Mesmerized by Fujisan, Part 3: Kawaguchiko & Fujikyu Highland

Mt. Fuji floating on clouds… seen at Lake Kawaguchi.

This is the second day of my weekend trip to the Fuji-Goko area. It was such a perfect day- with perfect weather, views of Fujisan literally everywhere I went. The day started off with me biking around Kawaguchiko, then hopped on some of the world’s best coasters at FujiQ Highland, and finally relaxed at the Fujiyama Onsen nearby before bussing back to Yokosuka. It’s by far my most favorite day in Japan =D

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Mesmerized by Fujisan, Part 2: Suicide Forest

Retro Bus that went around Lake Saiko

Continued from Part 1… After a short trip to see Shibazakura, I bussed back to Kawaguchiko station to take the Retro tour bus. There were two retro bus lines, one went around the Kawaguchiko lake, to places such as museums; while the other one (the one I took) was bound for Lake Saiko. I bought a 2-day pass for 1300 yen, but ended up using it for that day only.

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Time is running out…

It just feels like the train is about to depart, and I haven’t purchased my ticket. Actually- worse, not even done packing my belongings yet.

On the first day that I arrived at Japan, I installed an app on my phone called “Days Since”- it is, obviously, a day counter and reminds me (whenever I look at my homescreen), the number of days I’ve been here.

And today, it’s time to celebrate the 110th day Anniversary. Don’t ask me why not celebrate the 100th instead… I did not even realize it. The point is- I only have about 3 months left… how do I live the rest of my life (in Japan) to the fullest? Now, if I’m the protagonist in some Korean drama, I should be writing my wishlist (already did)with teary eyes as the background plays the saddest song ever.

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Kyushu: A Series of Unfortunate Events

On the last Shinkansen train of the night, heading home.

Lots had happened during our Golden Week trip to Kyushu: Good and Bad. I won’t write too much details of the trip here, because I have to first write about Kyoto. However, this post will be an summary of the ‘memorable’ bits and pieces, lessons learnt and etc.

Warning: This post won’t have any photos because as you may know already, I lost nearly half of my pictures (more about it later)!! And after some recovery efforts, photos of the first 2 days were still missing! As for the rest, I’ve got too many photos to sort through, so it’ll take a while. Read on if you don’t mind super wordy posts. XD

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2 more days till Golden Week!

To celebrate, I bought some cakes for tonight's dinner. The nan bread is from Mos Burger, pretty yum. (to be honest, I have no time to cook, so I buy =D )

Woot! Yeah, I am counting down… I am THAT excited, this is the longest holiday I have in Japan. I know it’ll be crowded, but I am heading to Kyushu, can’t be as bad as Tokyo right? I have been losing sleep every night, adjusting my Kyushu trip plan and browsing for hotels (I have booked them already, but I still want to look for cheaper/better ones). My wish is to stay at a resort with private hot spring in my room and Kaiseki-dinner/breakfast~ Haha, no, I’m just day dreaming.

Bad News – The overnight train that I wanted to take on the way back to Yokohama was already full. Apparently it is pretty popular amongst tourists and locals alike. And pretty impossible to get on unless you reserve well in advanced. Sigh, will I get to take it someday? Perhaps I will make a long weekend trip to Hokkaido sometime in July. 😀 Anyway, so for the last day of the trip, either we leave at 5 pm or stay an extra night in Hakata. Can’t decide, I wanted to stay longer for night view, shopping and Yatai… but an extra night means ~4000 yen / person.

Good News– Supervisor approves of my 2 “vacation” days… because this year’s GW, there are actually 2 work days in between. And I must take day offs in order to go to Kyushu… but apparently, the entire team will be off those 2 days, so haha, 2 extra holidays for me. Oh and I am not going to Beppu別府 (Not really interested in seeing hotsprings.. the colors are different, so what?), instead gonna go see 阿笨與阿占 live@ Cuddly Dominion.

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OK, I should be starting on my coop report now.. I haven’t written a word yet, not even the title ;-P See what procrastination is? Oh, and I’m aiming to hand in to my supervisor tomorrow, meaning- an all nighter.. hopefully I won’t get distracted.

One More WeekTill Golden Week

Lalalalahhhh, next week is Golden Week!! It’s the longest holiday I get during my stay in Japan, so yeah, means- traveling lots and eating only bread for the next month. Travelling in Japan burns money real fast, especially when Golden Week is like the peak of the peak season in Japan… when most Japanese travelling in the country (some travel elsewhere, but it’s expensive).

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N-san Birthday Dinner and Kyoto trip final plan

N-san's bday dinner last night at an "Italian" restaurant

There were only 6 of us, since we sort of organized it last minute, and 2 guys were from another team (“Otaku” and “Party God” XD).

Anyhow, it was not all you can drink and my share came out to be 3000 yen O_O… I was only 50% full and only drank Anju-Ume-shu on rocks and Bloody Mary (I’ve heard cocktails in many restaurants of Japan sucked, it was true in this case… next time will stick with shoju/sake).

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Heart Warming Encounters: Kamakura, Part I

Sakura in Kamakura 鎌倉

This is my 3rd post of today, crazy eh? Before I go to Kyoto, I gotta finish writing this series about my trip to Kamakura on Sunday (April’s Fools Day). Because I had many interesting things happened to me that I absolutely have to document this unforgettable experience. Okay, maybe I’m too dramatic… but you get the point. Be ware- only read if you have time to spare, because I babble a lot…. as usual.

Although Kamakura has been on my To-go-list… I didn’t plan to visit until my supervisor suggested me going before my Kyoto trip. Why? Because it’s somwhat just a mini-Kyoto, except closer to Yokosuka (just 20 mins away). Also there are some good hiking trails, leading to several shrines… and along the way, there are some ancient tombs. If you wanna know more about Kamakura, just WIKI it. All I can say is, every couple blocks you walk, you are very likely to bump into a shrine or temple. It is also a popular tourist spot, so it’s best to go in early morning to avoid the crowds.

