Unrevealed Trip

Note: Another scheduled post again and this will be my final post for this month!

Exactly 5 months after my Taiwan trip, now I'm on holiday again. Vacation! Travelling! Trip! Whatever you name it but what I know is I am going to shopping like mad but will not make myself shop till drop.

Which country this time around? Hint: I had been to this country before but just different city and I never blog about it.

Make a quick guess which country am I right now

Before signing off, I would like to wish every Sabahan

"Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan".

Tokyo House Ikebukuro

{Note: Air Asia is having BIG SALE currently and the fare is incredible cheap for just as low as RM0.10. Did you manage get the ticket you want? As for me, after trying for 7 hours and 10 minutes, I just managed get 1 while one of my friend within 2 hours after the sales start, he managed to book to 3 places. I wonder how he get through the irritating waiting room}

Tokyo is well-known to be one of the most expensive city and finding an affordable and cheap accomodation is not an easy task. So for those who are going to Tokyo soon after bought the most cheapest ticket I ever knew (imagine just RM330 for return ticket), here I would like to share the place where I stayed during my last year autumn trip to Japan in an affordable price that would not burn a hole in your pocket during your trip there.

Tokyo House Ikebukuro is conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo area, Ikebukuro. Its located 5 minutes from the Ikebukuro Station and if you take the C1 exit of the station, it just take less than 2 minutes walk to this guest house (we only realised about this on the last 2 days of our stay =="). Not to worry about the language barriers as this guest house are managed by the Taiwanese.

There are two types of room;

1) Japanese-Style - 16 japanese-style rooms featuring Japanese tatami and matress. No bathroom or toilet attached but there are 4 separate public bathrooms with shampoo, conditioners and shower gel. It is so damn clean and sometimes I almost fall in love with their toilets. Inside the room, there are heater or air-con, TV, alarm clock, hair dryer and closet.

2) Annex Suites - 6 suites with private bathroom/toilets. There even has a mini living room, refrigerator, water boiler and microwave oven inside the suites.

Nicole and I opt for Japanese-style room to experience the living style of the Japanese.

Cosy and warm room for two guests cost ¥6,000 per night.

Ignore the messy things and bag.

The super duperb clean bathroom.

There's even an open kitchen for you to cook your food and enjoy your meals.

THREE MAIN REASONS I love this guest house are:

1) Free breakfast provided (bread, fruits jam, butter) at 7 a.m. But the lady is so kind when she heard that we are leaving as early as 4.30 to the Tsukiji Fish Market (click here), she prepared and put on the table for us.

2) Free 3 minutes call to call back home - During our 8 days trip in Japan, we were unable to call back home. Don't know what is the problem with Digi and Maxis line (not sure for Celcom). The only way to connect back home is through net. But thanks God! The lady told us that we can use the phone which located at the front desk for free. So, immediately call my mother and told her I am OK.

3) Not only free wireless Internet in the room, but they even allow us to use the Internet PC for free. I almost need to pay ¥50 for the usage of half hour of Internet PC during the stay in J-Hoppers (click here) but luckily I hold on my plan to do so. The reason why I need PC is to transfer all the photo from our camera to the external hardisk which I brought to there. You know how life could be miserable while you are taking photo during travelling and your camera is showing this, "MEMORY FULL"! Gosh.

The free PC which I conquered most of the time.

I'm almost forgot. There are coin-operated washers and dryers available. But the lady (the management of the guest house which I refer to) told us that we could use the washing machine which located at the back of the guest house for free. I guess there are more than three reasons I love this guest house.


Highly recommended guest house for those who travel with budget that comes with good amenities and facilities and great location. There are two 24 hours convenience store such as 7-11 and even McDonald nearby the guest house.

For more details, check their website www.housejp.com.tw/englishindex.htm.

Chatime - Good Tea Good Time?

In Kota Kinabalu, bubble tea is a common beverage to everyone here since the opening of the local pearl milk tea bar called Yoyo Cafe back in the year of 2000. From that onwards, bubble tea cafe is springing up like mushrooms after rain and can been seen anywhere around Kota Kinabalu town.

During my study life of 4 years in Kuala Lumpur, it's hardly for me to hunt any bubble tea or pearl milk tea around Kuala Lumpur. And even if I found it, it only can be seen in a small and tiny stand shop in shopping centre or in night market.

