JAPAN TRIP 2001 - TOKYO/KYOTO/OSAKA
7th APRIL 2001, SATURDAY (FIRST DAY)
We took 2 taxis to Changi Airport at around 9pm with Uncle Eugene. When we reached the airport, Yoke and 3rd auntie has already arrived. So we passed all our passports to the tour leader to process our check-in and we proceed to move around in the airport. Took some photos near an art piece that was created with coins from all over the world. We entered the restricted zone at around 10.30pm, bidding Bee, Weng, Zhongping and Casey goodbye. Uncle Eugene and Yoke bought a perfume each at the Duty Free shops. Then we boarded the flight and left for Narita Airport at 11.50pm. The flight was around 7 hours, we were scheduled to arrived in Narita Airport at 8am local time which is around 7am Singapore time.
8th APRIL 2001, SUNDAY (SECOND DAY)
We arrived at Narita Airport within the schedule time. After we alighted the plane, we had to take a sky train before we can clear the customs. We were received by a Taiwanese tour guide and were brought to Tokyo Disneyland directly. Uncle Eugene was rather unhappy because he felt that he was not dressed very beautifully for photo taking. When we arrived at Tokyo Disneyland, it was around 10pm and there was a large crowd queuing outside waiting to enter. The entrance fees is 5000yen, very expensive! We were lucky to have spotted a very short queue and entered Tokyo Disneyland in a short time. The tour guide brought us to a few famous spots in the Disneyland before we dispersed on our own to explore. We took many photos and had burger for lunch. We waited till around 3pm when the parade started. It was really a magnificent scene. I bought 1 keychain and 2 sets of magnets from this place. At around 4.30pm we gathered at the entrance and left for Dinner in Tokyo. Our Dinner for this day was not provided so each of us paid 1500yen to have dinner at a Chinese restaurant. After that we stopped by at a convenient store and bought some snacks. We were then brought to Takanawa Crown Prince Hotel in Tokyo for the night. We check-in to the hotel around 8pm and all of us were too tired from the overnight flight that we rested in the hotel instead of exploring the streets. I managed to watch Domoto Kyodai's first episode from the hotel’s TV at 10.30pm. Wonderful!
9th APRIL 2001, MONDAY (THIRD DAY)
We chose to have Japanese breakfast over international buffet breakfast this morning. As we woke up too early, we were ready way before the assigned time. We gathered at the hotel lobby at 8.30pm and left the hotel to move towards Metropolitan Building. It is the tallest building in the Tokyo city which is actually the office of the governor of Tokyo. We were brought to the observation hall which is at the 60th floor. You can see almost the whole of Tokyo city from this place. After that, we proceed to the Imperial Palace to take some photos of the outer garden of it. The front of it was laid with pebbles since olden days to prevent assasinators and the practice was kept till today. Tokyo Tower was our next destination. The cost of taking the lift to the Tokyo Tower observation hall is 800yen. So expensive! We then had lunch at the restaurant which is on the 2nd floor of Tokyo Tower. I bought a pair of Kinki Kids’ postcards and a keychain. Actually wanted to buy a calendar and poster of Kinki Kids but after considering the difficulty of bringing them back, I gave up the idea. Then we proceeded to take a cruise by the Tokyo Bay where we were able to see the famous Rainbow Bridge and also the Fuji Terebi’s new compound. Wonder were Kinki Kids at Fuji Terebi at the time I passed the compound. After we alighted the cruise, we walked towards the Asakusa Kannon Temple where there is a long shopping street in front of it. We prayed and bought some souvenirs here. Then we were brought to a supermarket where we bought some cup noodles just in case we get hungry at night. But the meals in Japan were really so good that we did not have any chances of eating the cup noodles. The cup noodles were brought back to Singapore. When we reached the Kawaguchiko Hotel, it was around 8pm. We quickly went to have our dinner before we moved in to our room. We had Sukiyaki for dinner, it is similar to steamboat but the soup is made of teriyaki sauce and there is very little soup as compared. Delicious! Kawaguchiko Hotel is an Onsen hotel, which means that they have hotspring in the hotel. However, only Uncle Eugene tried it. As much as I wanted to try it, I feel shy to bare in front of so many others. I'll try it next time quietly, alone! As Yoke and 3rd auntie were not happy with their room, they shifted their mattresses over to our room. Our room was actually bigger than rest as it is a corner room. This night the 4 of us squeezed in the tatami room and slept.
