchiko, Shibuya)

This is the day of the prewedding photoshoot for Indra & Lenny. The worst thing is that, I woke up late for an hour from makeup schedule. My alarm didn't work, or maybe I was too tired from the straight 2 days without nice sleep. Makeup starts at 5am and finished around 7.30am. Afterthat, we hurriedly went to the station and took the Toei Shinjuku Line for Shinjuku Station. Dad forgot the card because he changed his jacket to a thick one, but doesn't matter because the cost was covered anyway on Day 1. So, we need to buy a seperate one way subway ticket for him. From Morishita Station to Shinjuku Station, it costs 270 yen, for 20 minutes ride, it was quite easy as well to check the price and just bought from the machine. It has english language as well. At first, we bought 220 yen ticket and fare adjustment was needed, just go to the person standing near the gate for the fare adjustment or to the machine. 

After we went out from the gate, we look for Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal and was told to just cross the street from the passerby. So we hurriedly went to the Bus Terminal to book bus ticket to Lake Kawaguchiko. 

Actually there are several ways to get to Kawaguchiko

1. If you are a Japan Rail Pass holder, you can use JR Pass to Kawaguchiko. Take Chuo Line Limited Express train from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (covered by JR Pass) for 1 hour and change to Fujikyo Line (not covered by JR Pass) to Kawaguchiko for another 1 hour, which cost 1.140 yen/person one way. 

2. Take highway bus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station for 1 hr 45 minutes which cost 1.750 yen/person one way

The thing is that, we only bought JR Pass for 7 days ordinary and has to be used for seven days straight. Besides, we would like to use it later on when we move to Kyoto and go back to Tokyo at the end of our trip. As we are travelling for 9 days in Japan, the two days will be covered by subway in Tokyo. Actually you can use the JR Pass to travel in Tokyo (only a few big station - like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Harajuku). The difference is that, JR train runs on the ground floor, meanwhile subway runs underground. 

So, when we wanted to book for the 8.45am bus to Kawaguchiko, the staff said it was fully booked already and the only available seat for 8 person is at 10.15am and yeah, we have an hour to wait for our bus. Thus, with a disappointed schedule, we have to cancel Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden because it closed at 4.30pm during winter and it's possible that we won't made it since the travelling time from Kawaguchiko would be around 2 hours. 

While waiting, we checked what's around Shinjuku for breakfast and spotted Dean & Deluca. Mom ordered congee for Felix & I, as we are quite busy to exchange our JR Pass since tomorrow we would be using it to go to Kyoto. To exchange JR Pass, you need to fill in the form and stated when the JR pass would be used. Afterwards, we reserved a seat for Kyoto tomorrow. As I was afraid if we are gonna late tomorrow, I asked what would happen if we missed the train and already reserved the seat. She said, we should return back the ticket reserved and book seat for the next Shinkansen, but it will be better if you didn't miss the Shinkansen. 

Once we got back, I ordered Cafe Latte at Dean & Deluca, and one commet, perfectly taste of mixed coffee and milk and it was the greatest cafe latte I've ever tasted. If Dean & Deluca was that nice, I wondered what would be my reaction if I tasted the famous Omotesando Koffee or Steamer Coffee Company or Blue Bottle Coffee. Will surely check them one day when I went back to Tokyo. 

At 12pm we reached Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden via Fujikyo Highway Bus. An accident happened that Dad forgot to take his phone from the chair and I had to ask for help near the Kawaguchiko Tourist Information to check on the bus. It was a bit hectic because they said they need time to check and asked when I would be returning to Shinjuku. I said we have booked the ticket back at 3.10pm the same day. I asked if the phone was found, can it be dropped at Shinjuku Station instead, but she said it will be difficult because the lost item would be returning to Kawaguchiko Station. Honestly, when she said that, I lost hope and better focus on the prewedding photoshoot. So I just left my number and name there. Because the retro bus only came every 15 minutes, I went back to the tourist center and after around ten minutes from my first report, the staff said she got a call that the phone was found. She told me, the same bus would also came to Kawaguchiko Station again and go back to Shinjuku Station. It would be best if my ticket back to Shinjuku Station was on the same bus, unfornatuely it's not. So she sincerely helped me change the bus ticket back to be on the same bus I took to come there. She then helped me to change the bus ticket to 4.10pm and told me that I should ask the phone from the driver and just get back the phone. Thanks God, I love you Japan, you are so credible. It's so safe there. 

