15TH – 21ST JANUARY 2017

A STROLL BETWEEN CONCRETE JUNGLE & NATURE

_______________________________________________

⭕ OVERVIEW OF THE TRIP // SELF-ARRANGEMENT

OVERALL BUDGET: RM3500 (Inclusive flights, hotels, transportation and expenses)

FLIGHT TICKET: AIR ASIA RM1003 / (20KG Check in luggage shared among 2 persons)

AIRBNB FOR 7D6N: RM1314 / RM657 per person @ [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10612578?eluid=1&euid=d7a1cb56-2d31-814e-0349-75d43085a61c]

POCKET WIFI: RM120 / RM60 per person / RM15 per day [https://www.travelrecommends.com/]

PASMO (TOUCHNGO):500YEN AS DEPOSIT, can be used to access any trainline & buses.

FOOD: food is not the main priority in this trip so if you are looking for a food trip, you probably can skip this. LOL

VISITED AREAS: Prioritize in architecture. We skip parks, historical museums, shrines and palaces.

⭕ If you are visiting only in within Tokyo and involve lot of Tokyo Metro usage, you may consider to get this ⭕Tokyo Pass ⭕instead. Reason why we never use this tokyo pass is we travel quite often out from tokyo thus it is not worth for us to get it.

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html

⭕ NOTE:

- To ensure your bankcard can be used internationally for emergency

- To bring extra cashes for emergency 💸💸💸

- If you intentionally want to share 20kg among two persons, bring hand carry luggage for used clothes and check in luggage can be used to keep the souvenirs bought during the trip (Save weight tips) 💸

- 📶 Unlimited Pocket Wifi is really useful to check subway line from time to time, good battery life span too.

- 🔋 Ensure powerbank is fully charged everyday for pocket wifi and your phone

- Install Word Lens to ease the translation

http://www.techradar.com/news/google-word-lens-ar-app-now-translates-japanese

_______________________________________________

👟ARRIVAL DAY >> 15TH JANUARY 2017 [SUNDAY]

10.30PM: 🚇 Arrival at Tokyo Haneda Airport-Shinagawa Station (Keikyu Kuko Line)

🚇 Shinagawa Station - Shibuya Station(Yamanote JR Line)

🚇 Shibuya Station - Ikejiri Ohashi Station (Tokyo Den-entoshi Line) [710YEN]

Ikejiri Ohashi Station - AirBnB House (650m / 8 mins walk)

🛏️ ADD: 703 Mena-House 2-37-14 Ikejiri Setagaya Tokyo

12.30AM: CHECK IN-UNPACK

12.45AM: Supper at 誠屋 池尻店 Mokotoya Ramen Restaurant , Friend Gyoza is the boom

🎟️ Get Ghibli Museum Tickets @ Lawson (5min walk) / ⭕ There’s a vending machine to buy event/museum tickets in the convenience stores. (Lawson / 7-E) 😭 sadly we couldnt get it because the ticket is sold out on the week we are in japan so Ghibli Museum is out of itinerary.

_______________________________________________

👟 1ST DAY >> 16TH JANUARY 2017 [MONDAY]

6.15AM: AWAKE

7.15AM: 🐟 Tsukiji Fish Market

🚇 Ikejiri Ohashi Station - Ginza Station (Tokyu Den-entoshi Line) [330YEN]

7.45AM: Arrival of Tsukiji Fish Market (Breakfast) [🍢 Skewers : 200YEN, Big Scallop 1000YEN *WORTH*)

8.45AM: 🏢 Asakusa Tourism Centre

🚇 Ginza Station-Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) [200YEN]

9.00AM: Arrival of Asakusa Tourism Centre // You can visit the free observation deck on the highest floor of tourism centre, to catch a glimpse of Tokyo Skytree

10.00AM: ⛩️ Sensoji Temple [100YEN for Fortune Paper] + 🍜 Lunch time [1058YEN]

1.30PM: 🏢 To Sunnyhill at Minami https\://goo.gl/maps/A5HscGZsMpT2

🚇Asakusa Station- Omote-Sando Station (Ginza Line) [240YEN]

2.30PM: 🍵 Teatime at Sunnyhill @ Minami // They serve free pineapple tart and refillable tea

3.15PM: 🏢 10min walk to The National Art Centre Tokyo in Roppongi // passby Nezu Museum by Kengo Kuma (closed on Monday) & Prada Store

3.30PM: Arrival of The National Art Centre

// free entrance to lobby, Kimi-no-nowa Anime Scene

4.10PM: 🏢 15min walk to Tokyo City View ; catch the golden hour and nightfall of Tokyo

