Day 1
Got quite sua ku, cos when we first stepped out of Japan Airport (Narita Airport), there's smoke/water vapour/whatever when we just talk! It's 6 degrees at that time cos of the rain. Then i started playing and kept blowing at Candy. HAHA.
Felt really blessed to be able to see the cherry blossoms. All the while i actually don't really have the feeling that i'm in Japan. Maybe cos of the weather, there weren't much people around. It was much better at night when we went out to the supermarket.
Anw, first stop was to Imperial Palace. Er, from the outside, it looked really small la. What i had in mind was like those in China. But no. Didn't know what's inside cos we weren't allowed to enter i think. Then had our lunch at a Jap restaurant, which was provided. Was hungry, but felt really full after eating a little. Quite wasted. Lol.
Next stop is to some temple, where i got a 凶 result. So have to tie the paper there to prevent bad luck and stuff. So sad... Lol.
And, the first thought i had when we checked into our hotel rooms was, "Wa, so small!". Lol. Room view was carpark too! Like -.- ... But, got quite amazed by the toiletbowl. Lol!
Can wash backside de leh!!! Can get rid of odour, and also can change the temperature of the toilet seat! Like cool la! But..... at first i didn't know how to flush. Haha.
Day 2
A day which we have to wear formal for our official visits. First stop was Takashimaya. Here's the difference between Jap and SG. In SG, Takashimaya is a departmental store inside Ngee Ann City. But in Jap, it's the whole building. It's super big! We even got lost while finding the tax refund thing with Ms Ng. Needless to say, much more brands over there.
Then,went to Waseda University. Had a little talk in their incubation center. It's actually a place where they support their students with their business proposals. They have the necessary resources, and it actually serves as an office for the different companies. So, even if your business doesn't work out, there's very little cost to bear. Damn supportive, i like the idea.
Main point, there are many many cherry trees over there! A whole canal stretch of it! Super beautiful! I was actually thinking, actually sakura like nothing much leh, why still got people rush over to see? But a whole lot is really different!! Feels so magical and unbelievable.
Then, over to take pictures of the Tokyo Tower, with beautiful sunset. Had mac for dinner, they have Ebi Burger!
Actually tastes alright, just that it's new to me, so kinda surprising. And, even their coke tastes different! There's more gas in it, drink already very shiok! Even their fries cold already still nice! Lol!
Day 3Also a formal day! Heels are seriously killing la. Have to wear and walk for whole of Day 2 and 3! Luckily 2nd half of Day 3 can change to normal shoes already. Visited Bunka Fashion College! The technology there is superb! There's a data resource library, where you can use the com to search for the file you want. The files will move move then pop out the file that you're searching for! Then you can place it back at any place, you want it again, search and it will still pop out!
Went to Shinjuku area for dunno what, lunch i think. Had lunch with a few of the people at Yoshinoya! Damn good experience!! It's so different from those of SG!
Their seats are 1 by 1, and mostly are men wearing business suits. They eat SUPER FAST! Eat and go, eat and go type. The peope beside us changed for 3 or 4 times, and we have yet to finish our bowl la! Super stressed environment.
After that, to another place full of cherry blossoms again!! This time, with the beauty of a bridge. Gorgeous.
Headed to Don Quiote after that. When the tour guide (Masako-san) talked about it, i thought it's "Donkey Hotel"! It's pronounced as "donkey oteh". Haha. I was still asking Candy what is Donkey Hotel. Lol! It's a retailer which i think is quite successful over there. Had a funny presentation, then off for shopping in the store! Big store, many things to see, short time! Lol. I think, time's really too short at those places where there's things for us to shop. And when there's nothing, it's quite boring.
Then to Ginza, another place in Tokyo. Their Uniqlo is big! Lots of storeys. Felt like a queen when i'm in there la! Cos the people will greet you continuously! Shiok! Hahaha. And when they don't, i feel weird.
Day 4Fish market! I kind of like it there too, cos of the free samples!!! Singapore spirit reveals. Haha! Their mochi are really fresh and tasty! Took many pieces of seaweed too!
