Hello everyone. I'm back. (Japan trip)

Ok, I know its been awhile since I've posted anything in my blog, but this changes everything. I'm gonna start blogging with anything though not everyday cause my life isn't that much interesting actually. LOL. But I'm surprised, the last time I posted a post was end of last year. I thought it would be LONGER. This is even better for me. Cause I can go ahead and straight away post about my JAPAN trip *grin grin* hahahaha. Yeap, first time in my life, visited Japan with my family. When we went there it was on the 28-29 Dec (around midnight reached Japan) so it the season was still winter. It was actually not TOO cold but still cold enough that we still need wear winter clothing of course. Its not '-' degree there, that's what I meant. 

28-29 Dec 2013, Osaka, Japan. 

First time going there, and also first time sitting AirAsiaX. Its the "bigger" version of airplane than those normal AirAsia flight. For me, it was ok. I guess I'm slightlly used to AirAsia flights. Our flight was actually really late at night so by the time we reached Japan, it was near 1am. When we reached Osaka airport (sry, didn't take any photos was rushing like mad to take a cab or a bus or something to go to our hotel.). Of course it was FREEZING, especially when the wind was blowing. With no knowledge of their language and struggling to understand the map and also the ticket machine, we were actually quite frantic and my mom was really angry (yes, she gets frustrated real fast in these kind of situation). Finally, we asked the person at the counter and he said that all trains has stop until morning comes (great isn't it, first day in Japan and we already encounter something unpleasant). But that didn't stop us of course. We ask for a bus and went down to check on the time for the bus to come, judging by the really really dark sky with no people around and empty roads, we doubt there would be any bus arriving soon. So, we change our minds again and head to the taxi area. Lucky enough there were 2 taxis. One was already taken by others, so we took the 2nd one. As always, before we get in, we ask the price and ask the destination time and so on so forth. When the driver state the price out, we gasp at the price. First day and we got slaughtered like animals in slaughter house. Bad example I know but that's how it felt like. The taxi driver also actually struggled in search for our hotel, lucky my dad been to Japan before even though it was long long long time ago (and good at geography) he showed the way. Ones we reached, we checked in and put our luggage in our rooms. Changed to another suitable clothes and head back out again for a really late supper. Of course, we expected that no shops are opened that late but we were lucky to have found a shop that was still open just opposite our hotel. xD. The menu was really confusing but there were a little words that looks like chinese word that my dad can make it out. I ate the japanese curry rice and so as my brother. But he ordered the ..larger size. check it out. 

 This is what I ordered. The Jap curry katsu rice xD medium sized.

 This is what my mom ordered, she ordered separately i think if I rmb correctly.

 My bro ordered the same thing as I did but only ...a really large plate ....

 And this is what my dad ate ...very ..small bowl. But its supper anyways, so dont really need to eat that much xD.

 This is the hotel lobby after we ate supper and came back.

 Yes, the hotel bed room. is exactly what you see right now, this size, for 2 people.

 And yes, it is this narrow. The toilets have small space as well, I know that's Japan and we're just not used to it on the first day with this small space.

And that's exactly it for the first few hours I spent in Osaka. 

29 Dec 2013

 The second day, we had breakfast within the hotel. It was like a buffet, japanese buffet, (not sushi) the self service kind, but there was also breads la. And the thing that amazed me was that, there was only one person working and it was a lady. She refilled the waters in the kettle, the juice, and brings out the food. After we ate, we have to return the trays with the bowls to a counter (ya, the whole thing was a self-service thing, good culture huh xD). We went back up to pack our stuffs to check out and leave our bags at the lobby. We went to the Osaka temple first before we head towards our next destination, Kyoto. (Well, we HAVE to visit a place in Osaka first before going away. And we didn't really follow tour, we went ourselves there so we just search a place not far and somewhere simple to go sight seeing since we were not rushing)

 This was my breakfast :P. The one i regreted that i took is the fries, i should have known better that it would already be soggy.

 This is what my mom ate. Japanese salad and rice with ...stuff.

 Dad and bro's breakfast. A lot like western breakfast.

 This is in side the train on the way to the place near the Osaka temple, i forgot which station we stopped ><

 After we got down the station, we had a hard time making up the map we had, so my mom went in to ask the girl where the Osaka temple was and at the same time buy bottles of water.

 AND finally we managed to reach there. It was also a park surrounding the castle.

After when we were done, we went back to the hotel, collect our stuff and walked to the station to get to the main station, to get tickets to Kyoto. There were LOTS of people at the subway compare above ground lol. 

 This is when we were in the train heading to Kyoto with ALOT of people.

 We reached our hotel named, Sparkling Dolphin Inn Hotel xD. The rooms are actually made traditionally. With Sheets and tatami floors.Breakfast and all was also self-service. Have to wash the dishes and such.

 We went back out to find some food, the worse part was, there was NO stall that are open that sells food. The ones are open have only beef and we cant eat them. Fast food but that was far far away.

 Then we went to the supermarket to see whether theres any food that can be eaten instantly. Lucky enough, outside there was a small stall selling Takoyaki~~~ My fav xD And the person selling them was actually quite good looking :X. But the picture below cant really see his face properly. Blurred. :(

 In the end, we just went to a convenient stall like 7-11 and search for food, and there were lots of food there. (went to Japan, end up eating instant noodles. how funny. ) Their sweet potato are really really sweet and sticky and softtttt.

Oh, this juice was delicious actually xD and it was huge, it was the small ones that you usually see. And that was the end of the day actually cause by the time we reached there the sun starts to set, since its winter, the morning was short and the night comes fast. Even when it was only 5, it was already dark. Most shops are closed cause it was near New Year for them as well, and those shops that WERE open close early. 

30 Dec 2014

Ah, The 3rd day we have a half day tour, visiting temples. Since we have to make our own breakfast, we wake up earlier than usual because we still need to get to the Kyoto station to go to the meeting point where the bus and tour guide is. After preparing ourselves, we started journey and head to the Kyoto station. I was really facinated with the station, it was HUGE. with shops and all at the top floors. They even have floors and floors of Isetan xD hahhahaa. Since we ate really little at the hotel, we search for food in the station. We came across with quite some shops, and one of them was Lipton. We basically ate there. Western style breakfast. 

 Walked to the nearby station to head towards the Kyoto station

View from Kyoto station.

 After we ate, we went to the meeting spot where the bus would be. We were still there early so we had to wait a little while longer. Ones it arrive, they pass us papers or some sort and also a translator. First destination was Rokuon-ji Garden (Kinkaku-ji Temple). 

 The radio translator or something :X

 The golden kinkaku temple ~

 Leftover snow hahaha.

Since it was a tour, we were really rushing, u know how they are with schedules, when its time, means its time. The first destination, I admit it, we were slightly later then other people who are already on the bus, so I didn't really get to take pictures that much. Concentrating on rushing too much. Next destination was, Ginkaku-ji temple. And because of what happened at the first destination, my dad was like rushing us as well.

 And the last destination is Joju-in temple. With a few of  picture on the way there.

After we arrived, it was actually noon, so the tour guide brought us to a place to eat first.

As we were walking in, there we rows of shops selling many different kind of things from foods to souvenirs.

 That's all for the tour, after that, we head back to the Kyoto station, since it was still early, we walked around the station. We were also searching for a place to eat cause, there were literally nothing to eat near the hotel. We did went into the Isetan but we weren't allowed to take pictures, so i dont have picture of it :/.

 We decided to eat at the ..urm, i think its a food court. They are not that spacious (each of the food stalls). So it was quite hard to find spaces and foods. But in the end we decided to eat the ramen there. It was really interesting on how you order things there. There's a small machine outside of these stalls. You ordered what you wan to eat there and slot in the amount of money needed to pay that food, then a receipt will be printed out and you pass it to the waitress/waiter. And then just wait for your food.  xD

 It was nigh time already after we were done eating. The lighting at the station was so beautiful. There were even lights on the stairs. Lights that creates patterns.

