Mount Fuji = Fuji-san = 富士山

It was the second day in Japan. These two days had been raining most of the time. From the moment we stepped out from the hotel till we got back to the hotel. I later then found out that actually, during that time, Taiwan was having typhoon. There is a possibility that there might be floods in Japan!! No wonder we didnt even see a soul on the street! Three of us are like walking happily on the street wondering where on earth does the people go! Now I know why ... hmmmm ....

It took us about 3 hours to reach Mt Fuji from Tokyo. Since I am staying in Funabori area (which I will blog it later), I need to transfer 3 trains. First is from Funabori (Tokyo Metroline) to Tokyo station and from Tokyo station to "Cant remember what" station that leads to Mt Fuji (JR line) and lastly from that "cant remember what" station to Mt. Fuji. It takes us about 3 hours to reach Mt Fuji from the place I stay. WALAU .. EHHHHH .... very far. What I did was sleeping as I didnt even get a wink while I was on the flight and on the first night at the hotel. It was a nice sleep though .. hehehehe ....

We finally reached the station. We need to take shuttle bus to round the Five Fuji Lakes where you can get to catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji at any area of the lakes. We missed the bus and we need to wait half an hour for that. Therefore, we loiter around as there are a few shops which are open.

Apart from selling their local products, they have restaurant there too. It was not expensive as the food range cost about 600-900 yen (approx 10-15SGD) excluding drinks. That's the cheapest meal cost in any part of Japan. So you can imagine how high their living cost is ...


Those were the candies box that you can find anywhere in Japan. Just that maybe they have different pictures for different places. So we got the one with Mt. Fuji pics imprinted on it! We can find this in Singapore too. But the ones in Singapore are VEEEEERY sweet. The ones in Japan are mildly sweet. And it cost 300-400 yen (approx 5-6SGD). In here we get about (3-4SGD??) cant remember as it was sometime ago that I bought it.

This is Mt. Fuji special! Didnt get to know what this is as we dont really know how this is cooked. But from the look of it, it looks tasty to me. hehehehehe ...

We boarded the bus. Visited the shrine at Mt Fuji viccinity. Along the way, I picked up some pictures which I find it interesting.

Little girl is going back home all by herself. Can imagine how safe Japan is!!!

The blue bell flower ...

Mr. Bee is so hardworking even on rainy days ...

Caught the glimpse of another one hidden among the flowers ...

My mum was soo afraid that I got stung.. Hahahaa

Bus driver no. 1. A very good in service.

He u-turned all the way back when we said we miss our station.

We met some Singaporeans on the bus too. Those who never know

how dangerous it might be during that typhoon period. Hahahaha ....

Bus driver no. 2. This bus uncle, took us all the way just to look at

Mt. Fuji. The route was not the normal route that the bus took. Good Service!!

Took some pics on the bus along the way. Those were the Five Fuji Lakes.

From the moment I stepped on the land of Mt. Fuji, I never had a chance to view it. Cos that day was really very cloudy and misty. You can feel the cold breeze and mist brush passed your cheeks. I was disappointed. According to the folksay, if you are unable to view Mt. Fuji, you will not return to Japan again. I would love to visit Japan again, therefore, I wanted to see Mt. Fuji very much. But God is really kind. The curtains of clouds open their way for us for approximately 20 mins. Then, the clouds closed the Mt. Fuji again. I was very much delighted and overwhelmed!!! Mt Fuji is MAJESTIC!! I just hope this volcano mountain will continue to sleep so the people can enjoy this view much longer ....

Though we were all wet ... be it our shoes or clothes .. we were really happy that we saw this Mt. Fuji. The chances of me going back to Japan is high ... hehehehhee ... it's worth the 6 hours plus travelling just to see Mt. Fuji!!

Sensoji Temple aka Asakusa Kannon Temple, Asakusa

Akasuka Temple .... oops .. that's was my version when I visited this temple. My sister was puzzled. "Akasuka??!!! We are not going to Akasuka where I dont even know where it is!" Only then I realised it was Asakusa Temple. To be correct, it is Asakusa Kannon Temple aka Sensoji Temple. It's the oldest temple in Tokyo and it's a must visit when you are in Tokyo. Therefore, Tokyo Metropolitan isnt just shopping for you ^_^. This totally suit a non-shoppers like me!

A little history of this temple which I read from Wikipedia (I dont really read the signage hahahahhaa ... tooo busy snapping photos) ..... This temple was build in 645 during the early years of Tokugawa Shogunate and inside this temple, there is a small shrine dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Buddhist religion). I am not really a history person. So to find out more, please visit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sens%C5%8D-ji

Well, the first one is the entrance towards the temple. It actually has two entrance, so I cant really figure out which is the main entrance. This temple were so crowded with people. I was thinking whether is it because it was a Sunday or or is it because it was a special occasion or is it because the temple is always crowded. Not because of tourist but because of a lot of the locals crowd this place. Probably, this temple really answer their prayer? I dont know just some wild guessing ... heee ...