// 1200YEN : ENTRANCE + SKY ILLUMINATION DISPLAY (ends on Jan 29th) // ⭕ 500YEN EXTRA: SKY DECK ACCESS (Just like KL Helipad, depends on wind situation of the day, It was closed on the day we visited due to strong wind. [http://www.roppongihills.com/observatory/]

6.30PM: 🌯 DINNER [Crepes ; 500YEN]

7.00PM: 🗼Tokyo Tower (Night View)

🚇 Roppongi Station-Kamiyacho Station (Hibiya Line) [170YEN]

7.20PM: Tokyo Tower

8.20PM: 5min walk to Zojoji Temple (another view point of Tokyo Tower)

8.45PM: LATE DINNER @ 🍔 MCD [828YEN // 2 burgers, 1 set and 1 alacarte]

9.30PM: BACK HOME

🚇 Daimon Station-Aoyama-Itchome Station (Oedo Line)

🚇 Aoyama-Itchome Station-Ikeijiri Ohashi Station (Hanzomon Line) [410YEN]

10.15PM: GET NEXT DAY BREAKFAST FROM 7E [120YEN 🍙 Onigiris]

⭕ NOTE: Reason to go Tokyo City View over Tokyo Skytree & Tokyo Tower: Tokyo Skytree highest observation deck is closed and we are only allowed to access the midpoint only. Higher the observation deck better the view.

Tokyo City View: 360 views of Tokyo with Tokyo Tower in it. *SUPERB

Tokyo Skytree: More expensive (4000YEN) compared to Tokyo City View (1200YEN STUDENT PRICE) and highest observation deck is closed. http://www.tokyo-skytreetown.jp/english/

Tokyo Tower: View is limited, surrounded with skyscrappers around.

⭕ BEST TIME TO VISIT OBSERVATION DECK: 4.30pm onward as the sunset happens early in Tokyo. The transition of golden hour to nightfall of cityscape is amazing.

_______________________________________________

👟2ND DAY >> 17TH JANUARY 2017 [TUESDAY]

KAWAGOE DAY TRIP // LITTLE EDO TOWN

Sort of like Malacca & Georgetown Historical Town

6.00AM: AWAKE

7.00AM: 🚇 Ikejiri Ohashi Station-Shibuya Station (Tokyu Den-entoshi Line)

🚇 Shibuya Station-Kawagoe Station (Fukutoshin Line > Tobu-Tojo Line, same vehicle) [720YEN]

8.15AM: 30min walk to Kawagoe OldTown (a long shopping street from station to oldtown)

8.45AM: Arrival of OldTown (Free & Easy)

⭕ Kawagoe is famous with its sweet potatoes. Food to try in Kawagoe:

1) 🍦 Matcha Ice-Cream < only 50cones available per day> [400YEN]

2) 🥔 Potato-Redbean Imokoi Mochi [360YEN]

3) 🍦 Yam Ice-Cream [300YEN]

4) 🍜Yam Cold Udon (Purple udon) [750YEN]

⭕ PLACES TO VISIT:

-🏢 Kurazukuri Zone (OldTown)

-🏢 Toki no Kane (Tower Bell)

-🏢Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Lane)

-⛩️ Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

// River behind Hikawa Shrine: Sakura Season Sightseeing Spot

Link to refer: http://www.adaymag.com/2016/11/19/kawagoe.html

http\://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/

MAP to refer: http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/map/map.pdf

4.30PM: Shinjuku

🚇 Kawagoe Station-Ikebukuro Station (Tobu-Tojo Line)

🚇 Ikebukuro Station-Shinjuku Station (JR Saikyo Line) [630YEN]

5.15PM: Arrival to Shinjuku, stroll around for Smile Terrace Illumination (only until February 14th)

Look for West Exit from Shinjuku Station to search for the illumination event.

Reference Link:

[https://www.japaholic.com/tw/article/travel/342770/?utm_source=facebook.com_excitataiwan&utm_medium=social]

6.30PM: Back to AirBnB

🚇 Shinjuku Station-Shibuya Station (JR Yamanote Line)

🚇 Shibuya Station- Ikejiri Ohashi Station (Tokyu Den-entoshi Line) [290YEN]

7.30PM: DINNER [500YEN]

8.30PM: 7E [100YEN Next day Breakfast] BACK HOME (Rest early for next day Disneysea)

_______________________________________________

👟 3RD DAY >> 18TH JANUARY 2017 [WEDNESDAY]

DISNEYSEA TRIP

< photos taken with SJ5000 >

6.00AM: AWAKE

6.45AM: DISNEYSEA

🚇 Ikejiri Ohashi Station-Nagatacho Station (Tokyu-Den-entoshi Line)

🚇 Nagatacho Station- Shin-Kiba Station (Yurakucho Line)

🚇 Shin-Kiba Station-Maihama Station (JR Keiyu Line) [530YEN]

8.00AM: ARRIVAL

3mins walk to 🚇 Resort Gateway Station-Tokyo Disneysea Station [260YEN] // Can be paid with PASMO Card, or collect special design of Disney Train Tickets

8.30AM/9.00AM: OPENING OF DISNEYSEA GATE // ⭕ Better to wait 1 hour/ 2 hours in advance in order to get into front line.

