Tokyo, Japan (December 2009)

17 December 2009 (Thursday)

Landed in Narita Airport and went to buy tickets for the train rides. Took the airport train to Shinjuku before heading to Toyoko Inn where we will be staying in Shinigawa. Had a hard time finding it since it was quite inside. Realised there's only recycled bins in Japan and no dustbins at all. Omg cleanest country I'd ever been to.

Akihabara

Took the train to Akihabara after checking in. Had been so excited to go there 'cause the whole street's selling anime and game stuff. Final Fantasy XIII was launched on that day in Japan so the entire street was selling the game, playing its songs and trailers and also selling the merchandise. Never seen such a sight before. Everyone's fighting to sell the same thing on the entire street!? Bought some clothes at this weird department store that's freaking huge but kind of desolated. But there's this mini sale out of it so felt compiled to buy something. Had my first lunch at a store that has a vending machine for you to purchase your ticket and then give it to the counter. There's no spoon apparently so I had to drink from the bowl and then I realised Japan somehow doesn't offer you spoon. Anyway the Udon I had was so good so I went to buy another ticket and ate another bowl.

Tokyo CBD

The Tokyo CBD was so quiet and peaceful on that day. It turned dark at around 4pm though since it was winter. Roamed around and wanted to go to the Imperial Palace but it was closed on that day so we didn't enter. The buildings were so cool though, it felt like those in England. It has got the Japan office worker feel. We could even see the Tokyo Tower from around that area.

Odaiba / Palette Town / Venus Fort

Headed to Odaiba afterwards. Arrived at Palette Town and that place look so fantasy-ish. The first thing I saw was the Ferris Wheel when I came out of the train station. Headed to Venus Fort, the shopping mall which is styled like some European kind of place and there's the fake sky and all. Ate dinner there at a restaurant, had some noodle that tasted like Soba. Saw a couple taking wedding photos at the mall too. It being the Christmas season, the atmosphere around Japan's so cool! But I had runny nose on that day and wasn't feeling well. I guess it's because of it being my first time in a cold country. Lots of people were wearing mask over there and I brought some so I wore and it really felt better. Felt really sick that day but everything was still so fascinating.

Toyota Mega Web

Randomly chanced upon this place called the Toyota Mega Web and so we went in. All the cars were moving around automatically. Hahaha. Headed to find the Rainbow Bridge afterwards and walked so far and so long just to find it. Walked at the back of Leisureland and it was freaking scary 'cause it seems like we were walking on the Express Way already. Spent an hour finding for the place and finally ended up at Decks Tokyo Beach!

Decks Tokyo Beach / Rainbow Bridge

Finally able to see the Rainbow Bridge from there and also the Statue of Liberty Replica! Took some pictures and begin to walk again. Freaking tired so we took the Tokyo Teleport which travels around that area and we still have to walk all the way back to the train station even after taking that.. Arrived at the hotel after an hour plus and it was already 10 plus. Dead tired man.

18 December 2009 (Friday)

Woke up kind of early but breakfast was over by then so I didn't manage to eat. Headed to Hakone on that day where Mount Fuji was. Spent almost the entire day at that area walking crazily. Took a train to somewhere near there and the journey was about an hour plus nearly 2. Fell asleep as usual as the seats were so warm and cozy.

Kowakidani Station

Arrived at Kowakidani Station and was finding for the hotel to take our lunch. Couldn't find it but finally found after walking an hour plus and also taking a bus in the end.

Hakone Hotel, Kowaki-En

Had lunch-buffet at Hakone Hotel, Kowaki-En before exploring around that area after lunch. Took a bus to the Hakone Ropeway to take the cable car where we can we Mount Fuji from.

Mount. Fuji / Death Valley

Death Valley was really cool, we were at the Death Valley area where we could see Mount Fuji from too. It looks like a painting I swear and I only took pictures of it from the cable car. Bought Black Eggs and some weird stuff at the area. The wind was so strong up there that I couldn't stand straight. Dropped my camera at the cable car area and the person chased me to return the camera to me omg. So nice of the people there. Arrived down there and had to wait for a railway which comes in like an hour's time. It was already dark though it was only about 4-5pm. Roamed around that village area where there were some really old shops. Saw some cool toys and bubbles I played when I was young and many other stuff. My favourite chocolate was sold there too! They had this hot spring water whereby you can soak your hand in. The water's so warm and refreshing!

