Monday, February 10, 2014

Tokyo to Kyoto

Bismillah...

Our plan was actually to stay in Tokyo for 3 days and Osaka 2 days. However,  we changed our plans and headed to Kyoto on the third day. Luckily I didn't book or made any hotel reservations for the rest of the trip. Things happened for a great reason.  We get to visit Kyoto in our short 5 days Japan trip.

You can reach Kyoto from Tokyo via 
  • Air plane; the closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka's Itami Airport. It is one hour to Kyoto.
  • Highway bus; about 7-8hours ride
  • local train; about 9 hours typically involves about 4 transfers of train
  • Car; about 5 to 6 hours without breaks and traffic jams
  • Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train); there are 3 types: Nozomi, Hikari, Kodoma. It takes about 140 to 160 minutes. 


JR Tokaido Shinkansen cost ¥12550 which took about 140 to 160 minutes. This was my first time riding a bullet train. I was so excited. The inside of the train is better than AirAsia airbus. It's spacious, comfortable and clean.




You can do almost anything in shinkansen.  Eat, sleep, read, etc. You can eat your own meal without hesitation. We ate our sushi which we bought at Shinjuku station earlier.



After arriving Kyoto station, we took a taxi to our guest house. The taxi driver is so polite. Everyone was polite and friendly.


Kyoto, a place to visit again.

Wassalam & Cheers.

Tokyo

Bismillah...

On our first day in Japan we explored Tokyo via its public transport. We paid 1800 yen for the Tokyo sightseeing Hop on Hop off bus. The operating hours are from 9am until 5pm.




It had 3 routes. We were given a map to choose our own route and timing for each stop. We went to a shrine, Tokyo Tree Tower etc.





We were lost after visiting the shrine. But it was worth walking along the road and just watch the environment and enjoy the view.



The day ended with shopping and eating sushi above a rail station.

Fun happy experience with cousins in Tokyo.

Wassalam & Cheers.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Japan; Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka expenses

Bismillah...

Most of my trips are backpack self trip. Technically I'll try my best to find the cheapest alternative. For my Japan trip I spent less than rm5000.00 including Airasia tickets, 3 amusement parks and souvenirs.


The summary:




Work hard to earn more for other trips.

Wassalam & Cheers.

FujiQ Highland, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

Bismillah...

On the second day in Japan we took a bus to Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi. It is a few hours bus ride from Tokyo. We arrived around 11am.


The park opens early at 9am until 5pm. On certain days they operate until  8pm.


Free pass with my face on it. After taking the ticket from the counter, you have to insert it into a machine which captures your face and produce this awesome entrance ticket. I was standing tall so that's why my forehead is cut off.


The rides are amazingly thrilling and awesome. They have one of the the longest roller Coaster and also the steepest roller coaster. The rides are:

  • Fujiyama; this is the longest roller coaster and also tallest. Even though the line is so super long, the ride is worth waiting.
  • Eijanaika; this is the steepest roller coaster which rotates 360° forward and backward that inverts 14 different times.  Totally awesome!!
  • Takashiba; this is the 121° free fall ride. Scary but fun. It makes your adrenaline high.
  • Dodonpa; this is the 4th fastest roller coaster in the world. 
  • Pizza-la; I loved this one the most. It's a lay back ride where you can enjoy the view. The day view you will be able to see Fuji Mountain. Where as the night view you will be able to see colourful lights around the area.




Pizza-la

Waiting for Pizza-la
Before heading back we went to the Haunted Hospital. It was freaking scary.


For further information,  visit FujiQ website

Wassalam & Cheers.

Malaysian visiting Japan

Bismillah...

Japan is a must country to visit. It is a friendly country. Everything is made easy and convenient. However it is a bit difficult to go around if you don't have a friend who knows Japanese.

The new regulations is that Malaysians are exempted to apply visa with a passport compliant with ICAO standards. A passport with the chip symbol in front of the cover.


Have fun in Japan because I had a blast there!!!!

Wassalam & Cheers.

Awesome Japan

Bismillah....

Where: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
When: 26th - 31st August 2013
Day: Monday to Saturday
Why: Visit Asia; Cheap Airasia tix *rm900 return*

Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka in 5 days.
A short happening awesome trip with my cousins.


We travelled in a group of 4 people. I went there with two cousins; Wan and Wawa and met my 3rd cousin;Faisal in Japan. 



We took a noon flight and arrived Tokyo airport around midnight. It was a short fun flight with cousins. This was our first trip together. As we arrived late, we decided to sleep at the airport.  The airport is very clean and people friendly. There's a lot of chairs for us to sit *and sleep*. A lot of other travellers did the same. We prayed in the breastfeeding room. Early in the morning we took the train to the city and headed to our hotel in Higashi Shinjuku.

My small room window
The view from my hotel room


Our first destination was Fujikyu @ FujiQ. The amusement park was awesome. I'll definitely go there again this June.




Our second day was well spent in Tokyo city. We went to a few shopping malls and shrine.



On the third day we headed to Kyoto by a bullet train. We went to a shrine in the evening.



On the forth day we cycled in Kyoto and had shushi. The best sushi in this whole wide world. Yummmyy!!


On our last day we went to Osaka and had fun in Universal Studio Japan.



Japan is definitely a great place to explore different culture, food and environment.

Wassalam and Cheers.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

1st February 2014

Bismillah...

Alhamdulillah...

It's the day I was born healthy and bright. Wiser and not older. Happier and not depressed. Better in everything and not worse. 


Another year and counting. Age is just a number. How old am I? ** It's a secret you'll never know** 

The best thing about being a shopaholic is that I get birthday wishes from different outlets. The first wish came from SOGO a few days before. Amagad!! They are so efficient. Insya Allah I'll buy more things from your store. The second message came from AEON. Exciting coupon waiting for me!! Last but not least is from Digi. I was hoping I'll get 50% discount for my February bill. But I guess that is so not happening. ='(



I'm still waiting for wishes and free gift from The Travel Store as I've been shopping there lately. LOL.

Anyways friends and family did wish. I felt really old with the wishes. But I try to think myself as being more mature than yesterday.. **hope on**

Mariam: Older and wiser!!!!

Wassalam & Cheers.