// ⭕ To check opening time of each day: http://info.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/calendar/201701.html#20170126

// ⭕ To check crowd percentage of each day: http\://tdrnavi.jp/forecast/disneysea?lang=en

⭕ MUST TRY-RIDE:

1) Toy Story Mania (GET THIS FASTPASS FIRST once you enter Disneysea) (FP)

2) Tower of Terror (FP)

3) Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull (FP)

4) Raging Spirit (360 degree Roller Coaster) (FP)

5) Sindbad's Storybook Voyage

6) Journey to the Centre of the Earth (FP)

⭕ MUST WATCH SHOW:

1) BIG BAND BEAT

(You can win the fastpass through lottery, but if you couldn’t get it, you can line up for the show 1 hour in advance *WORTH*)

2) King Triton Concert *WORTH*

3) Fantasmic (LAST SHOW OF THE DAY, *WORTH*) 8.25PM

⭕ NOTE: To know which rides you want to go to, get the Fastpass through the Fastpass Machine in order to reduce the waiting time for a ride. Time is given in Fastpass tickets and you can go for the ride in within the time limit. You cannot get two fastpass for two rides at the same time. The machine can detect the barcode from your ticket and would not Distribute the fast pass to you. Fastpass can be considered as *cut queue ticket*. Once you done with the fast pass for a ride, you can go to another fastpass machine to get another ride’s fastpass ticket.

[http\://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/help/tds_fastpass.html]

⭕ MEALS WE HAD:

-🍦 Potato Churros [380YEN] (nope, dont buy it haha)

-🍛 LUNCH AT Yucatan Base Camp Grill (Lost River Delta) [1580 SET]

-🍿 POPCORN [310YEN]

-🍮THREE LITTLE MEN ALIEN MOCHI from Mamma Biscottis Bakery (Mediterranean Harbor) [400YEN] (YES BUY THIS)

Refer to the map: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdr/about/pdf/EN_TDS_map.pdf

⭕ You can get Disneysea Ticket In advance through online: https://reserve.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/ticket/list/?parkTicketSalesForm=1&useDateFrom=20170126

9.30PM: BACKHOME

10.30PM: 7E To Grab Supper / Cup Noodle : [130YEN] BREAKFAST NEXT DAY: ONIGIRI [90YEN]

_______________________________________________

👟 4TH DAY >> 19TH JANUARY 2017 [THURSDAY]

HAKONE TRIP & MT.FUJI DAY TRIP

6.15AM: AWAKE

7.15AM: To Shinjuku Station to get ⭕ Hakone Freepass [5140YEN] *WORTH*

⭕ NOTE: Hakone Freepass included all the transportation fees thru-back & in within Hakone Area

🚇 Ikejiri Ohashi Station-Shibuya Station (Tokyu Denentoshi Line)

🚇 Shibuya Station-Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) [290YEN]

⭕ More info about Hakone FreePass refer this: http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

8.00AM: TO HAKONE

🚇Shinjuku Station - Shinagawa Station (JR Yamanote Line)

🚇Shinagawa Station - Odawara Station (JR Tokaido Line)

🚇 Odawara Station - Hakone Yumoto Station (Hakonetozan Line) [Covered by Hakone Freepass]

⭕ TRIP WITHIN HAKONE CAN REFER THIS : http://www.odakyu.jp/english/destination/hakone/

10.00AM: 40mins bus ride To Hakone-Jinja Shrine @ Lake Ashi

🚇Hokane Tozan Bus [Covered by Hakone Freepass]

11.00AM: Arrival to Hakone Jinja Shrine, stroll around and get 🍙 early lunch at 7E

Onigiri+Mochi Icecream+Black sesame Dorayaki (only in Hakone) [295YEN]

1.20PM: 🚇 Hakone Sightseeing Cruise from Motohakone-ko to Togendai-Ko (Pirate Ship) [Covered by Hakone Freepass]

// ⭕ Able to see front Hakone Jinja Shrine Front view and Mount Fuji Snow Cap

2.00PM: 🚇Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani *WORTH* [Covered by Hakone Freepass] // ⭕ Able to view Mount Fuji

2.20PM: Arrival of Owakudani

⭕ NOTE: An area around crater created during last eruption of Mount Hakone, Still an active volcanic zone with sulfurous fumes (smelly white clouds) and also good views of Mount Fuji.

