I always find myself dreaming of the day when I have enough money to NOT wait for low-cost airline promos. Until then, I shall take full advantage of Cebu Pacific Air (and the amazing booking powers of Tito Rex).
I will write about planning our much-awaited Japan trip in a separate post, but here are a couple of things that we made sure of before leaving the country:
1. We needed to book CHEAP hotel accommodations for three travellers, preferably near any train station. We ended up at the Sakura Hotel Hatagaya and spent around Php 8,000 per head for a 5-day stay. Until I win the lottery, I will not even dream of staying at the Ritz-Carlton.
2. We had to purchase Japan Rail Passes for us as this is the most efficient way to travel around Japan according to our research. Passes are valid for all Japan Rail lines, including the Shinkansen which proved to be sulit for our Osaka and Kyoto bullet train rides. Each pass costs Php 13,500 which sounds a lot at first but a 1-way bullet train ride will cost you Php 6,500 and we took the Shinkansen twice back and forth. So for our itinerary, it was sulit.
First order of business was to swap our e-tickets for the actual Japan Rail Passes. These passes were EXTREMELY useful as we didn't have to fall in line for tickets. #LikeABoss
(Luggage and tote both from Muji.)
We took the Narita Express (NEX) which came with the JR pass. It was about an hour ride from the Narita Terminal to Shinjuku.
The train was super clean and had lots of leg room.
Upon reaching and navigating our way through the very busy and heavily populated Shinjuku station (with all our luggages, mind you), we found the exit to the New Keio Line.
This line would connect us to the Hatagaya station where our hotel was. We had to pay Y130 one-way because it was not part of the JR line.
As promised, the hotel was a 3-minute walk from the Hatagaya station. The hotel wasn't much but it was convenient and practical. Read: Room was TINY but tidy. Staff was accommodating and can speak English. And most importantly, don't ask me about the banyo.
We arrived at the hotel at around 2:00 PM (Japan is ahead by an hour) so we had to wait for 1 hour until we check in. Here we are at a nearby ramen place. #FirstMeal
Nomnomnom.
Gyow 'Zap? (Get it? Ugh.)
After freshening up, we decided to explore Central Tokyo first. We were really tired from the trip, exhausted from work and frankly not ready yet for an intense walkathon.
So we just walked along Akihabara!
I didn't understand what was going on but there were lots of bright lights.
I think this is gamer's paradise.
Shopper's paradise.
...and of course, for the Anime junkies.
We walked some more and found these popular restaurants. These didn't interest us, though.
Next on our list was the Tokyo Marunouchi station. At the exit, look up.
Blur.
The Tokyo station was indeed a sight to see.
One of my obsessions during this trip was seeing "tinapay" everywhere. I will happily shout "tinapay" whenever I see rows and rows of bread!
We actually got hungry and ate here.
MUJI. *happy dance*
Paulo didn't want "couple" shoes. I didn't get one cos am also loyal to my Bennies.
Walking is fun.
We weren't able to make the most out of our first day because we left on a Wednesday and had to work up to our eyeballs the previous day to handover stuff properly. So lesson learned is to start the Japan trip on a Sunday (yes, we got multiple entry VISAs so there definitely will be a next time), fully-rested and wide-eyed.
