Wandering Fel

Showing posts with label Shinjuku. Show all posts

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Airport Limousine Bus to Haneda Airport

If you are looking for a convenient and yet, affordable, way of transportation between Shinjuku and Haneda Airport, you may want to check out the airport limousine bus provided by www.limousinebus.co.jp. They offer a lot of picking up points in Shinjuku (complete list here). We chose the one nearest to our hotel, Shinjuku Station West Exit.

The reason of why we chose to go to the Shinjuku Station West Exit is because the ticket counter for the airport limousine is situated right opposite the picking up location. In order to avoid disappointment, we bought our tickets the day before. We did not have to pay when we made our reservation but we need to reserve the pick up timing. The ticket costs JPY 1,230.

Airport Limousine Bus from Shinjuku to Haneda Airport Ticket

Once the bus has arrived, you need to show the airport limousine ticket to the driver. The driver will then help you to keep your luggage at the luggage compartment under the bus. He will give you a ticket with number for baggage collection. Once he has done keeping all the luggages, he will then collect the payment from you and you can board the bus. The travel time between Shinjuku Station and Haneda Airport is more or less 30 minutes.

Baggage Tag for Airport Limousine from Shinjuku to Haneda Airport

Welcome to Haneda Airport. We were pretty much tired and felt a bit sad when we reached Haneda Airport because that means we were leaving Japan in a bit. But nonetheless, we were pretty relieved that we managed to reach the airport and settle the check-in without any hassle.

But wait, don't go pass the immigration just yet because there are chocolates waiting for you to buy. Japanese airports are the best places to buy Japanese chocolates like Royce and Kitkat since there is no GST charged here. Yeah!

Royce chocolates at Haneda Airport Japan

The variety of Kitkat sold at Haneda Airport is pretty huge. The rum and raisin taste so yummy. Do note that the flavour offered here may change time to time depends on the season.

Assorted Japanese Kitkat in Haneda Airport Japan

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Ramen Vending Machine and McDonalds in Japan

Japan in famous for its vending machine and you will see a huge varieties of items sold by Japanese vending machines from the normal drinks, chocolates and chips, socks, cigarettes to ramen. Yes, you can order ramen via vending machine. If you can't speak Japanese, ordering a ramen via vending machine is the best way because you just need to select the kind of ramen that you wish to eat, make payment, take the order slip and bring it to the counter.

The buttons on the vending machine has number which corresponds to the dishes displayed in the display cabinet. All of those food look good, really.

After we had fun ordering the ramen, we saw a McDonalds nearby our hotel and my friend feels like trying Japanese fast food because it may be different. Agreeing to her request, we made our way to McD and oh wow, if Japanese McD gives out this kind of toys, I would end up buying Happy Meal everyday. The Doraemon toys are so cute.

I ordered Ebi-Fillet-O, which is pretty similar to Fillet-o-Fish but they use fried shrimp patty instead of fish.

Nom nom nom, happy eating!

Ebi-fillet-o McDonalds in Shinjuku Japan

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Hokuo Bakery, Shinjuku

One thing that makes me enjoying my stay in Japan is the unlimited choices of bakeries. There are so many Japanese bakeries and most of them are not that big in sizes and situated near major train stations. However, these Japanese bakeries sell a lot of variety of Japanese breads and patisseries. In a way, it kinda reminds me of the anime, Yakitate Japan. Hahaha.

This time, my choice fell on Hokuo Bakery which is situated at Shinjuku Station.

Hokuo is apparently a Scandinavian bakery and it provides a lot of European breads.

Hokuo, a Scandinavian Bakery in Shinjuku Japan

However, Hokuo also provides my favourite bread, Melon Pan. There are two varieties of the melon pan. One is plain (which I think is the original melon pan) while the other is mixed with chocolate chip.

Melon Pan at Hokuo Bakery Shinjuku Japan

There are other Japanese favorite buns too like the fried curry bun and the maple bread. If you come during spring, some of these bakeries serve limited edition bread like sakura matcha bread.

I stick to my original melon pan and yum, it is really good.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Make Your Own Okonomiyaki at Shinjuku, Tokyo

If you go to Japan, you must give an okonomiyaki (re: Japanese pancake) a try. It's not only because it is delicious, but you will enjoy a unique experience in an okonomiyaki restaurant in Japan. We randomly spotted one at Shinjuku Station.