⭕ FOOD TO TRY:

🥚 Black Eggs > Cooked in natural hot water, shells turns blackened by sulphur.

5 eggs [500YEN]

3.30PM: HEAD BACK TO HAKONE-YUMOTO

🚇Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus : to Sounzan Station (close at 4pm)

🚇Hakone Tozan Cable Car : Souzan Station-Gora Station

🚇Hakone Tozan Train: Gora Station - Hakone Yumoto [Covered by Hakone Freepass]

4.45PM: Back to Tokyo

🚇Hakone Yumoto Station-Odawara Station (Hakonetozen Line)

🚇Odawara Station- Shinjuku Station (Odakyu Line) [Covered by Hakone Freepass]

6.45PM: To 🏢 Archi Depot

🚇Shinjuku Station-Osaki Station (JR Yamanote Line)

🚇Osaki Station-Tennozu Isle Station (Rinkai Line) [400YEN]

7.15PM: 🏢 Arrival to Archi Depot Musuem [ENTRANCE FEE: 1000YEN] (Closed on Monday, Last admission at 8PM)

9.00PM: Back

🚇Tennozulu Isle Station-Shibuya Station (Rinkai Line - JR Saikyo Line)

🚇Shibuya Station - Ikejiri Ohashi Station (Tokyu Denentoshi Line) [560YEN]

9.40PM: 7E To get Late Dinner [290YEN Cup Noodle + Japanese Onsen Tamago]

_______________________________________________

👟5TH DAY >> 20TH JANUARY 2017 [FRIDAY]

7.45AM: AWAKE

8.45AM: SHIBUYA

🚇Ikejiri Ohashi Station- Shibuya Station (Tokyu Denentoshi Line) [[130YEN]

9.00AM: Shibuya - Hachiko Statue

Breakfast @ Shibuya (🍛 Gyoza + Pork Bowl Rice) [315YEN]

10.20AM: 🏢 House NA (Sou Fujimoto) https\://goo.gl/maps/r2Gu5be2cS62

🚇Shibuya Station-Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)

🚇Shinjuku Station-Koenji Station (JR Chuo Line) [170YEN]

10.50AM: Arrival of House NA

11.20AM: To 🏢 Tokyo Apartment (Sou Fujimoto) https://goo.gl/maps/nKNrZFY1qoE2

6min walk to 🚇 ( 高円寺駅北口 Bus Stop) from Koenjiminami-4 Chome 王７８ to Kaminonebashi) [220YEN]

12.10PM : To 🏢 St.Mary Cathedral Tokyo (Kenzo Tange) https://goo.gl/maps/uPsjVxTZTb22

14mins walk to 🚇 Kotake Mukaihara Station- Gokokuji Station (Yurakucho Line) [170YEN]

12.50PM: Arrival to St.Mary Cathedral Tokyo

1.30PM: To Ginza

13min walk to 🚇 Edogawabashi Staion-Ginza Itchome Station (Yurakucho Line) [200YEN]

2.00PM: Arrival at Ginza Station

🍛 LUNCH AT 7E *Guan Dong Zhu [270YEN for two person]

⭕ MODERN ARCHITECTURAL WALK IN GINZA:

6min walk to 🏢 Tokyo International Forum

7min walk to🏢 Maison Hermes Ginza (Renzo Piano)

8min walk to 🏢Nicholas G Hayek Centre (Shigeru Ban)

3min walk to 🏢 De Beer Ginza

7min walk to 🏢Ginza Kabukiza (Kengo Kuma)

8min walk to 🏢Nakagin Capsule Tower (Kiso Kurokawa // postwar Metabolist Movement)

9min walk to 🏢Louis Vuitton

20min walk to 🏢Tokyo Station OR 🚇 Ginza Station- Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Line) [170YEN]

5.00PM: Arrival at Tokyo Station

⭕ Fruit Parlor Kajitsuen in Tokyo Station *WORTH*

http://www.timeout.com/tokyo/restaurants/kajitsuen-tokyo

⭕ NOTE: They have the best and sweetest strawberry cake ever. MUST TRY [1200YEN]

6.00P: 7min walk to 🚇 Otemachi Station-Kiyosumishirakawa Station (Hanzomon Line) [170YEN]

