Khaosan Kyoto Guesthouse

Khaosan Kyoto Guesthouse

Just a snapshot. We met so many Indonesian staying at this guesthouse, even i met my college mate here hahahahah... 

What best in here: 

- comfy and very clean. 

- Staff are really helpful and fluent in english. 

- Best location, close to Teramachi street and not quite far from Gion (Geisha) area

- Close to the bus station

- Convenient store located only 2 building from this guesthouse ^^ 

in overall, you got what you paid ^^ 

Reservation: 

http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/kyoto/

Photo taken by Fafa, Emoy, Me and Abang 

Day 6 : Kyoto, The Orginal Taste of Japan

Kyoto, 20 May 2012

The 6th of my journey to the land of Conan Edogawa. If you are Edogawa Fans Community, like me, you must be familiar that other than the "origin capital" of Japan,  Kyoto also the most popular city exposed in the creatures of Aoyama Gosho art. Lets say, eventhough Heiji Hattori was live and grew up at Osaka, but his mother actually from Kyoto. And frankly speaking, Kyoto often become the spotlight of many cases incurred in this detective series.

And for me, other than such a prologue to my interest on Conan, Kyoto is beautiful place to taste the originality of Japan. Why? this town absorb modernity offered by something known as "globalisation" but also highly stood up their originality anb "Bang!!!!" this town growing on different ways but pretty damn beautiful.

The journey started with overnite bus (Willer Express) departed from Shinjuku Tokyo. But please remember that Bus Counter is not inside the station. Counter located in Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Building. A lil bit far outside the station.  I found that after having pre-visit that counter a day before, and its really helpful. Don't sneak around Shinjuku with your lugagge at nite eventhough there's no risk of theft. Its good to have a trip without a rush. A short therapy before taking a long journey.

Ticket bus can be bought online through Willer Express Web. Online booking available up to 3 months before departure schedule. Travelling using overnite bus (economy class) is much more cheaper than taking Shinkansen and less transfer compare to using Japan Railways. There's also option for someone who wants business and executive class. But for me, economic class itselves is more than just comfortable.

We departed from Shinjuku around midnite and arrived at Kyoto Station on 8 AM in the morning. We have to go to the Tourist information centre inside the station to get 1 day pass for Kyoto Bus. Next, we took the bus No. 206 headed to Sanjusangendo.


1st stop - Kinkakuji, The Golden Temple.

The Golden Temple, Pic by Fafa, Emak and Abang

2nd - Sanjusangendo


Sanjusangendo, Kyoto

Inside Sanjusangendo taken by other traveller, currently no camera allowed inside this temple.

3rd - The legendary Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

4th - Japanese Wedding Ceremony

5th - Gion area and Kyoto Riverside at nite

Tips: 

Kyoto Bus Daypass is the cheapest and easiest way to explore Kyoto. 

Spend min 2 days at this city, because you can see much at this ancient capital. This is one of the "must be visit city" when i came back to Japan someday ^^

Info: 

Kyoto Bus Day Pass : JPY 500/day

Entrance fee : 

• Sanjusangendo : JPY 600/person 
• Kinkakuji: JPY 400/person
• Kiyomizudera : JPY 300/person

Hostel : Kyoto Khaosan Guesthouse 

Day 5 : Grab the taste of Tokyo under modernity

19 May 2012Lets recall then.

Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō) is Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo.

Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A small castle town in the 16th century, Edo became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world's most populous cities. With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and in the air raids of 1945.

Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa, and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.

(Source: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html)

That was a lil bit of Tokyo. For me, Tokyo was unreachable city in the unreachable country that have been introduced to me through Japan Dorama, movie, manga, comic and anime such as Tokyo Love Story, The Ordinary People (Asunaru Hakusho), I Give My first Love to You, Long Vacation, Rirouni Kenshin (Samurai X), Doraemon and my favourite anime ever Detective Conan. But here i am, tied-in every single dream and excitement towards this moment as a journey to the land of Conan Edogawa.

