The last trip of 2014: JAPAN

Japan, i had never thought i would be there after all the talks about radiation and food. But since my dearest twin managed to take leave, we decided on it and started all the plans in mid November. He had worked there before and i am glad i have my personal tour guide for Tokyo :) (I have never been to Japan). However, i told him to visit places that he has not been to, so that at least there is something new for him as well. 

Before the trip, we have to really plan where the places we want to visit. As we have about 7 days, we decided to get a 7 day JR pass. And this JR exchange order had to be purchased at JNTO Singapore office at Ion Basement 4, our pass is one that covers all JR lines in Japan, so it costs about SGD 332 per person. Transportation can be pretty expensive and we calculated that the JR pass would be more worth it. Oh and at that time, the currency is about 89yen for 1SGD, so it seemed like a good time to visit. You can also plan your timetable and route via http://www.hyperdia.com/en/  

DAY 1 : Nagano - Nozawa Onsen

After all the planning, off we embarked on our trip. We started by reaching the Narita airport early in the morning and went to the JR pass office to exchange for our pass at the airport. After which, we took the Narita express to Tokyo

Unexpectedly, there were some delays in this train, and we reach Tokyo at 9.15am instead of 9.03am, AND our next train to Nagano is at 9.20am! We ran, with our luggage to catch the train in 5mins. Thank God, we manage to board the train just before it left. I was panting madly. 

On the way to Nagano, we were welcomed by the snow along the way.

When we reach Nagano 102minutes later, there is another JR line to take to Togari Nozawa Onsen.

There was a direct bus at 11.15am, that costs 1400 yen to take us to the Nozawa town and also to our hotel. We stayed in the Nozawa Grand hotel which is just 20mins by bus. If we had missed this bus, the next bus would be like 2 hours plus later...The place is snowing really heavily. After we put our luggage, we braved the snow to look for lunch nearby.

It was not the peak season so there wasn't alot of people in the town. We walked around abit, and decided to head back due to the heavy snow. The snow is so heavy that it almost covered a car and many of the locals were busy sweeping and clearing the snow outside their homes. 

We went for the onsen at our hotel, it was snowing heavily and the snow was piling up so high you can only see the view when you stand up. There is an indoor and outdoor onsen, and dipping in the onsen for both is extremely relaxing. Since this is an onsen hotel, we decided to make full use and to check the onsen out early in the morning as well. It has stopped snowing and the scenery was just fantastic.

Day 2: Nagano - Nagasaki ski
We booked a half day private ski lesson at www.nozawaski.com at 20 000 yen. They only provide private ski lessons during that period. We board the free shuttle bus from the bus terminal ( for your info, the bus terminal is a very small area at this cross junction near the tourist centre, you wouldn't think that it is a bus terminal) to go to the Nagasaki ski center area and rented our equipment there.

While waiting for our instructor, i saw all those pros purchasing the lift tickets to go up the slopes.

It was not snowing and the weather was just perfect to take the lesson. Our ski instructor Kate, taught us how to ski. And after the lessons, we got all the basics and we were all on our own after lunch. 

After lunch, we decided to entertain ourselves before starting to ski. See what my cute twin is doing on the snow and he left his body imprint in the ski area. We started making a snowman together. The snow was so soft and smooth, it was really tough making one, but we managed to make one small one though. 
We carry on skiing after that. It started to snow very heavily and i got a tough time putting on the ski boots on my own, (AS USUAL), i tried many times and finally put them on. In the end, i still manage to ski awhile. I try not to take my ski boots out and walk up with the ski, it takes like ages to walk up the slope, but just a few seconds to ski down the slope! Nevertheless, skiing down the slopes is like Woooo....

Do check out the timings for the shuttle bus, the last bus is around 5ish as the sun sets by that time. That night was very cold as we waited for the bus under the heavy snow. We ended our day at this little Japanese eatery filling our stomach with very fresh sashimi and hot tea and miso soup!

Day 3: Nagano: Jigokudani Monkey Park - Tokyo: Shinjuku

The next morning, we packed our things and head to Nagano station again. That day, the Togari nozawa onsen station is closed, and there is no bus going there. We changed the plan and took another bus which goes to ilyama station, from there, we took the JR line to Nagano. As we wanted to check out the monkey park, we left our luggage at the Nagano station, there are big lockers at the upper concourse of the train station that costs just 600yen for the day.

How to go to the Monkey Park?

From Nagano station east exit, take an express bus at bus stop 3. The bus will depart at 11.15am, i think there are other timings as well, 4-10 buses per day, so please check the timing. The trip takes about 40mins at 1400yen and you can get off at the Kambayashi onsen guchi bus stop B. Most of the people who took the bus are heading to the monkey park and there would be announcements, so you cant really miss it.

