Mum spent about two months in front of the computer. She checked railway timetables, buses, hostels, weather forecasts, etc, and also took care of the reservations and bookings and payments. THANKS MUM!
I spend a long time with the travel book and a phrasebook too and it helped us a lot later on.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Day 1
Our flight departed from Kuala Lumpur, then a short stop at Singapore (alright let's not even talk about the tight immigration there) another stop at Bangkok, and finally towards Japan. I love plane rides. I enjoyed looking out the window.
A sea of clouds!
We reached Narita Airport, Tokyo around 7.20am, 23rd December 2008. We went straight to the JR (Japan Railway) office. We bought a thing called the JR Pass which is only available for us foreigners travelling in Japan. It's only for a specific period of time but within that limit we can use it as many times as we want, so the worth. Our JR Passes this time was only active as of 26th December so for the time being we had to make do with bus rides, trains and the mighty feet. No Shinkansen yet of course. It's also best to make reservations as soon as possible, that is, for bus or train or whatever else's seats. Trust me, you gotta.
We reached Narita Airport, Tokyo around 7.20am, 23rd December 2008. We went straight to the JR (Japan Railway) office. We bought a thing called the JR Pass which is only available for us foreigners travelling in Japan. It's only for a specific period of time but within that limit we can use it as many times as we want, so the worth. Our JR Passes this time was only active as of 26th December so for the time being we had to make do with bus rides, trains and the mighty feet. No Shinkansen yet of course. It's also best to make reservations as soon as possible, that is, for bus or train or whatever else's seats. Trust me, you gotta.
Ahhh the Jidohambaiki (vending machines). They are ABUNDANT. They're just everywhere. There were too many I gave up taking pictures of em. Here's one.
Another two things that we needed were the Suica and N'EX (Narita Express) cards. Suica's just like the touch 'n' go cards. LOOKS COOL furthermore.
So after everything was done and we were finally ready, we headed to Mitaka from Shinjuku by train. From the Mitaka station we walked about 1km to the Ghibli Museum. It was easy coz there were road signs guiding us. Here's one at 500m.
So after everything was done and we were finally ready, we headed to Mitaka from Shinjuku by train. From the Mitaka station we walked about 1km to the Ghibli Museum. It was easy coz there were road signs guiding us. Here's one at 500m.
At the entrance, Totoro greeted us in a booth! Too bad we weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum. It was a great experience. The place was magnificent. It was as if we were really in Hayao Miyazaki's world! Well, we kind of were...
The robot from.... Laputa I think.
That Porco Rosso protagonist holding the cafe menu.
Then we headed to the Inokashira Koen, a garden just beside the museum.
Then we headed to the Inokashira Koen, a garden just beside the museum.
We were lucky to see these withering momiji (autumn leaves).
Torii gates beside the lake.
A mandarin duck and a koi fish.
We had some Dorayaki at the train station before going to Harajuku.
Harajuku! Look at the people! Sorry I had to go on tip toes and hold the camera really high to take this shot and it turned out blur. Edit: sorry this is Takeshita Dori, Harajuku street is further back. We went there but I can't find any pictures so probably I only took the ones along this street. Thanks to Gukichan for correcting me :)
We stopped by Ebisu and Shibuya on the way to Hamamatsu-cho to see the Tokyo Tower! At Hamamatsu-cho we took a look at a temple and (shh) I kinda played with the purifying water.
We stopped by Ebisu and Shibuya on the way to Hamamatsu-cho to see the Tokyo Tower! At Hamamatsu-cho we took a look at a temple and (shh) I kinda played with the purifying water.
Tokyo Tower
Getting nearer
At the foot of the tower, there were really pretty Christmas decorations all about and there was also a live band performance. We didn't stand a chance to go up the tower coz the queue was SO freakin long.
At last. A proper meal for the first time. It's a fast food restaurant MATSUYA. Instant because they serve so fast right after we handed the tickets (there was a ticket machine where we had to put in coins and press the orders, then tickets came out). But the noodles were really nice.