We were quite surprised when we saw that we have to make our own okonomiyaki. To be honest with you, we don't really cook back at home. My landlord has a no-cooking policy for all her tenants so yeah, no cooking for me at all in Singapore.

Instruction is provided for reference. It comes with picture too.

Cook your own okonomiyaki instruction in Japan

However, looking at our amazement (and confusion), the waitress immediately came to our rescue and helped us cooking the okonomiyaki while my friend immediately went into recording mode. Hahaha. I guess basically, you have to fry the cabbages + bacon first. Then, you have to mix the rest of the ingredients with the egg, whip it fast and pour all of them onto the frying platform.

Cooking okonomiyaki in Shinjuku Tokyo Japan

Cover the whole thing until the okonomiyaki's color changes.

Into this nice brown color. And flip to the other side and repeat the same procedure.

Japanese savoury pancake okonomiyaki Shinjuku Japan

After both sides of the okonomiyaki is properly cooked, it is time to do some decoration. At least we can do this part without a lot of help from the waitress. All you have to do is to take the mayonaisse bottle and do a zigzag spray. In addition, do the same with the Japanese sauce. Last but not least, put a lot of bonito flakes and the greenish leaves (coriander? not very sure though). Voila, our okonomiyaki is done.

Ready to eat okonomiyaki in Shinjuku Tokyo Japan

We also order a portion of yakisoba (re: Japanese fried noodle) which do not need participation from us whatsoever in preparation. Hahaha.

The yakisoba is so so but the okonomiyaki is pretty tasty. Do give them a try when you are staying near Shinjuku station. After all, not everywhere you can cook your own okonomiyaki.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Shinjuku Late Night Foodie Adventure

At our last night in Shinjuku, we decided to stroll around the food market located below Odakyu and just grab whatever we could feel like eating before we came back to our hotel. After all, it will be a pity if we don't try anything from this neat and exciting food market below Japanese department store.

Finally we saw yakitori (re: Japanese meat skewers). Since we are a fan of Tori Q in Singapore, we have to try the original yakitori in Japan. So we bought a few pieces of these meat skewers.

Japanese yakitori at Odakyu Food Fare Shinjuku

You have to buy Haagen Dazs ice cream when you are in Japan because they always have limited edition flavor which you seldom see in other countries. We sae a blueberry cheesecake ice cream and Opera ice cream. How cool are these flavours?

My dinner started by devouring the blueberry cheesecake Haagen Dazs. Shape-wise, it looks pretty similar to Magnum but taste wise, it is so good and crunchy too. I took a bite of the Opera ice cream from my friend's and it is also quite yummy.

Blueberry cheesecake Haagen Dazs ice cream in Tokyo Japan

We bought a few breads too because we are a fan of Japanese bakery. They always manage to look so good and taste the same at the same time. The first one is strawberry cream filled bun.

Strawberry cream filled bun in Tokyo Japan

While the second one is my all-time-favourite, melon bun!

Not forgetting to stash some snacks. I freaking love galbo and they have the mini size which is good for travelling. The crackers beside are quite nice to nibble when you are bored. I first found them in Taiwan and realised they are actually imported from Japan.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Soup Stock Tokyo, Shinjuku

When you travel to Tokyo, there may be those days when you try to fit every activity in one day and you only have time to have your dinner late at night. The good thing about staying in Shinjuku area is...there are still a lot of food places which are opened for business till late. During out night food hunt, we stumbled into this cute donut store.

The donuts are so popular, we could only get our the pink donuts. I nearly did not have the heart to eat them, really. Hahaha.

Donuts alone would not be able to satisfy my need for food. So, we explored further deep in Shinjuku Station and we found Soup Stock Tokyo at one corner of the station. We have Soup Stock Tokyo too in Singapore but I have not had the chance to try it yet.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Soup Stock Tokyo, Shinjuku

Anyway since the restaurant is originated from Japan, why don't we just try it here? Hehe. There are so many interesting flavor to pick from.

At the end I chose Hokkaido Cod Cream Stew because it looks so good. The server offers to add nori to the soup and yeah, why not? The nori goes well with the cream stew. I basically love all cream soup so the Hokkaido Cod Cream Stew is not an exception.

Hokkaido Cod Cream Stew at Shinjuku Tokyo Japan

You can go for a combo of drinks and soup at 830 Japanese Yen which I think it's considerably pretty good deal compared to those food they sell in restaurants in Tokyo. You can choose iced chocolate too for the drink.

