For our first three days, we've had quite enough of Japan's modernity and historical sites.
On our fourth day, it was time to experience Japan's idyllic countryside.
On our fourth day, it was time to experience Japan's idyllic countryside.
We were in a bit of a 'Disney Dilemma' while planning our itinerary: Tokyo Disneyland or Disney Sea? But upon learning that Tokyo Disney Sea is the only Disney Sea in the world, it became a clear choice.
If you are fond of cityscapes and spectacular city views enjoyed from hundreds of meters aboveground and you know that chances of you returning to Japan is slim, you should include Tokyo Skytree in your itinerary and make it one of your priorities, given that it's a one-of-a-kind experience.
Ueno is the most visited park in Tokyo, especially during Spring when it draws thousands of people for the much-awaited Sakura Season.
Asakusa is one of Tokyo's districts where traces of Old Japan is very much alive.
The most popular tourist attraction in the district is the Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple which was completed in 645. However, the current structure is just a reconstruction. Much like any tourist attraction in Japan, the place is easily accessible via train. It's just a few meters away from the Asakusa Station.
March 21, the day of our visit to the temple, was the spring equinox, a holiday in Japan. Hence, the place was jam-packed with tourists. But perhaps the constant movement and incessant bustle added up to the temple's vibrance. Of course, it would have been better if the place was calm and quiet since the essence of visiting a temple is to find inner peace.
The Nakamise Dori serves as the entryway to the temple. It is bounded by the Kaminarimon Gate, the main entrance to Nakamise Dori, and the Hozomon Gate, the entrance to Sensoji Temple itself.
Prior to visiting the temple and in order to see the tourist attractions with a different perspective and less crowd, we dropped by the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, right across the Kaminarimon Gate.
The building is hard to miss due to its architectural design that stands out in the neighborhood. This is where you should first stop over if you need help with your Tokyo Tour. We didn't avail their tourist guidance since we already had our itinerary planned and we wouldn't stay in Tokyo for too long, plus we had friends around that helped us along the way. The tourist center would be of great help if you plan to spend your entire Japan vacation in Tokyo, or intend to stay in Tokyo for at least a week. The staff can speak English and services are offered for free including going up the building's roof deck, which a lot of travel blogs highly recommend.
Going up the roof deck before heading to the temple was a great decision.
The place was not crowded and the views from the top are spectacular.
On one side is the old neighborhood of Asakusa, with a good bird's eye view of the Senso-ji Temple.
On the other side, is the modern district of Sumida, with a picturesque view of famous architectural wonders: Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Building.
Too bad that the angle was incorrect and I was tall enough to block the golden flame/ "golden turd" of the Asahi Beer Building, which really fascinates me.
After taking enough photos, we didn't stay longer at the tourist center. If your timing is right, you can enjoy a free exhibit in the building and if you have plenty of time to stay in Tokyo, perhaps you should also try the restaurant and cafe in the building.
Finally, we went on and explored the temple after being previously discouraged by the huge crowd.
It's hard to take a good photo at the Kaminarimon Gate since this is where tourists flock and take selfies and groupfies. But it's a famous landmark, so you should take a photo no matter what.
Going along with the crowd, it felt like we were marching towards something important.
The Nakamise Dori is not just a street leading to the Sensoji Temple. The place itself is a historical landmark. It is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. Lined with stores on both sides, it is a great venue for buying authentic Japanese souvenirs.
Since we planned to go shopping on our last day of stay in Japan, we didn't drop by the stalls. Looking back, I regret not buying anything.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the place is also quite an attraction at night when the stores finally close down their canvas shutters. Each canvas is painted according to the season.
If you have plenty of time, you should also consider dropping by at night.
The main hall and the Nakamise Dori are the main attractions but actually there's a lot more to explore in Sensoji.
Sensoji is not just limited to these areas. It is actually a complex comprised of multiple halls, wide open spaces, shrines and a five-storied pagoda, which is a marvelous work of art.
It's worth the time to spend half a day at Sensoji in a slow-paced manner and just appreciate Japanese culture and architecture.
More photos of our day in Tokyo here.
More photos of our day in Tokyo here.
A trip to Japan is a trip to an architectural/engineering and cultural haven. The country preserves its cultural heritage as much as it builds its modern environment. And it does both ambitiously- from rebuilding damaged heritage sites based on the original appearance and materials to constructing tall and aesthetically superior skyscrapers in an earthquake-prone region. What else could be a perfect place for the old and new aside from Tokyo? It's an architect's/engineer's paradise, where the juxtaposition of traditional and modern is at its finest.
This got me even more excited for our trip to Tokyo.
We arrived in Tokyo at 5:30 AM (after almost 6 hours of travel time). I immediately opened the window shades and gaped in awe at the beauty of Tokyo in early morning light.
Luckily for us, the overnight bus station is located near the business districts of Ginza and Marunouchi, places which were not included in our itinerary, but we serendipitously had to stop over.
The bus station is located right behind the Tokyo International Forum.
