Tokyo, Japan- Day 1!

The air tickets were S$550 from Malaysian Airlines, almost S$300 cheaper than the usual because of the awesome promotion they were throwing! Do check out their website for frequent air promotions, I remember S$550 air tickets to Seoul, Korea too!! 

The other reason why the tickets were cheaper because there was an hour transit at Kuala Lumpur from Singapore but an hour was definitely acceptable and worth it. 

Arriving in Narita airport, Tokyo!!! :D :D 

It's my first time visiting this beautiful country and you can tell from my face that I'm very excited haha! I mean, it's JAPAN!!! The country of nicest and most polite people, the prettiest designing and packaging items, the home of Sanrio, Hello Kitty!!  

Purchased train ticket for Narita Express- International Airport Access which was just a level below the airport. Narita Express takes an hour to bring you to the city. I paid 5500 yen (S$70) for the Narita Express ticket which includes 2000 yen worth of Suica for train rides. It is cheaper to take this tourist package!

It was pretty cold at 15 degrees so I got a hot green tea drink from their cool vending machine. 

An hour later.... I am in Shibuya!!! 

Cause there was about 2 hours before check in to the hotel, had a stroll to explore Shibuya!! 

And this is the famous Shibuya Scramble Walk!! This picture was taken before noon, check out the number of people! Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection. The statue of Hachikō, a dog, between the station and the intersection, is a common meeting place and almost always crowded.

Have always been Shibuya Crossing in movies like Fast and the Furious!! Really psyched to be able to be right there! 

Pablo, that sells sweet, fluffy cheese tarts had such a long queue!! 

I wasn't ready to join the madness queue so off I went after taking that photo haha! 

Although originally targeted at women in their 30s, the building later became more known as a mecca for young women from the gyaru subculture. Took some pictures of the pretty shops in Shibuya 109! 

This was one of my favorite shops at Shibuya 109 but I left empty handed because the clothes were really expensive. Each dress cost an average of S$60, but they are made of very good fabric and the designs were of course, very pretty.

Right across the street is 109 Men's, the building is very narrow and there wasn't as many shops as compared to Shibuya 109 for the ladies! But hey! At least somewhere for the guys to shop too! 

And in Japan, there are a lot of bakeries and cafes that sell pretty cakes!! 

I had cakes from Ginza Cozy Corner. This particular outlet is situated next to Shibuya 109. 

Isn't that a lot of cakes to be spoilt for choice?? Ginza Cozy Corner is one of the oldest and well-known patisserie brand in Japan. From it's name, after opening their first branch in the famous shopping district Ginza, Ginza Cozy Corner has transformed itself into one of the most well-known and loved patisserie brands in Japan. Today, it is very common to see a little take-out kiosk at train stations and department stores!! And each slice of cake is priced at 380 yen (S$5). 

I had the Strawberry Crepe Cake which was soooo good!!!

What's Japan without visiting their departmental stores and supermarkets!!! :D :D :D 

This stall at Shibuya Hikarie sells the yummiest fishcakes!!!!! And most importantly, not expensive haha! 

Each stick is at 105 yen (S$1.30) and they have so many kinds of fishcakes. With seaweed, bacon, crab meat and cheese!! 

Got a medium cup of Peach and Strawberry Juice at 500 yen (S$6). Fruits are known to be expensive in Japan so the price for this cup of juice is expected of. But, it's really tasty and fresh.

Shibuya is full of Ramen shops with the self-service machines where you buy your own meal tickets.

It's tough to choose which to dine at but I heard from friends that every ramen shop in Japan is GOOD! Settled for my first meal at Tokyo at this little soba stall, 油そば 大黒屋 (He Wu), under Shibuya train track. 

Each bowl of "Oil noodles" at He Wu was 830 yen (S$10). If you like your noodles dry, you would enjoy this bowl at He Wu. The noodles is very Q and bouncy, the pork on every bowl is grilled on the spot so it's piping hot and fresh!!

油そば 大黒屋
Tokyo Shibuya Shibuya 3-29-72

Take the inderpass entrance from Shibuya Station East. It's 51m from Shibuya Station.

Check in at Granbell Hotel Shibuya which was a stone throw from Shibuya station. Love the convenience of this hotel!! (:

Housing in Japan is relatively expensive and so each apartment is very small. This hotel room is not the usual big rooms we would stay when we go for a holiday but it's still comfortable and the toilet has everything you need like makeup removal and not the usual cheapo kind, very product is branded! 

The hotel's charges per night is 16,000 yen (S$200). Very affordable for the location of this hotel!

15-17 Sakuragaokacho Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0031, Japan
Tel: +81 3-5457-2681

Time to explore more of Tokyo!! Took the train to Shinjuku to visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office.

We queued for South Observatory instead of the North because the view was better! If you think the queue (North tower) below is long, the queue for the South is even longer!! 

The queue took about 30 minutes because the lift attendant does crowd control for the visitors for the towers. The South tower closes at 5:30 p.m. while the North tower closes at 11:00 p.m.

At the same building is this Tokyo Tourist Information Centre, the place to go to ask questions you have and pick up brochures and maps! 

Time for the view on the South Observatory tower! (: 

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories

2-8-1 Nishishinjuku Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan 

Tel: +81 3-5321-1111

Observatory Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (Entry ends 30 minutes before closing.)

The South Observatory closes at 5:30 p.m., North Observatory closes at 11:00 p.m

Japan has many temples as well. The itinerary for this trip will cover quite a few famous temples. Exploring the Hanazono Jinja Shrine in Shinjuku too!

Many of the prayers to the Hanazono-jinja are businessmen because the shrine is believed to bring prosperity. A nice and peaceful Shinto shrine in the middle of busy Shinjuku. Worth a visit if you are in the area. Hanazono Jinja Shrine hosts a small flea market on some Sunday mornings.

Hanazono Jinja Shrine

5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture 160-0022, Japan 

Tel: +81 3-3200-3093

Walked around Shinjuku in search for a nice dinner place. 

In Singapore, we have Daiso outlets that sell everything at S$2 each. In Japan, it's only 100 yen (S$1.25)!! I got a pair of grey leggings there! (:

Enough of shopping and window shopping, it was sushi dinner at Koshu Kaido.

I was taking a shot of the restaurant when the sushi chef happened to look up and saw me taking a picture. He smiled and twist for the shot!! Lololol! (:

Paid 3000 yen (S$40) for the 2 sets of sushi! Would have paid almost 30% more in Singapore yet the quality a far cry. And in Japan, each slice of fish is so generously thick! When in Japan, eat more Sushi!!! 

Returned back to Shibuya because I want to see Shibuya when night falls (:

Ate again at Sato-Ke which serves Shabu Shabu! 

A generous portion of pork for the Shabu cost 1900 yen (S$26). Just like Korea, if you have 3 persons dining there, all 3 guests has to order a portion of meat. 

Satoke Shibuya-branch 

12-9 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 

Tel: +81 3-3463-6300

Just a little more shopping at Shibuya after dinner, walked into this pretty shop called Tutuanna which sells knit and cotton stuff like socks, stockings, pj, panties! (: 

Totally in love with this brand and I spent about an hour in the shop looking at each rack and I checked out 2 pairs of stockings from the range below! (: 

The stockings are not expensive, mostly at about 525 yen (S$6.70) and 1050 yen (S$13) for 3 pairs. The quality feels good and the packaging is so so pretty!! I remember getting similar ones in Taiwan whose quality isn't as good and priced the same. 

I showed you Shibuya's scramble crossing at day and now I will show you the exact same place at night!

That's it folks for Day 1 of Japan which I spent in Shibuya and Shinjuku!! (: