Tokyo - 1 Japanese Inn, 1 Capsules, 1 Hostel, 1 AirBnB & 5 Hotels I Stayed Before

What a long title. Plan to simplify it but it seems like plain boring. 

Searching for accommodations can be pretty tedious, especially when Tokyo has been labelled to be one of the most expensive cities and to keep within budget it's not an easy task. For this scenario, I always set a price range between RM200-300 per night for a hotel room of two. Before one proceed to book any sleeping accommodations, here are few tips I would like to share:

• Get to know the area you plan to stay cause Tokyo's main attractions are scattered around. Much of the Tokyo's budget stay including hostels can be found in the Taito area, especially Asakusa and Ueno. Taito area is not a bad idea to save your cost but bear in mind, in order to get to more popular areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku might takes 40 minutes to an hour by train. 
• The most cheapest option of course would be the capsule hotels but do take note, majority of them cater for male guest only. There are few can accommodate for female guests but quite limited. 
• Search for more affordable local chain hotels like APA, Sunroute, Smile, Tokyu Stay, Toyoko Inn and more. The rooms are usually tiny and cramped, but most of them are conveniently situated near to stations. 

That's all for my sharing. Now it's time to check out the kind of sleeping accommodations I stayed before. To date, I've stayed and experienced 9 different type of sleeping accommodations throughout my 6 trips to Tokyo. And normally I don't book the same accommodation when going back to the same country/city, unless that particular stay creates the best, a pleasant and unforgettable one.

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Top 5 Things to DO or SEE in Osaka

Small Note: I'm back from my almost 2 weeks hiatus mode. Done with my exam and now I can start blogging. Yipee!

Since AirAsia X has just commenced their new route to Osaka, Japan end of last November, I really felt wanna go again after saw the promotion price for less than RM650 for the return flight. It is damn freaking cheap, seriously. Since ever my maiden visit in Autumn 2010, I really wish go and revisit Japan again especially Osaka, as it is also the main getaway to Kyoto, Nara and even Kobe.

Hence, I decided to resume my blog by starting my humble sharing of the top 5 things to Do or See in Osaka, based on my own personal experience:

1. Osaka Castle

Known as Osaka-jo in Japanese language, this is another classic style of the Japanese castle. Osaka Castle is Osaka's famous landmark and even it is notable to be the symbol of the city with its 500-years incredible history. The castle even features museum where you can see historical artifact. The most recommended season to visit will definitely during the spring season as the castle will be surrounding with magnificent sakura blossom bloom, which usually takes place in early of April.

Opening hours: 9:00 am - 5.00 pm
Admission: 600 yen
How to get there: The closest JR station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokeo on the JR Loop Line.

 
2. Umeda Sky Building  
Stands upon 173 meter tall, Umeda Sky Building is the most amazing piece of architecture featuring two 40-storey towers in the district of Osaka. The two main towers are connected with each other by The Floating Garden, a rooftop observatory on the 39th floor. However, too bad this place is not recommended for those who afraid of height because during getting to the top, you will experience see-through glassed-in escalator for the final five floor storeys.

The open air observatory offers a great and spectacular night view of Osaka City.

Opening hours: 10:00 am - 10.30 pm (entrance until 10:00 pm)
Admission: 700 yen
How to get there: 10 minutes on foot from JR Osaka Station or Hankyu Umeda Station.

3. Shinsaibashi Shopping

Shopping from head to toe, shopping till you'll drop will be the most probably especially to the ladies that it is hardly to avoid when visiting this shopping haven in Osaka. Shinsaibashi Shopping Center is the largest shopping area in Osaka which extends up to 580 meters in a north-south direction and approximately 180 stores including old-established shops, department stores, and those selling major brand products such as Shiseido and Kose which stand next to each other. One unique and vibrant shopping experience shouldn't to be miss.

  4. Dontobori

Another Osaka's most famous tourist spot, Dotonbori is the most happening and liveliest area when the day turns to night. This single street runs through the Dotonbori canal is packed with many restaurants and become the main destination for both domestic and foreign tourists for a food hunt in Osaka. What Dotonbori amazed me was the hundreds of colourful neon lights and advertisement signboards brighten up the street during the night time, including the famous Glico Running Man sign and Giant Crawling Crab sign.

5. Okonomiyaki & Takoyaki

Just like Tokyo is famous for sushi, Osaka is non-exemption for that too. A must try Osaka's famous local delicacies, Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) which to be known as "Osaka Soul Food" and Takoyaki (octopus ball) when visiting the city of Japan's spiritual heartland. These two dishes are belief originated from Osaka and being popularised by a street vendor sinceafter.

So, interested going to Osaka, Japan and wanna experience all the above?

Frankly speaking, even myself would definitely love to make another revisit again to cover some other area which I miss out during my first visit including;

Universal Studio Osaka, the first theme park located outside USA

Source

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest public aquarium in the world

Source

Till then, sayonara and hopes you guys enjoy reading of my this small lil sharing!

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7 Days of Wonderful Winter Taiwan Trip Itinerary (2010)

Finally, my Taiwan travelogue come to an end.

Here is the compilation of my 2010 Taiwan trips which I went during X'mas with my family:

Day 1 (20 December 2010)
- First Day Arrived in Taiwan

Day 2 (21 December 2010)
- Window of China Theme Park - Part I: Miniature World
- Window of China Theme Park - Part II: Doraemon Park- Second Day in Taiwan: Tangerine & Orange Farm, Fengjia Night Market

Day 3 (22 December 2010)
- Fo Guang Shan Monastery
- Mei Non Hakka Village
- Third Day in Taiwan: Dream Mall, Shinkuchan Night Market & Kaohsiung's famous Beef Noodle

Day 4 (23 December 2010)
- Lotus Lake: Dragon and Tiger Tower & Spring and Autumn Pagodas
- Teresa Teng Memorial Museum
- Former British Consulate Residence, Love River & Liouho Night Market
Day 5 (24 December 2010)
- Sun Moon Lake & Wen Wu Temple of Taichung
- Chung Tai Chan Monastery- Taiwan Day 5: Museum of Taiwai Hinoki and Taichung Night Market
Day 6 (25 December 2010)
- 3 Historical & Cultural Heritage of Taipei City
- Floral World at Taipei Flora Expo 2010
- Taiwan Day 6: Ximending

Day 7 (26 December 2010)
- It's Time To Say Goodbye, Taiwan: Taiyuan International Airport

Extra features:
1) Taiwan's 7-Eleven
2) Taiwan's Night Markets & Food
3) Spotted Betel Nut Beauty
4) It's My Haul from Taiwan
5) Nasty Souvenirs from Taiwan

Honestly speaking, I really do love to make another trip to Taiwan again because I much prefer to do a backpacking trip rather than joined travel agency. *keeping my fingers cross*

Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoy reading my Taiwan travelogue and hopefully it would help for those who plan for a trip to Taiwan.

Hope you guys enjoy ur weekend and without realise, today is another remarkable day 20.11.2011. Have an awesome day everyone! Till then, wait for my 2011 trip around Shenzen, China; Seoul & Jeju Island, Korea and Singapore too.

Small Note: Too busy with my revision currently. But I really love to spare some time on blogging. Addicted to blogging. OMG!

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Nasty Souvenirs from Taiwan

Before I move on, I would like stress here that my post is not about those yellow minded things but it's a kinda sharing in case you run out of idea of what to buy when you plan to have a trip to Taiwan. Sharing is caring, right?

Still remember my post of It's My Haul from Taiwan? If not, it's OK cause I guess this post will be much more interesting than knowing all the details of what I bought back all the way from Taiwan.

Spot any things that fishy and catchy? Perhaps on the left hand side?



For those who has eye sight problem, here is the enlarge photo

OK, I know they do looks naught and nasty but they really caught my attention while I was venture around the candy shop to buy some sweetie candy for my friends as a gift, especially this one...

"Choco is better than sex"

You couldn't believe that I was attracted to the words on the box itself apparently and plan to buy for my crazy dearest best buddies. At first, I thought it was a normal choclate bar but not until I look into the content inside the box, my jaw almost dropping to the floor...

Look, is condom, I means chocolate but it really looks alike condom. I'm not kid. Even my bro who sat next to me while I was open this box inside the bus, asking me why did I bought this kind of thing? Seriously, he thought I bought a real condom. =_="

How about the other 2 boxes?

