On our second day in Kyoto, we first went to Kiyomizu-dera temple. The temple is located on a hill, so the walk is a bit up slope, and along the way there are shops around, selling spring time delicacies like Mochi pastries.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Japan Golden Week - Kyoto 1/2
02-May-2013
On our 5th day, we departed Shizuoka at 10pm, and during the 8-9 hours on the road we slept (or pretended to sleep) throughout the trip, with regular toilet break every 2 hours. I would really commend our organizer Mochan, for a great sacrifice of driving us safely to Kyoto. Traveling to Kyoto from Shizuoka via mini bus has been the toughest road trip throughout our journey.
On our 5th day, we departed Shizuoka at 10pm, and during the 8-9 hours on the road we slept (or pretended to sleep) throughout the trip, with regular toilet break every 2 hours. I would really commend our organizer Mochan, for a great sacrifice of driving us safely to Kyoto. Traveling to Kyoto from Shizuoka via mini bus has been the toughest road trip throughout our journey.
Arriving at Kyoto the following morning, at around 7 am we reach Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Japan Golden Week - Tokaido, Shizuoka
30-April-2013
In Shizuoka Prefecture, green tea is becoming one of the colors of spring. Yes, they have such vast green tea fields in Shizuoka that they boast No1 tea production in Japan every year.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Japan Golden Week - Fuji
29-April -2013
After driving an hour away from Machida we turned right from the national highway to Gotenba - one of the area where you can view and get close to the famous: Mount Fuji.
on the way, we passed by the mountain side which has this stunning scenery:
After driving an hour away from Machida we turned right from the national highway to Gotenba - one of the area where you can view and get close to the famous: Mount Fuji.
on the way, we passed by the mountain side which has this stunning scenery:
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Japan Golden Week - West Tokyo
28-April-2013
Ohayou gozaimasu!
I woke up early to have advantage of using first the toilet and bathroom, expecting that queue for bathroom will be quite long since we are 15 couch surfers! After bathing, I had an early morning walk around the neighborhood,
One of the neighbors walking with his pet, first time to see a Japanese Spitz in Japan!
Some of the neighbors here has this carp fish flag displayed outside the house - Koinbori flag.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Japan Golden Week - Tokyo
27-April-2013
After checking out from FirstCabin airport hotel, I went to the basement to have breakfast at McDonald :
Then I proceed to the train station to go to the city proper since Tokyo Station is where the meeting point for our CS group.
After checking out from FirstCabin airport hotel, I went to the basement to have breakfast at McDonald :
Then I proceed to the train station to go to the city proper since Tokyo Station is where the meeting point for our CS group.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Japan Golden Week - Intro to Couchsurfing
It is a fact that traveling to Japan is relatively more expensive as compared to other Asian countries. Since I got my Japan flight via Air Asia X on promo sale (to get the good date, book your flight at 3 am upon their 12 midnight sale launch), my next concern is the accommodation. I have been searching for ways to find low cost accommodation for 2 weeks stay in Japan. Some of my friend recommends sleeping in book shops' cubicles; while others recommends capsule hotels.
Luckily, a friend introduced me to Couchsurfing (CS), and there I saw Mochan's profile. He organize CS trips around central Japan, and he even drives you around. Joining his group, I have to pay him 2000 Yen / day = 25 SGD (includes land transport & accommodation).
Basically, CS is to allow strangers to stay over night in your house (if your the host), so the accommodations we had (as the guests) were mostly with local Japanese who willingly shares their home with us.
Luckily, a friend introduced me to Couchsurfing (CS), and there I saw Mochan's profile. He organize CS trips around central Japan, and he even drives you around. Joining his group, I have to pay him 2000 Yen / day = 25 SGD (includes land transport & accommodation).
Basically, CS is to allow strangers to stay over night in your house (if your the host), so the accommodations we had (as the guests) were mostly with local Japanese who willingly shares their home with us.
One important rule for CS is to be open minded to get along with different people with different cultures around the world. But I would also like to remind those interested to do CS to prepare giving some gifts / token as a sign of gratitude to your hosts, it is also nice to lend a hand in doing some house chores (floor swiping, washing the dishes, help cook the dinner, etc.).
Our Itinerary :
Our Itinerary :
So the travel began...= Golden Week Japan Highlight Trip 2013 =
Apr 27-28 TOKYO (central, west) Apr 29 Mt.Fuji Apr 30 Tea ceremony / ONSEN May 01 SHIZUOKA sightseeing May 02*-03 KYOTO (Day 1, Day 2) May 04-05 OSAKA/NARA May 06* KOBE/ OSAKA May 07-08 AMANOHASHIDATE/SAKE brewery May 09 SHIZUOKA May 10 Back to TOKYO * nights we have to book our own accommodation
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Batanes - Sabtang - Lost in Time
A visit to Batanes is incomplete without seeing Sabtang. Of the three islands, this is the smallest inhabited. On our third day in Batanes, we were picked up at 6 am and was sent to San Vicente Port / Radiwan Port in Ivatan, we took the motorize boat: Falowa to Sabtang Island.
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