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Heyya from the first part, how are you doing? I have sad things to say because this will be the last Japan blog post. It’s coming to an end! I just want to say that I’m so happy and blessed because I was able to explore Japan one more time. With hopes to dig more in the future.
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| A spiritual morning at Meiji Jingu. |
DAY 7: TOKYO
This is the day where we were starting to get emotional. Our time has come, and it was a beautiful reunion between Nuriy and her family.
Zenriren Yoyogi no Yado
If it weren’t for Nuriy mom, I wouldn’t know that there are hotels in this building. But, the location is very strategic – 3-minute walk from North Exit of Yoyogi station (JR line, Toei Oedo Line) with McDonald’s as the landmark.
I have stayed in a much smaller room before. So for me, this hotel has a lot of space for a hotel in Tokyo. They also provide a simple breakfast – bread, eggs and salad. I would love to recommend this hostel if you are okay with the curfew as the entrance will be locked from 12 am to 6 am.
📍 1-36-4 Zenriren Building 7F, Yoyogi, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, 151-0053
⏰ The hotel entrance is locked from 12 am - 6 am
💸 Starts from RM300
🚆 JR-Namba Station > Shin-Osaka Station >Tokyo (Hikari) Station > Shinjuku (JR) Station > Yoyogi Station > 3-min walk to 全理連 代々木の宿（旧 全理連宿泊部）.
CURRY HOUSE CoCoICHIBANYA Halal Shinjuku Kabukicho
CURRY HOUSE CoCoICHIBANYA Halal Shinjuku Kabukicho
Tried the level 10 spicy before and it’s like a Deja Vu this time. But, I don’t want it to be too extreme on this trip, so I just pick up the average level and indulge the Japanese curry. I like this restaurant, and it’s a good initiative that the owner opens a Halal version of it, fantastic!
INFORMATION:
📍1-19-3 Kabukicho | B1F, Kabukicho, Shinjuku 160-0021, Tokyo Prefecture
⏰ Daily, 11am - 11pm
💸 Chicken cutlet curry, ¥950
🚆 Yoyogi Station > Shinjuku Station > 7 min walk to CURRY HOUSE CoCoICHIBANYA Halal Shinjuku Kabukicho.
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| A must visit when you are in Japan! |
Kooriya Peace
Blame the Kantaro the Sweet Tooth Salaryman! I craved for this Kakigori since I watched the second episode on Netflix and it makes me drool just thinking about it! Kooriya Peace is a small shop that is located in Kichijoji since the space is limited, we ordered takeaway.
The menu is different for dine-in and takes away. We picked strawberry and caramel flavours, and it’s the best Kakigōri I’ve ever tried in my life. Something about them makes me crave for more. Ahhh, I should order one more at that time!
INFORMATION:
📍1-9-9 Kichijoji Minamicho | Kichijoji Jizo Building 1F, Musashino 180-0003, Tokyo Prefecture
⏰ Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am - 6 pm
💸 ¥1,000 per Kakigōri
🚆 Yoyogi Station > Kichijoji Station > 3 min walk to Kooriya Peace.
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| Don't forget to write your name and time on the list! They will call out based on that. |
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| This is the menu for takeaway. |
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| It's so delicious that I still think about it right until now. |
Inokashira Park
I have seen tons of pictures of this park during Cherry Blossoms, and it’s breathtaking! But, even without the pinky atmosphere, the park is something that you must visit during your leisure time. You can take the famous Swan boat rides or visit the Studio Ghibli Museum, no matter what your choices, you are still going to have the time of your life at the park.
INFORMATION:
📍 1-18-31, Gotenyama, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
⏰ 24 hour
🚆 Kooriya Peace > 1 min walk to Inokashira Park.
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| Need to try the swan boat ride when I visit there again! |
Shibuya
Crossing on the Tokyo iconic intersection – Shibuya is one of the places that you need to experience at least once in your lifetime. I’ve been here three times and still feel the excitement and anxious crossing in the sea of people. Can you imagine approximately 2,500 people crossing it at a time? Crazy! Other than that, there are a lot of shops and cafes that you can visit and maybe take a rest after a long walk.
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Shibuya
📍 Shibuya 1-18-21, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8010
⏰ 24 hour
Kagoshima Shochu Music Festival at Yoyogi Park
I felt that we are lucky because there are tons of festivals that I get to explore at that time. I have been to Kagoshima once, and this festival makes me feel excited! Well, since this is a shochu festival, take note of the amount of alcohol that available there and eat at your own risk!