Soup and Drink Set at Soup Stock Tokyo Japan

Suddenly I am a fan of Soup Stock Tokyo. I hope the one in Singapore is as good as the original one in Tokyo.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

If you would like to view Tokyo from the top without spending any yen, you can consider including Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Before you ask me if I am joking, let me share with you the fact that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is often visited by tourists for its free observation decks. Yep, it is free.

The tall building has two towers and each tower has its own observatory. When the weather is clear, you can see Mt Fuji, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Dome from the observatories.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku Japan

Before we entered the building, we a sculpture of doves at the semi-circular plaza. The sculpture is named "An Appeal for Peace". The sculpture was given by the Citizens of Tokyo in 1995.

An Appeal for Peace sculpture at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

If you come later during the night, you can only go to the North observatory and see the night view of Tokyo. If you come during the day, you can visit both North and South observatories. This is the view from the South observatory.

View from North observatory of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Bright afternoon in Tokyo that day. I guess it is better to visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in the morning or evening because it was too bright to see outside around 3PM. XD

View from Tokyo Metropolitan Governmental Building

How to go to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building:

The building can be reached in a ten minute walk from the west exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Spring at Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo

If you walk deeper into the garden, there is a glass house inside Shinjuku Gyoen. The garden houses cactuses and a lotus pond. It kinda gives the same vibe as the Flower Dome that we have in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. There is no additional fee charged for the entry to the glass house in Shinjuku Gyoen.

Shinjuku Gyoen is really really big. There are a lot of variety of trees which you can find inside the garden. For instance, there is this interesting tree which has flowers hanging like some kind of beans.

Green Tree at Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo Japan

In spring, Shinjuku Gyoen is a popular spot for hanami (re: picnic while viewing the cherry blossom trees). Do note that alcohol is restricted inside the garden. The security guard will check your bag and ask you to open your bottled water to smell it (just in case someone bring vodka instead of water).

What I love the most about the cherry blossom tree in Shinjuku Gyoen is some of the branches hanged low enough for me to take picture with.

This is definitely my favourite shot of the cherry blossom in Shinjuku Gyoen. White and pink cherry blossom standing next to each other. So much love!

Best Cherry Blossom View at Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo

Since we had taken closer look at the white cherry blossom trees in the earlier post, let's stand under the pink one this time.

Pink cherry blossom tree at Shinjuku Gyoen Japan

It is simply beautiful. <3

If you visit Japan in spring, it is a must to visit Shinjuku Gyoen. Don't miss it.

10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo

Shinjuku Gyoen is my 2nd most favourite cherry blossom spot in Japan. Nakameguro is the first in my list for its beautiful cherry blossom spot. As Shinjuku Gyoen is located near to my accommodation in Tokyo, JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku, we visited the park on the last day of our stay there.

One major difference between Shinjuku Gyoen and other parks in Tokyo such as Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park is that visitors are required to pay admission fees (200 JPY for adults, 50 JPY for children) to enter Shinjuku Gyoen.

Another main difference is that there is a rule restricting visitors from bringing alcoholic beverages into the park. I don't mind this kind of rule as there is a strong alcohol smell in the air at both Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park. I prefer inhaling fresh air to air filled with booze's smell when I enjoy looking at those pretty cherry blossom flowers, thank you very much.

Our admission ticket comes with a barcode which will be scanned by the security staff standing guard at the park entrance. Your bag will be checked for any alcoholic beverages so don't even try to sneak even a bottle inside.

Admission Ticket to Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo Japan

On the last day of our trip, the sakura flowers have fully bloomed in Tokyo. At last, we were able to see sakura at its full glory (am I being too much? Hahaha). Shinjuku Gyoen is filled with so many people, especially families, that morning.

Cherry Blossom season at Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo Japan

Once again, we were lured by another white sakura tree.

Sakura Tree at Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo Japan

Sakura flowers in full bloom. Aren't they pretty? Sakura does not last very long especially when it is raining a lot. Better enjoy it as soon as it has bloomed.

White sakura flowers at Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo Japan

Shinjuku Gyoen opens daily (except for Mondays) from 9AM to 4.30PM (last entry is 4PM). If you visit Shinjuku Gyoen during the cherry blossom season (late March to late April) and the Chrysanthemum Exhibition (first half of November), Shinjuku Gyoen opens every day.

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