It has stopped snowing and we can finally see abit of the sun. The walk up to the park is about 30mins, there is some hiking involved. Please make sure you wear sturdy shoes as it can get really slippery up and there were some slippery slopes down as well.

The entrance fee was 500yen per adult and we were welcomed by monkeys right in front of the entrance. Can you see another "big monkey"? :p

Entering the monkey park, the monkeys there looked so so chilled. There is quite a number of tourist snapping pictures of these monkeys who just cannot be bothered with them. We were advised not to feed them or touch them and everyone was obedient. :)

There is no dining options up at the park so we bought a pork cutlet bento set at Nagano station just now to share and eat at the bus stop while waiting. Surprisingly, although the cutlet is cold, it still taste crispy after two hours! 

We headed back from Nagano to Tokyo after all the "relatives" visiting which takes about 1.5 hours. And right after leaving our luggage at the Shinagawa Prince hotel, we went to Shinjuku to look for any nice dinner place that serves Shabu shabu. Our JR pass is pretty useful as we can still make full use of it in Tokyo by planning trips along the JR Yamanote line. We went pass this robot restaurant where they placed two life sized robot figurines outside. The night there is just so crowded and happening!

Day 4: Tokyo explorer: Tsukiji market, Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, Ueno

The day started with a trip to Tsukiji market, where you see lots of fresh seafood and people. We are here just to eat eat eat...The first few things that we came across is the grilled scallops and two big ones like that is like only 500 yen, super fresh and nice!

There is fresh seafood and fruits and a BIG FISH HEAD!!

It started to drizzle and we decided to have an early lunch. We just pop into one of the Japanese restaurants. The sashimi is just simply yummy!

Next we went to Shibuya, where just outside the station, we see the bronze statue of Hachiko. There is a true story of this dog who always go to the Shibuya station to wait for its' master after he returned from work. Its master died at his workplace one day and never returned to the station. This dog still goes to the station and wait for the master faithfully for 9 years till it passed away. So loyal!!! 

And as you walked to cross the road, there is this busiest cross junction at Shibuya. 

After which, we went to the Takeshita street at Harajuku. It is a street with lots of shopping and we found a shop that sells chocolate with potato chips, yum yum!

Next, we headed to Asakusa, to visit the Sensoji temple and explore the area around. The place is lined with stalls and colourful bright lights.

We tried to explore Ueno market but it was raining so heavily. We went back to our hotel instead for a King crab buffet at Hapuna dining.

The crab legs are extremely big and we basically aim them only. After that, we ended the buffet with the sweet and decorative cakes. We ate so much crabs, i think i won't eat crabs for the next few months!

Day 5: Tokyo explorer: Tokyo tower, Disney Sea

That morning, we went to Tokyo tower, alighting at Hamamasutcho station and walk about 15mins. Entrance to the main observatory is about 900 yen.

And off we go to Disney sea. We reach there like 1130am and there were alot of people there already. The entrance is like 6400 yen and the place is just crowded. Before the entrance, we happen to see characters outside to take photos, like Daisy, Miss Chipmunk and i think Pluto. There was Mickey too but he is just too popular! Over there, you must be thickskin to keep calling the character to get his/her attention, to smile widely and to wave at them "dramatically" or else usually the kids would get to take photos with them. In other words, the "old kids" like us would not even get chance to take a picture with them. I felt so paiseh at first when i was shouting for "Daisy, Daisy, daisy"... Anyway the locals also do that...so just follow... :P

The queues for the popular rides are like 2 hours. There are some attractions with the fast pass but the passes for some of them are sold out by noon. There were also long queues even for food! We catch this first outdoor show where the disney characters show us the different kinds of food. 

We explored the big park and came to the "Lost River" and saw those Mayan look-alike pyramids.

We only managed to take some rides like some Sinbad storybook voyage,watched a show in a 3D magic lamp theater, tried experiencing storm in Stormrider and take this submarine in this 20 000 leagues under the sea. We did not even have a proper lunch, fortunately twin is always prepared with snacks and we came with fresh strawberries and the Nagano apples too!!!

During winter, the sky gets dark earlier. We walked around the mermaid lagoon before returning at 5 ish as our train to Osaka is at 7ish. 

Well, if you do want to visit Disney in Japan, do consider visiting it during weekdays, i visited on a Saturday and i realise there were more locals than tourists there so i presume it would not be that packed during the weekdays. In addition, try visiting it the moment the park opened to get all the fast pass for the rides, so at least, you get to try most of the rides and not spend time waiting. 

