Japan, Official Day 6

31 August 2009
Time flies and it's day 6 now.

I don't wanna go back.I don't wanna go home.I don't wanna go home.

Rant, rant, rant, rant, rant.

I'm glad that I brought one jacket along. But I can't always wear it because I had been wearing it to sleep. Haha. It's typhoon day and we got stranded in the hotel. The hotel staff recommend us to stay in the hotel as most of the public transport might stop.

Still, we wanted to try our luck by getting to Ikebukuro.

We are actually walking in the rain.

You see, my fringe had opened up like a curtain. I tried combing it for many times, but it just refused to close. The wind is simply too strong.

As usual we trained to Ikebukuro.

Their train station was really interesting. They sell belts, luggage and bags. That's not the only one which amazed me. See below picture. That is the one which amazed me to the max. I've seen people selling newspaper and giving out brochures. I haven't seen a real life market. Below has got one selling vegetables and fruits. Oh .. dear ..

Around the station are the Seibu and Tōbu department stores. Seibu, written with the characters for West is on the east end of the station and Tōbu, written with the characters for East, is on the west end. East of the station.

In my own percerption, Seibu, Tobu are really rich and great companies. Just imagine, Singapore has got only public transport. Lets take train as an example, we had no such thing called "private line", isn't it?

In Japan, they had lines belonging to these private company. I finally see how fast their culture is moving. It's really on high speed. No wonder they had been improving really fast over the years.

Look at these cakes.... Hmmmm, they look really yummy.

Even their jelly and pudding looks yummy. Japanese will add plum and fruits into their pudding and jelly. They usually comes in a pack with different colours.

Unlike Singapore, they usually display them in small amount but a tempting way. Their decoration is always neat and beautiful. I won't mind having a cake in the picture below. Every flower cream was neat and properly placed above with no un-tidiness.

We went walking around, at the same time hunting for food.

Muahahaha, we went for high-end shopping.

See above picture.
It's really typhoon. I mentioned that the wind is really very strong. You may not see properly from the picture. I shall just point out one of the example that i had snapped. Look at the lady in blue umbrella. Her umbrella aren't those foldable but those normal ones. The typhoon was so strong that she can't hold her umbrella properly.

The next thing that happened really frightened me. There was a guy holding an umbrella walking toward the station. Upon reaching, his umbrella broke and split on the spot.

Next, I told Chris that I don't wanna walk in the rain anymore. I'm really frightened.

Look at the 2 pictures above.

It's a stall selling milk and it's really fresh cow milk. The milk not only taste good but fresh as well. Christopher is a milk baby actually. He like milk. He drinks Meji milk oftenly and he really like the milk from this particular shop. The shop does not only sell tasty milk but it's enviromental friendly. You had to finish you milk and return the glass bottle to them for recycling purposes. Cool~

It really taste good, i swear.

We had lunch at this shop. The vending machine show no picture at all. Christopher really spent a lot of effort figuring it by walking in and out of the restaurant in search for the correct wording and food for me. For this particular restaurant, you had got to retrieve your food at the given counter.

Christopher worried that i might screw up or scald myself, he serve me. Muahahaha, that's how lucky i am. Furthermore, i doubt i can handle seriously.

You might thought we are sick of ramen. Nope, we aren't sick. Their varieties aren't that limited as Singapore and taste a lot better. Different stalls might be selling different types of noodles. The noodles usually taste different. Their char-siew is damn soft.

As for me, i ordered a rice bowl. It's egg above and chicken below. They had added their home-made sauce into my rice. It's the best chicken egg rice bowl i ever had in my life. Sound ridiculous but it's the truth.

Next, we went walking around the station since we are stranded there due to the typhoon.

There are never ending food in Japan.

Does below picture looks like kueh to you?

Hahaha, they are not. They are raw meat. They displayed in such a nice way that you might had the urge to buy them back for bbq purposes.

Even cookies are in the doggies face-shaped.

Did you see FANCL?

Yup, you didn't see the wrong image. It's FANCL. This Fancl don't sell face mask but quality fruit product. They see majority ready made packet drinks or fruit product for beautifying out skin. Interesting .. Interesting .. Interesting ..