We had to walk from the bus stop to the nearest train station. Our hotel's check-in time was still at 2:00 PM, so while we were still in the Philippines, Luvley already contacted her former officemates and asked if we could leave our things and take a bath at their apartment before going around Tokyo.
We were in a bit of a hurry to meet them but we couldn't help but take tons of photos along the way. It was an opportunity that we just couldn't miss, especially since our vacation was limited. In that moment, everything in our path seemed to be picture-worthy. Even the stark cleanliness was worth documenting.
Upon research, I discovered that the buildings and areas we passed by are actually some of Japan's most loved landmarks.
This is the Tokyo Station. It is a red brick building which originally opened in 1914 but was extensively damaged during the World War II. The structure was renovated in 2012 based on the original design and specifications of Japanese Architect Kingo Tatsuno.
This is the Tokyo Station. It is a red brick building which originally opened in 1914 but was extensively damaged during the World War II. The structure was renovated in 2012 based on the original design and specifications of Japanese Architect Kingo Tatsuno.
This is not just a major transportation hub but also a historical site and prominent landmark in Tokyo.
This park in front of the Tokyo Station leads to the Imperial Palace. If only we had more time, we could have visited the palace and perhaps spotted the emperor and empress of Japan.
The imposing steel and glass structure in the background is known as the Glass Hall of the Tokyo International Forum.
Its appearance, which resembles a hull, was designed by New York Architect Rafael Viñoly. With just two columns supporting the massive steel truss system and glass roof, the building is an architectural and engineering feat.
It was indeed one hell of a photo walk. The Marunouchi District itself is a sight to behold.
Later in the day, we visited Asakusa, Ueno, Tokyo Skytree, and Shibuya
More photos of our arrival at Tokyo here.
After the fun photowalking, we arrived at Otemachi Station, the station and train line identified by Google Maps as the shortest route going to Monzen-Nakacho, where we will meet Luvley's former officemates. Since we planned to go around the city, we bought Pasmo cards. Pasmo is a stored-value card which is accepted by almost all train lines in Tokyo. It's very convenient, especially for tourists since you won't have to keep buying single journey tickets. Plus, it also greatly reduces your use of the train ticket vending machines which can be confusing at times, particularly when you have to transfer from one train line to another.
Finally we arrived at our destination. We were greeted by Luvley's former officemates, Sir Eric and GV, at the exit of Monzen-Nakacho station.
We had to walk from the station to their apartment and it was a different neighborhood all together. In contrast to Marunouchi and Ginza, it was a residential area sprawled with mid-rise buildings with narrow frontage (which is quite typical for residential buildings in Japan due to high cost of real estate).
Incidentally, we saw a temple nestled in the quiet neighborhood. And yes, it was another photo opportunity.
Maybe it's true that you'll always find a temple within your neighborhood in Japan.
Upon arrival at their apartment building, I immediately noticed the needle-like tip of Tokyo Skytree. I got chills seeing it from a distance yet knowing that somehow it was within my reach. Visiting Tokyo Skytree was included in our itinerary and it's a place I've really been wanting to see.
Thank you Sir Eric and Sir GV for the accommodation and even preparing breakfast for us, despite the inconvenience we might have caused by waking you up early in the morning and disrupting your silent sanctuary.
It was a perfect start to a perfect day!
Later in the day, we visited Asakusa, Ueno, Tokyo Skytree, and Shibuya
More photos of our arrival at Tokyo here.
Visa Application
They say that nothing compares to the excitement one feels about an upcoming vacation: Sometimes the level of excitement during the wait is even greater than the excitement during the actual vacation itself.
For us, the excitement began escalating quickly once our visas got approved. Yep, unfortunately for the Philippines, Japan is not a visa-free country. But fret not, visa application is quick and easy through Japan Embassy's accredited/recognized agencies. Personally, we opted for Discovery Tour, Inc. in Makati since they offer a cheaper handling fee compared to other popular agencies: only Php 800/ person. They are also open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Important requirements to prepare are as follows:
1. Visa Application Form (which could be downloaded online or filled out at the agency of your choice)
2. ID photos (with specifications required by the Embassy- photo studios in the Philippines already have packages for this)
3. Income Tax Return
4. NSO birth certificate (should be issued within the same year as the travel date)
5. Itinerary
6. Bank Certificate (this is the "show money" people are speaking of. Agencies recommend at least Php 50,000; you could go higher though this does not guarantee approval. The submitted itinerary, which dictates the estimated total expenses, should be taken into consideration)
7. Passport (with at least two blank pages; better if still valid for about a year)
Other documents to submit for greater chances of approval:
1. Employment Certificate (with annual salary indicated)
2. Approved Leaves (signed by your Immediate Superior/Supervisor at the office)
3. Hotel Bookings (it is recommended that you book a hotel at every destination included in your itinerary; most hotels do not charge cancellation fees until a day before the reserved date)
4. Round-trip Tickets
1. Employment Certificate (with annual salary indicated)
2. Approved Leaves (signed by your Immediate Superior/Supervisor at the office)
3. Hotel Bookings (it is recommended that you book a hotel at every destination included in your itinerary; most hotels do not charge cancellation fees until a day before the reserved date)
4. Round-trip Tickets
Complete list of requirements could also be viewed at the websites of Discovery Tour, Inc. and the Embassy of Japan. We submitted our tourist visa application on January 30, almost two months before our scheduled trip, and got our approved visas just five days after submission. Note: A visa is valid up to three months from the date of approval/issuance.