INFORMATION:
📍 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
⏰ May 18, 2019 (11am - 5pm) & May 19, 2019 (11am - 5.30pm)
🚆 Shibuya Station > 9 min walk to Yoyogi Park.
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| From left: Sango and Okinawa Umibudou. |
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| Hello from us! |
Harajuku
Harajuku is one of my favourite parts of Tokyo, minus the people. There is a vintage store that I always drop by when I came to Takeshita Street – 3 Biki no Koneko. The shop owns affordable vintage and second-hand clothes! If you are interested just to look around, go straight to the second floor of Harajuku ALTA. But, if you aren’t here for shopping, there are other things that you can do, like eating crepes or visit one of the pet cafes! Make sure to scroll to find out more.
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Harajuku
📍 Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
⏰ Time may vary
🚆 Yoyogi Station > Harajuku Station.
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| Guys, if you know the name of this band please let me know on the comment down below. ☺ |
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| My favourite spot in Harajuku! |
Omoide Yokocho
No matter where I go, it’s a must for me to get into a local scene and Omoide Yokocho is the perfect stop in Tokyo! Located at West Exit of Shinjuku Station, these narrow alleys consist of Yakitori, Ramen, Soba, Izakaya and other good food. Since most of the dishes involve alcohol and meat, we opt for Soba and spotted Kameya the moment we step in the alley. Please eat at your own risk!
It’s small shops that accommodate less than 10 people to enjoy their speciality dishes, Soba. Even though it’s first come first serve, I’m pretty sure once you try any of their soba, you will feel satisfied. Since their number one recommendation is Ten-Tama Soba, I decided that one! A bowl of hot soba topped with vegetable tempura and hard-boiled egg turns out to be a delightful dinner for me.
INFORMATION:
📍 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
⏰ Time may vary
💸 ¥420, Ten-Tama Soba
🚆 Yoyogi Station > Shinjuku Station > 2 min walk to Omoide Yokocho.
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| Photos by Aqalili Azizan & Nuriy Arisa. |
DAY 8: TOKYO & YOKOHAMA
We are heading to Nuriy mom's house in Yokohama, and it will be an epic journey with the family!
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| Simple but fulfilling breakfast prepared by the hotel. |
Meiji Jingu
Waking up in the morning and visit shrine is the calmest morning of my life. It was very serene, and there are no crowds, just people going there and praying. Meiji Jingu is one of Japan’s most famous shrines. During the new year, more than three million visitors came for the first prayers (hatsumode). I get to learn with Nuriy’s mom and boyfriend how and what are the reasons they have been doing certain things. It was the first time in my life that I fully understand the way they are praying than just solely visiting the shrine.
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Meiji Jingu
📍 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan
⏰ No closing days
Cat Cafe Mocha
The moment you walk at Takeshita Street, you will spot tons of animals cafe near the entrance. We decided to try one of those, and it was the best decision! All of my stress from work just gone because of all the cute cats at the cafe. Few cats are friendly, but most of them are just too lazy to walk towards us unless you have cat food.
INFORMATION:
📍 1-19-9 Jingumae | Prime Harajuku 2F, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
⏰ 10am - 8pm
💸 ¥550 for the first 10 min, ¥200 for every 10 min with all you can drink, coffee, tea and others.
Akihabara
On every Sunday or Public Holiday, the main road of Akihabara will close, and the public can walk freely and take some photos at this Anime area! This is the place where you can look out for maid cafe, manga and figurines. We head to Akihabara Radiokaikan since Nuriy cousin wanted one figurine. The area is enormous, and it can be a little bit confusing if you don't set your mind of what to get.
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Akihabara
⏰ Closed time may vary
Shin Nakamise Shopping Street, Asakusa
We witnessed one more festival the moment we step out of Asakusa Station - Sanja Matsuri. Don’t be shocked with a guy dressed down holding the portable shrines (mikoshi), as it's part of the ceremonies. I got to experienced the last day of the ceremonies on May 19, 2019, and it’s called Honsha Mikoshi Kakuchou Togyo where they make returns to Asakusa Shrine.
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| Sanja Matsuri. |
Even though you must avoid the crowded area, there is one Okonomiyaki restaurants that you must try near the shopping street – Asakusa Tsurijirou. It’s two floors building, and we picked the sitting area at the upper level. Again, please eat at your own risk! There is a veggie and seafood option that you can choose from, and it’s indeed fulfilling. The best part of this restaurant is that you can cook on your own, so it felt like we have the Okonomiyaki or Monjayaki party there!
