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| Osaka Castle |
I spent my childhood living with Japanese manga, and until the age of 15 I still read high doses of Japanese comics every day. It has always been a persistent dream to visit Japan someday.
I have been waited for this trip for so long, that I think I was too excited and didn’t plan it out carefully last year. So me and my friends bought the tickets in 2015, but it had to be cancelled due to some exams that I had to take last year. Learning from this experience, then I decided to wait for a time that was right. This is a country I wanted to see whole my life, so I wouldn’t let it slipped out of my fingers again. I hope you enjoy this blog post and it will help you through making your own Japan trip as well!
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| my Japan squad, dress up in pretty Kimono in Ishibei Alley, Kyoto |
How Did I Get The Tickets?
I bought my ticket to Japan in Garuda Travel Fair that was held twice a year in many big cities of Indonesia. It was a really good deal, I bought my return ticket for only approximately IDR 5 million, and the route was (Makassar-Bali-Osaka-Bali-Makassar). You can choose whether to land in Osaka or Tokyo, its all yours. My friends whom bought the ticket from Jakarta (Jakarta-Bali-Osaka-Bali-Jakarta)even got it with only IDR 4 million! In my opinion it was very cheap comparing to Air Asia, which is probably cheaper on sale season, but with only little price gap and you have to buy separate luggages as well. I’ve been traveling with Air Asia for a long time; but in this case (flying to Japan), it was clear that buying from the fair was much more profitable..considering the little price gap between the other airlines and the comfort you may find on board during the 8 hours with Garuda!
How Did I Set The Days?
You have to understand who’s traveling with you. Parents? School friend? Office mates? Because not everyone has the same amount of off-days. In my case, two of my travel buddies is working in the office that has limited off-days. So like it or not, you have to get along with everyone. If it’s according to me only, I would like to spend at least 2 weeks in Japan.
But in the end of the day, the logical concerns started to hit me. I would be traveling for two weeks in a country known around the world for being ridiculously expensive. Of course I got the plane ticket but what about accommodations, transport and food? SCARY. So we decided that 10 days will be enough for us (love it or not).
Talking about the dates, one of the most important thing that you have to remember that Japan is a four-season country. Each season offers its own attraction and beauty, and you can have many things to see in respectively different season. FYI, January-March in Japan is winter time, April-June is spring, July-September will be summer, and October to December will be autumn season in Japan. The festive days and seasonal events for each month is all available in the internet, and you can check it to arrange the best of your itinerary. Though Spring has been known by many people as the best time to visit Japan, for me, visiting Japan in any season will be just as good, because it is all come with different taste. You choose.
How To Arrange The Itinerary?
Itinerary is very important if you plan to go to such country as Japan. I don’t know if you are that “adventurous type”, whom excited to step your feet on the destination first and then thinking “what’s next?”, but I just can’t. Why? 1) Because I am a sloppy person. 2) Because I had no desire to spend all 10 days being confused because the country has so much to offer. You have to choose and talk about it with your friends. You have to think if the amount of days will be enough for the cities you’re planning to visit. You have to read and browse which city offers the most and which city is not. You have to set your priorities. After researching online for suggested cities, I came up with a list of what I wanted to see. The winners were: Tokyo, Nikko, Osaka, Kyoto.
The Sparkling Tokyo
Tokyo is known as one of the most developed city in the world. You can find everything in Tokyo... just name it. It is definitely a MUST city to visit if you ever consider to travel to Japan. If you've been to Hong Kong or Sydney, Tokyo is just another typical. Tall buildings, fancy shops, high-technology infrastructure... But what's make it different, the fact that Tokyo is more orderly, and presentable than those previous two cities. People always stand in a row, almost no litter everywhere, and the fashion is beyond fascinating! Go shop till crazy in Shibuya and Akihabara. And the most amazing thing is the city also offers its best nature destinations inside the town! The temples, parks, gardens, castles, lakes... Make sure you made your bucket list before going to Tokyo. Sometimes there are too MUCH things that we travelers can do there.
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| Tokyo Tower |
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| Sensoji Temple |
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| geeks in a game center in Akihabara |
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| so glad to finally be HOME |
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| Hi MY CAPTAIN Mugiwara Luffy! (pardon my too-happy face) |
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| Shibuya Crossing |
The Pretty Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for over 1,000 years, is full of incredible temples, parks, and markets that make it a favorite with travelers. If you want to have a heritage tour, Kyoto will be your first choice. It is also called the city of temples and shrines. There are so many heritage sites to see in Kyoto, from the classic street of ancient Japanese, until the shrines with beautiful red torii gates, and zen gardens.. enjoy the classic and pretty Japan-aura at its best here. The most fantastic place to get photographed with yukata/kimono (Japanese traditional attire) is nowhere but Kyoto as well!
