21 February 2017

Japan Trip - Tokyo

Accomodation :

> Stay 🏨  : Ikkebukuro Nissho Airbnb Apartment

https://www.airbnb.co.id/rooms/4648953?eluid=1&euid=b0437999-40b4-4b3d-6687-67ad1a824b35

Price : Rp 589,000/ night
Location  : 20 minutes walk or 5 minutes bus (210 Yen) /taxi from Ikebukuro Station. 





This was a lovely place to stay in the quieter, more suburban parts of Ikebukuro while being within easy reach of stations and shops. Brett was amazing host before we had even arrived by ensuring we had all the information needed about the place and the location, and swiftly answered all our questions. The apartment was lovingly furnished and included linen, toiletries, and a fully-equipped kitchen! We were very impressed! Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a place to stay in Tokyo with reasonable place. This apartment suits for a couple with small kid.

> Transportation 🚌   :

 






48 Hours Tokyo Subway Ticket (there are other options for this type of pass, 24 hours 800 Yen and 72 hours 1500 Yen, choose depend on your plan).

Fare                 : 1,200 Yen/ Adult
Where to buy    : 

1. BIC CAMERA and Sofmap

BIC CAMERA Yurakucho Store, BICQLO BIC CAMERA Shinjuku East Store, BIC CAMERA Akasaka-mitsuke Station Store, BIC CAMERA Ikebukuro Main Store, BIC CAMERA Ikebukuro West Store, BIC CAMERA Shibuya East Store, BIC CAMERA Shibuya Hachiko Store, BIC CAMERA Shinjuku East Store, BIC CAMERA Shinjuku WestS tore, Bic Drug SHIDAX Shinjuku Central road shop, The Ikebukuro east exit. Camera building and Sofmap Akihabara Main Store

2. Laox

Laox Akihabara Main Store, Laox AsoBitCity Store, Laox Shinjuku Main Store, Laox WATCH, Laox Ginza Main Store, Laox EXITMELSA Store, Laox VenusFort store

3. Haneda and Narita Airports.

Valid routes : All Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway Line

Actually, this is not a popular Tokyo Pass, almost all travel blogs recommending Suica or Pasmo pass which after we (actually my husband 😛) calculated it, the one way price ticket will be higher than this Tokyo Subway Pass. If you buy this Tokyo Subway Pass, you probably use subways to go everywhere, even if it takes more time than JR lines, and you save money a few yens. 


Attractions









03 January 2017

Japan Trip - Takayama (Shirakawa-go)

Accomodation :

Stay 🏨  : Ayun Takayama Central Hotel

We chose this hotel simply because its location, within walking distance to the station and Familymart. It's an old hotel with basic amenities, spacious room and clean, but i did not like their minim lighting in our room, service was good, the front desk showed and explained us the main attraction in Takayama eventhough with limited english. 

Pros : Inexpensive, Very close to Central. 
Cons : Old furniture, need to be renovated, no breakfast included. 

Price : 10500 Yen/Night, easily booked via anykind travel website platform.

Click the below link for further details and review about this hotel.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298113-d1111691-Reviews-Ayun_Takayama_Central_Hotel-Takayama_Gifu_Prefecture_Chubu.html



Transportation 🚌 : 

Since Takayama is a small city, walking is the best way to enjoy and explore the city. Usually Takayama is a transit city to those who wants to visit Shirakawa-go like we did. To Shirakawa-go we booked online the half day tour Shirakawa-go Bus from J-Hop Tour: http://tour.j-hoppers.com/shirakawago_tour.html

There are 2 options  :

-  Morning Half Day Tour:
   Depart at 8:10 from Takayama Station

-  Afternoon Half Day Tour:

    Depart at 13:20 from Takayama Station

We took the Morning Half Day Tour, it took around 45-60 minutes to get to Shirakawa-go from Takayama station, and the tour will give you 2 hours free time to see around Shirakawa-go.


Fees : 4.450 Yen/ person, but if you're staying at J-Hoppers Hida Takayama, you'll get extra discount 500 Yen/person. 



Attractions


Ajikura Tengoku


If you visit Takayama, you definitely shoud try their signature Hida Beef. Ajikura Tengoku is one of many Hida Beef Restaurants in Takayama, we chose this one because the front desk at the hotel recommended this. The restaurant opens at 5pm, to avoid a long wait, be there at least 30 mins early. We came 30 minutes before the restaurant open and there were already 3 groups of people waiting. All i can say is they have INCREDIBLE Hida Beef! we ordered fillet steak which we then cooked on our table, it is so tender and soft that it literally melts in your mouth. Ridiculously good.


You haven't had Hida Beef until you've had Hida Beef at Ajikura Tengoku. Excellent. For our research, their price is cheaper than the other Hida Beef resto.


How to get here : 1-2 minutes walking from Takayama Station. 











Shirakawa-go

This is our main reason to visit Takayama. To visit Shirakawa-go was my husband's idea, he really wanted to see this village which is declared a Unesco World Herritage. This village is known for their traditional house called Gassho, if i'm not mistaken the Gassho houses are made without nails, and allow it to held and shred dozen of snow during winter.



Sarubobo (faceless doll as mascot of Takayama City)

Our first stop was at Shiroyama Tenshukaku Tenbodai (Viewpoint). The view from that spot was perfect. It showed a bird’s eye view of the historical village of Shirakawa-go. From there, I realized that the houses in the village had thatched roofs that look like praying hands. 







We were given time about 2 hours to see around the village, and if you want to see the interior and design inside the Gassho House, there is one famous house which open for public named Kanda House, unfortunately we got separated from the group as we were exploring the other side of the village, so we did not get to see the inside of the house. 