I think you guys can guess it by now of what's the content looks like



A dark chocolate "dick" and a white chocolate "boobs"

I much more prefer the apparent of the "boobs"

Believe me, this would be the perfect gift especially for your friends. Yes, it do really looks a bit nasty and naughty but all my friends especially my ex-colleagues keep persuade me to give to them whereas I only give limited to few of my ex-colleagues. So, next time when you make a trip to Taiwan, don't forget to make a visit to Sophisca - a candy shop which selling those above.


Small note to Lady G: You are a good observer and have a good eye sight.

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It's My Haul From Taiwan

Done with my Taiwan travelogue, now it's the time for me do a lil bit of "show off" what had I bought during my trip in Taiwan.

Some of the items in Taiwan is consider to be quite cheap and it is worthwhile to buy as compare during my trip to Japan. Most of my friends who went Taiwan especially ladies really had the craziest shopping experience, where going to Taiwan bringing just a small little tiny bag but came back with 2 big luggages.

But that's not so ME! Most of the time when I travel, I prefer to buy some unique foods that is not available in Malaysia.

Taiwan Mochi - I prefer those fruits mochi.

Seriously, this is the most delicious pineapple soft cookies I ever had. I almost finished up all the 3 boxes by myself. Gosh! I miss the taste of it now.

Peanut milk candy and it is so hard.

Taiwan famous sausage. I only happens to found these two in Taoyuan International Airport. A perfect gift for my dad because when comes to travelling, I really have no any idea what to buy for my dad, so most probably foods will be the best choice for him.

Sweets and candy - Requested from boyfie.

This is my favourite too - Biscuit stick and some tit bits which I know seriously, it is not good for health.

Chocolate and candy from Sophisca. A perfect choice for your friends (Will blog about this in later post)

Doraemon biscuit sticks from Window on China Theme Park, Taiwan.

See, I'd told you that I more interested with foods.

Hair accessories from night market. I lost one of it during my Korea trip. SAD!!!

1. Wallet cost NT$100 (approx. RM10) from night market in Taichung.
2. Polka dot umbrella (recently addicted to those things in polka dot) which is really high tech. You just press the button and the umbrella will automatically open but only last for 9 months.
3. Earphone from Ximending cost NT$75 for each
4. Taiwan's famous mask - Beauty Diaries which bought from 7-Eleven. My girlfriends told me that this brand of mask selling in Taiwan is extremely cheaper than Malaysia but I just bought 2 packs. Some more, 1 pack contains 2 masks only. =_=

Bought a few pieces of clothes. Because the time I went is winter season, so 99% of the clothes are in long sleeve. Not really prefer long sleeve because can't wear in Malaysia.

Finally, my travel collection - keychain & fridge magnets. If I didn't bought it, I will feel like I never visit that country/city.

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It's Time To Say Goodbye, Taiwan!

Finally, it comes to the end. Gosh! Initially, I thought that my Taiwan post will only be around like 7-8 posts but ends up to almost 20 posts. What to do? If I choose to cramp everything in few post, there will be a consequences where I might end up got nothing to update for my blog. Therefore, I prefer to divide into few post and by doing that too, I can even share more photo!

Now, let's back to the topic. On the final day, we woke up as early in the morning to catch our flight around 10 am. At least 3 hours required in order to check in for international flight and the journey from our hotel to Taoyuan International Airport was almost 1 hour. Oh my! I was damn sleepy while doing my last minute packing.

There even a flora exhibition in the airport.

Although Taoyuan International Airport being listed as Taiwan's largest airport, I don't think it is bigger enough if compare to Osaka International Airport, Japan and Hong Kong International Airport. Guess you can cover almost all the area in less than an hour.

In order to kill the time because we reached too early, my bros and I plan to do last visit of Taiwan's 7-Eleven. I really kind adored most of East Asia's 7-Eleven except for the outlet located in China. Sometimes, it makes you wander around this small tiny little shop for hundred times. Unlike the Malaysia one, Taiwan's 7-Eleven got so many things to see and buy especially when comes to their foods and beverages. My two lil bros almost visited all the 7-Eleven they came across.

Onigiri taste so much better than Malaysia one.

Spotted #1: Taipei International Flora Expo iconic - so cute and I love the purple one.

Spotted #2: A damn tall Christmas tree

Spotted #3: A 6 feet tall Gundam. Anyone love Gundam? My bros are huge fans of Gundam.

