Travel: Japan - General
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sashimi:
same here, will definitely get one when I next move house.radiantmum:
PS: My kid's favourite place he declared was the toilet seat ... to-date (beats Universal Studio hands down
)
I have already decided long ago that when we next move house, I am going to hunt down a local supplier of Japanese smart toilets and install one in my flat, even if it kills me.
When you come back home to Sg, our toilets will feel like stone age technology. -
Re-send ... Approved by Japanese internet police liao.
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Konibanwa/good evening!
CKS, was in Kyoto this afternoon - did see some red leaves but not as spectacular as I would have thought. Those of you travelling at a later date may have better luck.
As promised, here are some notes/tips taken during the trip for to-be travellers :-
1. Expect long queue (>30 mins to an hr) too in Osaka Universal Studio. If you are Universal Studio Studio partner hotel guests, you will be able to have early entrance prior to public opening time - that helps! & yes, everything in Japanese even the shows. Positive side is you do not need to explain anything to your kid 'cos wakarimasen (don't understand) :lol:
PS: Go for Waterworld show.
2. Matsumuko - your choice for cheap healthcare pdts. Cheapest branch I was told was in Shinsaibaishi. & try their local burger \"Lotteria\" - good and value for money!
3. I would recommend Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. Spectacular panoramic view of Kyoto and take a look at the cliff-edge veranda - Japanese did jump off here. If alive after the jump, Japanese believe that all their wishes will come true. Otherwise ... well wishes are of no use dead, right? Apparently the survival rate is 85% (>200 jumps to-date) ... DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
PS: Lots of spring water you can try to take from but go for the one with 3 pipes - straight from the mountain and yummy, refreshing! There are 3 pipes to take water from (representing wealth, health & wisdom) but Japanese believe you need to choose only to drink from 2 of them in order for your wishes to be effective - - well, can't be too greedy
My boy chose WEALTH without 2nd thoughts and asked me immediately after - when is he going to see his money? :!:
4. If you want to wear kimono, pls make sure you wear your LEFT over RIGHT. The other way of wearing is meant for the dead.
5. Be impressed with the advanced toilet seats !! The seats are warm (literally with a temperature!) and it comes with spray function to wash your buttocks while seated and the higher class type comes with massage function! Boy, Japanese must be a stressed lot that they need such comfort to do their \"business\"
But kudos to them, very creative!
PS: My kid's favourite place he declared was the toilet seat ... to-date (beats Universal Studio hands down )
6. FOOD ...
(a) Japanese word TANG (1)/'soup' means warm water.
(b) Buy their sakae - cold/warm drink from their supermarket - - gosh only 204 yen !
(c) Heatpad - i read earlier that it was cheaper to buy in Japan. I never check out the rate but the pack of 10 that I just bought (lasting 12 hrs) cost me 348 yen.
(d) Must try their raw food eg Sashimi this time of the year when it's cold- - freshest!
That's all for now, folks ... -
7. Sunglasses in Japan is a MUST! The UV in Japan is easily 2x more than Singapore.
8. Must try Japan's shinkasen/bullet train experience. Nothing spectacular about the ride itself but it's so cool to sit at the station just to hear (literally HEAR!) and see the trains zooming past (300-400km/hr) - fantastic!
9. Japan trip is incomplete without Mt Fuji. We were lucky - the weather was fantastic and the view from 5th station was breathtaking! Prior to your trip up, remember to bring along heat pads (Matsumuko selling at 294 yen - cheapest so far). Use the toilet inside the souvenir shop - the one outside will be freezing cold.
PS: Visited Gotembai factory outlet - no different from US factory outlets. Only difference is you have Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Go to the bridge linking shopping zones to have great Mt Fuji photo shots.
10. Stay in one of those traditional Japanese/ryokan and clad in their Yukata for the ultimate refreshing and photo experience - - have a hot spring bath (check out the do and don'ts first) and afterwhich have a sip of hot sakae (mix with warm water) from your room with a balcony view - - this is LIFE
11. DISNEYLAND. Bring your own stroller or rent one at 700 yen. The queues are generally shorter nearer or during parade show time (ppl are busy 'booking' their favourite slot for the best parade view). We decided to give it a miss since we've seen one in HK Disneyland before and that allows us to cut lots of queue time. My boy's favourites are Go Gadget/roller coaster & Grand Circuit Race. Roger Rabbit's not bad but I do not like the spin. The one that we did not have to queue for is Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. Pirates is a boat ride in the dark (a little too dark) - okay. Jungle Cruise is interesting with the guide's expressive oohs and ahs (even though we can understand none of them).
PS: There's a crew changing room near the stroller renting station - sit there and you'll have a great video clip of the different cartoon characters popping out from the changing room - - all at once!
12. TOKYO - so far all about shopping which I am not exactly a fan or expert at (especially on branded goods) and since I only window shop quickly most of the time - - don't mark my words too much for it below. PS: * Places with unpleasant sewage odour.
(a) Odaiba. Aqua City - go to the Japanese stalls section. The rest - no different from any shopping malls in Singapore. Venus Fort - the changing roof view ... pretty disappointed actually. Perhaps 'cos my expectation was higher.
(b) Nakamise/Kaminarimon Gate - recommend ! Check out the Japanese's way of praying. You will also get to see some dressed in kimonos there - - especially cute to see the kids clad in kimonos.
(c) Shinjuku* - check out the pimps ! (those punky guys in black suits)
(d) Sunshine City area* - HUGE place. Uniglo - cheaper in Japan than in Singapore.