Not until recently I came across of few bloggers who blog about the opening of Taiwan's beverage franchise called Chatime which is famous for its bubble tea. So, I put this on my list as "The Thing I Must Search For" during my short visit to Kuala Lumpur last few days.

So before I'm going to KL, doing some research where can I get a cup of this famous bubble tea around KL city. Thanks God that I can get it either from Times Square or Pavilion as I can only lepak around these 2 places during my 2 days visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Located at Lower Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square.

They even offer variety of Winter Melon Tea.

The signature drinks.

Long list of the beverage products to choose from.

However, when comes to price, honestly to say it is much more expensive compare to Yoyo, Easyway and other bubble tea in KK town area. The price range from RM4.00 and above. Anyway, I was given a choice to choose the level of ice and sugar that I want for my drink; either less or more of ice and sugar.

And I choose Mango Green Tea.
It is so refreshing and rejuvenating especially to cool down my body in the hot hot weather of KL.

Lake Kawaguchi of Mount Fuji

{Note: Actually this is my scheduled post as I am on my way to KL for 2 days to attend one of my coursemate's wedding. Never thought that when I was small, received tons of invitation card to attend for friend's birthday party but now receiving invitation card for friend's wedding party. Oh ya! There is a tremendous changes in my blog. Find out what had I change.}

Without noticing, we were almost closed to the end of our Japan trip. During our second day in Tokyo, we went to one of the infamous Japan's Holy Mountain, Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano is the highest mountain in Japan and its perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone is well-known as Japan's symbol. But do you know where is the best places to view Mount Fuji from a close distance?

As there is no direct access to Mount Fuji by train, the most nearer staging points are either Fujiyoshida or Kawaguchiko. Both of us opt for Kawaguchiko instead.

Food vendor machines are everywhere.

Saw the temperature?

Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest to access and offers more things to see and do among Fuji Five Lakes. The other four lakes are less developed and not as easy to access by public transportation.

However, the mountain is not always visible to view due to the clouds and poor visibility. OK! We are unlucky one to see the world most beautiful mountain and perfectly shaped volcano.

I am dog lover.
If I see dog everytime I'm on going, sure won't miss out any opportunity to snap them.
For example, during my Wales trip, few photo with dogs which I took (click here)

We will come back to visit you again, Mr Fuji!

Anyway, I got myself to grab this - Blueberry Cheese Cake Kit Kat (limited edition).
Only available at Mount Fuji train station.

There are more varieties of Kit Kat in Japan.
Want to know more? Stay tune for my never ever finish Japan post.

[Credit to: Wikipedia, Wikitravel, Japan-Guide]

Shibuya - Another Shopping & Entertainment District of Tokyo

Besides Harajuku (click here), Shibuya is also one of the most colourful and busy district packed with tons of Tokyo youngsters. It's within walking distance from Harajuku but since Nicole and I had the unlimited railway pass, so we utilised it by taking the railway instead of walking.

Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture and it is popular for shopping and entertainment area. Shibuya is famous for its five-way scramble crossing, which just located once you step out from Shibuya Station.

Scramble crossing [Pic credit to Nicole]

Too bad it's raining and we can't find the perfect spot to shoot the perfect pic to explain how is exactly scramble crossing looks like. So credit to google for the pic below.

Over a dozen major of Tokyo large department and fashion stores located at here too.

Seibu, one of the largest department stores

As we moved on, we spotted this:

Disney store.

If you are planning to go Disneyland and in case unable to purchase online, it is advisable to purchase the admission ticket from here. Or else you might regret once you reach Disneyland.

Look! Drop dead gorgeous looking model at the pink lorry.


What Shibuya notable for is Hachiko.

Hachiko Statue

This is one of Tokyo's famous meeting points, which located just outside the station. I guess most of you know what is the story behind Hachiko. But unfortunately for me (NOT AGAIN!!!), I can't found this statue because of the rain. Everyone is holding the umbrella and blocking this statue, I guess!!!


More Japan post to come: Mount Fuji, DisneySea and accomodation I stayed when in Japan.

[Credit to: Wikipedia, Wikitravel, Japan-Guide]