Hello there,
Finally down to my trip to Japan in July 2016 with the boy! It was one of the biggest trips ever! Oh, it's also one of my grad trips last year too! Also, the second trip with Mr. Z in the year of 2016 (excluding JB trips)!
It was 15D14N long trip, and we covered 3 cities in Japan. We flew via Singapore Airlines (again) at 1155PM and landed in Narita International Airport in Tokyo on 6th July 2016 in the morning at 8am!
The reason why we flew via SQ was because (for the third time) Singapore Airlines was having a promotion. It was only $650 per pax including 30kg check-in baggage and flight meals. Of course, accommodation is another thing!
Before our trip, we planned for the itinerary, as usual, because even though Mr. Z has been to Japan before, he hasn't gone to Kyoto and Osaka. So research was much needed for these two cities. We also purchased our JR passes at JTB Travel Saloon located at Ngee Ann City, Orchard. I can't remember exactly how much it was but definitely NOT CHEAP AT ALL!!
We had no choice but to purchase the passes because we'd need them in both Osaka and Tokyo. Tbh, I can't rlly tell if it's worthy or not. You have to do your own planning and calculations and be sure of where you'd be heading to before you purchase. We dived straight in to purchase that because we reckoned that we needed those very often.
As we didn't spend on cabs at all throughout our trip, I guess JR passes came in handy for us. I'd say pretty worth it (?) since we used their JR lines quite often. Ah, you also have to check carefully which are the JR lines because Japan's subway is operated by many different companies. I got so confused just by looking at their maps!
We booked our accommodations through Airbnb throughout our Japan trip. We booked three rooms in each different cities on different dates.
Below are some of the photos for our stay in Kyoto:
Our apt was the first unit from the lift so you needn't be worried if you need the toilet urgently because you don't have to rush all the way till the end of the corridor! LOL! Jokes aside, you can just press for the lift and wait/watch while your partner is locking the door!
The first thing you'll see when you enter the apt! There's a door to the room which blocks even more noise from outside. I've nvr heard any footsteps coming from the corridor during my stay here! Also, the bathroom and washroom are located before the door to your bed. I rlly like how Japanese design their rooms this way! You can switch off the lights in your room and leave the one at the walkway on and it's not even bright at all after closing the door. Luv it!
Oh, not sure if anyone else does this but I do leave one light on when I travel. I can't sleep with the room being totally dark. Hahah!
It's a brilliant idea that the toilet bowls in Japan's home come with a basin on top. I was so amazed when I first saw that. The water would flow from the tap automatically 2 seconds after your flushed the toilet bowl. Damn convenient!
Our apt in Osaka, unlike the one in Kyoto, it's located quite a distance away from the station. It was pouring when we reached the station and we had to walk a few streets before we reached our apt WITH OUR LUGGAGE! So damn troublesome and inconvenient!
As someone who's petite, and pulling a luggage that's so huge, my luggage kept getting stuck at some point of time. Not funny at all! We finally reached our apt after about 10 minutes or so. I think 10 mins because it was our first time there and we had some problems finding the place. We even stood at the cross junction to check our Google Map for a few times.
But once we managed to find the apt, we found it easy to walk to the station. On a positive note, the apt was located in between two stations. So it's quite convenient to a certain extent... Also, as long as you're familiar with the area, I guess the distance to the stations doesn't rlly matter. That's how Mr. Z and I felt. Thank God for my navigator (Mr. Z)!
I can't find the link on Airbnb but here are the photos that I took of the apt upon checking in:
For this, I don't remember it being minutes away from the nearest station. We had to walk quite far to either one of the stations. Again, it's located in between two stations but still very far away! I didn't take much photos of this apt because it was a rlly small place with the bathroom just right after the main door on the left!
For this, the walls aren't rlly that sound proof! We could hear neighbours opening / closing the door everyday and the sound of their footsteps.
Day 1: NRT Airport to Kyoto Station via Shinkansen > Kiyomizu-dera temple > Ninen-zaka (a preserved district) > Ishebe alley > Gion District > Gojo-ohashi Bridge
Day 2: Yumeyakata Photo Studio > Fushimi Inari Temple > Ginkaku-ji Temple > Philosopher's Path > Nanzen-ji Temple
Day 3: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove > Tenryu-ji Temple > Togetsu-kyo Bridge > Nishiki Market > Gion District
Day 4: (We went Osaka in btwn) Dotonbori > Kuromon Market > Shinsaibashi Madras
Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka > Osaka Castle > Umeda Sky Building > Shinsekai
Day 6: Nara Park > Kobe for Kobe beef!! > Dotonbori
Day 7: Universal Studios Japan > Owl cafe >
Day 8: Pokemon Centre @ Sunshine City > Shinjuku Golden Gai
Day 9: 1 day trip to Yokohama
Day 10: Harajuku > Meiji Jingu Shrine > Shibuya
Day 11: Tokyo DisneySea !!!
Day 12: Akihabara > Asakusabashi > Tokyo Skytree
Day 13: Tsukuji Market > Tokyo Tower > Harajuku > Shibuya
Day 14: 1 day trip to Hakone
Day 15: Harajuku > Tokyo Skytree > NRT International Airport
That's all! I'll get into details of the itinerary when I'm free again! G'bye!
Finally down to my trip to Japan in July 2016 with the boy! It was one of the biggest trips ever! Oh, it's also one of my grad trips last year too! Also, the second trip with Mr. Z in the year of 2016 (excluding JB trips)!
It was 15D14N long trip, and we covered 3 cities in Japan. We flew via Singapore Airlines (again) at 1155PM and landed in Narita International Airport in Tokyo on 6th July 2016 in the morning at 8am!