As we are also hurry for the prewedding photoshoot, we bought Kawaguchiko sightseeing ticket for 1.300 yen/person which is valid for 2 days actually (it's a bit sad that we only use it for few hours but what can we do? Many cities to visit and we only came for the best spot). There are 22 bus stop along the Lake Kawaguchiko and we decided to stop at Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum because of the beautiful area along the lake. To ride the bus, just enter from the front door and when you get off, just show the card for Kawaguchiko sightseeing pass to the driver when get off. It was perfect for the photoshoot. Sadly, it was really cloudy so Mt. Fuji cannot be seen perfectly, but whatever, the weather was really nice...though the wind is a bit strong and you will surely feel cold. 

We went to stroll around the lake, found some nice spot and it happen that Mom & I meet again near Itchiku Kubota Art Museum (station 19). They did some photoshoot as well and I guess they had a few number of amazing spot there instead of us. Afterwards, we went to Station 22, Kawaguchiko Natural Living Centre for the best spot to view Mt Fuji. Sadly it was cloudly, so it's a bit hard to spot the whole Mt. Fuji, only some of the snow capped mountain. Still, it was amazing. 

We went back to Kawaguchiko Station with the same retro bus at 3.12pm to reach Kawaguchiko Station at 3.39pm. I didn't notice it but the bus was so crowded, so I suggest took the best bound for Kawaguchiko Station from Station 22 (Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center) instead of taking from Station 10/8 because right from the start, it is full already. We reached Kawaguchiko Station at 3.39pm and as I was waiting for our bus, the same staff told me that the bus will come and I should be getting back the phone from the driver. 

While waiting, there are groups of Indonesian people who missed the bus. As it's difficult for them to communicate in English with the staff, they asked me to ask why they cannot ride the bus while the bus number is the same. So I explained to them what was the staff said to me, the bus number might be the same, but it depends on what time you have booked the bus ride. Japan is so punctual, so even though you are late by 2-3 minutes, the bus took off already. So make sure you asked them whether it's the correct bus before riding and asked whether your bus has come or not. So those Indonesian people were forced to buy another ticket as they have missed their bus. 

The ride back to Shinjuku took longer than because of the traffic jam. So we reached Shinjuku Station at night around 6.30pm and we went to Takashimaya Department Store to change clothes and look for food to eat. Then it became time to shop for sneakers LOL. So, afterwards we decided to go to Shibuya to continue the prewedding session. I thought we should go to Shinjuku Sanchome Station by train, but I don't know how close it was to Takashimaya, so we only went down and it's Shinjuku Sanchome Station already. Then I bought another one way ticket for Dad to Shibuya (cost 170 yen) and ride about 7 minutes for 3 stops. 

We then ate Ramen called Ichiryu, the staff is very informative, there's one Japanese guy who can speak and understand English and help us a lot with the menu. The ramen is nice and the fried rice pork is the best. There's also chicken karage which is free from the pork. Afterwards, we went to Shibuya Crossing Street for prewedding photoshoot, meanwhile Mom & Dad group went to stroll around Shibuya. 

Afterwards, it was 9pm and we wanted to go to Uniqlo, sadly Mom said it was closed already and there's nothing much we can do, so we decided to go back to hotel. 

Let me show you some calculation if you bought the Tokyo subway discount ticket or not:

So it's worth it to buy the Tokyo Subway 48 hr ticket if you are using subway much in Tokyo. Please be reminded that it's a bit hard to buy these discount ticket because they only sell it in some of the big station or at Bic Camera. The easiest is to buy once you have arrived at Narita/Haneda airport. 

We ended save up 1.440 yen (or around Rp 175.000,-) nice right?

Alright, it's gonna be up till here first and the next day would be up on next post ~