6.20PM: Arrival of Kiyosumishirakawa Station

⭕ Cheap & Nice Guan Dong Zhu & Drinks @ 串かつ　くし家　清澄白河店江東区清澄3-4-16　パークサイド清澄第２ビル ,

1min walk from A3 Exit

⭕ Due to its full house, venue changed to 🍜 Yamagoya Ramen Restaurant [1000YEN]

9.30PM: 🚇 Kiyosumishirakawa Station-Ikejiri Station (Hanzomon Line) [330YEN]

10.00PM: BACK HOME [PACK]

_______________________________________________

👟 6TH DAY >> 21TH JANUARY 2017 [SATURDAY]

7.30AM: AWAKE

8.15AM: To Shibuya to ⭕ drop luggage at locker [600YEN for big locker]

🚇Ikejiri Ohashi Station-Shibuya Station(Tokyu Denentoshi Line) [170YEN]

8.30AM To Kawasaki

🚇Shibuya Station-Shinagawa Station (JR Yamanote Line)

🚇Shinagawa Station- Kawasaki Station (JR Tokaido Line) [310YEN]

9.15AM: Breakfast in Atre Kawasaki (Shopping Mall) Melon Bun [200YEN]

9.45AM: 👾 Anata No Warehouse// open at 9AM // 10min walk from Kawasaki Station ⭕ [Arcade Centre design inspired by HongKong Kowloon Area] ⭕ Free entrance, no entry below 18years old. Commonly each game starts with 100YEN

Reference Link: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/anata-no-warehouse

11.45AM: 10mins walk to Lunch @Ichiran Ramen [790YEN]

1.00PM: Back to Shibuya

🚇Kawasaki Station-Shinagawa Station (JR Tokaido Line)

🚇Shinagawa Station-Shibuya Station(JR Yamanote Line) [310YEN]

1.30PM: Arrival at Shibuya // Shopping at Shibuya

4.30PM: Dinner @ 🍣 Genki Sushi [790YEN]

https://tokyocheapo.com/food-and-drink/genki-sushi-fresh-cheap-and-in-english/

5.45PM: Collect Luggage from Locker

🚇Shibuya Station-Shinagawa Station (JR Yamanote Line)

🚇Shinagawa Station-Haneda Airport International Terminal (Keikyu Line) [580YEN]

6.20PM: Arrival at Haneda Airport, Sayonara!

_______________________________________________

⭕ This trip is more toward ✔️️architecture, ✔️️leisure and ✔️️nature visit in and out of Tokyo area. Lot of walking involved in this trip thus you have to prepare yourself physically and mentally with all the walking for 7 days. Last 2 days were rather chill because we met up our friend and spend lesser time to walk our own. :)

⭕We travel out from Tokyo quite often thus we spent more on transportation, and we are not really particular with the food so we decide what we eat on spot and go for it commonly. If you plan to have real good food in Japan, MUST bring more money. (pls huehue)

Feel free to ask for more info!

⭕ This is the google doc for the full itinerary.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZSdiBGVcTyV1QGxEAqIwPkhCdChFZit-mEpa761xbpw/edit?usp=sharing

⭕If you are asking what gadget Im using to take photos...

📷 Canon 5DM3 + Sigma 35 1.4 & SJ5000 (use in Disneysea)

35mm is enough for me actually so if you ask me what are the extra lens to bring, probably you could bring a wider lens for landscape shooting. :) or a zoom lens to shoot Mt.Fuji if you are up to Hakone and Owakudani! We end up selfie alot since we weren't dare to ask people to help us take photo haha. 📷📷📷

⭕External Link to refer:

Kawagoe Food: http://jpninfo.com/51276

Tokyo Metro Map: http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/pdf/routemap_en.pdf

Yokocho Alley in Tokyo: https://www.picrumb.com/sightseeing/yokocho-alleys/

Architecture: https://thetokyofiles.com/2015/02/03/the-top-10-buildings-in-tokyo/

Architecture: http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/attractions/attraction/art.html

Famous Tokyo Residential Architecture Map: http\://www.alatown.com/map-tokyo-residential-architecture/

Best Shibuya Crossing Viewpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukFNwzMgThM

Archi-Depot Website: http://archi-depot.com/en/visit

✔️️Feel free to share this album out or save it for your future travel plan if you plan to visit the concrete jungle of Tokyo and outskirt of Tokyo as daytrip! :)

Photograph: Jessielyee.

#jesjastraveltotokyo

#onigirilife

#cupnoodlelife

-----

Thanks to our travel expert, Jessie Lyee, for sharing their wonderful journey. If you love travelling, continue reading this and follow in our expert's footsteps!

**Pictures are not arranged according to order.