10th APRIL 2001, TUESDAY (FOURTH DAY)
This day is Tsuyoshi’s birthday. We woke up early to take photos outside the hotel. We were very lucky to see Fujisan very clearly this morning as only 3 out of 10 tour groups were able to see it clearly. No wonder Fujisan is the sacre mountain of the Japanese, it is really very magnificent and beautiful. We had Japanese breakfast and we were able to leave the hotel even before the assigned time. When we reached the entrance of Fujisan, we will blocked out because we were too early. The opening time is 9am and we reached there at around 8.30am. So we alighted the bus and took photos around the area while waiting for the opening time. We were finally able to go up to the fifth station of fujisan which is half way up the mountain. It was very cold and we can still see snow around the place. There is a small shrine and I bought 2 goodluck charms there. We took many photos as we were very excited to see snow there. First time I see snow! Then we left Fujisan and proceed to Shiraito Fall. We had lunch there before walking up to the Fall. After that, we took a stroll down the shopping street where I bought a keychain at one of the shops. While we were on our way to one of the Shinkansen stations, we came across a garden where there were many beautiful Sakura trees blooming. We made a stop there and I bought a box of milk chocolate. We continued our trip to the Shinkansen station to have a taste of the fastest train in the world. We can't really feel the speed while we were inside the Shinkansen. But we were so impressed by the speed of the Shinkansen when we saw a train whizzed past the station. After the ride, we were given time to shop at one of the shopping mall near the Shinkansen station. Then we proceed to Hamanako Listel Hotel where we took our buffet dinner that includes half a lobster. Then we went to our rooms which has a very small bathroom and toilet. However, we were able to see sea from the balcony and there is a big tatami TV area. This night, I tried to watch Koichi’s new drama, Rookie. However, I made a mistake on the timing and missed the beginning 15 mins of the show.
11th APRIL 2001, WEDNESDAY (FIFTH DAY)
As usual, we woke up early to take some photos outside the hotel. Then we had buffet breakfast at the hotel’s café. We left the hotel early as we had to make a long trip to Kyoto. When we finally reach Kyoto, it was already 11.30pm. So as to avoid crowds, we went for early lunch at one of the nearby Chinese restaurant. Then we were brought to a pearl shop where we bought some yukatas. Yukata is the clothing that Japanese wear during leisure time, after shower or Onsen sessions. Nowadays, girls in Japan also wear Yukata during Summer time. It is very comfortable to wear and I wore Yukata every night when I was in Japan. After that, we went to Heian Shrine and I bought a keychain along the shopping street. Then we went to a famous Kimono shop where I bought a Buddha bead bracelet. We watched the Kimono show at 2pm and then proceed to move on to Osaka. We arrived at Kiyomizu temple around 3.30pm but the carpark was full. So we walked all the way from the main street up to the temple which took us about half an hour. As the temple is up on a hill, the way we took was very sloppy, we were all breathless and tired when we finally reached the temple. We were to buy a ticket before entering the temple. There was a Kiyomizu stage whereby it was made of wood that involves no nails. There is a shrine that is for love and there are 2 stones in front of it. It was said that if you close your eyes and walk from one stone to another without fail, you will have good luck in love. I tried that and we'll see whether it is really true. After that we went to drink the holy water which is for health, wealth and beauty. Then we took a stroll down the shopping streets where I managed to find a couple of shops that sell Kinki Kids' stuffs. However, there wasn't really much interesting and nice things to buy. I managed to buy a pair of sunglasses in one of the shops but we lost 3rd auntie so we rush down to the meeting place to find her waiting on the bus. Then we left for Osaka castle but was caught in the jam. As it was Sakura season, many tour groups from all over the place came over to Kiyomizu temple for Sakura viewing. When we finally arrived at Osaka Castle, it was around 4.30pm. We make a round in the Osaka Castle and took some photos. At the exit, Yoke and I each bought a hotdog as it smells very delicious and really tastes delicious. After that, we went to Osaka city for dinner and were brought to the famous Osaka underground shopping mall. Then we were sent to the Kansai International Airport Washington Hotel which is only a 15mins ride away from the Kansai International Airport. By the time we reached there, it was already 10.30pm. Had a little problem with Mum’s luggage, force it open finally at around 11.30pm.
12th APRIL 2001, THURSDAY (LAST DAY)
We took the buffet breakfast at the hotel around 8.45pm and took some photos outside the hotel. Then we went upstairs to do some last minute packing. At around 10pm, we came down to the lobby and check-out from the hotel. We left our luggage at the lobby and the tour guide brought us to the Factory Outlet which is located near the hotel. We bought lots of branded goods at very low prices. I bought 2 blouses and an Addidas watch. I think I will go back there again next year to grab some Nike shoes and many other branded items. We had lunch at one of the restaurant which was not really very expensive. A plate of fried rice and a plate of fried noodles costs around 800yen each. At around 2pm, we gathered at the hotel lobby and the hotel’s coach sent us to the airport which is just nearby. We check-in our luggage and bought our airport tax at the vending machine. Then we entered the restricted zone after bidding goodbye to the tour guide. Bought another keychain at the Duty Free shop and then took a sky train to enter the waiting area. Finally at 4.30pm, we board the plane and started our flight back home. We reached Singapore around 10.30pm Singapore time. Bee, Weng, Zhongping and Casey came to fetch us and we took 2 taxis home.