We took our luggage from the hotel and made our trip to Osaka. Another 3 hour bullet train ride... :)

Day 6: Osaka: Osaka castle, Osaka bay

We decided to get a nicer room in Osaka by staying in Marriot Miyako hotel. The hotel is just opposite the Tennoji station which is also along this JR Osaka loop line. Some of the hotels in Japan were really small. This is like the most spacious rooms that i stayed for the trip. The toilet is so so big and the toilet bowl has an auto sensor. The moment i enter, the bowl cover opened to welcome me... I am like WOW...

Anyway since we had such a nice room, I must spend some time enjoying the view and a cup of nice hot tea. :)

The hotel even offered free admission passes to visit the Harukas to see the view of Osaka from the 59th level. However, we were only allowed admission till 730, i remembered we managed to run in just at 730am.

After that we went to Osaka castle where we learn some history of the Toyotomi and the Tokugawa clans. We alighted from the Morinomiya station and have a nice walk towards the castle. We bought discounted tickets that includes Osaka castle and the Aquarium at the ticketing counter at Osaka castle, saving about 200yen per person instead of the usual walk in admission fees. Just be observant and check out the counters at any tourist attractions. Usually, there would be some bundle discounts.

Last but not least, a visit to Osaka bay where we can visit the Tempozan marketplace and ferris wheel and also the Osaka aquarium where the giant whale shark stays. 

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4010.html

We stopped at the Osakako station and just walked towards the Ferris wheel area.

We decided not to go for the ferris wheel as we had quite a bit of city views from the top already. We had an okonomiyaki lunch at the marketplace.

We went to the Naniwa food village in the market place for some Takoyaki. The decor around the place is trying to bring out the traditional shopping and entertainment area of Osaka of 1965.

We went to visit the Kaiyukan aka Osaka aquarium. See the whole blue blue building

And the little creatures that welcomes us

The huge whale shark which is the main attraction

the other sea creatures.

After that we went to Namba station where the Dotonburi district is situated. The place is full of food! And as we walked, we keep passing by this big Takoyaki stall which always plays this takoyaki song " ta----ko---yaki, ta----ko----yaki, takoyaki, takoyaki...." Both my twin and i just laugh,like that also can...Alot of the restaurants are full and we managed to find one that serves grilled stuff, went in and had a nice dinner. I tried this new dish which is quite good, raw beef with egg on top...cannot remember the jap name though.

We headed for Kyoto after that to stay in our hotel Ibis which is also just opposite the Kyoto station.

Day 7: Nara: Nara park, Todaiji temple ...Kyoto: Kiyomizudera, Gion

The day started with a trip to Nara early in the morning. From Kyoto station, we can take the Miyakoji trains to JR Nara station which is an average of 45mins. From the station, we took a 20min walk to the Nara park. 

Walking up this flight of stairs, we came across deers roaming around the area. We knew there would be deers around and we got some bread at a convenience shop before going over.

As we walked towards the direction of the Todaiji temple, where there is this giant buddha statue, more deers came and welcomed us. When the deers knew that i had food, they would come to me and some would even bow at me for food. And they are realistic, when they know i had no more, they ran off. One was so hungry, it chewed at my scarf and one keep knocking against my butt. It was quite scary when there was once, quite a number of deers came up to me hoping to get more food. 

That is the Todaiji temple on the outside on the top left hand corner, we decided not to enter and just snap a photo of this majestic building.

After our lunch at Nara, we headed to Kyoto by the same JR line. We took this bus 100 at the Kyoto station which costs 230yen to go to the Kiyomizudera temple. By the way, payment is usually done when you alight. We walked steadily uphill from the bus station. The place is quite touristy, quite hard to miss the stop. And there are announcements on the bus too. Along the way, we decided to share a macha ice cream and found women dressed in Kimonos walking up the hill too. It seemed so tough to walk in that outfit!

It costs 300yen to enter the temple. The temple is under renovation so the view is not so nice actually. 

The bottom left photo would be awesome if it is during autumn time.

Taking the temple from afar. (Top left)

We went down the slope to the main road and walked along it. We decided to check out another temple by walking up this small lane (top right), and by chance pop into this quaint little shop beside the temple that sells very interesting things. And what attracts my twin? Totoro merchandise!

As we walked down the road, we wanted to check out the Gion area nearby, i read that you might be able to see Geishas along this area. I did not see any though.

Anyway, we just walked till we exited the Gion area, crossing this bridge and into an area where there are big shopping malls. We walked into this little shopping and marketplace and had our last sashimi meal.

And yes, that ends our last night in Japan. We returned to get our luggage to take the train from Kyoto to Nagoya, staying one last night at the airport hotel before our early flight the next day.

I like Japan. It is a clean country, with delicious food. The people there are relatively polite and it is not difficult to travel around with the good network of JR trains. I would love to be back again!