Japan Autumn Trip 2017 Wrapped Up

Day 10 - Tokyo

In the morning, we planned to visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple before we went to Haneda International Airport. From Gotanda Station, it actually has a direct Toei Asakusa Line for Asakusa which cost 270 yen one way. However, as we need to use our JR Pass and minimize the subway cost, we then took JR Yamanote Line towards Tokyo or Ueno and stopped at Ueno Station. 

Afterwards, we transferred to Toei Asakusa Line (the walk is quite far) and ride towards Asakusa Station (170 yen/person one way). Then from the station, we walk towards Sensoji Temple. We prayed first then tried the Omikuji. Omikuji (おみくじ) are Japanese fortune-telling paper strips that can be found at shrines and temples throughout the country. The fortune that one is granted can range from having a great blessing (大吉) to a great curse (大凶).

Afterwards, we took some pictures, shopped around Nakamise Street where it was pretty crowded with tourist and went back to our hotel using subway Toei Asakusa Line (270 yen one way). The train actually has several type, which eventually we took the Limited Express to Haneda International Airport, so at Sengakuji Station, we had to transfer to the next train. Afterwards, we were preparing all the things and baggages to go back to Haneda Airport International Terminal. We planned to had lunch at Haneda Airport, while I actually wanted to try Ippudo Ramen near our hotel. 

Our Trip in Japan has finished. See you again Japan, will surely come back there!

Our flight departed at 4.20pm Japan Time and would arrive in Hongkong International Airport at 9.10pm Hongkong Time. We then had our snacking time at Wendy's and McDonald before we went to the boarding area. Hongkong Airport is quite huge as well, so we need to use train to transfer. So better be prepared and spare some time to transfer to boarding gates. 

Once we arrived in Indonesia, it's funny how Felix lost his Lacoste cap with L symbol at the front on the plane when he was asleep. We did expect maybe the cap fell somewhere. But we are quite suspicious with....well, the passengers on the plane. Not gonna make an offense but it's all Indonesian people there... even if the cap fell down, it's supposed to be there, but there was totally none. Any idea? I guess you must be thinking the same as me. Unbelivable, but that's Indonesia. I really wish the one who took the cap will have to face the punishment later on - whoever it is. You see, he bought the cap in Japan using his own hard-earned money - besides it's not that long that he used it for his work. He cherished that hat as much as he cherished his own money and someone took it without even considering anything. Somehow and someday, I am sure the one who took the cap will pay the price for what he/she did. I am sure of it. 

Anyway, be careful when you are on plane, because there's no CCTV. 

So, here’s what I suggest for your Japan Trip next time:

1. Always look for hotel/hostel/airbnb with station that has escalator or lift if you are staying in Tokyo, because there were so many subway line and it’s possible that your subway station doesn’t have lift or escalator. 

2. You will need to walk a lot if you want to travel around Tokyo and your stamina has to be fit. It’s impossible not to walk around Tokyo because each and every attraction there requires you to walk. 

3. The Japanese people is quite friendly in Kyoto & Osaka more than in Tokyo. Even though there were some also in Tokyo but I always find nice people around Kyoto & Osaka. 

4. Make sure you had an idea where you are going, specially if you are travelling by yourself, at least prepare where you should be getting off and where you should go back because most of the station is quite far from each other, so be prepared with your itinerary. 

5. Mostly, I used Google maps for directions, food and also some train schedules. 

6. Always be punctual with your time, otherwise, you might miss your train. 

7. If you plan to have more cities to visit, I suggest to but a one way airplane ticket. For example, If you only plan to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, then buy the ticket Arrived at Tokyo and Departed from Osaka, or the other way round instead of round trip from Tokyo. Because this way, it will minimize your cost (no need JR Pass) and you will also have more time to enjoy the city. 

8. Another plan is, to visit Tokyo by itself and enjoying Mt Fuji, Nikko & Kamakura or Hitachi Seaside Park. And to visit Kansai area by itself (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji) rather than having a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. 

9. DO NOT BRING XTRA LARGE LUGGAGE because you will need to bring the luggage with you, so just bring a medium sized luggage, so that it’s easy for you to move around. 

10. In winter, pack your necessary clothes and do not bring clothes too much, specially if you are travelling by yourself. 

11. I suggest to use ANA Airlines instead of any other airlines, because it’s a direct flight, the food is exceptionally nice and you can bring 2 luggages maximum each is 23kg. 

12. If you believe in Japanese Culture, try to buy the lucky charm or Omamori. 

13. Always calculated first before deciding to use discount ticket or not, otherwise you would pay more. 

Cheers!

Japan Autumn Trip 2017 Part 3

Day 6 - Kyoto

The next day, to fill up the photoshoot session, we decided to just skip Kobe and went around Gion Tanto. So we took bus from the bus stop right in front of our hotel to Gion Bus Stop. Kyoto has a flat rate for bus (230/adult and 120/child). We stopped right in front of Hanami Koji Street which is famous for spotting Maiko. We didn’t go there actually, instead, we walked towards Gion Tanto, a famous spot for cherry blossom in Spring and autumn colors during autumn. 

Before we arrived at the site, we rented Kimono from one of the shop. The Kimono was so tight and requires quite sometimes to change. So we only started the photo session at 1pm. The area was really pretty and perfect for a kimono day. The price of kimono rental is from 3.500 – 10.000 yen. If you need hairdo, it will cost 1.000 – 1.500 yen with additional accessories for 500 yen. 

The weather was cold. We thought the Kimono would make us feel even colder, but it’s not. It’s warm actually even though our neck was exposed. For me personally, wearing Kimono didn’t really suit me. But whatever, I just had this one photo looking quite okay. What do you think?