I'm not curious about finding where's Poirot Cafe, Teitan High School, Tokyo Derby, or Nichiuri TV and other places that eventually came up on Conan Story. I just curious about what will i get when i was hoping at one of the busiest city in this world? How people lives here and what makes them become distinctive among others.

My learning journey at this land has started in the morning just a few minutes after check out from Anne Asakusabashi Hostel. We have so busy that time and to put ourselves including our luggage to have a pic with guesthouse as background when a nice voice of a kind woman in Japanese language that unintentionally pass through offering some help to take our picture, together as a full team. With no request, since we were not aware on her appearance. Arigatou.

See, under such circumstances when we're strangers at her country that woman voluntary offering help by taking picture for us. Its remind me to our first day in Japan when we walk towards Tsukiji Fish Market. There's an old man who kindly told us the direction including anything that are allowed and not allowed to do in the market. Even he leads us to the certain point to ensure that we're not going lost. Referring to my work experience with Japanese people, in a daily life motion Japanese people are really helpful and the most important point is we're taken those offering with no fear. Fear of being insult, ruin or being theft. Could you imagine if you have the same offering when you were in Indonesia, Thailand or maybe the most popular thieving city, Italy?

Leaving Asakubashi, first we're heading to Shinjuku to put our luggage at Coin Locker located inside Shinjuku Station. We have surveyed that there's some coin locker inside and decided to put ours at the locker located in front of Odakyu Sightseeing Centre since it has the easiest access to go out from the station and near to the cross roads towards Willer Express counter, the bus provider that lead us to Kyoto tonight.

First destination, Akihabara. Yups, maybe it was not only the largest electronic and manga shopping area. Souvenirs that you have many at Asakusa also available inside the giant store such as Laox, Yodobashi and many more. There's also AKB48 and Gundam Cafe near the exit gate of Akihabara Station. What interesting in here, there's a lot of Cafe-maid with a sexy-cute dress inviting you to have visit their Cafe. But sorry, no picture allowed.

Such a condition also applied for a pets and some items that i found out when we were hoping at Ueno park and Asakusa few days a go. First, Abang is not allowed to take a picture of a cute cat (abang thought) that belong to the old woman at Ueno Park. Second, i suddenly beat up on the back and my hand hardly dragged by old woman at Asakusa and she insisting to see our camera after i take a picture at Nakamise Street, Asakusa. Due to the high cost of pets maintenance in Japan (i don't know in detail actually), they don't want to share what they have with others. And that old woman in Asakusa thought that i have a picture with one of her flourish collection, i thought. She went off after see nothing in my camera. But what i do not like either is the way they forbid us. Dude, its so rude. Such a fact leave me a contra agony of what has happened previously.

Long Vacation (Love Symbol), Roppongi, Asahi TV - Pic by Fafa and Abang

Next destination, Roppongi Hills and Asahi TV. We decided towards here to recover our disappointment of rushing over Doraemon Museum. Yups, those museum ticket have been sold out, even for the other date that we have spare in our itinerary. Doraemon ticket are available at all of Lawson (its a convenient store such as 7Eleven and Circle K in Japan, its started entering Indonesia at the end of 2011). But we just know that instead of visiting this store we also can book our ticket online in advance. I have no much details how long it can be taken as advance and what is the name of the website. Sir Google will tell you much on it. And for me, visiting Asahi TV that gives me more than just Doraemon is enough ^^

Roppongi Hills to me is a huge-high and luxurious building with a wonderful small roses park at the top and nice view of Tokyo. Yups, i said its wonderful roses since you've entering this park for the first time, those natural smell of roses got you to forget all of those perfumery or aroma teraphy that you ever have. A lot of modern culinary restaurant, Cafe, branded fashion also available here. While Asahi TV, is a Japan TV station that broadcasting Doraemon, Crayon Sinchan, Go go rangers and many more Japan Kids program. Its located close to the Roppongi Hills, just take a lift to the ground floor and there's a hub that connecting Roppongi to Asahi TV. Inside this station, there's some exhibit of Doraemon and other figures of Kids Program that displayed for visitor such as Big Doraemon Hug, Singing hall of Giant and friends, Pump-up race with Doraemon cast as present, and many more. A souvenir shop available at the entrance. Good news is we can enjoy those thing both in Roppongi and Asahi TV for free. 

