Pyrenees

Pyrenees

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

Japan Dec 2005

Greetings from Japan! For this trip, we visited Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto for a total of 11days.

Some interesting facts about Japan:

Their toilets are really small. The bathtub was only big enough for me to sit in.

They have these funny functions on their toilet bowls to help you wash your ***. Be prepared for the intensity of it!They have many many vending machines along the streets, selling everything from food to drinks to cigarettes.

Energy saving car. When did we have that in Singapore?A board at the bus stop which tells you how long the next bus will take to come. I think this only appeared in Singapore in 2007, no?


Disneyland
There are Seven themed-lands filled with fun and fantasy. Quaint reminders of bygone days. Everywhere you find that magical touch of Disney. Feel like a child again! Spend a day each at Disneyland and Disneysea. If you only have a day, go for Disneyland. Because there's where you can frequently see your micky mouse and donald duck.



Everthing is in the shape of mickey mouse:



Stage performances


Day parade
Night electrical parade

How can I not take a picture with POOH?


Yokohama
Chinatown and the Ramen Museum

We took the Shinkasen to Yokohama from Tokyo instead of the regular JR train. The train was fast, shortening the trip from Tokyo to Yokohama from 50mins to 15mins. And you could hardly hear the movement of the train from inside the cabin.


The Ramen Museum: Making your own NISSIN cup noodle
1. Choose your ingredients

2 . Seal it.
3. Pump up the bubble bag to wrap the cup noodle

Giant NISSION instant ramen hahaha


Tsukiji Fish Market
You will see all sorts of FRESH seafood used in making Japanese cuisine. Definitely a good place to satisfy your craving for sashimi. I had the item below for breakfast!




Asakusa Kannon Temple


Harajuku
Famous for its numerous crepe stalls.


Meiji Jingu Shrine
For the Emperor and Empress of Meiji. Catch a glimpse of Japanese youngsters in their cosplay costumes along the pathways out of the shrine!

Yurikamome Line - Odaiba
A huge amusement area for shopping, entertainment and a view of Tokyo Bay. Among the attractions are Palette Town (shopping mall), Joyoplis (games arcade) and the Rainbow bridge. We visited Palettetown on Christmas eve and there was a 3-hour queue to get onto the ferris wheel close to midnight! Even though it was freezing cold out there. You bet I was amazed by the determination of the Japanese.
The rainbow bridge in the day and at night


Cars of the future by Lexus/Toyota featured at the Car 'museum'. So cool, i want! Haha.



Osaka
With the help of a Japanese friend of my Jap class classmate, who reserved the bus ticket for us, we took a night bus from Tokyo to Osaka to save on a night's accomodation and day time. The bus fare was cheaper than taking a train too. Most passengers were local Japanese who travel from one city to another for school, work or just to visit their relatives and friends living in another part of Japan.
Osaka Castle
Symbolic of the civil wars and the campaign to unite the country



Universal Studios Osaka
A wide choice of action-packed, thrilling, high-technology 3-D/4-D/interactive/digital vision rides revolving around the themes of San Francisco, New York, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity village, Snoopy Studios, Hollywood, Old West and Lagoon to last you a whole day.

Yes, we are very very happy =)

Queuing to get onto the Spider-Man 3-D Vision goggles ride. Most rides require you to queue for some time. The longest wait that day was for the Shrek 4-D ride, which lasted 2.5 hours. But it was well worth it. The 4-D ride was an experience.. feel spiders crawling on your arms, water sprayed at you from dunno where....


Snoopy and friends performance


Presley lookalike performing with Hello Kitty and friends





Kuidaore restaurant - recommended by my Japanese language tutor from Osaka

Pork katsu with beef stew & mixed katsu set. YUMMY.


Fugetsu Restaurant
One of the most established OKONOMIYAKI restaurant for more than half a century.

How to cook an okonomiyaki (done by a chef at your table):
1. Arrange the cabbage in a round shape on the hot plate


2. Flip over

3. Smear with mayo and sweet sauce
Authentic Okonomiyaki ready to be eaten!

Market at Osaka

Soya donuts and tofu dessert, all freshly made.


Japanese setting at a mochi restaurant

Japanese afternoon tea - mochi and tea


Kaiyukan - Osaka Aquarium
Dolphins showcase in the open. Possible because it is winter and temperature is low. Amazing!


Tenpozen Market Place - Ferris wheel ride
View from the ferris wheel - Tempozan Ohashi Bridge



Kyoto

Rokuon-ji Temple - Famous for its Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion)
A world heritage site since 1994. Exterior of the building is coated with Japanese lacquer and glided with gold-leaf. An indulgent living premise of a Shogun after he abdicated the thone in 1394. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow




I simply love Japan.
For its food.
For its culture.
For its weather.
For its themeparks
For its service
For its architecture.
I really want to go again!






1 comment:

Lee said...

Very Nice. I visited Tokyo in 2007 and had a blast. It was the coolest city ever. I'm going to Osaka and Kyoto this February. I was surfing for infos and chanced upon your blog. Cheers!