It's the time to bid goodbye to Taiwan and luckily by the time that the plane to take-off, the rain stopped. Before this, it was rain cats and dogs for almost 2 days once we reached Taipei. The journey from Taipei, Taiwan to Kota Kinabalu took almost 3 hours and eveytime when I on board, I would specifically request for window seat. The reason why is because of this especially going back Kota Kinabalu on the day time.

Aerial view of Kota Kinabalu - What a wonderful city! Don't you think so?

And if you happen to notice my blog header, yes! This is the photo I used for the background.

So, that's the final epic of my Taiwan travelogue. Guess most of you also bored with my same old travel tales. Ok, now it comes to the end by the way. Anyway, I would like to thanks for those who drop by and most importantly thanks so much for those who continuously leave by a comment or two. Seriously, I am so touching. Might some gift for you all at the end of the year (you know who you are).

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Taiwan Day 6

Date of Visited: 25th December 2010

My never ending Taiwan tales almost comes to the end on the 6th day because on the 7th day, we gonna depart back to Kota Kinabalu in the early morning. Now, let's recap my 6th day itinerary in the big city of Taiwan, Taipei.

Kicking our day by visiting the most recommended and famous of the 3 historical and cultural heritage in Taipei; National CKS Memorial Hall, Martyr Shrine Taipei and National Palace Museum. Shouldn't miss out these places if you plan your trip to Taiwan.

By the time we're in Taiwan, the biggest internationally garden festival were still going on and here we are visiting the Taipei International Flora Exposition 2010. My first ever experience to visit the world's international exposition and you know what, its definitely an eye-opening adventure.

While waiting for the other before move on to the next destination, we spotted small Japanese shop but packed with variety of sushi. Most of it cost NT$100 (approximately RM10), how could you won't resist this?

This will be the last and final night market before going back home - Ximending, Taipei. One of the most famous night market and bustling shopping district situated in the heart of Taipei and from what I observed, most those visitors around this area are teenagers. However, based on my own experience and also from my friends too, we agreed to most of the items sold here are quite expensive and not affordable to buy. Recommended you to shop other place before come here for shopping.

End the final night in Taiwan by having supper, SUSHI! My favourite sushi - Inari and Maki, which bought from the shop located outside of the Taipei Flora Expo. Cheap, fresh and taste good! Yummy yummy~

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Floral World at Taipei Flora Explo 2010

Date of Visited: 25th December 2010

I think among all the places that I went around Taiwan (Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung), I guess this is the main highlighted on the trip - Taipei International Flora Expo 2010.

It opened for almost half year, start onwards from 6th November 2010 and run until 25th April 2011. Besides served as the garden festival, the purpose of Taipei International Flora Expo being held is for horticulture exposition. It is Taiwan's first time experience to held this internationally recognised exposition.

We started to venture around the Global Garden Area. Seriously, this exhibition is so massive and need to take a ride on their shuttle bus to visit the other area. So sad that we won't able to cover all the other area within 2 hours.

Now, shall us let the photo do the talking (some I able to identify their country):

#1: Malaysia

Come from Malaysia and visited the Malaysia area. End up with disappointment. They didn't contribute much in order to promote Malaysia's flora.

#2

#3

#4: Palau, not Pulau

#5 Hong Kong

#6 Hawaii

#7

#8

#9 Thailand

#10 Indonesia

#11

#12 Netherlands - I thought they famous with tulip but they use board to display their flowers. Unable to import to Taiwan because the location is too far??

What an unique exhibitions around the world.
So among all the photo above, which you prefer the most?

Without realising, for just 1 area of the exhibition it can consume 1 hour plus. So, my family and I are kinda in hurry in order to cover the most that we can.

The Flower Landscape - They will feature different type of flora in once a month and this time around (December), this area featuring the poinsettias.

Gosh! Don't you think it's awesome and fascinating with all these colourful flowers?

Although I am those type that not really into flowers much except for lily, but this exhibition really impressed me. It was fairly interesting and worth seeing with lot of flowers on display over the vast area of Taipei that the Flora Expo covers. Unfortunate for me was visit this exhibition for less than 2 hours is totally not-so-awesome as there are many things to see and worst case ever was crowded all over the area.

Really wish that I get the chance to visit the other kind of Expo in the nearest time.

P/S - I even missed out the Shanghai Expo which eventually my dad purposely went for that and he told me that it was awesome too.

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