Before going back to the meeting place...
Candy: "I feel like taking the seaweed again"
Us: *TAKE*!
Lol! Then over to Bakurocho (Pork rib porridge! Lol!), where there's an interesting store selling bags.
They are for elementary students and they say every students in Japan carry this kind of bags. Some really cost a huge bomb! There's even swarovkis on it! After that, to Ameyoko which is the expensive "Bugis street" style. Lunch that we bought was great!!
Then to some place, where my camera died!! Sad, but luckily still have phone's camera. Nice place to walk around, but the things are too ex. I can only afford free stuff like pictures! Haha.
Then to Odaiba, which has the first Daiso we went! I grabbed quite a lot of things, but also put back a lot of things! LOL, in the end, i only bought 1 thing there. Lucky there's other Daiso around!
Day 5Mount Fuji day!! Can't really spot it from far, cos it only has a white tip.
Went Hakone area first, to eat black eggs! It's surrounded by volcanoes, which i think are active. The sulphur smell is damn strong. But will get used to it after a while. The black egg is cooked with sulphur? And eat 1 will increase your life by 7 years! 2 = 14 years and 3 = won't die! HAHA.
Freezing plus ice-cream! Shiok not?!
Took the Hakone Ropeway down. Like cable car. Then, board our coach (Joyful) and went for lunch. Lunch that are nice are usually provided. Hahaha. After lunch, headed for Mt Fuji! Took the winding road up and up and up. Slowly, you can spot snow outside on the grass patch! Then, the road will get more misty and it goes up.
THEN! You can see clouds at your level. And there.... when we reached, most people ran to the parts where there are snow. Quite dirty though, cos of many footsteps. And, i'd always thought that snow are like shower foam type? But it's like ice kachang. Took off my gloves when i saw some people touching it with bare hands! But after a while, your hands will feel numb. Hahaha. And, there's also smoke when you talk!!! *HAR*
Throw snowballs!! When i went back to the coach and took out my jacket, there's some snow in my shirt! Thanks to Serene! Lol!
Mt Fuji summit!!!!
Clouds and other mountains!! Picture doesn't do justice!
Able to see the summit quite clearly, and also the surrounding. Feel like an immortal!!
Also, checked into the Japanese Inn at dunno where. I like the inn better than the hotel! There's wifi and people are like crazy about it! Ha!! But, it's a little scary at night. And the dinner is the dinner which i enjoyed most compared to all the other days! Had lots of fun with everyone, especially the ice-breaking with Masako-san and Elizabeth (another guide)! Super memorable :D
Then at night, some others went for onsen (hot spring) while i went out with some others. Nice night taking funny pics!
Day 6
DISNEYLAND! There were lots and lots of people there la! But the music at the entrance is really making me excited. The things there are nice to see too!! Everything you see in those shops, you will feel like buying! Really total environment philosophy in their decor and stuff! But i must admit, their rides are quite kiddy! One of the roller coaster we took, was less than 30 secs when we queued for quite long. And! The last ride that we took, took us 1 hour to queue! Yes, that's so many people.
There's an Easter Day parade too! It's nice if the characters are nice! But gets boring after a while. But, there are many people sitting down and chopping places much earlier before that. So funny -.-
There are mascots of the disney characters too!! Now i know the one that we took with is Wendy from Peter Pan, and not Cinderella or something. Lol. Then, we also saw Woody and his girlfriend, and also goofy! Woody and his girlfriend i don't like. They very bad, cos the person asked us to touch him in order to take photos, but when some of us grabbed him, we were ignored lo! Only took with his not-so-famous girlfriend. Haha. Worse was when Candy saw there were nobody taking with his girlfriend, she went to ask for a picture with her. And she said NO! LOL!
We were cheapskate! Keep taking different characters to wear and take photos, but never buy! Hahaha.
So was mostly taking photos and shopping! For a whole day, we only took 4 rides... Weather was one of the hottest among other days there.