Next, we even bough a Rum Raisin ice-cream puff. It taste super different from those cream puffs. It's yummy ice-cream and the flavour was nice. I had never tasted such ice-cream puff before. It taste healthy and low fat to me.

Below is the ice-cream stall.

In the picture below, the shop behind me sells all kinds of chocolate product. They even sell mini-cakes. Drools~

Next, we got a giant donut.

I always mentioned about how nice their food is. It's true, most of them were nice. But for this particular donut, it taste like SHIT. Please don't visit them to avoid regrets. Hahahaha.

Remember to try the drinks at Stella Kitchen. Their fruit juice aren't dilute, they are freshly blended and had varieties of mixed fruit drinks.

The picture right above was the fruit yoghurt, below are puddings.

What comes to you when we mention Anderson?
Ice-cream

In Japan, their Anderson sells bread. Oh.. dear.. the aroma was so strong that i could smell it from a distance.

Next, we went back to Shinjuku.

Next, we bought some sushi and rice-roll at the stall below.

Next, i kept whining about my craves for Krispy Creme. Christopher went along with me. You must be wondering what Krispy Creme is. Krispy Kreme is a chain of doughnut stores. Its parent company is Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Krispy Kreme sells doughnuts, among them glazed doughnuts, served warm. Krispy Kreme doughnuts are sold in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, Wal-Mart and Target stores in the US.

Yummy Donuts, but we didn't buy alot as it can't be kept for long.

Next we went back hotel for a rest since the sky had turned dark. Had a shower like usual and headed for dinner hours later.

Look at the donut, the filling was so volume. Lol.

Off we go for dinner.

As I wasn't really hungry due to eating too much rubbish food in the day, i had something light, sweet tofu with ramen which Chris had what I ate in the afternoon. He was tempted by it. But the stall i tried in the day taste better. The one he had wasn't that bad either.

Good night everyone. Stay tune for my Disney post tomorrow.

I love Disneyland, and it's my greatest dream to go Japan Disneyland. Christopher realised my dream. My dream's coming true true true.

*Pinch* - *Ouch*

I'm glad I'm not dreaming. Muahahahahaha... I'm smiling even when I sleep.

Japan, Official Day 5

30th August 2009

I did not mention in detail regarding last night. We went enquring regarding Hakone and Mount Fuji. We attempt to book and settle with the trip for the day, but we did not make it. Thanks to the sleepyhead. Anyway, it wasn't really a nice timing as it's typhoon season.



We did experience typhoon before but at a lower level. We did not foresee the real situation until "someday". Read on in my next following post and you will foresee the so called real situation I had experienced.

Anyway, we did enquire about the price again. Just in case, you guys might be interested in the charges, I shall brief you the charges. It cost 2000yen thru and fro using JR, while package cost you 5000yen for 2 days 1 night. I recommend you to plan a night there if you were to sign a package. It's definitely a better deal as you will be getting unlimited of public transport.





Do take note that majority of the transport end at 4pm daily, therefore please make your way back before it's too late. There are quite a few cases that people missed the last train and got stranded on the mountain area.

Although there might be some changes in the original plan, but I'm always quick and good when come to such problem. I immediately forward Sanrio Puroland plan right up ahead. We took Keiyo line to our destination. Travellers do take note there is direct line from Shinjuku stop and remember not to buy your fare at JR station. Proceed to Keiyo line entrance before buying your tickets.

Japan public transport was really good. They are really considerate towards backpackers or travellers, therefore they made railings for you to place you bag overhead. It's really convenient and Christopher often used that when the tripod stand was pulling him down.

Hmm, it's my bad actually coz we alight at the wrong station. It's not really my fault because there are 2 stops of almost the same name. It's so similar that I'm confused by it.

Although its my bad, Christopher never whine at me even for a little. In fact, my neck was held up for quite sometime. Nono, I'm not kidding. He strangle me oftenly. Fine, all of you got such good impression of him, none of you will believe me. Sob, sad to say.

Off i go, running back to the platform escaping from the devil clutches.

That's there platform and railway track. It might look alittle vintage, but it's really stable and fast. I had never seen such old age railway track for quite sometime. I'm lucky enough to catch a last glimpse of it.

Finally, we board the right train to Tama-center.

