When I returned from Japan 3 months ago, I knew that it is likely that I will return to Japan again but never did I expect that my next trip would come so soon ^_^
Well, here’s a picture compilation of the exciting things that will happen in a few weeks time!
If.. I manage to cover all the destinations as planned..
1. KIKI & LALA, MY MELODY 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAFE
Available Dates: 4th June to 28th July 2015 (11:00 to 22:30)
I waited so long for this pop-up cafe of little twin stars to reappear again and I’m so thankful that it will be happening during the short window that I will be in Tokyo. Cross fingers that the queue won’t be impossibly long when I’m there!
Img Cr: http://www.tiewyeepoon.com/hot-topics/news/kikilalamelody-cafe/
2. TOKYU HANDS – SHIBUYA
Tokyu Hands is the heaven for everything. From nanoblocks to kitchenware to cute buy useless products to useless things you never knew you would need. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting place to be even though I hope to step out of it empty handed (highly impossible). We shall see..
3. MEIJI SHRINE
I’ve never been to Meiji Shrine.. Hope to visit it this time round. It should be a beautiful walk and I’m praying for good weather – not too strong sun and a lot of wind. Hopefully its a weather good for photo taking but not feel sweaty.
Img Cr: http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1897812_1897772_1897712,00.html
4. CALBEE PLUS – HARAJUKU
Can’t wait to visit this awesome place and eat potato chips with soft serve ice cream. I’ve tried the combination of vanilla ice cream and fries and I think this potato chips version should be tasty too! Gonna try the freshly fried chips too.. This is gonna be a tea time snack for me =D
Img Cr: http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/11425/Calbee-Plus
5. KIDDY LAND
I’m gonna enter this place wishing that I can walk out empty handed. Praying real hard that I’ll be able to see a life-size rilakkuma mascot outside the shop. Schedule can be found here: http://www.san-x.co.jp/blog/store/ and OMG i can’t believe i miss the meet-and-greet by ONE WEEKEND. *sobs*
Img Cr: http://www.whysojapan.com/tag/kiddyland/
6. PENGUIN BAR
Yes. real penguins in a bar and no you are not visiting bird park or a zoo. It is in tokyo itself. Didn’t think that I could visit this place as it would be weird to go alone but thankfully a jap friend is bringing me there and even made reservations for the place ^_^ hope it would be a good experience and that I’ll have useful things to blog about!
Img Cr: http://tokyoing.net/bar-penguins/
7. PIERRE HERME CAFE
Still my favourite macaron brand after all these years. I don’t even bother eating other macaron brands anymore. It’s Pierre Herme or I won’t spend money on it.. No idea if I’ll have time for this on my super tight itinerary but we shall see..
Img Cr: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/masamichi-katayama-wonderwall-archives-exhibition-part-2/
8. AOYAMA FLOWER MARKET TEAHOUSE
Fairytale verdant tea shop. It’s gonna be awesome provided that I don’t get lost while finding this place.
9. SPIRAL BUILDING – SHOP, CAFE
It reminds me of Guggenheim Museum in New York whereby the floors go spiraling up. It looks like a funky designer shop which looks really interesting. Maybe I’ll be able to get something useful.
Img Cr: http://studiomeraz.com/2010/01/11/spiral-gallery-exhibition/
10. MORI ART MUSEUM
Museum on the 54th Storey. How awesome can things get?
11. ICHIRAN / IPPUDO RAMEN
Trying this out to see if there’s any difference with the Singapore’s one.
Img Cr: http://youinjapan.net/eating/ichiran_ramen.php
http://danielfooddiary.com/2014/01/23/ippudotokyo/
Places in Tokyo that I would like to visit but I’m likely to not have time for it..
- Tokyo Skytree
- Shiba Inu Dog which opens the shop window
- Yasukuni Shrine
Alright.. moving on to Hokkaido (7 days)
12. Unkai Terrace (Sea of Clouds)
13. Tancho Crane National Park
Prime Minister LHL just visited this place during his vacation..
Img Cr: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/hokkaido-japan-photojournal-story-raw-075200550.html
14. Lake Akan
We’re visiting this lake.. to see the awesome and cute marimo moss balls?
Img Cr: http://gotojapan.jp/2013/10/07/hokkaidolake-akan-paradise-of-nature/7506
15. Shiretoko National Park – FIVE lakes Hike
Since we are traveling during the summer season which is high season for bear sightings.. it also means that guided tours are compulsory if you want to do the 3km hike route. Booked the guide and its like 5,000Y per pax. Pretty steep but I’m sure it will be worth it!
(If we had more time, I would love to take the cruise at Shiretoko which brings you to the border with Russia..)
Img Cr: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6853.html
16. Mt Asahidake
Img Cr: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6776.html
17. Patchwork Road – biei
So beautiful.. with the mountain as the backdrop and the different crops planted in neat squares. Reminds me of.. those farming games on the phone.
Img Cr: http://www.travel-around-japan.com/k11-72-biei.html
18. Shirogane Blue Lake Blue Pond (青い池, Aoiike)
Hopefully the blue we see will be as turquoise as it can gets!
Img Cr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pokeken/5386653207/sizes/l/in/set-72157625519151868/
19. Roller Coaster Road
Hopefully it will be as exciting as it looks in this photo..
20. Farm Tomita (Lavendar Farm)
Previously visited this farm back in my mid-June 2011 trip to Hokkaido but it wasn’t really in good bloom. Hopefully this time it would be better.
21. Lake Toya
Been there in 2011 but I’m going back again because the view and fireworks were awesome.
Img Cr: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6735.html
*****
Just did my estimated costing for this trip.. It’s gonna exceed my initial budget of $3,000 =(
Air tickets – $699 (JAL to Tokyo) + $244 (ANA domestic to Chitose) = $943
not-so-budget accommodation^ for 8 nights + car rental = $1146
Insurance = $62
Transportation + Food + Attraction prices + Conservative Shopping estimate = $1014
Total = $3,165 (yet to include toll charges)
Sighs.. Can’t believe that I’m gonna spend so much on travel this year.. Oh wells, it will be worth it!
^ will update more when I‘m back but the accommodation experience I’m gonna have would be very different from all of my previous trips..
Wish be good luck =D especially on the exchange rate when I stop procrastinating and visit the money changer with real money instead of fishing around..
Till then~