Another Adventurous Autumn Japan Trip 2013 (Sneak Peek)

There's once I posted #throwback photo of my Japan trip and I told my friend that I wish to go back again someday, I never thought after three years later, here I am again going back to the "Land of the Rising Sun".

I found out there is direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Osaka via Malaysia Airlines. Hassle-free from transit to Kuala Lumpur and the airfare is really affordable, so I bought for my mommy as her this year birthday present. 

My initial plan was to do the same route like I did for my maiden trip; Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo but at the end, I changed the plan which was just solely focus on Kansai area as it was one of my travel wishlist.

#1: Long haul flight with Malaysia Airlines to Kansai-Osaka

#2: After 3 years, I never thought I will seeing this signboard again.

#3: Dotonbori for second time just to take photo of this huge & colourful Glico running man in Osaka.

#4: Deer - the messengers of the gods in Nara Park. One of my travel wishlist accomplished.

#5: Whenever I travel, I always love to visit theme park. No exemption for this one as well - Universal Studio Japan.

#6: Himeji Castle - Although it is currently undergoing renovation, but this castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture.

#7: I never seen a real cherry blossom aka sakura in my life but it's hard for me to believe that I able to see it eventhough it is autumn in Japan now.(It's so beautiful I'm gonna die)

#8: Another wishlist accomplished but Kobe seems like nothing for me.

#9: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the biggest aquariums in the world. Again, another wishlist accomplished. 

#10: Once I reach my most favourite city in Japan which is Kyoto, immediately I went Fushimi Inari Shine.

Although I went Japan twice but I still love to come back again and again. This beautiful and amazing country never fail to impress and amaze me in every single little thing - the local was so friendly and helpful, and when come to the foods, my goodness, my saliva almost dripped eventhough but just looking at the display model.

#11: Even Japanese manhole covers are individual masterpieces of the street art. Seriously so beautiful & decorative.

#12: What we had throughout our trip in Japan - ramen, sushi (inari & maki, my favourite), donburi and bento. Oishii!

#13: Even Japanese desserts were so detailed in each and every design - so refreshing kawaii!

If compare between Southeast Asia and East Asia countries, somehow I still prefer to travel the latter one - to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc. I would love to return back to Japan again and this time, my next aim would be Tokyo (for second visit) and Hokkaido! Sayonara!

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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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It's My Haul From Japan!

I know it's kinda a lil' late to post this where I should blog about this once I back from Japan.

Now, tell me who on earth doesn't do any shopping while travelling? Exemption for the guys but for the ladies, till death also I won't believe that you won't shopping or buy some souvenirs for your family, relatives and even friends.

Don't ask me why but I just love to shop souvenirs for my family and friends (closest friends lah). It's just like something I must-do-while-on-travelling those kind things.

Look what I bought all the way from "Land of the Rising Sun".

Make-up, hair accessories, handphone ornament

Japanese handmade pouch

T-shirt for brothers and boyfie, bag for myself, Kose mask and scarf



My haul would not complete without foods >.<


Share a bit on the foods I bought

Kyoto matcha cake - apparently a green tea cake from Kyoto but I purchased from Kansai International Airport when I saw Mei Tzeu blog about this and she said this cake taste nice. Hehehe...

"Kuih-muih" from the shop nearby Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto. The chocolate filling taste nice and my dad finish these 4 packets. :S

Sweet honey butter soft cake from Shinsaibashi, Osaka

Takoyaki and okonomiyaki crackers from Shinsekai, Osaka (Not recommended, not nice one)

Local snacks from Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo.

Tokyo Banana - soft cookies but absolutely taste nice and crispy. From Tokyo Tower.

Tokyo DisneySea merchandise

Once I open this,

my jaw dropping. Full with Mickey Mouse cookies. Nice and tasty.

Spot the last row of lip balm? It's Shiseido's lip balm which won't see this in Malaysia.

Fragrance - Weekend by Burberry is my favourite perfume of all time but unfortunately I find it's difficult to be seen in Malaysia currently. So, saw these in Japan, immediately grab it without thinking the cost. Next to it, it's unfamiliar perfume for me and until now I haven't open it.


If you are Kit-Kat lover, do hunt for their different kind of flavour of Kit-Kat when visiting Japan.

Some are limited and maybe you could only find it in a particular place such as the Blueberry Cheese Cake Flavour where I found it at train station nearby Mount Fuji.

1 box contains 12 small packs of Kit-Kat. Share with among my colleagues.


Finally, my own collection whenever I'm on travelling

Fridge magnet and keychain.

Thank goodness that all of these haul didn't cause my luggage to be overweight. Do you know it is damn costly once you found out your luggage was overweight and sometimes it can cost you up to thousand riggit. My dad experience this before during his honeymoon with my mom in Vietnam and I guess one my friend too.


Will share my haul from Taiwan once I done with the travel tales and stories for that.

Short Note: Again another scheduled post because I'm not around Malaysia at this moment. I'd prepared 4 scheduled post in a day before leaving. Don't know why lately so hardworking in blogging #mosthardworkingbloggers

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Sharing Saturday #02: Japan Plastic Food Displays

Short Note: Actually I am trip-ing around currently and this place located somewhere nearby Japan. ^_^. So here is another scheduled post.


When you come across to any restaurant or cafe that you are not familiar with, how to determine what type of foods are they served? Some of them do printed in a huge poster and display outside their shops and some even put a stand menu for you to browse it. But sometimes I do find it is irritating when the waiting table person come and non-stop persuade you to go dine-in in their restaurant.

Decorated and heavily fancy menus is one of the way of most restaurants around the world can do to let the customers know what they could have, but not for Japan.

The art of displaying the looks alike real foods are so popular throughout Japan and you can see that at most of the restaurant in Japan. (P/S: Currently I do found out minor of Malaysian restaurants do follow Japan's trend.)

Now, let me share with you the photo I took while travelling around Japan last year.

Japan Plastic Food Displays - The Mouth-Watering Fake Foods Model

Japanese lunch set display in Kyoto.

Desserts and crepes in Kyoto.

Even ice-cream also playing role in displaying themselves.

Not forgeting, dim sum and pao too. (A shop located at the train station)

Harajuku street crepes (I guess many of you saw this in KL shopping mall but Harajuku serve more flavours and taste)

All of them looks so tempting and seriously, I almost going into the restaurant after seeing all of these display in window outside their restaurant. Some of them look real, don't you think so?

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