Our Actual Japan Itinerary (in brief detail):
(Things went slightly different as planned, but overall, we were able to maximize our trip and visit almost all the places we've included in our itinerary)
Day 1: Arrival at Nagoya
Departure to Tokyo via overnight bus
Day 2: Tokyo
(Things went slightly different as planned, but overall, we were able to maximize our trip and visit almost all the places we've included in our itinerary)
Day 1: Arrival at Nagoya
Departure to Tokyo via overnight bus
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 5: Osaka
Universal Studios Japan
Day 6: Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya
Abeno Harukas, Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Sakae, Nagoya
Day 7: Nagoya
Nagoya City Science Museum, Port of Nagoya
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Day 1: Arrival at Nagoya (Chubu Centrair International Airport)
The plane took off from NAIA Terminal 3 at 4:00PM (Philippine Time), 40 minutes later than the scheduled time of departure, yet we still managed to arrive in Japan almost on time at 8:30 PM (Japan Time), just 5 minutes later the the original ETA.
We were greeted by slightly faster walkalators compared to NAIA.
We didn't get to see much of the airport since we arrived at night, but a glimpse of it from the bridge going to the train station hinted that it is an architectural beauty.
One of the most applaudable things about Japan is its efficient transportation. Airports are easily accessible to everyone via public transportation (train). Whereas, public transportation going to the airport in the Philippines is barely an option or perhaps non-existent (Maybe you could ride a bus or a jeepney but private car or taxi is always the best choice).
Train tickets are sold through vending machines (as shown on the left side in the photo below). English menu is available and an info personnel is also stationed at the ticketing machines to guide you in case you need help.
We got a good taste of Japan's expansive and efficient train networks upon arrival at Chubu Centrair. Going to the train station did not require much effort since it was perfectly planned and constructed right next to the airport. We even got to push our cart all the way to the train platform. How awesome is that?
Note: Determining which train line to ride on can be a little confusing in Japan due to their inter-webbed train networks. Google Maps could easily be used for guidance. Train fares and departure times are also given for the recommended train route.
The transportation excellent service though comes with a price. Travelers' sentiments on the Internet about the hefty price tag of transportation in Japan are true. Our destination was Nagoya Station, about a 50-minute train ride from the airport. The train ticket costs 860 Yen. That would be approximately 344 in pesos (you could already ride a taxi or Uber with that price in the Philippines).
Seeing the train's interiors, we could barely complain about the price since the cars look new and well-maintained. There's no fear of the train getting derailed or thrown off the tracks.
And yes, the train arrived and left as scheduled. The Japanese definitely live with the mantra "Time is Gold."
Train stops/stations in Nagoya are announced in Japanese and English, so you don't have to worry about getting past your destination.
We got off at Nagoya Station since we planned to ride the overnight bus going to Tokyo to save up on transportation costs; the Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets cost twice. You can also save on accommodation since riding the bullet train would mean that you would arrive earlier at Tokyo and would require you to stay at a hotel. By riding the overnight bus, you could sleep during the entire trip and arrive in the morning, just in time for your tour around Tokyo.
Overnight Bus ride costs 5150 Yen per person. Bus tickets are highly recommended to be booked in advance to guarantee your seats.
At 9:00PM, Nagoya Station was still pretty busy, packed with well-dressed people, most are adequately covered for the cold weather while others do not seem to mind the biting cold.
(Note: Train operations in Nagoya stop at 12:22AM at the first station/terminal- Hisayaodori- and onwards at the succeeding stations.)
Overnight bus passengers are gathered at the plaza in front of Nagoya Station. The wait was not boring since the area is great for people-watching and is a picturesque modern cityscape, quite reminiscent and a mini version of Tokyo's Shibuya.
Lots of restaurants are near the area, but we didn't have the appetite to eat anything since we were still recovering from the surreal feeling that we were already in Japan after a long wait. We got even more excited.
Coming from the Philippines where the weather is almost always humid, the typical spring weather at 10°C was already a bit of a chill for us. Our jackets didn't do much so we had to open our luggage and don our coats (after taking mandatory selfies and already chilling in the cold).
Finally at 11:30 PM we were asked to board our bus. Our scheduled departure was 11:45 PM. The bus ride was really comfortable. You could take a good rest as advertised. The interior is dimly lit and conducive to sleeping. Two outlets for each chair are provided to power up your devices for the much-awaited tour.
There were at least three short stops for toilet breaks on the way to Tokyo. Vending machines, convenience stores and restaurants are also located at the bus stops/stations.
The Japanese are really fond of vending machines. The cheapest drink, bottled water, costs 100 Yen (approximately 40 pesos). It's more worth the money to buy juice drinks and sodas at 130 Yen and above.