I'm seriously hungry and craving for food. Gotta ask Christopher bring me for some nice food.

This is the real beginning of the situation. Look at the menu below, there is no picture, NO PICTURE at all. But no worries, I got my powerful bf who will help me through this. He spend effort, pointing at stuffs and explaining to the stuffs.



No no worries, Christopher is around.



I would have buang on the spot if he is not around. Haha.

We ordered a salmon and dory fish set. I had mentioned the portion is really big. Look at our individual set, it comes with rice and soba. It's seriously filling. No wonder my tummy kept expanding non stop.

It's a really scumptious meal.

Right after lunch, we went to Sanrio Puroland. Oh dear, it's drizzling. Yet, no fear. This is because Sanrio Puroland was actually an indoor playland. Therefore you need not worry about the shelter issue.



Japanese are very cautious, they usually brought an umbrella with them everywhere they go. You seldom see them running in the rain. In Singapore, when it rains in orchard, you gonna see everyone fretting and running on the street. It's totally un-alike culture.

Do look out for the surroundings as shown in the picture. It might be able to help you alittle more in directing you to Sanrio Puroland.

There's another Daiso over here in the picture below. Do take note if you wanna visit Daiso once more.

All their lands and worlds oversea always made me feel magical. Even when i'm in Australia, those movieworld and oceanworld too made me feel enchantic. Look at the entrance of the Sanrio Puroland, it definitely made me feel magical too. Perhaps there is a little monster living in me to made me felt that way.

Each time I step inside such places, I tend to feel like a kid.

Below is picture of me and Christopher at the entrance.

It simply looks like some castle.

It was till today then I realised other than Disneyland, there was Sanrio Puroland as well. Some of you might thought it's just another normal themepark, infact it was a Hello Kitty Land. I believe girls who adore and love Hello Kitty will had an enjoyable day here.

Somehow, I didn't really like Hello Kitty. It was recommended online and majority of travellers seems to enjoy their day here. Therefore I decided to give it a try. Before I continue my story, i shall briefly tells you more about Sanrio Puroland.

Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama New Town, Tokyo, Japan that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year. The theme park is run by the Sanrio Company, and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more.

Even though many of these attractions are only in Japanese, Puroland attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters. Puroland also has an extensive gift shop featuring Sanrio characters. Tourists visiting in the summer will be able to see fireworks on a daily basis.

Christopher queueing up for tickets at the booth.

Although the entrance states the closing time at 8, but no worries. They are refering to the performaces and rides. The souvenir shops still continue to operate after 8pm.

It was Hello Kitty 35th Birthday Celebration when we were there. Birthday girl born in the same month as Hello Kitty will be entitled to photo-taking session and exclusive gifts. Hmmm, too bad i'm not.

Upon entering, there was musical performance. Usually, Singaporeans will stood root to the ground and watch the performance plainly. In Japan, you can see all parents and kids running onto the stage to dance with the characters. It's really cute.

Christopher at the musical performances ground.

Next, we went to roam around of course looking at all their interesting stuffs. As for the ride, we missed them since it's purely for kid. Of course, you can take a ride in them if you want, but it's not exciting rides. It's usually those choo-choo train-like rides.

See below picture.

Even toilet entrance looks enchantic and cute.

Look at the above left bottom picture, thats their own vending machine. Woo-hoo.

Look at these yummy snacks, I thought they might be expensive but they aren't. Therefore if you like marsh mallow, chocolate, cookies in Hello Kitty form, do buy more.

Most of their walls are painted beautifully.

Above is a Treasure Room.

Within their room, there are two mirrors. The two of us didn't know what it's about in the first place. Upon watching people placing their hand on the mirror, we did the same. There are a total of 3 mirrors. The family of 3 before us tried too. They will hold on to their daughter and hence place their hand onto the mirror. Silly us not knowing what it is about, we only place our hand on it. The mirror shows no result at all.

It was until an Japanese Auntie told us that we had to place one of our hand on the mirror; hence hold our hand together at the same time. She said, it will show the couple matching degree/level.

Any idea what Christopher say right after that?

We go try it our one more time, if result show less than 50%, I will ditch you as soon as possible and find a new Japanese girlfriend.

My mind display "@#$%^&* ", a crow just flew past.

