Japan once again! The first time it was through the books Murakami, Kiga Higashino, Ryu Murakami to name a few… These books showcased the simplicity of the locals and the dark side of the city and that’s one of the reasons Japan fascinated me as a place to travel and explore so in June 2018 was the first time, A time where everyone questioned us Why Japan? To answer it’s a place so little we know about.. The first time was a touristy visit going to the temples, streets and viewing the towers of each city we visited. Japan was coming alive through the pages I had read, the streets sounded familiar and some streets I specifically visited since they were mentioned and described in the books. The recent Trip to Japan was being an exploration of what all does the city has to offer besides the tourist sights and the humanity the people showcase in the country. The food was and still is the best in Osaka. The city was buzzing and full of tourists even closer to midnight, unlike Tokyo which seemed busy with people chasing their dreams.. Kyoto is still a small town where you can walk around and still discover the city. The vintage shops and the second-hand Market seem to be thriving in the country with more than 80% population that has aged over the age of 70 and living a minimalistic life. Retail was thriving with American, British and Asian tourists shopping at malls and brands that are relatively cheaper in Japan from countries like the US & India. The Osaka Expo was an experience like no other, an endless Snake line on a hot afternoon, which tested not just ours but quite a few people’s patience too. Since we had to register and get specific slots for pavilions we managed to only get one the Blue Dome, the others were long queues to enter and waitlists, The magnitude of the whole expo was huge 130+ countries participated and the tourism it brought to the city and country has been huge. The designs and the sustainable options used to create them were interesting. This was the first time we visited an expo abroad that had so many cultural influences on just design but food too the expo offered.
The moment had arrived when we were not just thinking about Japan!
But, had actioned our vacation in 2018!
The flights were getting booked! The hotel, Train Tickets and Visa process had begun.
The countdown was inching closer!
Japan was happening!
The first stop of our Journey was Singapore! We travelled by Singapore Airlines which gave us the option of exploring Singapore City while we had a layover at Changi Airport.
The flight landed at Haneda Airport. We Did not choose Narita. As Haneda was closer to the city!
Tokyo! Huge! One of the largest cities in the world! With millions of people staying in MatchBox homes.
We passed by the Tokyo Tower! And soon reached our hotel! The Prince Tower Hotel Tokyo! A centrally located hotel for major tourist attractions and landmarks neighbourhood.
The first night we explored our surroundings the Roppongi a buzzing neighbourhood with nightlife and walked through the Meguro River a prominent river of Tokyo!
Oh! We witnessed the city landscape from the rooftop bar at the hotel before we called it a night.
Next, we explored the city’s sightseeing landmarks Meiji Jingu, Imperial Palace and Senso Ji temples and the Tsukiji market the largest fish market in the world.
They also have a tuna auction daily at 5:30 am. Since it’s limited seating you need to be there as early as 3 am to get in.
We explored the Akasaku neighbourhood which is traditional cultural side of Tokyo.
The neighbourhood had a very interesting hostel Bed & Books Tokyo! That was a cute little place filled with books and bunk beds!
On another day we visited Harjaku & Shinjuku which was filled with restaurants and shopping stores! While going Banana in Tokyo! I visited a Pokemon Store! Had relived those childhood moments. And little did I know I had entered the Animated neighbourhood of Tokyo Akihabara
While exploring ourselves and the city we were sometimes naturally lost! When the locals not just helped us but held us through to our final destination. Ginza! Felt like the futuristic side of Japan with Nissan cars armed with robotic gizmos and Ginza is also known as the Haute couture neighbourhood of Tokyo.
Omestando another neighbourhood about the luxuries of Japan with Architectural buildings and interiors you wouldn’t get enough of.
One of the stores worth visiting is Nicole Bergman’s Floral store in the neighbourhood.