At last. A proper meal for the first time. It's a fast food restaurant MATSUYA. Instant because they serve so fast right after we handed the tickets (there was a ticket machine where we had to put in coins and press the orders, then tickets came out). But the noodles were really nice.
Good thing about the restaurants in Japan, free (GOOD) green tea and free refill. I sound so cheap haha. And also, the food were as good as they looked!!! And they're just fast food so 
About 11pm we waited an hour for the night bus to Kyoto. <--- Really simple sentence but I gotta add that there was no bus stop for us to wait so the wind was blowing my nose off. Another thing I just HAVE to say : A lot of HOT girls with tights and short skirts (and it's winter time) and ahem so okaay I'll stop here.
whoa.
Curry rice, gotta try. It's good! And it's BEEF!
Mum's Gyudon (beef bowl). This is so good too!
Mum's Gyudon (beef bowl). This is so good too!
About 11pm we waited an hour for the night bus to Kyoto. <--- Really simple sentence but I gotta add that there was no bus stop for us to wait so the wind was blowing my nose off. Another thing I just HAVE to say : A lot of HOT girls with tights and short skirts (and it's winter time) and ahem so okaay I'll stop here.
P/S: I do regret not taking pictures of them. *perv*
End of Day 1.
Day 2
December 24, 2008.
It's Christmas Eve!
The bus reached Kyoto at 8am. We saw another fast food restaurant right opposite the Kyoto Station called the NAKAU and we were kind of hungry. I'm not really used to an early breakfast, but I did not regret going there.
Curry again but I asked for udon this time. Mum was still stuck with her gyudon, and she just loved those pink pickled ginger.
Sorry when I talk about food I just get excited. Bear with me. You will see that simple meals can satisfy us, very much. We were on a very low and fixed budget so we were trying to survive with these cheaper fast food places and when all else failed at least we still had the Kombini (convenience stores like Lawson, Kiosk, Family Mart, am/pm, 7-Eleven, etc) so... bright side is, we're alive.
Refreshed and much more awake, we went back to Kyoto Station and looked around in some of the shops. There were so many things there and they sell these Omiyage thingies(souvenir) in forms of foods or sweets or various types of things. By the way their Wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets) were exquisite! Beautiful artwork, how could they just eat them... I would have felt really sad haha.
Wagashi of the season
Some... kinda... girly stuff? I guess. Purses and pouches and I dunno, mirrors... etc.
Keychains
Origami papers
Kokeshi wooden dolls and porcelain ones below
T-shirts!
These beautiful fans cost a bomb.
Kyoto Tower!
We used a very simple map mum printed out to look for the TOMATO Guest House. It was really cozy inside and woohoo the staff can speak pretty good english too.
OK now to Kinkakuji! A building covered with gold leaf. A beautiful sight! Let my pictures do the talking.
A stone pagoda
These are green tea flavoured Dango! (glutinous rice)
To Ryoan-ji next! There were a lot of people there but the rock garden still calmed us.
Mini version of the rock garden
The interior of the tea room looked real cool!
On the way to the bus stop we had a Usagi Manju (rabbit shaped red bean bun) and we went to Ginkakuji!
Unfortunately the building was having some renovation work done so it was all covered up.
Here's how it actually looked like (a poster they put up in front of the current building).
This is the Ginsyadan (silver beach). The pile of sand shaped like a little mountain at the back represents Mount Fuji, and the big one in front represents waves of the ocean (I hope I didn't misinterpret or smth).
Wooden tablets - write your wish on one and hang it up.
Make a wish and throw a coin.
On the way back we stopped for a matcha cream puff. Just look at the crust and the cream dammit. *drool*
We also ate some senbei! So fresh!
The last destination for today is Gion! I've always wanted to have a look at this place. I really enjoyed being there and seeing so many of the old traditional houses along the streets was such a happy thing. Many geishas and maikos usually go about. I got to see a few of them but I did not take any photos, I wasn't really sure if I was allowed to. *admiration*
We passed by a Japanese opera theater. Those wooden tags up there are the names of all the shows available, I think, or many the performers. Big whoa... and yes, we would need to spend quite a lot for a show so wipe our tears and bye bye. Ahh budget. Let's move on.
