Travel Log - Japan 2018 Day 10-11

Click here to read from the 1st post of this travel log! 😄

12 November 2018 (Tokyo)

My last full day in Tokyo, off to the happiest place on Earth... 💖

The epicness of this. We were literally nearing the end of the queue when they announced that they were closing the ride (temporarily) for some maintenance work. Thankfully, we were given a pass that would give us priority when the ride comes back up. 😅

There is an on-the-spot lucky draw area where you could ballot for show tickets and instantly know if you got it or not. I didn't have luck for my entry but Jole did. 🙌

On the day we went, there was a couple holding their wedding at DisneySEA... so cute, being sailed on the boat in their wedding tux and dress while the crowds cheered on for them.

Dinner @ Ichiran Ramen
Map: Japan, 〒111-0032 Tokyo, Taito City, Asakusa, 1 Chome−1−１６ HK浅草ビル B1F

In our initial planning stages for the trip, I was told that Ichiran Ramen has these solo dining booths where diners don't have to interact with service staff and the ramen gets served through the separators between the chef and the diner. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience that. The Ichiran Ramen we went to had proper dining tables and chairs, and they even sold the packet ramen at a corner! 

13 November 2018 (Homebound)

& It was time for me to go home. Jole sent me off to the lift of the subway station (before she continued on her solo journey in Tokyo for an additional 3-4 days) and I was trying really hard not to tear because that would be so embarrassing. 😂 (I dont even know why I do that because I'm going to see them in SG anyway, LOL)

Asakusa Station is really convenient, especially if you're flying out of Narita Airport. As long as you get the station right and the lift exit correct, the journey to the airport is pretty much a breeze (with the luggage). 

It was a bad decision to eat Phad Thai when I'm in Japan. Why did I even do that. 

And this wraps up my trip to Japan after a 5-years break. Really enjoyed the scenery throughout this trip, along with my friends, I have had a lot of 1st time experiences (such as taking the highway buses, experiencing the public bath/onsen, solo-travelling in Tokyo, etc).

It's quite crazy because its been about 5 months since all of these happened (writing this last few posts on the day that I need to be at the airport for my Nagoya Trip, LOL) and till date I still look at all these photos I took and marvel at the sights of Central Japan.

Definitely places that I would want to revisit or bring my family.


Previous post: Travel Log - Japan 2018 Day 8-9

Photo credits: S9 Galaxy & my travel pals @Jole @mx

Travel Log - Japan 2018 Day 8-9

Click here to read from the 1st post of this travel log! 😄

10 November 2018 (Matsumoto-Tokyo)

On to my last leg of this trip, we headed for Tokyo! Since I was already in Japan, I wanted to take the opportunity to visit my friends in the city hence my decision to get a multi-city ticket to fly in to Nagoya and out from Narita Airport (it was about 50~60 dollars difference so I didn't think too much about it). 

We took an early Shinkansen out of Matsumoto and reached the bustling city in about 2 hrs 37 min. After an entire week of tranquility... there was a distinct difference upon arriving in busy Tokyo. People were brisk walking everywhere, the subways were packed, the complex railways and multiple platforms were confusing. 

After a few wrong turns, we got to Bunka Hostel [map: 1 Chome-13-５ Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan] in Asakusa and had a quick lunch at Matsuya (it's somewhat like a Yoshinoya) which is commonly found everywhere in Japan. 

In 2010, when I first went to Tokyo with my family, I really loved the supermarket located at Shinagawa Station. So, that was the place we went first, but it was quite a small supermarket now that I revisited it. 

We kept asking each other "so, what do you want to do"... we did not plan for this part of the trip (after all, my main purpose was to meet my friends 😅). So we decided to visit the Pokemon Center at Nihombashi.

Pokemon Center

Map: Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−11−２ 日本橋髙島屋S.C.東館 ５階

It was nice, getting some items and playing with the capsule machines. 

We went back to Bunka and checked-in to our individual "capsules" (its more like enclosed bunk beds). Shortly after, Jole went out to do her shopping at Don Quijote, so I too, went out - to recce the airport train service at Asakusa station. 

While walking back to the hostel, I saw the Sensoji Temple and made a detour...♡

[Map: 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan]

McDonald's Japan
Map: 1-chōme-24-１ Asakusa, Taito City, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan

SO dinner on my own without the food guide means = MACS (well, same brand different tastes right...)

11 November 2018 (a day of visiting friends)

A day of visiting, and solo-travelling around Tokyo.

Shibuya, Tokyo
First, off to meet the Kanazawas (our family friend). 

We arranged to meet at Shibuya near the Hachiko Statue - I was told that its a popular meeting place. Not knowing the exact location, I decided to go out early to recce and at the same time, check some items off the "10 Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo" list.  

Hachiko Statue ✔

Take a photo at the Shibuya Crossing ✔

Purikura △ (half a check because I haven't tried taking them)

Tokyu Hands! △ (didn't enter, it wasn't opened yet)

Tower Records!! My favourite place to get CDs...

Harajuku, Tokyo
Next up, to the most crowded street ever on a Sunday - Harajuku. 😂

1st thing on the list of "10 things to do in Harajuku" was to eat crepes! 

Its Wendy's!!! 😥 (kinda sad that they left SG)

Meiji Shrine
Map: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

It was near its closing hours so I took a quick walk around.

If you look closely, the crowd.

Pompompurin Cafe

Map: 1-7-1 Jingumae, 渋谷区 Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

SUPER CUTE... (do I even need to say anymore). Really enjoyed my little date with HM~ so happy I got to meet her while she is there. She reminded me that 11.11 is Pocky day (also, singles' day 😅).  

Quite surprisingly... the food was good. I remember I went to the Pokemon Pop-up Cafe in Singapore and the food wasn't great, so I never had much expectations when its a themed cafe but this was good. 

Tokyo Skytree
Map: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan

We decided to end the night by taking a walk at Tokyo Skytree, oh the Christmas feelz... ❣

Next post: Travel Log - Japan 2018 Day 10-11
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Photo credits: S9 Galaxy & my travel pals @Jole @mx