The Itinerary So Far

Let's see... What's the plan for our 2-weeks' vacation? For this year's trip, it is a bit different for us because a friend of mine will be tagging along.

So far, our itinerary looks like this:

Day 1 - Asakusa 
Arrive Narita Airport at 7.00am, get our JR East Pass and head to Asakusa.
We'll spend the nights in a hotel in Asakusa whenever we are in Tokyo.

Day 2 - Disneysea
Awhole day of fun fun fun!

Day 3 - Tazawako
A day trip.
Our initial plan to spend the night at Tsurunoyu Onsen had to be scrapped due to a change of travel date and we were unable to secure the room we wanted on the new date. :(
We are also thinking of going to a matsuri in Morioka that evening, if the time permits. If we do, we'll only be able to check-in at 12.00am that night!

Day 4 - Kagaya Orchard, Akita 
for some fruit picking trip instead of picking up those fruits at the nearby supa!
* Budo, nashi and ringo to pick!

Day 5 - Yokohama
And a  visit to Bandai Namco Wonderpark. Maybe a meet up with a friend there too...

Day 6 - Odaiba/Ginza

Day 7 - Harajuku/Shibuya 
 and the surrounding area. A visit to Yoyogi Park, maybe?

Day 8 - Asakusa
Maybe check out Akihabara, Ueno or something.
Make sure my friend buys everything she wants to before going back to Malaysia the day after.

Day 9 - Sendai/Matsushima 
Send off my friend to the airport and off we go to Sendai and maybe a trip to Matsushima Bay.

Day 10 - Nagano
A stop at Karuizawa for a spot of shopping is an option

Day 11 - Atami

Day 12 - Asakusa
 last day of shopping for us!

Day 13 - Head home. 

Of course, our plan is always susceptible to change. And I look forward to meeting a few people there too.

So, stay tuned and read where we end up to in Japan!


*Japanese lesson for today:
Budo - grapes
Nashi - pears
Ringo - apples

Selca Moments

No, I'm not talking about a place in Croatia but rather a term coined by South Korean netizens. Selca is a combination of two English words together, self and capture.

For those who visited this blog often, you  should've realize that I'm not much into this "selca" shots. ^-^

I found this hilarious Samsung ad at youtube :

Many bloggers got this selca-ing thing down pat. For me, I'll just settle taking candid photos of my hubby and son. I'm not that photogenic anyway. XD

How about you?

Game Cards Mania - Data Carddass Style

One of the nonsense we allow Raimie to splurge each month is buying Japanese magazines which is either the Terebi-Kun or the Terebi-Mag. And he has started collecting Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and of course Ultraman carddass that he got as free gifts from these two magazines.

A surefire way to make kids want to buy these magazines and subsequently buy whatever toys they are promoting in their current issues - give out freebies! Come to think of it, the Kamen Rider series and the Ultra Series, (or whatever tokukatsu* series from the Land of the Rising Sun) it's like watching an extended ad for their toys and merchandises anyway!

For your info, Carddass is the Bandai subsidiary responsible for releasing game cards based on popular Bandai franchises. This includes games such as the Gundam War Collectible Card Game based on the metaseries, as well as a Gash Bell (Zatch Bell!) TCG, Naruto CCG, Rangers Strike (Super Sentai Series, Kamen Rider Series, Metal Hero Series), Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ultra Galaxy Daikaijyu Battle (Ultra Series) and most recently their most sucsessful to date, the Battle Spirits Trading Card Game.

Raimie can't wait to go to Japan and play the arcade games either  Ultraman's Daikaiju Battle RR and Kamen Rider 's Ganbaride. Japan game arcade centres : here we come! Bye-bye all our 100yen coins! *^_^*

p.s.*Tokukatsu is not to be mistaken as Tonkatsu, OK?

Tokukatsu : is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects(tokusatsu literally translates as "special filming" in Japanese).

Tonkatsu: is a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet, one to two centimeters thick and sliced into bite-sized pieces, generally served with shredded cabbage and/or miso soup.

That children, concludes our Japanese lesson for today. XD

Study Time For Mommy!

Less than one month till our vacation to Japan and I really, really need to refresh and familiarise myself towards the Japanese language again.

Admittedly I don't really know much, and what I depend on is the survival phrases and for that JapanesePod101 came handy with their Survival Phrase segment.

It's been a year since I listened to any of their podcasts (because I was too pre-occupied with all things Koreans this year) and it is high time I start listening again. Zaini and I have different roles when vacationing. He is the navigator and the planner. I am the talker. Need to ask for direction? Then that's my job.

