Day 7 In Japan : Nakamise Dori

After visiting the Senso-Ji Temple at night the day before, viewing the temple's lovely illumination, we went back to the temple complex the next day. However, this time we hit the Nakamise-Dori; said to be one of the oldest shopping centers in Japan.

Nakamise is a shopping lane that extends for about 250 meters from Kaminarimon Gate to Hozomon Gate, with stalls selling ningyoyaki (a baked confection with a thin skin filled with a rich bean jam), handmade rice crackers, crafts of Shitamachi old town and other (touristy) souvenirs,

Approaching the Kaminarimon Gate, which is one of the entrance leading to Sensoji Temple (and Nakamise-dori); one can see these rickshaw pullers looking out for potential customers. They are cheerful and energetic bunch. :-)

A shichimi (seven flavour chilli pepper) seller, selling his ware near the Kaminarimon Gate.

Nakamise-Dori on a Sunday. If you hate crowds, avoid this shopping street on weekends and public holidays at all cost. The street will be jam packed with tourists!

Plenty of souvenirs can be found here, even an Obama mask! Truthfully, for me I didn't buy much souvenirs here but we always find time to walk around the area whenever we are holidaying in Tokyo.

A rickshaw puller with his customers. These rickshaw will take you around the area and stopping at choice spots and the pullers will give a detailed explanation about the area. Not too sure whether any of the rickshaw pullers are conversant in English though. 

For me, the rickshaws and the people pulling them are good for the tourism market of the area so I find it disheartening when I heard a disparaging remark from a fellow tourist (who come from similar region as mine) made to his daughter. He was saying stuff like "If you don't study hard, you'll end up like those people and pull  rickshaw" and how those people didn't do much studying at school and nonsense like that. Hello! What's wrong with people earning an honest living and what makes you think you are so good anyway? There's nothing wrong about wanting the best for your child and pushing them so, but does one have to look down on people who chose not to sit in office 9 to 5?

Day 1 in Japan - Tokyo

Oh my aching feet!

Let's see.... When I wrote this post, we just returned from a 13-hour "play time" at DisneySea! For two days in a row, my feet got their serious workout. LOL

We arrived Narita airport safely on Sep 13th, without any delay at 7.00am, after a 7-hour flight. If any of you remember, we were delayed for 3 hours last year!

We took the Keisei Limited Express train from Narita Airport straight to Asakusa Station and it only cost us 1,060yen! Psst... the reason I took this photo of the Keisei train's interior was I want to photograph that guy wearing glasses. He's cute. ^-^

It's super hot here in Tokyo and because of that, I wasn't in the mood to take much photos. After checking-in and leaving our luggages at the hotel, we first head to ROX for some air-conditioning and also to check out the Uniqlo they got there.

Then, off we went to Ueno, walking around Ameyoko for a bit and spent some time looking at toys in Yamashiroya. Raimie was already making noise wanting to go to Yodobashi-Akiba, so off we went to Akihabara next. There, I got myself a camera bag for just 4,480yen to put my new NEX-5 camera and Raimie bought 3 new toys. I would've spent more time looking at camera accessories, and Raimie would've spent more time at the toys section and Zaini would love to camp at the games section, but with the heat and lack of sleep during our flight, we conceded defeat at 3.00pm.

We head back to our hotel and rested until it was time for dinner. Zaini didn't rest much because  he went out to buy our Disneysea tickets because we were going the day after.

Our dinner on our first day was at Yayoi-ken, an affordable place where you can refill your rice for free!

Raimie enjoying the tsukemono

My dinner - grilled saba for 590yen. It came with rice, miso soup and tofu.

Zaini's dinner - shima hokke at just 690yen.

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!

Not Another Pair?

I bought a pair of new boots the other day. My fourth pair of shoes I bought this month. It took me a total of two minutes to decide that I want to buy the pair.

I love boots ever since college days though I graduated from wearing a Doc Mart boots to a more lady-like heeled boots when I started working. My ofiicemates and Zaini always joked that whenever I wear my boots, it'll rain that day! And yeah, it rain so heavily the first time I wear this boot!

I'm envious of the Japanese ladies who get to wear knee-high boots. They sure look so nice in their boots and you see them everywhere in Japan; from teenagers, office ladies to housewives taking their children out. Japanese ladies wear tall boots everywhere - don't the feet ever get tired/painful in those boots?