S-h-i-b-u-y-a (Pic by : Fafa)

Its evening already. We don't have so many time left, hence we headed to the some iconic places in Tokyo, Harajuku and Shibuya. Harajuku famous as a best place to find the most outrageous and fashionable style ala Japanese. There's many teenage dressed up on their unique style and a lot of store that absolutely catches your eyes. And for so not fashionable person like me, its interesting but just it. I have no intention to buy anything here except casual tshirt with a Japanese letter for a gift. I came by to the Daisho store at Takeshita Dori Harajuku to find some stuffs for a gift, take a pic and thats it.

And last, we go to the Hachiko memorial park at Shibuya. Its only a small statue of Hachiko located in the center of Shibuya. We only have a random picture since there were very crowded. Be here in the morning to avoid such a situation. The interesting moment here is seeing people even joining them crossing the most crowded crossing street in the world!!! Hahah, awesome. And no criminal happened. We also have experiencing Japanese photo booth that quite interesting. It made up your face become "so not that into you" hahaha..imagine that we have all day out and we can have our pic in our best.

Hint: visit Emy's note to see that pic.

And finally we have to say Sayonara Tokyo....




For the other dimension of this trip have been well-written by Fafa and Emy at the following link:

Emy :http://milimileage.blogspot.com/2012/08/malam-mingguan-di-tokyojapan-trip-part-4.html

Fafa : http://faridahudanti.blogspot.com/2012/07/25-yrs-7-impossible-days.html

Day 4 : Chasing both of "Adrenaline Engine" and "Fujiyama Smile"

18 May 2012

Having ticket that lead us to Shizuoka area actually is not guarantee that you'll be there. Having ticket means that you should have a strong commitment to make it. Yups, once you decided to buy bus ticket from Shinjuku-Sizuoka (Fujikyu area) implicitly you have agreed to retain your "right" to ride the bus by arrive timely based on the chosen departure schedule if you don't wanna loose your JPY 1,700.

And unfortunately, those terms lead us to have a short "Marathon" between Shinjuku station and SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) building in the morning, sigh....

It started with a simple direction that the bus was parked not far from the Shinjuku station area. Just go outside the Shinjuku hub building, cross the street and walk towards SMBC building area. And there we go, after have a short look over a chocolate bus marked with "Highland." But, this is it. After crossing the street you'll see the bus halte whereas divided into some pre-numbered corridor and some people that queue-ing on each of those.

First question came up then, Should we do the same? No need.

After asking someone in the corridor we got info that we should go through the underground tunnel that connecting this corridor into the area where the real bus for Fujikyu area stand by. Believe me, its not a short tunnel anyway. Just like having a running man game, we have to run since there's only 5 minutes left before departure schedule. Damn!!!!

But Alhamdulillah. We made it.
Just bear in mind that bus to Fujikyu is not that one who marked with the Highland. Our bus is more cute than that. Its fully painted with Thomas. This bus will drive us directly to the Kawaguchiko Station. A gate to the Lake Kawaguchiko, Mountain Fuji and of course Fujikyu Highland theme park. This trip takes around 1 and a half up to 2 hours from Shinjuku.

From Kawaguchiko Station, you need to find out specific Retro Bus based on your next destination. For Lake Kawaguchiko, take bus no 10. Each bus number also have a specific departure time table that located along the line of parking area in front of kawaguchiko station. While, inside its used for arrival and departure to Shizuoka using JR (Train). And still after taking the train, you have to take this Retro Bus.

 

First destination, Lake Kawaguchiko. It was one of the famous Fuji Five Lakes located near to the Mount Fuji Area. Not far from the lake area, you can take a Hatchi-Hatchi Rope way that lead you to the top area hence you can see both of Lake Kawaguchiko and Fujiyama. There's also some counter that provides some foods, souvenir and photo session with Lake Kawaguchiko mascot. All of these thing provided not for free.