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| Step by step instructions was given to get the perfect Okonomiyaki! |
Then we walk to Kappabashi area where it’s a popular area for fake foods. It was realistically the same as the real food. The endless row of food samples will be a tempted place for you to explore since you can either purchase them as a cell phone accessory, smartphone stand, fridge magnet or even for commercial use.
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Asakusa
📍 1 Chome-21 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
⏰ Time may vary
💸 I don’t remember.
🚆 Akihabara Station > Asakusa Station > 6 min walk to Shin Nakamise Shopping Street.
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| Looks real right? But it isn't. |
Ootoya, Yokohama
It was a short one in Tokyo, and we are heading to Nuriy mom home in Yokohama, after picking up her grandmother at Tokyo Station. Aki-san drove us to Yokohama, and it was an exciting journey, the road seems empty since everyone commute by public transportation. I was really impressed by the toll though, all you need to do is put credit card at the slot given in the car, and it will be automatically detected, what?!?! Why we can’t have this in Malaysia?
Before we are heading to our home sweet home, We grab some dinner nearby Keiyu Hospital, Ootoya. This is one of the restaurants that serve authentic, homestyle Japanese dishes from grilled and boiled fish to different hot pot dishes and desserts. Each of the recipes served with rice and miso soup at a reasonable price. The portion may look small, but I felt full and healthy from eating here.
INFORMATION:
📍 Minato Mirai business square 1F, 3-6-4, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 220-0012
⏰ 10am - 10pm (Last order: 9.30pm)
💸 ¥880 for Mackarel set & ¥880 for dessert
🚆 Tokyo Station > 39 min drive to Ootoya Minatomiraibijinesusukueaten.
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| Balance food and dessert! |
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| Our first time at Yokohama! |
DAY 9: YOKOHAMA & HAKONE
It's a family outing time! I’m so excited to explore another part of Japan and since we are in Kanagawa Prefecture, let’s go to Hakone!
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| I really miss this moment. |
Kamakurakōkōmae Station
Who doesn’t know Slam Dunk right? It's a famous Japanese anime that runs in the ’90s! One of the spots, Kamakurakōkōmae Station, has been continuously visited by photographers ever since it’s air. I didn’t know about the place that much other than it is functioning, but I just knew that it would take you to Enoshima, a small island with shrine near Kamakura. Well, maybe we can explore that island in the future.
INFORMATION:
📍 1-chōme-1 Koshigoe, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0033, Japan
⏰ 24 hour.
Hakone Shrine
The moment we reach Hakone, it was raining and cold! But, the view is ama-za-zing! We stop by the road for a while before heading to the Hakone’s most famous Shinto shrine, Hakone Shrine.
While I was there, it was an enjoyable visit. I felt serene and calm. However, we missed one stunning spot that I didn’t notice while we were there. There is a torii gate that facing Lake Ashi at the main road and it was stunning. I hope I can visit there one more time and ride on the swan at the lake too!
INFORMATION:
📍 80-1 Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
⏰ Always open
Hotel Okada
This is my second time experienced onsen, and it was fantastic! After endless walking, you put your whole body inside the hot bath and voila, all the tiredness are gone! But, before we start the relaxation, we grab some buffet that comes with the package. They didn’t have Halal Certification, but they provide you with the English name on each dish, so please eat at your own risk!
I think it’s a nice rest stop for people who visit Hakone for one day, as it is accessible via train and bus to the hotel. But, if you want to stay for more than one day, you may do so as they have tons of room choices that come with private hot springs, ehem suitable for honeymooners!
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Hotel Okada
📍 191 Yumoto Chaya, Hakone-Machi, Ashigarashimo-Gun, Hakone, Hakone, Japan, 250-0312
⏰ Time may vary for the public, indoor and private hot bath
💸 Unknown (Arigato Gozaimasu Nuriy’s mom for the treat!)
EXPASA海老名上り コンシェルジュ
When it comes to Hakone day trip, Nuriy mom’s plan it all out and we just follow with the flow. So, I tend to do research right after I came back home. It comes in handy to post it on my IG story first because I won’t miss any information about the whole trip.
We are on the way back to Yokohama, and we went to the rest stop (aka service area) at Expasa Ebina. It’s a mall where you can shop, eat and grab Pokemon stuffed toys at the vending machine. This is probably the best rest stop I have ever visited, don’t get me wrong, I love Malaysia R&R, but this one is a whole new level. Hopefully, I will get to discover other rest stops in Japan soon!