We bought some instant noodles and a chicken karaage stick (this karaage was @#$^&% taaaaaaasttty!) from LAWSON. We got back to TOMATO Guest House and checked in.
Nice tatami room!
Nice bathroom!
I LOVE THIS FREAKIN HEATER I TELL YOU. We even "grilled" our socks with this thing hehe! Ok shh.
Alright lights out.
Merry Christmas!
End of Day 2.
It's Christmas Eve!
The bus reached Kyoto at 8am. We saw another fast food restaurant right opposite the Kyoto Station called the NAKAU and we were kind of hungry. I'm not really used to an early breakfast, but I did not regret going there.
Curry again but I asked for udon this time. Mum was still stuck with her gyudon, and she just loved those pink pickled ginger.
Sorry when I talk about food I just get excited. Bear with me. You will see that simple meals can satisfy us, very much. We were on a very low and fixed budget so we were trying to survive with these cheaper fast food places and when all else failed at least we still had the Kombini (convenience stores like Lawson, Kiosk, Family Mart, am/pm, 7-Eleven, etc) so... bright side is, we're alive.
Refreshed and much more awake, we went back to Kyoto Station and looked around in some of the shops. There were so many things there and they sell these Omiyage thingies(souvenir) in forms of foods or sweets or various types of things. By the way their Wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets) were exquisite! Beautiful artwork, how could they just eat them... I would have felt really sad haha.
Wagashi of the season
Some... kinda... girly stuff? I guess. Purses and pouches and I dunno, mirrors... etc.
Keychains
Origami papers
Kokeshi wooden dolls and porcelain ones below
T-shirts!
These beautiful fans cost a bomb.
Kyoto Tower!
We used a very simple map mum printed out to look for the TOMATO Guest House. It was really cozy inside and woohoo the staff can speak pretty good english too.
OK now to Kinkakuji! A building covered with gold leaf. A beautiful sight! Let my pictures do the talking.
A stone pagoda
These are green tea flavoured Dango! (glutinous rice)
To Ryoan-ji next! There were a lot of people there but the rock garden still calmed us.
Mini version of the rock garden
The interior of the tea room looked real cool!
On the way to the bus stop we had a Usagi Manju (rabbit shaped red bean bun) and we went to Ginkakuji!
Unfortunately the building was having some renovation work done so it was all covered up.
Here's how it actually looked like (a poster they put up in front of the current building).
This is the Ginsyadan (silver beach). The pile of sand shaped like a little mountain at the back represents Mount Fuji, and the big one in front represents waves of the ocean (I hope I didn't misinterpret or smth).
Wooden tablets - write your wish on one and hang it up.
Make a wish and throw a coin.
On the way back we stopped for a matcha cream puff. Just look at the crust and the cream dammit. *drool*
We also ate some senbei! So fresh!
The last destination for today is Gion! I've always wanted to have a look at this place. I really enjoyed being there and seeing so many of the old traditional houses along the streets was such a happy thing. Many geishas and maikos usually go about. I got to see a few of them but I did not take any photos, I wasn't really sure if I was allowed to. *admiration*
We passed by a Japanese opera theater. Those wooden tags up there are the names of all the shows available, I think, or many the performers. Big whoa... and yes, we would need to spend quite a lot for a show so wipe our tears and bye bye. Ahh budget. Let's move on.
We bought some instant noodles and a chicken karaage stick (this karaage was @#$^&% taaaaaaasttty!) from LAWSON. We got back to TOMATO Guest House and checked in.
Nice tatami room!
Nice bathroom!
I LOVE THIS FREAKIN HEATER I TELL YOU. We even "grilled" our socks with this thing hehe! Ok shh.
Alright lights out.
Merry Christmas!
End of Day 2.
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