Tokyo Tower

Decided to visit Tokyo Tower on that day since it was still quite early, at around 6pm. Walked to the Tokyo Tower from the station. The scenery was so omg. Walked around the area after looking at the amazing scenery from the top of Tokyo Tower and found a Macdonald so we had it for dinner. The mac there is totally different but it was so freaking delicious. The price was x2 of ours though. SGD30 for a Happy Meal...

23 December 2009 (Wednesday)

So this part is after coming back from Osaka and back to Tokyo again! This time we stayed at Toyoko Inn again but it's located in Shinjuku instead.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

Went to the Yokohama Ramen Museum! The museum was so cool but it was so freaking crowded so we didn't get to eat there but only bought some stuff :-( Walked around that area and went into a convenience stall and ate Curry Cup Noodles there before we headed to the main area of Yokohama and spent the entire day there shopping, eating and walking around.

Yokohama

World Porter Mall

Headed to the World Porter mall and there's a CD Shop and it sold some official DBSK merchandise!!

It was going to be Christmas so the whole area was filled with Christmas Events and especially in the cold everything felt so amazing. I really really can't believe I'm in Japan on a Christmas week!!

Bought food from the streets and headed to sit down and watch some street performer perform. That guy was so cool and the crowd slowly came. About a half an hour later, we want to leave and he kept looking at us and say some stuff that was supposedly funny. But we left anyway and headed back to Shinjuku. Took a wrong train so it was a long trip back.

Shinjuku Korean Street

Went to eat with my father's long-time friend whom was staying in Japan at night. He brought us to a Korean Street just behind our Hotel. I never knew it existed, that street sold so many K-POP Stuff that I nearly went blind! Official shops were there too, and I got so crazy. But only went there the next day cause it was late after eating. The Korean BBQ Shop he brought us to was freaking awesome 'cause DBSK was on the Television in that shop. Ate until 12am in Japan Time. Spent like 4 hours there.

24 December 2009 (Thursday)

Harajuku

So we went to Harajuku and there were teenagers all around that street. So much cheap stuff and thift store there! There's this shop selling lots of idol stuff and you are suppose to write the number down on a piece of paper and pass it to the shop keeper and he will find it inside a room. It's so freaking awesome. Spent an hour there and got some DBSK, FT Island and Haruma Miura merchandises... Had Mac for lunch and also headed to Daiso that's just right next to Mac. It was 3 stories high. Shopped a lot over there before heading to Shibuya.

Shibuya

Spent awhile at Shibuya, maybe about 2 hours. Walked around that area and went to the HMV building located somewhere in that area. Didn't really like the atmosphere at Shibuya so we left after a while.

Shinjuku

Time to explore the area around our hotel! There's a huge Takashimiya and Isetan department store there. Main purpose was for me to find the Royce Chocolate that's not selling anymore in Singapore but unfortunately I couldn't find a single Royce shop in the whole of the Japan area I been to. Headed back to the hotel after that to rest.

Shinjuku Korean Street

Back at the Korean Street cause how could I not go back there!? Went to the CD Shop and bought so many DBSK and Super Junior albums. Then went to some merchandise shop to buy some official DBSK lightsticks and some other stuff. The lady was about to close the shop but she let me finish buying my stuff. Super love that place man. We went to a really big somewhat like Daiso shop that sells everything but more exotic and cool stuff. Had to go back afterwards since it was already quite late.

25 December 2009 (Friday)

Woke up early in the morning and carried the luggage and dragged it to the train station. There was a total of 11 baggage total since I bought so much stuff. More of albums and posters and merchandises and so many other stuff. Had to take a Taxi in the end to the nearby Bullet Train station. Took the train to Narita Airport and walked around there. Ended up seeing people finding for us 'cause we were apparently late for the plane. Managed to board the plane and we were served Haagen-Daz Ice-cream on the plane since it was on Christmas Day too! heh. Arrived at Singapore at about 5:20pm and went to my Aunt's house to celebrate Christmas as usual.