I practically salivated over those gorgeous leather boots every time we went to Japan. Unfortunately for me, owning one is not practical for me living in Malaysia. Not to mention they'll cause a serious dent to the wallet. Huhuhu

You know, buying shoes in Japan is something I need to get used to. I really am not familiar with staff waiting on their knees holding the shoes for me to try on. That and the fact that I fall under the "L" size category when I went shoe shopping in Japan! My size is 24cm BTW if anyone cares to know. :3

A Day Of Retail Therapy In Karuizawa

After spending a night at Taenoyu Onsen, enjoying the onsen then taking the steam locomotive and being swamped by people in Omotesando, it was time for some retail therapy for us. Armed with our JR East Passes, we took the shinkansen to Karuizawa, about an hour and half from Tokyo.
Me, in front of Karuizawa station before embarking on our retail therapy session. Karuizawa is an upmarket mountain resort at the foot of the active volcano Mount Asama. Apart from the shopping opportunities that we were there for, there are various outdoor activities, such as tennis, hiking, cycling, golfing in summer and skiing and skating in winter that can be enjoyed in Karuizawa.

We spent almost a day just walking from shops to shops. The first shop we went in was Nike Factory Outlet. You bet I acted like a girl in a candy shop here. I simply love my Nike stuff. I'm decked in Nike from top to toe when I hit the gym, after all. Despite my grand intention to do some serious shopping here, I only bought a skirt, a boot and a Nike gym bag. Zaini did more damage to his wallet buying one stuff that wasn't in his shopping list. At the Nike shop, he got himself a new pair of pants. We also bought Giants T-Shirts (got one for Zaini as his birthday present which was on Sep 23rd) at Adidas shop. Went completely ga-ga drooling over designer goods, but luckily I was sane enough to stop myself from going on a mad shopping spree. I was reluctant to even enter the Coach boutique but somehow can't resist after Zaini's prodding. I wish I have more $$$ to spend!!! Zaini spent a bit of time at the BAPE store; trying out stuff, but ended up not buying anything there.

If you are looking for something to eat, you might want to consider this one. A popular ekiben which was first sold in Karuizawa, it is called kamameshi, and are still sold in nearby stations. It contains mountain vegetables and chicken cooked with rice in an earthenware pot. The pots make a nice souvenir to bring home.

The earthenware ekiben was kept heated and you get a hot meal when you purchase them. We witnessed a huge queue at a stall selling this ekiben. And each customer seemed to buy more than one. Impressive.

Zaini's big splurge. A foldable Hummer bike he got for 18,980yen. He forgo his intention to buy a miniature train set (which was almost the same price as the bike) to get this. I wanted to buy the train set for him as a surprise birthday gift, but sad to say, I can't afford them. :(

Window Shopping In Kappabashi-dori

After checking out from Nikko Hotel in Ginza, we head off to Asakusa. We will be staying there at Toyoko-Inn Senzoku for a night before making our way to Nyuto Onsen the day after.

Checking-in completed, we went out to explore Kappabashi-dori, the famous kitchen town located between Ueno and Asakusa. Here in Kappabashi, one can find an excellent array of specialized stores for ceramics, dishes, cooking utensils, stoves, tables, chairs, signs, lanterns, food packaging, bento boxes and what many tourists would associate the place for : plastic/wax food.

Starting point for our adventure to Kappabashi. Mark that huge statue of a chef to start off your culinary adventure here.

Ceramics shops

Plastic food shops abound here. Mind you, these plastic food don't come cheap! A small keychain of a sushi can cost more than 700yen. For us, we just enjoyed browsing around and marvelling at how realistic and delicious all those food looked.

Uniforms, anyone?

Oden pot? We would've gotten one if not for the high price. :D

Looking at some Jyu boxes in a lacquerware shop. We plan to buy a couple before we head home.

It was easy to pass time in Kappabashi. A few hours went by and Raimie didn't even complain. With plenty of plastic food shops for him to enter, and a few wholesalers selling food items, he had as much as we did. We even got excited going in to one of the wholesaler selling food items and Zaini even contemplated buying a jar of umeboshi because they were so cheap there.

For this visit, we didn't buy anything yet as we will be moving around quite a lot. We will return to Kappabashi again soon and do some serious damage on our wallets soon.