PLANNING
Before our trip, we planned for the itinerary, as usual, because even though Mr. Z has been to Japan before, he hasn't gone to Kyoto and Osaka. So research was much needed for these two cities. We also purchased our JR passes at JTB Travel Saloon located at Ngee Ann City, Orchard. I can't remember exactly how much it was but definitely NOT CHEAP AT ALL!!
We had no choice but to purchase the passes because we'd need them in both Osaka and Tokyo. Tbh, I can't rlly tell if it's worthy or not. You have to do your own planning and calculations and be sure of where you'd be heading to before you purchase. We dived straight in to purchase that because we reckoned that we needed those very often.
As we didn't spend on cabs at all throughout our trip, I guess JR passes came in handy for us. I'd say pretty worth it (?) since we used their JR lines quite often. Ah, you also have to check carefully which are the JR lines because Japan's subway is operated by many different companies. I got so confused just by looking at their maps!
ACCOMMODATIONS
We booked our accommodations through Airbnb throughout our Japan trip. We booked three rooms in each different cities on different dates.
Kyoto's Apartment - Gojo Station
There was this apt that I saw on Airbnb in Kyoto. It was rlly huge for 2. Mr. Z and I were saying that we could prolly book that apt since our luggage were huge and we (or rather I) would always mess up the place. In addition, the rate per night was also priced within our budget. However, I procrastinated because of how inconvenient it was but Mr. Z mentioned that it wasn't a problem for him. But, hmmm... Actually I'd rather stay near the station in a foreign country leh. More convenient, don't you think so? So when it was unavailable, I was rather disappointed in myself lah. But it's okay, we managed to find another accommodation just 2-3 mins walk away from Gojo station, which was rlly rlly convenient! There's also 2 convenience stores just below the apt and across the road. You may find the link here.
Below are some of the photos for our stay in Kyoto:
Our apt was the first unit from the lift so you needn't be worried if you need the toilet urgently because you don't have to rush all the way till the end of the corridor! LOL! Jokes aside, you can just press for the lift and wait/watch while your partner is locking the door!
The first thing you'll see when you enter the apt! There's a door to the room which blocks even more noise from outside. I've nvr heard any footsteps coming from the corridor during my stay here! Also, the bathroom and washroom are located before the door to your bed. I rlly like how Japanese design their rooms this way! You can switch off the lights in your room and leave the one at the walkway on and it's not even bright at all after closing the door. Luv it!
Oh, not sure if anyone else does this but I do leave one light on when I travel. I can't sleep with the room being totally dark. Hahah!
 |
| From the balcony |
It's a brilliant idea that the toilet bowls in Japan's home come with a basin on top. I was so amazed when I first saw that. The water would flow from the tap automatically 2 seconds after your flushed the toilet bowl. Damn convenient!
 |
| The shower area |
 |
| Bathtub that I didn't use at all |
Osaka's Apartment - Nipponbashi / Namba Station
Our apt in Osaka, unlike the one in Kyoto, it's located quite a distance away from the station. It was pouring when we reached the station and we had to walk a few streets before we reached our apt WITH OUR LUGGAGE! So damn troublesome and inconvenient!
As someone who's petite, and pulling a luggage that's so huge, my luggage kept getting stuck at some point of time. Not funny at all! We finally reached our apt after about 10 minutes or so. I think 10 mins because it was our first time there and we had some problems finding the place. We even stood at the cross junction to check our Google Map for a few times.
But once we managed to find the apt, we found it easy to walk to the station. On a positive note, the apt was located in between two stations. So it's quite convenient to a certain extent... Also, as long as you're familiar with the area, I guess the distance to the stations doesn't rlly matter. That's how Mr. Z and I felt. Thank God for my navigator (Mr. Z)!
I can't find the link on Airbnb but here are the photos that I took of the apt upon checking in:
 |
| The balcony |
 |
| Told you abt their toilet bowls!! |
 |
| Hello kitty hangers! |
Tokyo's Apartment - Shinjuku
For this, I don't remember it being minutes away from the nearest station. We had to walk quite far to either one of the stations. Again, it's located in between two stations but still very far away! I didn't take much photos of this apt because it was a rlly small place with the bathroom just right after the main door on the left!
For this, the walls aren't rlly that sound proof! We could hear neighbours opening / closing the door everyday and the sound of their footsteps.
 |
| Mr. Z looks huge here! |
Rough Itinerary for 15D14N Japan trip
Day 1: NRT Airport to Kyoto Station via Shinkansen > Kiyomizu-dera temple > Ninen-zaka (a preserved district) > Ishebe alley > Gion District > Gojo-ohashi Bridge
Day 2: Yumeyakata Photo Studio > Fushimi Inari Temple > Ginkaku-ji Temple > Philosopher's Path > Nanzen-ji Temple
Day 3: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove > Tenryu-ji Temple > Togetsu-kyo Bridge > Nishiki Market > Gion District
Day 4: (We went Osaka in btwn) Dotonbori > Kuromon Market > Shinsaibashi Madras
Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka > Osaka Castle > Umeda Sky Building > Shinsekai
Day 6: Nara Park > Kobe for Kobe beef!! > Dotonbori
Day 7: Universal Studios Japan > Owl cafe >
Day 8: Pokemon Centre @ Sunshine City > Shinjuku Golden Gai
Day 9: 1 day trip to Yokohama
Day 10: Harajuku > Meiji Jingu Shrine > Shibuya
Day 11: Tokyo DisneySea !!!
Day 12: Akihabara > Asakusabashi > Tokyo Skytree
Day 13: Tsukuji Market > Tokyo Tower > Harajuku > Shibuya
Day 14: 1 day trip to Hakone
Day 15: Harajuku > Tokyo Skytree > NRT International Airport
That's all! I'll get into details of the itinerary when I'm free again! G'bye!
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