This is the tree (is it a willow?) that you can see if you are an anime lover! Nearly every temples you will see this tree around. I wonder how many years has this tree been standing? I dont think it's as old as the temple though ... cos it doesnt seem tall at all .... Most of the time, you will see youngster and "mediumster" wearing yukatas and the guy in their traditional wearing (not sure what it is called) when they visit temple.

This is the first and foremost temple before the Tokugawa shogunate era in this place. I guess you will be awed on how good they maintain the prefectures of this temple! It just look as good as a new one! Just like in the anime, heh~ *grins* ~

This is how the area looks like. Together in this pic is my mommy and sis ... Too bad they are maintaining the main temple (on the right). So cant really see what the structure is like though! But it's a beautiful place!

Not sure because it's in the Tokugawa era, most of the well-known temples that we visited have pagoda ... I wonder why ... hmmm ...



Then, we saw this HUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE straw sandals known as "O-Waraji"! It was made by 800 citizens! Amazing, huh!! Cant really underestimate the power of humans .. tsk .. .tsk ... tsk ... It is said to protect people from evil charms and wish you safe on the road. A lot of people will touch this big straw sandal!



Then, we moved on to the inner part of the temple (the one which is under construction). I was mesmerized by the drawings on the ceiling of the temple. Everything seems come to live. I really respect those ancient drawings (anywhere not only restricted to Japan). It's hard to find those kind of drawings that really touch your soul nowadays.

A wishing note? You will see those wishing notes tied on this "rack" in any part of any temple in Japan.

Want to know what's your fortune is like? Dropped a 100 yen coin into the box ---> take the container on top of the cabinet ---> shake and get one stick out ---> find your number on the small drawers ---> take your fortune note and read yourself! But be sure that you know how to read Japanese language or else it will just be pointless as there is no one there to translate for you. LOL!!!!

After taking and looking around the pictures, always when you are with Ee Ling, food is always the number one in her place. No matter where she is!! This is a street where in the ancient days pilgrims will stop here to replenish their food and basic necessity after long travelling. Now, it was reconstructed to become THIS! Filled with things that to be sold for tourists and locals!

However, I am not really that interested in things but on the FOOOOOOOOOD!!!! First stop of food is this sweet dessert. Not sure what it is called. Outside is a thin layer of dunno-what-flour and inside was filled with a thick layer of red beans. It's doesnt taste like the "tau-sar" (mashed red beans) in Malaysia or singapore - black and very very sweet! You can see it was red beans that is cooked till really really soft and they mashed it to make the fillings of this sweet cakes! Taste nice and not too sweet! I think it will really goes well if you have a cup of green tea with you! Just love it!!

See I am not just saying it! Look at their red beans. Instead of the black ones (I think probably because the red beans or sugar go burnt??!!) that we always get in our "bao" (chinese buns), we get really authentic mashed red bins here!!

Next is another sweet cakes from another stall. I guess good food needs queue! I forgot to mention that just now at the previous stall, we need to queue for about 15 mins to get our sweets! And this too. We follow where the most locals crowd. So that's the indicator saying that the food is really good! This indicator applies everywhere I think ... hmmm ... maybe yes .... maybe not .... cos there are certain stalls in Singapore and Malaysia that I eat dont seem to taste as what I expect .... but at least the standard is there la ^_^. We bought 3 different taste from this stall. Black sesame, green tea and pumpkin. As you can see, the fillings and the layer of skins are made from their respective fillings! Taste good too Hehehe....

Then we saw a series of biscuits! Dont know how this biscuits taste cos it was not cheap. I think 8 pcs cost about 800 yen? Cant really remember but we didnt buy cos it's too ex ...

Then we tasted the fishes too. It's also a sweet cakes! Filled with red beans. The texture of the outer layer is totally different from the first one! Love it love it love it! They have this in ION Orchard Singapore. But ION Orchard filling is too little and the outer skin is too thick. Dont taste good. The fillings in Singapore version is too sweet in comparison! Hmm .. not that healthy. Maybe improvement should me made ... hahahhaa.... Well, well that's not for me to decide. It's just my opinion. Maybe others doesnt think this way ...

Ok folks. I hope you are not too tired reading this post and I do hope you enjoy it. Next stop will be ... ummm ... Mount Fuji! Till then. See you guys in the next post!

Akibahara, Tokyo

My first stop the moment I touched down on this foreign earth was AKIBAHARA!!!! It's a must stop for an "anime" or IT gadget craze people like me. Akibahara is a totally different dimension from the hotel (at Funabori) area. There is a signboard denoting that "Akibahara Electronic town". High rise building are everywhere. I wont use high scraping building here. You will see why later ^_*

On most corner of the building (be it big or small) it's always filled with the anime posters. I dont know how to read but I found them interesting. This is not something that you can see in most places. I guess maybe only in Akibahara probably. I might be wrong cos this is my first time travelling out from Malaysia and Singapore. To a totally different culture than what I have been knowing since childhood.