 And I ended my day with the picture of my stuffed pig xD hahaha.

31 Dec 2013

The third day in Japan. It was the day we were packed to head to Tokyo ~~ The fun part about this was we were gonna sit the famous bullet train to our destination, Tokyo.  :D . But, the regretful part was, I almost slept half way through the journey there cause I got motion sickness all of the sudden, same as my bro. (actually most of the photos are in the camera. These are just pictures from my phone).

After settling down, we went out for sight seeing again. We head to the most busier town, Shibuya, Tokyo xD. Well, to also see the famous Hachiko statue :X.

 After walking a little, we decided to find a place to eat. And this place mainly sells like kebab/satay like food? It was really delicious, really. But the portions was small. Had to order more xD hahaha.

 My grape juice, its actually unique for me because so far I didn't see this drink in any of the menus of the restaurant/cafe I went in KL/PJ. That's why I ordered it. Surprisingly tasty. :P

 My eyes are red, I dont know is it because of the lighting or because of the lack of sleep.

After we ate, of course we walk around town, sight seeing. There were buildings of clothes brands like Zara as you can see the reflection of the pic below xD. Then there's Forever 21, and Uniqlo (is it spelled correctly? lol) And Fast foods like the common ones, Burger King, McD, and KFC.

After walking around town and also we went into the disney shop, it made me excited honestly. I felt like a kid when i went inside that shop. My parents waited outside for us xD.We went back to our hotel to rest early because tomorrow we have to wake up SUPER early for a full day tour to Mt. Fuji.


1 Jan 2014

Fourth day in Japan? I think. :P. The day we had to wake up really early, and then get ready real fast to head down to the lobby cafe to eat the breakfast. It was ok for me, but I don't think it was ok for my bro and dad? Lol. We head to the Tokyo subway to go to the meeting place like what we did in Kyoto. This time, the place was really REALLY far. Its like we exercise the whole lot before our actual activity for the day lol. My back was already hurt badly, so I almost didn really enjoy much on my trip the days before. But I still did enjoy myself. Always have a big laugh when I go on a trip with my family.

 But before we head up to the 4th stage of Mt. Fuji, we were brought to a boat ride to enjoy the view of the mountain from afar and then the tour guide brought us to a hotel for lunch they have prepared. The wind was REALLY blowing during the boat ride. I was fine since I brought my ear muff and I was basically wearing a winter coat that looks like those Alaska people would wear. (that's how my dad described it).

I can tell you that this is the most Japanese-style-like food ever since day one that we're here. Lol. 

 After we ate, off we go to Mt. Fuji. While we were on the way up, at the bottom of the mountain, there's was music played by the bus and road. LOL. Its like, they build the road so that the friction between the vehicle's tire and the road would create sound effects. It was so cool xD.

After done visiting the Mt. Fuji, we took the bullet train to go back to the Tokyo station.  And we literally ran to the station to catch the bullet train or else we had to wait for a long time for another one. After getting back to the place near our hotel, we found a place to eat. We just rest after that. Because tomorrow is a BIG DAY for me and my broooo. We were excited actually. The next's days destination is Disney Land ~~~~~

2 Jan 2014.

The day came that we were actually looked forward alot too. It was our first time to Disney Land and we felt really happy about it, the disappointment for us is that, we went there on the day where the Japanese are having their holiday so, we didn't really get to sit that many rides. The total rides we sat was 4 rides. One of the rides we sat was when we actually lined up for. It was long, freaking long, but the line was moving and it was worth the wait xD. The other 2 rides were from the fast pass. We can get them with our tickets but it has a pause time, means after taking one fast pass, we have to wait for a few hours before getting another one. 3 rides, the first one was the Pirate of the Caribbeans, then the Haunted Mansion and the last one was the water ride. It was fun la, I enjoyed it all but I was really hoping to sit more rides. I really hope I can go there again. Since we already have the ticket, we could just walk in instead of lining up to the counter and believe me, the line can already freak you out, you dont need a horror movie to do that to you. We ate a little first before heading inside Disney Land, we ate breakfast in front of the station.