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Jidai Matsuri (annual autumn festival in Kyoto) |
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| Famous red torii-gates of Fushimi-Inari Shrine |
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| channeling my inner-Geisha |
The Lovely Osaka
Osaka is the second-largest city in Japan, this metropolitan space is dotted with greenery and parks. Osaka Castle is a common tourist place, but still it is a recommended one to visit to enjoy the fresh weather, big area of parks, magnificent castle, and a big culinary area. Similar with Japan, it is also the heaven of shopping. Bring a lot of money guys. If you're in Osaka, make sure you taste the local okonomiyaki and udon as well. Osaka serves the best foodies in Japan. Yum. Osaka is quite memorable to me because my three Japanese friends lives there, and we had a wonderful time exploring Osaka even its for short time only.
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Midori, Saki and Mao-chan. My three super sweet Japanese friends
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The Serene Nikko
It is rather you gonna like it very much or you don't. Nikko is located around 3 hours from Tokyo by rapid train. As the color of the autumn foliage change, within a land that is known for glories of the past, where Ancient Japanese Architecture and Nature are in glorious Harmony, where moss covered stone walls and towering trees embrace the mountainside.. it is all about nature and nothing but nature. Nikko is also one of the few places in Japan where Shinto and Buddhist shrines stand side by side. But what I mean is that the visitors come for the day to walk in the hills or visit the religious sites but they don’t set up base for longer than eight hours or so. The few hotels near the train station all have vacancies and in the evenings most restaurants are either closed or empty. When we were there, it was like we own the town for ourselves. Lol. If you don't like nature and rural places as much as I do, maybe Nikko is off your list. I personally like it very much. It's so serene and peaceful. And I LOVE the beautiful red bridge.
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| morning view in Nikko |
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| a random quiet park in Nikko, I called it "Nobita Park" |
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| With Enggar and Aqid, our new additions, Bon's college fellas. Nice time with you guys! |
Here’s the summary of my itinerary while in Japan :
1st day
- Arrive in Osaka
- Explore Osaka
- Take a fast train to Tokyo (3-4 hours)
2nd-5th day
- Explore Tokyo
6th day
- Take a fast train to Nikko in the morning and have a day trip
- Back to Tokyo in the evening
7th day
- Take a fast train to Osaka
- Have dinner in Osaka
8th day
- Take a fast train to Kyoto (1 hour from Osaka)
- Explore Kyoto
- Back to Osaka in the evening and explore Osaka nightlife
9th day
- Explore Kyoto
- Back to Osaka in the afternoon and then shopping in Osaka
10th day
- Going home
How To Arrange The Accomodations?
The accomodations in Japan was expensive, and this is where the bulk of my budget was spent. You have to take the trains everywhere in Japan if you don't want to ride a bike or end up walking hundreds kilometers*sarcasm laugh*. Luckily, Japan gives tourist a break on travel, offering the Japan Rail Pass. The Rail Pass can only be purchased from outside of Japan and is sold in 7, 14, and 21 day increments. We bought the 7 day pass which I intend to use to get me from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nikko and back to Tokyo. The 7 day pass I bought was cost IDR 3,300 million, and it was discounted with Telkomsel points if you buy it via website in Bobobo. After that you’ll receive a voucher and you pick up the actual ticket in the airport once you arrived. Actually, long before we were not planning to buy JRP due to the price and we thought on minimizing the budgets with buying the separate tickets. And we read many posts online that recommend you to not take the JRP in order to spend less money. But, after examining the prices of single tickets, and considering our destinations, this was totally worth it. It limits the time and much more efficient. Because you just show the pass it to the officers and no need to buy again in the vending-ticket machine. Again, it was depend on your itinerary.
The hardest part of this trip beside the itinerary-planning, was arranging the accommodations. Japan map is very crowded-yet confusing one. You have to take a look at the maps first (you can find it online). Me and Bon took a LOT of time to find our accommodations while examining the maps; I think we gained some wrinkles. We spent some days to talk about the itinerary and accommodations using Japan Guide. It was very helpful, because for example, you can see many areas in Tokyo with main attractions in each area at the same time, so you can decide which place do you want to see and after that you can decide where do you want to live. Even though some of the cool people I know I met through Couch Surfing, I thought this would be the perfect time to give Airbnb a try instead. There are so many houses and apartments in Japan with different prices and ranges, and it can contains up to 10 people, much more cheaper than staying at a hotel in Japan, so I really recommend you to use Airbnb as well. Just download the application in your phone and be happy with the searching.