In here, you will find kawaii (cute in japanese language) young ladies dress up in anime-like character. However, you have to ask if they allow you to take picture. Or else you will be labelled as rude! Some will allow you to do so and some will not. Therefore, what you have to do is ASK!! A anime fanatic me will of course not to miss this chance to take their pics. Hehehehe...

And of course, they wont be short of figurines and other anime related stuff selling like hot cakes. Most of the shops are crowded with people. Mostly japanese. You will be shocked how organized their shops are!!! Look how nicely they displayed the Gundam in front of their shops! I just love this!!

Then, we are hungry! You can see those carts the moment you came out from the exit of the train station. Two carts are selling kebabs and one are selling takoyakis. Different types of takoyakis. The normal that we are eating and some are in soup base and other sauces. You will get a variety of takoyakis here. I just love takoyakis!!!!!

The Takoyakis cart!!

The Kebabs Cart!!

Since we are here, we would like to try out the kebab over here. Of course, you can get those in Singapore and Malaysia but we wanted to taste the difference between countries. How does this SGD 10 kebabs taste like. The first bite of the kebabs taste really superb!! The meat wasn't too dry after long grilling. It's still juicy as ever. They have 3 stages of spiciness. Mild, medium and Hot and I asked for extra hot!! The fillings are really thick compared to the ones that you got it over in Malaysia and Singapore. The first bite of the kebabs here is skin. But in this place, the skin are really thin and filled with juicy meat plus tomato puree plus their hot sauce!!! Two thumbs up and two toenails up for this!! I really like it!!

We also bought the takoyakis. We wanted to try what is the different between the takoyakis that we have tried and the ones in Japan. To my surprise, it taste TOTALLY DIFFERENT!!!! Unlike the ones we had (dry fillings, little tako), the tako (sotong, cuttlefish) is big and the inner is juicy. The juicy fillings are still hot although you leave it for 15-30 mins! We waited quite long for this takoyakis. You need to have a queue number too. The superb taste makes you want for more. It cost about SGD10 for 10 balls and it's totally and truely worth it!! I doubt I will ever find the same one again in Malaysia and Singapore. I MISS this takoyaki A LOT!!

OK folks, currently I will stop at Akibahara. Next I will talk about Asakusa Temple, that is near Akibahara (according to my sis can get there by walking) but to me I think it's better for you to catch a train. Else you will walk for 45-60mins to reach this place .... Hahahhaa... Till then and see you in the next blog folks!!

My first time in MAS business lounge and on plane

HI THERE FOLKS!!!! I am finally back and down to blogging again. For these few weeks, I will be updating my trip to Japan! I was there for an International Ozone Association Conference. This was my first time taking plane too. I was so excited and nervous! All I get to see was plane deck on TV. Never did I imagined that I was able to board on one! Mum and sis joined me in this trip. We departed from KLIA and we need to take a "carriage" to another side to board the plane (MH=Malaysia Hospitality). Since it was my first time, I made blunders here and there. Hehehehe .... anyone who sees me can really guess that it was my first time on plane.

Mum and sis both got business class seats due to her mileage claim. Meanwhile, I was in the economy class. However, I wasnt seating too far from them. Just one row behind them. *wink* Their business class entitled them to get into the lounge to wait for the plane and what's best is they can bring a guest in. Hahahahaha.... so I manage to get some food before we got onto the plane ^_^" Just in case I cant sleep and got hungry in the middle of the night.

We were able to view the plane clearly. Too bad there was reflection on the glass. Therefore, cant really get a good picture out from it ...

I cant really sleep that night. Probably I was too excited and nervous. There was a lot of stuff I didnt know. There were a few buttons and remote control. Luckily, I had a helpful neighbour whom he offered his help when he saw me in pinch! At the same time, I was walking up and down in between business class and economy class seat. Cos I cant sleep so I just disturbed both mum and sis ... Hahahahhaha ... to the extent the air steawardess asked me not to go there anymore .... sad .... So I got my camera and get some shots here and there. It was 430am. I cant believe that I really stay awake throughout the journey. Then, mum woke up and called me saying that THE SUN IS UP!! I was really excited. Taking my camera with me, I took a few shots of the sunrise. Of course not directly to the sun cos it was too bright. Though, it seems hot but outside degree was -53C!!!!!! No wonder the clouds looks like snow up high in the sky.

After shooting, finally breakfast was served. It's a very sumptous breakfast but nasi lemak didnt taste good cos the "sambal" is very very and really little .... Croissant and the pie taste really really good!! Hontoni oiiishi!!!! Mum and sis next door are having really great food! Totally different from ours. They are having scrambled eggs with salmon. However, salmon taste a bit dry but the looks of the dish looks tempting.

After this meal, we were ready to touch down Narita Airport! Energetic me cant wait for the plane to embark and start my journey in Japan. I LOVE JAPAN!! (The image of Hiro Nakamura in the US drama series when he teleported to New York appeared in my mind) ... Hehehehe ...

That's all for now folks! See you again for more updates on Japan! Keep track especially for those who are going to Japan for a short holidays ^_^