In this area, there were many Japanese elementary student having their school outdoor activity. They have their lunch together in open area. Its quite refreshing (in my opinion of course), to have a lunch while seeing a wonderful scenery. They looks more cute when their chick resembled pink, seems blushing but its not. Just like what you've seen in comic. The most interesting one and maybe should be questioning after all is the moment after I'm having a picture with them some of Chinese tourist wanna have a picture with me. Yeah, with me? its out of logic hahahahah

The next thing we had was reality that all snacks provided here was not suit our taste nor my appetite at all. But you never knew unless you try!!!

Unfortunately, Fujiyama seems too shy to smile. Even though the weather was pretty damn beautiful, no rain no clouds even the sun shine spreading across the Fuji area, but we can see the top of Fujiyama. There's a myth spread among the Japanese people, that seeing the top of Fujiyama was a symbol of luck. So, we're unlucky then?

From Lake Kawaguchiko to Fujikyu Highland, you need to get back at Kawaguchiko Station and take another Retro Bus. I forgot the number actually, but its quite easy to find out since there's always a small board showing the destination including its respective schedule.

Its evening already when we arrived at Fujikyu Highland while this theme park closed at 5 PM. Actually we only have to try the adrenaline engine here, the most famous "4 king coasters such as Fujiyama, Takabisha, Dodonpa and Eejanaika.  

• Fujiyama 79 metres tall, 130 km/h[1], opened in 1996 and was once the world's tallest roller coaster. As of 2007 it is the world's 8th tallest, 5th longest, and 10th fastest roller coaster.
• Dodonpa, 52 metres tall, 172 km/h[2], opened in 2001 and was once the world's fastest roller coaster. As of 2007 it is the 3rd fastest in the world but still has the highest acceleration at launch time.
• Eejanaika, 76 metres tall, 126 km/h[3], opened in 2006 and is only the second "4th Dimension roller coaster" ever built (the first being X² at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California). As a "4th dimension" roller coaster its seats can rotate 360 degrees forward or backward in a controlled spin, thus allowing Eejanaika to invert 14 different times, even though the actual track inverts only three times. It surpasses the first built "4th dimension" roller coaster, X², in both height and speed.
• Takabisha, opened on 16 July 2011, contains a 121° freefall, as well as seven major twists over 1000 metres of track, and a drop of 43 metres.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji-Q_Highland

Unfortunately, there's 2 coasters that not operate that day, Fujiyama and Eejanaika. Is it related to the Fujiyama myth? The bad luck that following us? I don't think so. Since we only have around 2.5 hours left to enjoy this theme park, its quite reasonable to enjoy only two of these with nothing more to be complained? Takabisha and Dodonpa was quite thrilling enough for some adrenaline junkies like us. Two thumbs up!!!

For entrance fee, there's two type of ticketing rules available. For day pass (you can ride the whole attraction) it cost JPY 5,500. For single entrance it cost only JPY 1,300 but you have to make additional payment for each ride taken. We take the second one since we only have to ride 2 coasters with cost JPY 1,000 each. Total cost only JPY 3,300. We will take day pass if we arrive here earlier, having much time to enjoy this amusement park and of course, taste all the adrenaline engine with no exception.

Who said it was a bad luck. Within the last minutes of our departure on heading back to Tokyo, Shinjuku we just noted that Fujiyama was smiling at the back side of the Fujikyu Station. Just go up at the stairs located in the right side of the station, and there it is. Fujiyama said good bye and smiling to us. What a lucky day!!! its not about the myth actually, but is there anything to be thankful more than reality that we have an opportunity to be here, among others. Be thankful for everything then...

For souvenirs, you may take Fujiyama Cookies (Cookies framed up into mountain Fuji appearance) and Fujiyama mini pillows. Fujiyama cookies counter can be found at the lake kawaguchiko station, but it was sold almost in all souvenirs shop in Fuji area. Its also applied for the pillow.