How To Stay Connected With Internet?
Along our travels throughout Japan, it’s a must to have at least a PocketWifi with you so you will not lose any contact with your beloved (or for your “existence” online). We rent a pocket wifi in Jakarta, because two of my friends are living in Jakarta. They have variable of prices; depending on the amount of quota that you\re going to choose. If you travel with 3 or more people like me, I recommend you to just take the one with the unlimited data.
The Things I LOVE about Japan :
❤The Food
Argue with me as long as you want, but Japanese food indeed; is the best in the world. SUSHI, ramen, soba, udon, yakiniku, katsu, teriyaki, okonomiyaki, gyoza, matcha tea, matcha ice cream, sake... the list won’t end. I spent a lot of time searching about the recommended restaurants, but it turns out that any place I randomly chose was just as good. Ugh-maa-zing. My tummy hurts just thinking about the food... so don't worry, you'll find no bad food in Japan,
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FOOD HAUL
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❤The Train Station
When is a train station not just a train station? When it’s a Japanese train station. In Japan, train stations aren’t just for trains, they’re also for malls, supermarkets, huge restaurant areas, and office buildings. Talk about using space effectively.
❤High-Tech Toilets
Leave it to the Japanese to turn a simple toilet into a technological world. Beside it is very clean, you may sit down on a warm seat, while music is playing, and have a jet of water come and wash you from the front or back :))). Oh you can also choose if you want warm mater, or cold water. It’s pretty awesome.
❤Modern, Yet Traditional
Some country sometimes forget its own traditional values once the country is transitioning to a modern and forward-thinking country. But in Japan, you will find both equally. I find that mix so fascinating. Even with the hustle-bustle in big city such Tokyo with all the technologies and modern infrastructure, Japanese people are those who stick to the root and embrace their culture. It was nice to see Japanese in Kimono/Yukata (Japanese traditional clothing) everywhere or in special occassion, and they are going strong with the culture and belief. These modern looking people still spend time to go to Shrine or Temple, to pray, or to celebrate their traditional wedding culture.
❤The Beautiful Nature
After enjoying all of the chaos and craziness that is Tokyo, allow yourself one day to get out and escape to nearby Mt. Fuji to view the impressive mountain where many Japanese and foreign guests make their climb or just simply enjoy the big conservation areas. Whilst here enjoy great views (weather dependent) from Lake Kawaguchi and enjoy a delightful matcha ice cream from the gift store. And there are soooo manyyyy other beautiful nature spots that you can choose-good luck on finding which one is best for you! Everything is so beautiful in pictures, enjoy the good time on the train to see the daily life of local citizens, the traditional houses, or just the kids walking to the school on the street..
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| Fuji-San yang mengintip malu-malu (San = Japanese terms of "elderly people", yes they take the mountain as the "father" figure) |
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| pretty autumn leaves in Kawaguchi-ko |
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| October goal checked : to see vibrant-red Kochia flowers. Yeay |
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| Picture perfect Kawaguchiko National Center Lake |
❤The Culture and History
Japanese culture has fascinated me for my entire life. It's a very rich culture. It has an interesting history, mythology, literature, art, calligraphy, theater; even modern tech fads (such as video games, comic books, anime, video games).The lifestyle and even the fashions that are so apparent within the country. When I visited the places such as Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, I love to feel the aura of serenity. Sometimes I feel the magic and the charisma from some very specific places. The bells, the Zen gardens, the bamboo, and the torii gates really do instill a sense of peace and magic.
Public transportation that is on-time, clean, and efficient is also a part of Japanese culture. I love how the Japanese people always stand in a row while waiting for the train or taxi, even on the escalator.
I like the fact that everywhere I go, day or night, urban or rural I feel completely safe and the area I'm in as totally without crime.
THINGS TO REMEMBER IN JAPAN:
- Practice your inner Japanese. Seriously. Japanese people are completely "out" of English, don't expect them to communicate well with you. Only certain people knows English, but they'd be happy to help whenever you're in trouble. I have two memorable memories about being lost in Japan. One, there's a day when I lost in the underground station, and I can't see my friends at all. There were always too many people and they are coming from like, seven different direction. So I got really confused and just stay in silence in the middle of the station while people crossing all over me. Then a very sweet young lady came over me and ask, "are you lost?". A very nice gesture, remembering actually not all Japanese always being helpful. And this will lead us to my second experience. Another day at a station, I came into a man asking for a direction, and I was just in the middle of saying, "Hi..I am sorry...can you help me..?" and he, noticed that I'm speaking in English directly crossed his hands and said "NO". So yeah, it will be very helpful if you can speak a little conversational Japanese.