The other side of Tokyo that we witnessed was the industrial side where all hospitality-related goods were available and to spot that there is a life-size chef Cap that you need to watch out for. And so we crossed over to Shibuya the busiest crossing neighbourhood in Tokyo whose sight can be enjoyed from a Starbucks across from the crossing and Hachi statue a dog that waited for his owner to return at the same spot over the years until the Hachi had passed away.
Before we left Tokyo we enjoyed the glimpses of Central Tokyo Station while it started to pour and we got ready for the next few journeys across the country.
The long-awaited Bullet Train shin-shaken to Kyoto had sped away.
Kyoto felt like a mystical small town in Japan that preserved the Japan of the past with temples like the Golden Temple that was surrounded by trees. The day trip to Nara Deer Park was unbelievable getting clicked and witnessing so many Deers under one roof.
The evening we enjoyed at another temple that was surrounded by trees.
Kobe! A destination that’s not on tourist Radar while visiting Japan!
But, the city had one of the oldest traditional cafe Nishimura that’s popular for its setting and Coffee Jelly a dessert that’s made of coffee and is also known for Wayu Steak! A popular beef-style steak from Japan.
Osaka! AKA The Food Capital of Japan!!
We got a taste of the Okonomiyaki traditional Japanese pancakes that are cooked live on your tables.
Amerika- Mura a neighbourhood in Japan that’s very youthful and inspired by American
Dotobori is the Shinjuku neighbourhood of Osaka that has a landmark icon of a runner.
Shinabasi an entertainment hub of Osaka that that would remind you of Times Square.
Tseutanku Tower which is sponsored by Hitachi is a sight that can be enjoyed from a rooftop space & Osaka Castle is the sightseeing to go for.
Also, Osaka the city that has a Japanese Liquor store based allow only one miniature of Yamazaki to be bought and carried by a tourist.
Important things:
Book your JR Pass at least two weeks before you travel.
To travel within Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka buy metro/Subway tickets from the station or airport.
Download the Google Translate app.
Eat in Japan:
Tokyo Banana
Ramen from Ippudo
Coffee Jelly Nishimura Kobe
Tiger Gyoza in Tokyo for Japanese Raw Food
Okonomiyaki in Osaka
Wagyu Beef in Kobe
Senbei Rice Crackers
Seaweed Potato Chips
Mochi
Matcha Tea
Cheese Tart from Secret Tokyo
Japanese Cheesecake.
Shashimi
Experience :
Tokyo Hands departmental store
Conveyor Belt Sushi
Nerman Bergman Store
Shibuya Crossing from Starbucks
Cheese Garden Store
Stay:
Prince Tower Hotel Tokyo
Westin Osaka.
Sightseeing:
Tokyo Tower & SkyTree
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Osaka Castle
Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Kobe Port Tower
Deer Park, Nara
Hachi Statue
Cafes:
Starbucks Reserve Tokyo
Here cafe in Kyoto
%Arabica Kyoto
Nishimura Kobe.
Hoshino Cafe Tokyo
Read:
Haruki Murakami -Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki
Sayaka Murata – The Convenience Store
Meiko Kawakami – All the lovers in the night
Hiro Kawakami – Strange Weather in Tokyo
Toshikazu Kawaguchi – Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.
Sushi has been one of the most popular and widely known food from Japan.
And the Conveyer belt Experience was a thrilling experience.
First get seated on the table and then you have a option of choosing what you would like to order from the tablet kept on the table or just picking up what you like.
The food all Different types of Sushi & Japanese food are doing the rounds on a Conveyer belt,like the ones that take our bags around in the airport.
If you like a particular sushi tuna,Squid,Eel or Tempura prawns just lift them from the belt and keep them on the table,Nobody will screams it’s mine like they do in airport if you have identical bags.
Here the pricing of plates are done by designs. The checkered ones are the most expensive to the Red and blues being affordable. Once you are done with all your bingeing you ask for the Cheque by clicking on the tablet. And then the total is done by multiplying the Type of plates x quantity.
The whole experience,Could be technical as you wouldn’t be used to the idea or might be new! But going with a local or asking a local would be the best thing.
A K H I L N A N D A 