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Expasa Ebina
📍 5 Chome-1-1 Oyaminami, Ebina, Kanagawa 243-0418, Japan
⏰ 24 hour
💸 I don’t remember!
DAY 10: TOKYO
Bidding goodbye is never easy. It's our last day in Japan, and I can feel the heartache just circling us. Plus, the rain is not helping!
Tokyo Station
Nuriy grandmother lives in another part of Japan, and we went to Tokyo Station to send her home. I still remember right until now that it's a mix emotion of sad and happy when we bid the last goodbye. She cried on the train, and it made Nuriy sobbing, and it tore me up too.
But before that, we ate at Riso Canovietta, which located in the station. They have limited seats, and the restaurant is small. Nuriy mom showed us which menu that we can eat which is the mushroom risotto but again, please eat at your own risk!
Continue to bidding farewell, I just knew that you could enter the Shinkansen platform and wait until the train is moving. All you need to do is pay ¥140 (or deduct from your IC Card) and voila, entering the gate!
INFORMATION:
📍 Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
💸 ¥1,150 for the Risotto
🚆 Shinagawa Station > 13 min train ride to Tokyo Station (JR Yamanote (Inner Loop) for Osaki).
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| Selfie! |
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| It's a happy moment for Nuriy, goodbye is never the end. |
Edo Tokyo Museum
From what I remembered, I never explored museums in Japan, and it’s my first time visiting the Edo Tokyo Museum. We met two sumo wrestlers at Ryogoku before heading to the museum, and we are so happy that they agreed to take pictures with us! After that, we walk to the museum in, raining and praying that we won’t get wet.
There are two types of exhibitions – permanent and special. We went to the permanent one which showcasing original objects and replicas, offers visitors a journey through the 400-year history of Edo-Tokyo. It was a big museum, and it took us two hours to finish it all. But you can spend your time more there, we just a bit rushing since we have a flight that night.
INFORMATION:
📍 1 Chome-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan
⏰ Closed on Monday, open on Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
💸 Admission fee: ¥600
🚆 Tokyo Station > 4 min train ride to Akihabara > 3 min train ride to Ryogoku > 3 min walk to Edo Tokyo Museum.
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| Thank you for taking a picture with us! |
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| A girl day out with raining as background music. |
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| Just need to post this photo! Sorry Nuriy! hahaha you look cute here 😊 |
Harajuku
It’s our last stop before heading to Haneda Airport, and we are up for some pictures and crepes. Purikura is a photo booth machine that you can add cute stickers and print it out for your keepsake. The process runs smoothly but I kind of ruin it the last bit because I change the printing settings (oops!).
After that accident, we went to grab our dessert – crepe at Marion Crepes along Takeshita Street. Here are some tips for you, some crepes contain 豚肉 (pork) and ゼラチン (gelatin), so make sure to check it out on their website here first. One thing for sure that I can tell you, their crepe is perfect!
INFORMATION:
ℹ️ Harajuku
📍 Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
⏰ Time may vary
💸 ¥1,540 for the crepes, can’t remember about Purikura though
🚆 Ryogoku Station > 19 min to Yoyogi Station > 2 min train ride to Harajuku Station.
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| Purikura time! |
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| Crepes before we headed to the airport! |
Tokyo Airport Haneda
Our time has come to an end, and it’s time to head to Malaysia. Before we depart, we grab some massive portion of soba and it’s a wonderful meal to end this trip. It felt like I’m at my second home already, and it’s tough for me to leave, and the feelings are doubled for Nuriy because her family is in Japan. But, I know she will come back again.
INFORMATION:
📍 Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041, Japan
⏰ 24 hour
💸 ¥5,440 at the udon shop.
🚆 Harajuku Station > 52 min train ride to Shinagawa Station > 21 min train ride to Haneda Airport International Terminal (Airport Express).
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| This is a crazy huge meal. |
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| Nuriy is the most lovable and tough human being I've ever met. Glad to be part of this journey. |
I took a long time to finish this blog post because it’s tough to put the full stop at a crazy adventure that I enjoyed before getting married. It was full of good times, and I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life. To the readers, I hope you find this helpful and support this blog by purchasing these items by clicking these links: JR PASS | BIGPAY (CODE: OHBKTVVYH2). I also attached a short itinerary PDF HERE!
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| A family photo to end this wonderful trip. Thank you for the memories, it's gonna be great storytelling to my soon to born child about this trip. |
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