The first ride, Pirates of the Caribbean. I manage to take a few photos inside of the ride, but it was dark, so many photos were blur.

The second ride ~ Haunted mansion, while we were walking in, my parents said they would find a place to sit and also order food when we were about to be out of the ride.

After the ride, we head to the cafe that my parents were. It was not really the best place to sit because, the sun ray ..RAY was shining directly at our directly. I could literally feel the heat on my face. I was so scared that I might become a charcoal. LOL. At least the food was goooooood xD

After eating we decided to walk awhile. The third ride was way late in the afternoon and we had ALOT of time left. So, after that, we decided to sit the Mickey boat ..or whats it called lol.  xD. There were many people of course but we manage to stand at the front and get a good view.

After the boat ride, we walked around and head towards a place where we can see the first parade. We really didn't know where is the good spot, most of the spot in front we already taken cause most of them are camping there lol. We just stood behind and wait. That's what I really respect the Japanese for, they don't cut lines, they stand where they stand, they sit where they sit. They didn't phase one bit. While we were walking to the castle, we encounter a cute creature xD Hahahaha. The Disneyland ducks ~~~ adorable aren't they? and beautiful. 

After the first parade, we just walked around and waited for the second parade. This is the most frustrating part because, while i was taking pictures of the second parade, my phone died on me, before i even took half of the parade. The battery DIED at the beginning of the parade so I was really really upset. And most of the photos I took after that was using my mom's phone. So the pictures post after this is gonna be a few of the parade :( 

Yeah, it literally stop there. The rest are in my mom's phone. The second parade was longer and consist of more cartoons. Its like a total reminiscing the old times. There were the Disney princesses, toy's story, chipmunks, Alice in Wonderland and many more. It was wonderful. After the parade, we walk around a little while go into the gift shops and get some stuff as souvenir and then slowly walked out. We manage to take pic (not me) of the lighting as soon as the sun sets. It was beautiful. I was mesmerize xD. We quickly exited the place before those people go home. We definitely didnt want to get squash. The next destination was the place that my bro wanted to visit, the technology town. Akihabara? or something. Please correct me if I'm wrong ><. But it was awhile only then we head back to our hotel. 

3rd Jan 2014. 

Our last day in Japan :(. It was really sad. This day, we were actually meeting up with my mom's friend who lives there for many years already. We ate breakfast at McD xD. There wasn't anyone there and without wasting time, we just went in and ordered our food. And there was only one person handling the counter again. :O. Other staff probably, 2 more? that's really little. But they can manage the place. Amazing. The first place we visit Ueno park, my back was hurting so much that time so I didn't really took any pictures there. The next stop was the Asakusa temple? We were suppose to meet my mom's friend there. But since we were early, we went inside and look around. There were many stalls line up, there were alot of people already but can still move freely. Then when we were heading towards the temple, it became stuck and more people were coming from behind, we immediately decided to escape the place. 

 Yeap, there were HUGE crowd of people by the time we squeezed our way out to wait for my mom's friend. As u can see the second picture above. TOO many, just TOO many, honestly. The traffic police doesn't handle car traffics but human traffic. They literally controlled the humans precisely when to stop and go.

 There, another picture (below). Look at that crowd. (spot the ninja, if you can xD). Our family literally stayed put at one spot and really really decided not to move anywhere and wait for my mom;s friend. Contact through phone call and finally we meet up.

After that, we finally moved on to a different location with LESSER people around. It was actually noon so we decided to find a place to eat. My mom's friend introduce to us an eatery that they know but it was full and we had to wait. Since my parents didn't mind eating anywhere, we search for a different place to eat besides wasting time waiting there. However, their son waited at that spot just in case. In the end, we decided to eat Mexican food. The decoration and atmosphere was nice. We didn't really order the food, we let them and my mom decide. Everything was well, until the second appetizer arrive and I lost half of my appetite lol. I'm sorry, I am not trying to criticize Mexican food, really. It's probably not my taste. ><. The main course was ok. It was bearable, for me. My bro, not so much. But, to give face, we tried to eat everything. (and when i say we, means me, my bro and my dad, my mother is sitting together with them next to our table, and i think she enjoyed the food.) 