(e) Ameyoko - interesting flea market area. Not your typical Orchard/mall shopping which I enjoyed. If you want to buy your food souvenirs - come here. The prices here I noticed are generally much lower.
Ciao for now. -
Did you check out Meiji Shrine? We saw lots of little girls in kimono. They look really cute.
Also, have you check out the daiso shop??? Was told there was a 100 yen shop but we didn’t see any. We checked out Daiso at Harajuku after our Meiji Shrine visit. If your kids are young or have girls, the hello kitty stuff in Daiso shop is cheap. We got those hello kitty purse, stamp, stationery, disney handkerchiefs for my girl, etc… that make great gifts for girls. Hubby regret not buying more… Also those disney party bags at Daiso, it’s only Yen 105, but you got to pay around S$4 at Singapore party shops. So that is worth buying if you’ve some kids party coming up. -
MMM:
Sunday and Meiji Shrine/Harajuku today! Saw 100 yen shop in Nakamise but was too rush to check it out properly. Will do so today - thxs! Saw 1000 yen shop as well in Kyoto but hasn't seen one in Tokyo yet though.Did you check out Meiji Shrine? We saw lots of little girls in kimono. They look really cute.
Also, have you check out the daiso shop???? Was told there was a 100 yen shop but we didn't see any. We checked out Daiso at Harajuku after our Meiji Shrine visit. If your kids are young or have girls, the hello kitty stuff in Daiso shop is cheap. We got those hello kitty purse, stamp, stationery, disney handkerchiefs for my girl, etc... that make great gifts for girls. Hubby regret not buying more.... Also those disney party bags at Daiso, it's only Yen 105, but you got to pay around S$4 at Singapore party shops. So that is worth buying if you've some kids party coming up.
To all travellers to be, Japan's GST is 5%. -
Hello…
I will be flying to Japan as in tokyo tonight…how is the actual weather over there now?
A friend warned me to be very careful of H1N1 when am there…can someone update the situation?Am contemplating whether to bring mask…but i really dont like the idea putting on when am HOLIDAYS…
Thanks
Rgds
Joy -
Tokyo is not that cold - long sleeves and sweater will be okay. Check out the yahoo weather update before you leave. For kids, I more kiasu and standby coat in case weather turns sudden cold / in the nite.
People wearing masks are a common sight in Japan. Not sure if it’s due to H1N1 or due to the high hygiene consciousness of Japanese to cover due to flu. You won’t feel out of place wearing here. Everything feels normal once you are here. -
Spent an entire day in Harajuku including Meiji Shrine. Super crowded but love the shop mix, fashion and offers. If you have girls or love accessories - this IS the place. PS: Ironically, I bought a top that says \"made in korea\"
& MMM, did spend at least an hour in Daiso Almost all made in China but did \"sweep stock\" when I saw those cute stuffs that says \"for japan sale only\" :love: My christmas shopping is 80% done!
Was expecting a congregation of cosplay characters but was disappointed - possibly we weren't at the right place
Interestingly the people we asked were not able to tell us as well. Did see a couple of manga characters but they walked past us so fast that we were not able to stop them to take any pics at all
If you folks are there and keen in buying cosplay costume, visit the cosplay costume shop called \"Bodyline\" along Takeshita Street. Lovely! Else, when asked if there was anything for boy, the answer came with a firm NO
(Cont'd...)
13. Metro Subway. So far, I only need to use the subway to move around. Subway map looks messy but it's pretty easy to navigate around. Just pick up a map, go to the station control and ask them which # to board the train and which station to alight and how much. Note: I do not have to pay for my kid. & if you wish to keep the subway tickets like me, go to the station control prior to exit to have them \"stamped\" -
Joy:
You will feel safer in Japan than in Sg. The Japanese standards of hygiene are legendary. All the way to the toilets. In some toilets, even their soap dispensers are infrared activated, so that you don't have to touch any buttons/taps.Hello....
I will be flying to Japan as in tokyo tonight...how is the actual weather over there now?
A friend warned me to be very careful of H1N1 when am there...can someone update the situation?Am contemplating whether to bring mask...but i really dont like the idea putting on when am HOLIDAYS....
Thanks
Rgds
Joy
I still shake my head when people in Singapore (we who still have people who spit in public and shit in food courts) \"warn\" travellers going to Japan about H1N1. Please! I felt so much safer in Japan!
The Japanese have been wearing hygiene masks for the longest time, long long before H1N1 ever appeared. They have a habit of wearing them when they have the flu - any flu. And it's not to protect themselves but to prevent their germs from spreading to you.
Weather - so long as you have access to Japanese TV, you can check out the news every morning /evening. Japanese weather prediction is amazingly accurate (not 100% but still astonishingly accurate). They can predict the weather at 3-hr intervals. There was one day on my last trip, the prediction was that it would rain after 6pm the next day - and it did, on the dot! :shock: -
radiantmum:
& MMM, did spend at least an hour in Daiso
Almost all made in China but did \"sweep stock\" when I saw those cute stuffs that says \"for japan sale only\" :love: My christmas shopping is 80% done!
Since you are there at the end of the year, go buy their calendars!!! I'm not talking about Daiso only. Go to any bookshop or, best of all, go to Tokyu Hands, and buy them! You don't even have to spend a lot to get something of good taste and quality. (In SG, if you're unwilling to spend like $30-40 or above, you tend to end up with ugly and/or lousy quality ones.) You can buy many of them since they're not very heavy or thick (get those that display a few months per page and for tabletop display) and give them as souvenirs cum christmas gifts to friends and colleagues. That's what we did. Don't forget to grab some for yourself too! (^_^)
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