Then we ate around Gion Tanto for Ramen Muraji. Mom had Lemon Ramen which is quite famous. This restaurant had trip advisor recommendation. I had Tsukemen for the first time and the noodle is a bit hard. But combines perfectly with the hot broth.

Afterwards, we went to Kiyomizudera. It was a long walk uphill but it's very pretty. We get the sunset and the fall foliage of the red tree around there. Although the main hall is under construction until 2020, Kiyomizudera is still one of the places you should visit when you came to Kyoto. 

We also tried the Otowa Waterfall which is famous for its three stream lines. Its waters are divided into three separate streams, and visitors use cups attached to long poles to drink from them. Each stream's water is said to have a different benefit, namely to cause longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life. However, drinking from all three streams is considered greedy.

The weather got colder at night, so after several shops closed, we went back to  our hotel near Kujo Station by taking bus from Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop (230 yen/one way) and went to Don Quijote store at Kyoto Avanti. It’s a huge store with so many products and souvenirs to bring back to your home country. I bought few snacks on me as well. Afterwards, we went to Family Mart to buy some food to eat. The food from Family Mart is delicious as well. At night we talked that tomorrow we should wake up early because the train to Takayama will depart at 8.43am from Nagoya Station. 

However, we noticed we haven’t gone to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the famous tori gate in Kyoto and that’s a MUST go place in Kyoto. So, we decided to wake up early at 6am to visit Fushimi Inari and be back to hotel around 9am. I checked the train schedule to Nagoya will leave at 10.32am from Kyoto Statio and reach Nagoya Station at 11.25am in morning. And if we want to go to Takayama, we just need to take the 11.43am limited express train to Takayama. 

So, everything settled. The original plan is to take early train to Takayama. Possibly reached there at 11.00am and just go straight to Shirakawago. But as we saw the weather is cloudy, it’s possible that we might not get a good view. Besides, I wanted to visit Shin Hotaka Ropeway as well (90 minutes bus ride from Takayama Station). It is famous for its double decker cable car and the 360 degree view of Mt. Hotaka. Besides, if you are lucky, you will get to see Snowman on the top of Mt. Hotaka. This ride is more famous to the locals there, and not so many people know about it. 

But this ride requires perfect or fine weather at least. Thus, it’s quite hard to predict the weather and I wish we could go there again the next time. 

Japan Autumn Trip 2017 Part 2

Day 4 - Osaka

Yesterday night, we tried the Izakaya Restaurant near our hotel. Actually we didn’t know it was an izakaya (Japanese style pub), its name is Kushiyaki Gen 串焼き and they served お通し (otōshi) or sometimes 突き出し (tsukidashi), this appetizer is given to each and every alcohol-imbibing customer, and sometimes even to those only sipping on soft drinks, regardless of whether you’re drinking at a chain pub or a family owned watering hole. The customer has no say whatsoever in what the snack will be, and even if it remains completely untouched it is added to the bill, costing on average 200-500 yen (US$2-5) per head. And so, we were charged 300 yen/person. It’s a bit weird to us, but as we looked for information on izakaya, we then knew what Otoshi means.

So, it’s the day to go to Kyoto. Felix & I already reserved for 8.40am shinkansen from Shinagawa. But it turns out we missed the shinkansen. It was really hectic, because we need to transfer 2 times to take the shinkansen. First, we need to go to Morishita Station and took Toei Oedo Line back to Daimon Station (we still use the 48hrs Tokyo Subway Discount Ticket). Then we need to go to Hamamatsucho Station to take JR Lines towards Shinagawa Station. The thing is, we took the wrong exit again. No lift. Actually there was and we’ve been there, it’s just that no one realized that. So, again, we took all the luggages up by stairs. Gosh, so much homework T_T (so we concluded, there must be one person who go up first to check). But once we are up, we were very lucky to spot Tokyo Tower from a far. Such a nice view.

Then, I had to hurry and return the reserved seat ticket and reserve seat for 9.40am Shinkansen to Kyoto. Then from Hamamatsucho Station, we went up by lift to JR Yamanote Line and showed the staff gate our JR Pass. We just need to ride 2 stops to Shinagawa Station. After arriving at Shinagawa Station, we had to transfer to Shinkansen Track, which is a bit far from the JR Track and yeah, as we are quite afraid to miss the train, we ran to find the Car 14 track – the last one. It’s quite epic LOL, because that’s our first time. So, please be prepare to walk quite far to reach your shinkansen car number.

At 12.11pm, we reached Kyoto Station and before leaving our luggage at the hotel, we had lunch at Kyoto Station. The food is quite pricy and doesn’t taste that good. But still, it’s edible and quite nice. Afterwards, we walked about 500 meter to Sakura Terrace The Atelier, a hostel kind of hotel. The shower room is located only at first floor and there is bathroom in each floor. After we put the luggage, the original schedule is that, we should hang around Kyoto today, but Felix suggested we should go to Osaka.

The trip to Osaka was almost one hour by JR trains and requires a long walk towards Osaka Castle Park. We had time when me took the wrong direction on Osaka Loop Line and so we had to change to the opposite direction.

From Morinomiya subway station, we took subway to Nippombashi Station for 230 yen/person one way.

Then at night we went to Shinsaibashi Suji Shopping Street for shopping, ate Ichiran at Dotonbori and went back to Kyoto.

Funny thing is that, the walk is really far, I would have fainted there actually because of those two Japanese guy who said they know the walk to JR-Namba Station.

We end up going here and there, though I should have believed Google Maps. Or even better, we should just take the subway to Osaka Station from Namba Station for 230 yen one way instead rather than walking that far to JR Namba. And so, we reached hotel at 12am, the weather was really cold and I would say, everyone was really tired that day, including me. Since it was night, we didn’t really notice the area, so instead of just crossing the street, we had to make a U turn to reach the hotel. So stupid right.

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!!