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Japan Travel Wishlist

I’ve been in Japan for almost 2 months now… with only 5 months left, I thought I should make a list of places I wanna go, things I wanna do, food I wanna eat. Not all of the items can be accomplished, but I figure I need some motivation to save time/some doughs for travelling =)

Right now, the list is short (since I’m writing this at 3am in the morning)… but I will keep this updated.

Note: The items on the lists are in no particular order.

Places

  • Tokyo Disney Sea
  • Doraemon Museum
  • Hanami in Kyoto
  • Hanami in Tokyo/Kanagawa (ie. Uneo Park, Kanazawa Bunko, Mitsueke Park, Kamakura)
  • Yokohama Chinatown/Mirato Mirai+ Night View in the indoor spa place (Cup Noodle museum)
  • Shinjuku Korea Town,Golden Gai
  • Kamakura (鎌倉) 
  • Day trip in Odaiba (お台場)
  • Hiking in Kamakura, visit T-san again
  • Trip to Okinawa
  • See lavender in Hokkaido (Noboribetsu, Edo Wonderland, Onsens)
  • Himeji Castle 姫路城
  • Visit where the Emperor lives (Kyoto, Tokyo)
  • Sony Store in Ginza
  • Akihabara (Anime stuff, Music instruments, second hand items)
  • Museums (Edo, Tokyo National, Space, Train, Tabacco & Salt)
  • Karuizawa in Summer (Wiki tells me it’s sister city with Whistler)
  • Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails (Hike, explore, visit Shrines)
  • Shinbashi at Night (for cheap eats, etc)
  • Nakano/Ueno/Jiyugaoka
  • Old towns of Kawagoe, Shibamata in Tokyo
  • Koganezaki (clear waters and islands in summer)
  • Osaka
  1. Namba (難波)
  2. Otaroad (Similar to Akiba)
  • Hiroshima
  • Nagasaki (長崎)
  • 吉祥寺
  • 三重縣,廣島縣,鳥取縣 Nature trip during Golden Week
  • See all of Tokyo
  •  – 新宿東口、新宿西口、回憶橫町、池袋東口、池袋西口、澀谷、原宿、青山‧表參道、築地、吉祥寺、淺草、銀座、秋葉原、上野、六本木、惠比壽‧代官山、台場、橫濱港未來、元町‧中華街, 谷中老街, 有樂町高架鐵道…

To Do

  • Bike Trip in Wakayama (和歌山)
  • Feed deers in Todai-ji (東大寺) of Nara
  • Onsen in Hakone (箱根)
  • Crazy coasters at FujiKu
  • Hike Mt. Fuji
  • Design/make my own glasses in Eyeglasses Museum
  • Visit Tokyo Tower
  • Get to the top of Sky Tree (once it opens, stop by Akasaka Sacas)
  • Anpanman Museum
  • 三鷹の森 ジブリ美術館
  • Visit all 三景 Sankei in Japan
  1. Amanohashidate, Kyoto
  2. Matsushima, Miyagi
  3. Miyajima, Hiroshima (but the tori was being Repaired at the time)
  • Watch Hanabi (fireworks) in Sumida River and nightmarkets
  • Totori prefecture~ Recommended > Mie
  • Dressed ONCE in Yukata/Kimono
  • Shop till I drop in Ginza (drop by NihonBashi)
  • Stay up late enough on weekdays to see drunkies on train
  • A day trip to chill in Yoyogi Park of Harajuku (also Meiji Jingu), then window shop in Omodesando, Takeshita Dori
  • See Geisha in Gion, Kyoto
  • Chill in Shinjuku Gyoen, Happo-en in
  • Participate in 博多祇園山笠, a festival held in July @ Fukuoka
  • Kyoto Gion Matsuri
  • Osaka tenjin matsuri
  • Tokyo Sanno Matsuri
  • Shop in an outlet mall (there’s one close by in Kanazawa Hakkei)
  • Rock climbing in EnoShima
  • Eat /stroll in Tsukiji (築地)
  • Challenge for a good shot of Shibuya Crossing
  • See babies cry in Nakizumo festival @ Asakusa (fourth Sunday in April every year between 12.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. )
  • Paint an eye for Daruma doll
  • Head to Heian Jingu in Kyoto on June 1 or 2 to watch Takigi Noh performances
  • Sendai Tanabata Matsuri from August 6-8
  • Hike on Mt. Takao
  • Mandarake Complex: Sotokanda 3-11-12, Chiyoda-ku, +81 (0) 3 3252 7007, noon-8 p.m.
  • Go to a Comic cafe
  • See Godzilla in Hibiya Park
  • Festivals-Kanda-matsuri in Kanda, Sanno-matsuri in Nagata-cho, and Fukagawa-matsuri in Tomioka, Koto-ku
  • Stay in a Capsule hotel
  • Buy a pair of Evisu jeans

Eat

  • Any All You Can Eat in general
  • Fugu Sashimi (any weird fish)
  • Try the Miracle Fruit
  • Ultra fresh sushi
  • the best Unagi don in this world
  • the best Ramen in this world
  • Taishoken Ramen in Ikebukuro
  • Matcha desserts
  • Strawberry shortcake
  • Takoyaki and お好み焼き at Osaka
  • Japanese styled Omelette rice
  • Curry (Japanese style of course)
  • Yaki Tori
  • Yaki Niku
  • Kaiseki ryoli (If tofu Kaiseki counts?)
  • Navy Burger in Yokosuka

Let’s see how many can be crossed off by the end of August.