OH YA! How could i forget?! You know... during our last ride which was the roller coaster, i felt my phone and calculator that were in my pocket all along, MISSING!! The tram that we took went for another 1 or 2 rounds somemore! LUCKILY my stuff were found - on the seat still! Super lucky!
Day 7To Shibuya and Harajuku!
Hachiko! The dog who is known for its loyalty.
The stores in Shibuya made me realise that the stores in Japan are all really attractive! Each has its own appeal, unlike Singapore - wherever you go is the same! Some stores are quite inspiring and nice!
Absolutely loved this store's concept!
Then Harajuku, which is famous for shopping and cosplay. Many many people there too!! Daiso again!
Funny - level 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2....
Cosplay
After that to some electronic mall. Nothing much cos we don't need it. So, went over to "donkey hotel" with some others. Their rice ball is nice!! I had wasabi flavour, really tasty.
And that night, was settling my group's confec stuff. Money allocated to us still left quite a lot, so we went down to the convenience stores near the hotel! Funny, cos i was wearing what i wore to sleep, and also the hotel's slippers! Hahaha! Others too! And, we went out without jackets which was plain shiokness!
Memorable as when we decide what to get, we took the whole box of some confec and bought them! The cashiers were laughing lo. Hahaha.
Day 8Last day! Happy to go home, but also sad to leave. Raining, colddddd. Shopped at the mall near airport. Daiso again! Then, tried ramen and their crepe. Ramen like wanton noodle. Lol. Anyway, their ordering style is cool.
Just put your money in the machine, then choose what you want, and pass the ticket to the person.
You'll get this pager thing and when it rings, it's time to collect your food.
Headed for the airport after that, packed our stuff and had our last picture with Masako-san.
Ah, she's really a nice tour guide!!
I guess everyone will miss her, though i always laugh at her. Haha. Cos her laughters are quite funny and she learns singlish from us! And that night at Japanese Inn, we were playing to remember everyone's names and when it's her turn, she couldn't remember all! That's of cos. But her memory is quite good. Then she say say say our names... then those that she don't know, she suddenly say "amiko, yumiko, ...." all those jap names. Haha.
Last min shopping after checking in our luggages in the airport! Spent almost all the leftover money there. FOOD.
SummaryThings are expensive. But that's not the primary issue. I had fun and knew the people i already knew even more.
It's a good experience, to see how different SG is from them. Size, WEATHER, SERVICE, technology, culture, FOOD... etc.
It's difficult to communicate with them, but it's still quite fun. There's once where Candy misplaced her gloves, so we went back to the shop to search. To no avail, i asked the person there. He couldn't understand. I took out my gloves and said 'gloves'. Hahaha.
Learnt many things too. Like how important packaging is for them. Dressing, image, etc. In retail wise, it's their super good service, dressing of mannequins which will make you wanna buy the whole set, the store ambience/decor, how they will make you feel like buying everything, their daring use of elements, etc. Really incomparable.
Seriously, SG can't compare. But food wise, i still prefer SG's! Missed the food here, family and friends, hamsters, computer... NOT THE WEATHER!
Also, i'd imagined some of the places before going there, and it's different from how i'd imagined! The fish market, i thought it's indoor. Ok, there's indoor and outdoor, but we went to the outdoor one. Then the snow. Then Disneyland. It's actually not what i'd imagined! Somehow different, especially the rides! Not that exciting as i'd thought, though i still screamed. Haha. I remembered saying that if given a chance again, i wouldn't go. Lol. Maybe, maybe not.
And! Japanese kids are kawaii!!!
And... i was surprised that i didn't touch until my ipod at all totally.. Didn't have the feel to listen to any music. I feel that the music will provoke the natural thoughts that i already have. It would be a waste to see the nice scenery and also have your thoughts destroying it.
OH AND... Their crows are disgusting! Their 'arh arh' is different from SG's lo! Really like human making the voice. LOL.
And i was able to sleep well no matter where! At the hotel, lie awhile can fall asleep all the way till morning already. I think i slept better at the inn too! Very comfortable. Haha.
Yea... that's about it i guess :) More photos @ facebook!
See ya!