On our next try, guess the result?

200%

Hahahahaha, he was really mad. No wonder he's stuck with me for so long despite mistreated by me. It's fated one la, and he should resign to his fate.

That's the result above.

Melody's charm.

Above picture shows a Hello Kitty Shrine where a child was about to enter. Hmmm, shall show you what's within later on.

Below shall tells you what's within the man-made shrine.

You can buy a small little charm and write your wish on it before hanging on the rack. The charm aren't free, you got to pay approx 1000yen. Chris and I only say alittle of our prayers before ringing the bell.

The Hello Kitty candy was really cute. It's merely for display, you got to purchase from stall if you wanna get it.

He was sick of donating his money to drinks, now he wanna switch to ice-cream. I previously thought their ice-cream was those cream or smoothie. It turns out to be those crispy ice-cubes. Haha, we even went to look for a spoon until we saw kids popping it directly from the cup. Another thing which amazed me was the ice not melting even after 30 minute. It's still freezing cold. Drools ~

We went to their gift shops next.

Everything that can be found here has got Hello Kitty faces or symbols. I didn't know Hello Kitty has got so many products.

We proceed to their parade very next. Japanese are said to be very punctual, i hereby proven it to be true. They will pick a best spot 1-2 hours before the performances. They will sat on their portable mat and brought out their home-made food and drinks.

They will chit and chat while waiting for the parade to get started.

Before the parade starts, they will display some hello kitty dance and movement. You will then see children doing the clap and dance together with the video screen above.

Can you imagines it's a kid playing with the hoop on top? See video I've uploaded for more interesting performances.

You will see characters running around before their parade cars, horses and other performances came along.

The characters will dance around and play with kids. Thye will prepared gifts to be given to selected children.

Have you seen the picture above?



See video for more.

Do play the below video. The performer will be standing on a "stand" and flip himself over a very soft plank of wood. I can't imagine what would have happen if he missed the plank.

Take a look at this too. It's a 7 year old kid playing with the hoop on top. Oh dear, i wouldn't be shock if the performer is a teenager. This is just a little boy and it's really dangerous to be at such height. I would probably faint if you told me to be up there.

Kitty and Daniel would be light up upon ending of the performances.

Next we went to visit Hello Kitty house.

Isn't the Hello Kitty House cute?



Although i dislike pink, but i seriously don't mind living is a house looking so cute.

Hahaha, i didn't there's Hello Kitty Car. So Kawaii.

This is the shop selling Kitty cookies. They are freshly made on the spot. I wanted to buy, but changed my mind later on. Because i'm required to buy a super huge amount to get their exclusive box. So forget it. =)

Above shall be the canteen or resting area.

I shall let the picture speaks to you next. =)

All the Kitty Biscuits. Drools~

Hoho, I love Gigantic Kitty. Muahahahaha. You like?

These are all the Hello Kitty Lucky Charms.

It's time we left Sanrio Puroland.

I went to the Uniqolo nearby and got myself a skirt while Chris got himself some shirt. Their culture are really special that you got to take off your shoe upon stepping into the fitting room.

We were shock to see it raining when we got out of Uniqolo. I freezing cold when i'm out of Uniqolo. Oh dear, I thought it's going to be summer, therefore I only brought a blazer along. My blazer came to Japan for matching purposes, and it's turn out to save myself from cold.

I seriously started to worry about my next few days in Japan.

Out of no choice, we walked in the Typhoon to the train station as we had no umbrella. It's terrible to walked and run in a strong Typhoon. Lucky Chris was strong enough to pull me along as we run. Otherwise I might be blown to never-ever land.

I took nearly 5 minutes to dry myself. I had been trembling in cold on our way back to Shinjuku.

We decided to try this monster ramen. Oh dear, it's seriously yummy and in great portion. If i had known the portion is twice of Ajisen, i will not order gioza. Tsk tsk.

Turning into a glutton real soon.

Right after dinner, we went back to hotel for a rest. Took a hot shower and started chatting online with Laiyan in msn. It was then my tummy started growling. Christopher worried that i might fall sick in the rain, he went out in typhoon on his own to buy me supper back. Oh, so nice of him.



We had ice-cream, burger, apple pie and beef bowl. Drools~