New Haircuts For Us

New haircuts for me and Zaini. We went to Jantzen on Friday for our haircut. And yes, we share the same stylist. Actually, I used his and liked her so much I now only want her to cut my hair too.

Zaini said he went for an Eun Ji Won; a Korean Hip Hop singer inspired hairdo. Zaini knows I'm an addict of KBS' 1 night 2 days show in which Ji Won is a member. You should Zaini's head on the other side. He had it shaved a line there.

Now, he only needs to buy a thick frame spectacles to complete the look. ;)

I had my hair cut shorter this time. I joked that my new hair is inspired by Zaini's latest favourite anime: Pumpkin Scissor. Any resemblance with 2nd Lt Alice L Malvin? Wahaha

How about Raimie? Both Zaini and I jokingly agreed that he should have a haircut to resemble MC Mong;another Korean Hip Hop artist. LOL. However, we can't be too creative with Raimie's hair because he is after all, a schoolboy. He'll be hauled by the Discpline teacher if he sports a way too funky hairstyle. :) Anyway, Raimie refused to have his haircut at the moment. :D

A New Haircut

Well, not really new because I had my hair cut last month. Seems like my hairstyle is all the rage now.

My hairstylist told me that she's cutting my hair in honour of my obsession towards Japan, so she'll go for a Japanese doll look. LOL

My hair now is shorter than what I'm used to, and I'm loving it. Foong, you know how I look and to find me when (or if) we meet up next week. :-)

J Card Members' Day At MidValley

J-Card Members' Day at Midvalley is on tomorrow from 9.00am to 11.00 pm, and on two days (Jul 15 & Jul 16 2009).

Anyone coming for the sale? These past few days, Jusco staff had been quite busy preparing for the members' day. Expect complete madness today and tomorrow!

Coincidentally, Jul 16 is marked as Buy Nothing Day. Organised in Malaysia by the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations as part of the National Consumer Campaign (3K) programme, Buy Nothing Day in Malaysia is marked annually on July 16 and is entering into its second year.

We Went To Daiso

When we were in Japan, we always made a point to drop by Daiso for some cheap shopping. Know what we like to buy there? Cheap crockery and household items! My favourite store is the one nearby Hakata Station!

All items at just RM5 each! (100yen = approximately RM3.70 now, so the price is not that much higher for things imported from Japan. Although some Daiso items are Made in Malaysia, you know).

We went to Daiso at The Curve but didn't buy anything. Just browsed around and looking at stuff. The storefront of Daiso in Malaysia is a boring green and unlike the cheery ones in Japan.

I would've missed the store if Zaini hadn't pointed it out to me because I was looking for a similar looking storefront as in Japan (looks a bit like a pharmacy signboard, don't you think?) Apart from the store at The Curve, there are 3 other Daiso stores in Malaysia - 1Borneo in KK, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall and IOI Puchong.

Plenty of stuff sold here but those looking for Japanese snacks might be disappointed. No Japanese food items sold here.

For us, we went gaga over plates, trays, bento boxes and those cute rice shapers (but not enough teapot available for me). I think I'm inspired to do some Japanese themed cooking for the weekend now! LOL

MaxValu Supermarket Letdown

MaxValu Supermarket Entrance (I nicked this photo from Zaini's site visit work photo collection)

Zaini went to do a site visit at one MaxValu supermarket in Ampang area. We were quite excited at the thought of a MaxValu supermarket opening as we had hoped that there'll be plenty of TopValu stuff on sale there.

Well, it is just a normal supermarket with just one aisle of Japanese stuff there. Our hopes that it'll be like this one below are dashed. So, it is still Jusco Mid Valley which has the best and cheapest Japanese food selection around town.

Raimie posing in front of MaxValu in Nanba, Osaka

p.s. that photo was taken exactly a year ago, today.

Anyway, did I tell you about the JAL fares? Couldn't control myself and went ahead and called our travel agent and with the low airfares of RM3,715.00 for the three of us; as opposed to the usual range of RM5,000 - RM7,000 airfare we previously paid, it seems too good to let go of. But fortunately, sanity prevails and I won't be doing any air ticket booking at the moment.

But it got both me & Zaini talking about going to Japan again! Wait for our update on when we are planning to go! Yeay!