And there's one more reason why I should better comprehend the language. I don't know why but when we were in Japan, I always get stopped by Japanese women and girls asking for directions, take their photos or whatever. There was one time, an old lady asked for the direction of a hotel  in Kinshicho and luckily, we were going the same way so we took her along with us. Walking towards the hotel, she just kept talking in Japanese to me and I just kept nodding! LOL

Uniqlo Hits Malaysian Shores

Good news to Uniqlo lovers in Malaysia (and to me! Yeay!)

Uniqlo's first store in Malaysia, the Fahrenheit 88 Store, will open this November in Bukit Bintang and the large, 2,140-sqm Fahrenheit 88 Store will fully convey the appeal of the Uniqlo brand. 

For those not in the know, Uniqlo has 800 stores in Japan, with other outlets in Asia including China (47 stores), Hong Kong (12), South Korea (46), Singapore (3).

I am a big fan of this store. A visit to one of their outlets on our visits to Japan is a must. Actually, this is the only store in Japan that I can find pants that fit me nicely. My favourite pants is the one I bought at Uniqlo in Kobe for just 3,990yen way back in 2008 and I still wear them now. 

Welcome Uniqlo!

Applying A Visa To Japan

It's less of a hassle trying top re-mortgage my house than getting a visa to Japan. o.O

I guess it's our fault the visa process is getting harder and harder. Who asked us Malaysians to "jump aeroplane" to Japan anyway? :(

Anyhoo, these are the documents needed for a visa application:

1. Original passport

2. One (1) visa application form

3. One (1) photo (4.5cm x 4.5cm) with white background which is taken within 6 month from the visa application and must be pasted on the application form

4. Itinerary in Japan and for transit purpose, copy of visa to the main destination (USA, CANADA, etc)

5. Employment certificate stating your position, department in the company and length of service(using the company letterhead)

*If you are a sole proprietor/partner/owner of the company, you need to submit a copy of your business registration

*For those who are not working: a self explanatory letter stating how expenses will be borne, name and relationship of person(s) accompanying (if any)

6. Personal savings, latest current account statement, fixed deposit, Tabung Haji or Amanah Saham Berhad (ASB) (original certified true copy by the bank) (need to show the applicant’s name as the account owner, account number and current balance)

7. Copy of marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (children) to show proof of relationship between the main applicant and the person(s) accompanying

NOTES

1. Please arrange all the documents according to the sequence. Documents submitted will not be returned.

2. All photocopies must be on A4 size paper.

3. Collection of passport will be three (3) working days for Malaysian (subject to approval).

*THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS OR CALL THE APPLICANT FOR AN INTERVIEW*

For those planning to visit Japan, make sure you have at least RM6,000.00 in your bank account in order to be granted a visa! Children are also not exempted from this so if you are planning to bring your child there, make sure you have enough $$$ in your bank account to cover for yourself and children.

My New Toy : A Sony NEX-5

Look what I got for myself last week.

A Sony NEX-5 camera!

I've been researching for a new camera for a while now, and although I was more inclined to get a DSLR (either a Nikon or Canon), I chickened-out and opted for a more beginner friendly camera. I've always have a soft spot for Sony products anyway.

The NEX-5, along with NEX-3 is Sony’s first mirrorless interchangeable-lens system camera featuring a 14.2 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, 25-point contrast-detect autofocus system, 49-segment exposure meter and 3-inch tilting LCD panel with 921,000-dot resolution.

I'm still a noob in terms of photography but I rather like this camera. Of course, a shift from always owning the smallest Point and Shoot camera Sony has to offer all this while to a NEX-5 take a bit of getting use to. I mean, I used to be able to store my camera in my jeans pocket! Although I am mighty glad I got this rather light camera. After one hour having it dangling from my neck, I was glad to tuck it away in my bag. LOL

I don't have much time playing with it yet, but I do hope to be familiar with all the function in this camera by the time we fly off to Japan. I want to take decent photos duirng our vacation. ^-^

Side-effects from owning this camera : my wallet is now empty! Huhuhu

Unagi Treat At Sushi King

Another visit to Sushi King for us last week. It's funny that we've pretty much avoided coming to Sushi King or any other kaiten-zushi place after our holiday to Japan last year but now that our trip is looming, we've been eating Japanese food again at regular basis.

Raimie wanted to go to Sushi King so that's why we went there again. Between McD and Sushi King, I guess it is better for us to head to Sushi King anyway. Apart from the food, I don't have to contend with moronic staff at McD! That and the fact I've accumulated quite a lot of Smart Cash Rebates in my UOB credit card (all those sushi bought for the office's farewell party helped).