Notes:

Bus from Shinjuku-Fujikyu : JPY 1,700 (one way)

Retro Bus Kawaguchiko Station - Lake Kawaguchiko : JPY 210 (one way)

Hatchi-Hatchi Ropeway : JPY 700 (one way)

Retro Bus Kawaguchiko Station - Fujikyu Highland : JPY 160 (one way)

Entrance fee Fujikyu Highland: 

 - Daypass : JPY 5,500 (available at counter near entrance door)

 - Single entry : JPY 1,300 (available at counter near entrance door)

 - Coasters : JPY 1,000 each  (bought through vending machine while queueing)

*) All pictures here taken by Fafa, Abang and My BB

Day 3 (part 2) - Yokohama I heart you ^^



Romantic Port of Yokohama - Minatomirai

 Again 17 May 2012

Abandoning Odaiba maybe is not the best choice. But that's what travel meant to be. Sometimes, you can't go the places you want to be, but places that "possible" to be visit within optimum time frame you might have. No need to be insist, instead you have more on anything. More money, more time, more logistic maybe? Simply, more flexibility to adjust your plan. But trust me, adjusting unexpected thing is the most precious thing in travelling. If everything run smoothly, it would be your damn luck then. If not, take it as a gift. That's why at the moment we called it "present".

Yokohama. A small town lies in south of Tokyo. It was capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. Its become of Japan major port, Minato mirai. With a landscape as harbour area, Yokohama lies between a huge port and sub-urban city.

At the first stage, we definitely put our desire as adrenaline junkie to take the "Diving vanish coaster at Cosmoworld-Yokohama. After reading some review over this coaster, seeing video in YouTube we intentionally arrange specific schedule to visit this town. Unfortunately, this theme park was under construction during our visit. What a bad damn coincidence. Maybe it was our fault, since we did not do specific research of the current status and condition of this theme park prior to our visit.

See, too excited over something again... lead you to the "unexpected" moment.

Near to the Cosmoworld, there's Cup Noodle Museum. Name told you everything, yeah...it was museum used to exhibit the process, evolution and some Cup Noodle Product plus merchandise. This museum frame up as huge building with simple design. We did not officially enter this museum since its almost 5  PM already. Museum soon will be closed. But, outer from the ticket counter there's souvenir shop that still open. So, we only have our time for a short sightseeing and seeking a proper place for Shalat. Lucky us, the staff give us opportunity to take a picture with the museum mascot. Say Sushiiii............


Ticket counter



White board



Cup Noodles Mascot, By Fafa

 Luckily, Emy has arranged such a rendezvous with her old friend from Indonesia that currently stay in Yokohama. She lead us to enjoy the first acceptable cuisine (for myself) during our trip in Japan, yups Surabaya Resto ^^



Inside Surabaya Resto By Fafa

 Time flies away, we have enjoy our time by sightseeing Yokohama port at night. The weather is a bit cold with huge winds blowing away as compliment. We take a short walk back to the Sakuragicho station through the bridge that cross along the port. You'll see Cosmoworld and Yokohama port at your right side and Yokohama as modern city in other side.

Put your feet step by step on the wooden bridge with minimum lighting. Feel the fresh air at night (even it Lil bit freezing). And that thing happen. I don't know. Am i overreacting??? But truly, I've fall in love with this city. I told to myself, i will be here again someday.

Don't wanna grieve upon my hysteria, we leave this town after watching one of the best live band performance ever. Yups, there's a live band performance in front of Sakuragicho station. The band give their best performance under the sky hahahah..maybe its called street band or street singer (as we called street dancer). The melody was easily adopted by Indonesian music lover like me, even though i don't know the meaning of each lyrics.

People stop by to watch and support them, give a huge applause and you know i can see the excitement among their face. And the interesting one is those audiences not only comprise of young people aka. student; there's some adults even some men workers just step by and listen. See, under the windy weather enjoying such a stuff give me another description of heaven.  



Cool Band performance, photo by Abang



In front of Sakuragicho Station, Pic by Fafa



So, which of Allah's blessing you will deny??