 Oh oh ohhhhh, not to forget, I know tables have those normal cutlery and plates and napkins and etc, there's this thing that holds the chopsticks or fork/spoon, and it has a shape, a shape of a cat or dog xD. Mine was a dog and I'm happy with it. It was soooo cute. hahahha.  

 After lunch, we decided to hurry because, our flight is at night. Couldn't waste anymore time. We went to visit the Tokyo tower before we part ways. We didn't go up because, I think it was either close or need purchase tickets. =/ After visiting, taking pictures and all, we said our goodbyes and head back to the hotel to search for a place that me and my bro wanted to go, the Pokemon shop xD. When we found the location, we used the subway again and head to the place and walked to the Pokemon centre :P. 

 Oh, that photo of the old lady was taken by me because, me and my bro realized that her hair was actually green in colour xD. So my bro just asked me to take the picture for fun. hahaha.

After walking around inside the shop, we actually bought some stuff, and I got my pikachu :P hahaha, FINALLY. Been wanting that for quite some time. And I got it in Japan ~. Anyways, before we head back to our hotel, we stop by a place to eat. I didn take any photos :( I think i forgot or something, cause I can't find it in my phone. It was like steamboat style. 2 pots and it was actually enough for 4 person. The worse part there was, I felt like the whole building was moving. I thought I was going crazy or something then when I said it out loud, my dad agreed with me and said that he felt it too. It was odd but in the end we didn't paid that much attention since my bro and mom didn't feel it. The funniest and best part about the place was their TOILET xD oh god, I should have taken picture ..NO, i should have taken a VIDEO xD. The toilet cover, the toilet seat, they were all automatic, when i say automatic, I meant, the lid automatically open itself when i was about to open it myself. It gave me a scare at first because it suddenly open by itself. :O. I was so excited I almost laughed hahahahaa. Then when i was done, I know most toilet they have sensors and they can flush themselves but this one overwhelmed me because, there was a handle there to flush (yes, not the "press-the-button" flush). I was about to hold the handle and the whole handle moved and flushed itself xD. Maybe some of you think its not really surprising or amusing but to me it was because first time encounter these things hahahha. OH not to mention the male's toilet. My bro came out all excited and said "THERE's a GAME IN THE TOILET". I was feeling blur till he explained the whole thing, then i LAUGHED. The game was, shoot the target with your pee and give it was much pressure as you can to win your opponent (the computer or something). And it even calculate how much you actually urinated. LOL. I almost died laughing. Because my dad said "The whole time your bro was like, "FASTER PA FASTER! YOU'RE LOSING!", I also want to faint, where got people see other people pee, let alone as to pee faster to win the game" ..I laughed till I cried. 
Well, after all that, we went back to the hotel and wait for the taxi. He was driving really fast actually. So we reached there very early. At first we were kinda lost, we didn't know which counter to go, or more like, are we in the right building. My mom went and asked and we sat on a huge sofa where u can actually lie down xD ..so comfy. Not long later, we found out we were in the wrong airport, we were in the Domestic airport, not international. So, we search for the bus that bring passengers to the different buildings. (there are 3 buildings, yes its huge, 2 Domestics and 1 International.) After we arrived, again, just only the airport, and we were amazed yet again. The lighting were beautiful, the decorations were nice and the atmosphere, it was calm xD hahaha. There were these small shops, restaurants in a corner upstairs, decorated/architecture-d in a very Japanese-style-like place. We decided to eat Ramen as our last meal there. I slightly regret what I ordered that time, cause the portion was big. Most of the ramen was big. My bro ordered rice so it was smaller. I couldn't finish it and I felt like it was a waste :( .Finally, after such a long post about my days in Japan, it finally come to an end. After waiting, we just waited for our plane. Here are the rest of the pictures.