What do you eat in Summer? Unagi of course! And that is the promotion currently on offer at Sushi King.

Both Zaini and I chose the Unagi bento set at RM19.90 per set. I had trouble finishing my bento!

Raimie opted to eat from the revolving belt instead of getting a set meal. His fave : unagi and chuka iidako. He ate those and this sausage sushi too.

1 more month before our trip to Japan and I can't wait to eat Japanese food all day for two weeks! :)

The Countdown Begins!

The Fastest Route To/From Narita

Such a cool looking train, don't you agree?

The new Skyliner Airport Express connects Nippori station and Narita Airport Terminal 2 in a minimum of 36 minutes, zipping along a new access route at 160 km/h top speed. Whoa! I guess I won't have enough time to catch up on my sleep if I use this train.

The 2,400yen fare one way is a bit steep to us. We actually preferred to use the much cheaper Keisei Limited Express Train at just 1,000yen per way (a 70 minutes ride) although last year, we opted to take the Narita Express (N'EX) because of its Suica & N'EX package which made taking the N'EX quite an affordable option. And we can still use our Suica card this year because the card only becomes void if not used within 10 years.

We'll see if we have excess money at the end of our vacation, then we can probably get on this train. Zaini is a train nut, and I know he wouldn't want a chance to ride this train at least once! And take lots of photos of the exterior and interior of the train.

There are a myriad of options for transportation to/from Narita Airport. For more info, check out Japan Guide.

Discover Tokyo, Japan At Just RM1,515.00

Anyone looking for a good deal for airfares to Tokyo? JAL has come out with another great deal for travel between  Aug-Nov and Jan 2011.

Not as cheap as the fares available earlier in the year, but this is much cheaper than what MAS or SQ is offering now.

The fare is only limited to Tokyo and there's no child fare offered, but  it's still a good deal.

For those interested in this fare, here's the T&C:

• Fare includes airfare, surcharges & taxes.
• All Reservation must be confirmed.
• Subject to seat availability.
• No waiting list.
• Reservation & ticketing only available at travel agent in Malaysia.
• Ticket must be issued 3 days after reservation and within booking & ticketing period.
• Date change is not permitted.
• Minimum stay 3 days. Maximum stays 14 days.
• Economy fare applicable for Kuala Lumpur - Tokyo - Kuala Lumpur Route. (JL724 / 723) Same fare applicable for departure from Penang. (without stopover in Kuala Lumpur)
• Other Japan domestic sector available through oneworld YOKOSO / Visit Japan fare or applicable domestic fares.
• Endorsement / Re-routing not permitted.
• No refund. No cancellation after issued of ticket.
• Child applies same fare as adult.
• JMB upgrade, JAL family service & unaccompanied minor service are not eligible.
• 50% of sector mileage accrual. Other terms & conditions apply.

Japan, see you in September.

p.s. Zaini and I'll will be celebrating our birthdays in the Land of the Rising Sun again this year. :)

Discover Your Seoul At Just RM99!

Booking starts 4 Aug 2010 (0000hrs, GMT +8)
	Kuala Lumpur Seoul (South Korea)   New Daily Flight   All-In-Fare from RM one way 99

I wish I have "kaki" to go to Seoul. Zaini still pretty much uninterested in going to Korea, even with a super cheap fare going on sale by Air Asia X this Wednesday. RM99 one way fare to Seoul. Who can beat that?

Now, if only there are cheap flights to Japan. The three of us would probably start spending all four seasons a year in Japan! 

Sushi And Durian

Do these two make a good combination? To us, they certainly did!

After visiting the Taman Warisan Pertanian and waiting for the durian vendors at the Agro Bazaar to arrive, we decided to take a short drive and have lunch at Alamanda. With the majority voting for lunch at Sushi King, how can we say no?

Sushi King at Alamanda.

The clan.

While the rest chose to pick stuff from the revolving belt, Zaini and I went for the set option. I had gyudon set and Zaini went for the hokke set.

I have low expectation of the food but was pleasantly surprised with the gyudon. It was actually quite good. I complained about Sushi-Zen not using proper rice for their unaju if you remember, and Sushi King at least used calrose rice.

My must have - gari.Heaps and heaps of them.

And after finishing up my bowl of gyudon, I ate some seasoned tako.

Everyone had their fill of kaiten-zushi, so it was time to head back to Taman Warisan Pertanian;

to end a good meal, we had some D24 durian feast. Yummy!