- Always bring water in your bag because sometimes the walk is just too exhausting, and you’ll get hungry and dehydrated easily in cold weather
- Use the proper attire. If you’re traveling in winter, use the warmest coat that you can possibly find, because sometimes it’s just too cold; if you’re traveling in spring or fall just bring jacket as well to anticipate the windy weather. A comfortable shoes is a MUST as well! Make sure u’re prepared to run with that shoes, in case you have to run like me and my friends, in many occassions such as late to catch the train or walking with big luggage LOL
- Don’t bring a suitcase that’s too big for walking with. It will frustrate you. Trust me
- Don’t TIPPING. There is no tipping-culture in Japan. You have to take all the coins after the transaction even its annoy you to keep them in your pocket (Japanese Yen has lots of coins). It even categorized as an insult if you do the tipping! (Ah, Japanese and their integrities...*clap*)
- Always stand in a row. Don’t ever think to cut the line or you’ll get scary stare, or even shouts, from the locals :D
- Seven Eleven will be your savior in some “tough” days. Or everyday (?). They also sell delicious sushi and meals with very affordable price, compared to those amazing meals in restaurants. And oh don’t be afraid, the taste isn’t disappointing at all.
- Shop 'till u drop.. dead. Seriously. Tokyo? Shibuya? Harajuku? Namba street? Drugs/make-up store? Anywhere in Japan? Japan itself shouts "Shopping timeee!!" loudly. Don't regret anything. There are just too many cute and "precious" things in Japan to be ignored and they come in very qualified products and prices. Have peace with yourself, take a deep breath, and grab anything that you really like (gesek aja cuyy, nangis belakangan).
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| kumpulan belanjaan tidak berfaedah tapi sangat memuaskan hati |
And the most important thing of all, have fun with your traveling mates to the fullest!
If you're ever get annoyed with them, just let it go, fix it and laugh it off. Time is so expensive and so does the FREE times. So make sure you have a lotta fun you deserve. Do silly things, take a lot of cool photographs, and make bucket list anywhere you plan to go. Thank you to my fellas, Tirza, Bon, and Del. I miss those times calculating food's prices, kicking our luggage in the station (sorry, only Tirza's BIG luggage), competing on taking each other's sleeping pictures (I think my pics is winning, I literally always sleep everywhere, anytime it is possible) dancing anywhere, being drunk together until our face turning red and dizzy wkwkwk (thanks to the magnificent SAKE), running almost everyday either chasing the train or just simply late on anything wkwkw. I miss our life-saver onigiri. I miss our stunned yet stupid expressions every time we're see something beautiful and unusual. Oh how I miss those days.... Japan indeed is beyond imagination and I have to go back soon; ASAP. There are too many things unseen and too many places unchecked from our list.
P.S : our dirty little secret in Kawaguchiko will be carried to our own graveyard, unless someday I'll say otherwise. (hint : ketawa terbahak-bahak lalu pucat seketika)
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| I forgot this guy's name. He's a local, Del said he randomly found him in a street when asking direction, and he offered to take us to some eating spots the day after. Such a bless! |
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| Celebrating Bon's birthday in Osaka. Saki and Midori were the ones who picked the restaurant, arrange the surprise and even bought me the cake I prepared for Bon. Thank you so much sweetheartss |
Japan is indeed one the most beautiful country I've ever visited. It is rich, and full of things. Oh GOD I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK AGAIN A.S.A.P. The country has too much to offers and I just checked a little list from it!!!!!! God please take me back soon. Amen.
Don't hesitate to leave a comment if you want me to help you further in your Japan trip! Arigatou gozaimasta.
2 comments
Hi, Liku! Thank you for visiting my blog <3
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that we can find each other through blogsphere!
I love reading your post, and I can truly relate to this very post about Japan.
Seems like you and your friends were having a great time together.
Japan's indeed a country full of surprises and enchanting contradictions.
Let's connect through blogging from now on, as I'm so enjoying your stories!
Salam kenal,
Shabrina
www.shabrinahazimi.blogspot.com
Thank you for visiting my blog too! Yeah we were having great time and possibly left half of our souls there :(, I fell in love ever since and can't wait to go back. So happy to find new friend on blogsphere! Please keep contact
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