Destination Japan

More stamps please :)

               I love to travel! I've been thinking of writing about my adventures for years now (too long! haha) but today I've decided to finally just do it! It helps that my hubby's friends called a few days ago and asked for some info on Tokyo & Osaka. I hope this helps, guys! ;) Tokyo first though, Osaka next time.

               I usually write details & notes of my trips in a small notebook, a piece of paper or my printed itinerary( which I almost always have :)), mainly as notes for myself and as a guide for future trips.

Tokyo notes & itinerary

They've come in handy when friends and family ask me for suggestions on what to see and do in places they know I've been to. I've emailed my itinerary(like the one in the photo on the left) to those who have asked for help in the past.

I truly enjoy sharing stories of my trips, when I'm asked, that is :). It's like going on my adventure all over again!

Japan is beautiful! A destination I don't think I'll ever tire of.

Destination: Tokyo, Niigata & Shibata in Japan
Days: Monday to Friday in July 2008
Airline: Philippine Airlines. July 7 ETD Manila 2:30pm  ETA Narita 7:55 pm.
July 11 ETD Narita 9:30am I forget what time we arrived. I'm a bit lax on my note-taking when I'm at the end of a trip. I wonder why? ;) haha
Length of Stay: 5 days- 4 nights. Only 3 full days in Japan( but it felt much longer, in a good way!) if via Philippine Airlines (check www.philippineairlines.com if they've added more Manila-Tokyo flights or changed the schedule since).

Transportation: After buying our JR East Pass tickets a bit after clearing Customs at

For current rates go to http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/

Narita, taking the Narita Express (free with the JR EAST Pass), getting off at Tokyo Station, transferring to JR's Yamanote loop line (also free with the JR East Pass), getting off at Yurakucho station and leisurely walking ( as leisurely as one can with a piece of luggage in tow!) for about 15minutes along the Ginza shopping district, we found ourselves at the reception of Ginza Yoshimizu ryokan at around 11pm. Yes, we could've taken a cab but with my VERY limited Nihonggo, we might have gone in circles until midnight!

If you do want to take a cab, be sure to get the name of your hotel, its address, contact numbers and map, if available, and print it in both English & Japanese. Keep these & other maps in your bag or purse at all times. A cost-saving tip: Taxi service is quite pricey in Tokyo. I took a cab a few times while in Kyoto and I don't want to remember how much it cost :).Add Tokyo traffic to that & it might be wise to take the Metro or JR trains instead. The trains are quite fun to explore. There's a vibrant & eclectic (such unique & different fashion statements of commuters! fun!) ambience at the stations and in the trains.

Our flight back to Manila was scheduled to depart Narita at 9:30am. We went to the JR Shinjuku Station and took the 6:07 am Narita Express train(takes you from the city straight to the airport) to make it for our 9:30am flight back home. 

Route: Manila- Tokyo- Niigata- Shibata- Niigata- Tokyo- Manila

A garden near Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Weather/Season: Summer
Hotel:  In this case, a ryokan and 3 hotels!
Ginza Yoshimizu- Toyoko Inn Asakusa Senzoku- Route Inn Shibata -Shinjuku Prince Hotel
It was the only way I could see & go to all the places I had on my to-do list. Thank goodness hubby was game to go ryokan & hotel hopping!

Staying in a ryokan complete with tatami mats & yukatas. Breakfast was organic Japanese food.
I have to find my photos of the yummy breakie!

Early on in the planning stages of the trip, we already decided to travel light. "Light" meaning one handbag & small hand carried luggage for me and one backpack & check in luggage for both of us but carried by him :-).

Trip Highlights:

Delicious noodles at the Ramen place across Ginza Yoshimizu ryokan upon arrival from Narita.
We chose our order & paid via vending machine close to midnight. We went back there twice!

I'm trying to upload more photos but I can't seem to do it successfully. I'll take it as a sign that I should get some rest now. It is my first blog after all! Yipee, I've done it!
                                         More Japan trip highlights soon!