We wandered around a bit before heading back to the rendezvous point with the group. Walked along the narrow garden roads, rice fields, and Gassho-Zukuri houses. We said goodbye to the historic villages of Shirakawa-go, and readied ourselves for our next trip. I enjoyed my late winter trip to this village, but I’m definitely going back here on winter to see the village covered in snow next time that remind me of those cutie Christmas cookies. hihi





How to get here : 

Accessible by Nohi Bus and Hokuriku Railway Bus either from JR Takayama Station on the Takayama Line (about 60 minutes away) or if you are to lazy like me, just booked half day tour from J-Hopper Hotel.


Old Town Takayama (Sanmachi Dori Street)



Walk.Look.Taste.Photograph

Those 4 words represent this street. There a lot of Japanese stalls, traditional buildings, souvenir shops. etc. A lot to see, to taste, to buy and also a lot of spot to photographed. Just keep walking and blend yourself in the crowd. This is a nice place for a stroll and enjoy the old charm of ancient japan.

How to get here:

10 minutes walk from Takayama Station, it's located in central of the city.







We had a good time exporing Takayama and Shirakawa-go before continuing our trip to our last city, Tokyo.

Normally, tourist will take a Shinkansen from Takayama to Tokyo, but we took Nohi Bus because we heard that the view along the road is beautiful and also the ticket fare is much cheaper, you just need to spend 6,690 Yen per person which takes 5,5 hours when the Shinkansen ticket fare is around 15,000 Yen per person which takes 4,5 hours. By taking the bus, we were saving significant amount per person plus you'll get the best view of Japan 😍














Bye bye Shirakawa-go. :)

20 December 2016

Japan Trip - Kyoto

I Love Kyoto, I would love to go back again one day. 💓


Accomodation :

Stay 🏨  : Urban Hotel Kyoto - Nijo Premium

Booked via Agoda for 2 nights stay, we got promotion during our stay. We paid Rp 780,000 on the first night and paid Rp 1,100,000 on the second night, so we paid for Rp 900,000/night in average. 

We loved this hotel, clean, spacious, easy to access, good facilities including onsen (hot water bath) separated man/women at top floor but the staff did not speak English that well. The hotel is close to the Nijo Castle which was great was within walking distance however we did not go to the castle because we prefer to visit the Golden Temple. Just down the block though there is a supermarket which was convenient we chose to buy ingredients to have breakfast in our room rather than pay to have the hotels breakfast which would of been 1500 yen per person. 









> Transportation 🚌   :One Day Kyoto Bus Pass   


    
Can be used within the allocated zone of the city (Arashiyama, Sagano, Takao, Shugakuin etc). Unlimited use of bus on the same day. When traveling outside of the allocated zone, it is necessary to pay the extra amount.

Fare : 500 Yen/adult
          250 Yen/ Kid

You can buy the bus pass at the Kyoto Station. There is another pass if you want to visit other area in Kyoto, but since our main destinations already covered by Kyoto Buss Pass so no need to buy the subway pass.


Attractions :

Kinkaku-Ji (Golden Temple)

Beautiful temple. Serene location with wonderful surrounding nature. The lake right in front reflected the temple and the trees (in foliage) in a magical way. Yes, it is crowded, but then again what is not crowded in Kyoto.

It's very accessible, still within Kyoto city limits and a bus that is clearly labeled will drop you and most likely other tourists right near it. Breathtaking grounds. There's something special about being here. 

There's shops and a place to rest as well. And also there's good Udon Restaurant in fron of the gate, we did try the Udon and it tasted sooooo good. 






Arashiyama Area 

- Sagano Bamboo Forest
- Tenryuji Temple

If you are in Kyoto be sure to take a day trip or two to visit Arashiyama, Definitely to visit Bamboo Forest. The grove itself is a part of Tenryuji Temple, which in itself is a wonder, a lovely and beautiful place, great spot to take million of photos but it was too crowded during our visit. Just go early to avoid crowd.


There is a lot of nice shops and restaurants here too, as well as monkeys across the river and a couple of beautiful temples with great gardens. Plenty to do for at least half a day here, so it's not all about the Bamboo Forest.


Strolling though the bamboo forest will cost you nothing. You just have to prepare yourself and your camera to take this wonderful path.


You can also take a rickshaw ride usually from the young Japanese men, you can ask the men to go through the Bamboo Forest path and around Arashiyama if you want, The price will be around 5000 - 7000 yen depend on where you want to go. Take a rickshaw and wear traditional Japanese costumes so you can enjoy being Japanese for a while and will give you amazing experience. But unfortunately we did not try the rickshaw ride and the traditional Japanese costumes just because we prefer to splurge our budget to culinary than splurge on these, it's just our preference, if you have extra budget do not hesitate to try this ride and wear those beautiful Japanese outfit.




How to get here : Get off at Saga Arashiyama (JR Station) or take the Hankyu Railway to Arashiyama Hankyu Station or you can take City Bus No. 28 from Kyoto Station) using Kyoto Buss Pass.


Gion 
- Geisha District
- Shinbashi Street
- Yasaka Shrine

Gion is an area in Kyoto worth spending time in. Nice place to killing some time, and nice place to stroll and admire Japanese old town, lots of shops and restaurants and bars. Often, one can come across people dressed in traditional costumes, and even Geikos (if you are lucky!). Would definitely recommend to visit this street especially at night with soft lightings, the canals, bridges, traditional houses transport you back to medieval Japan.

Actually nothing much to do though, just keep walking and chill. We went there during winter, it was so cold, just keep warm in chilly weather!


How to get hereGet off at Gion bus stop. Alternatively, the closest train stations are Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.



However, we did not manage to visit all main attraction in Kyoto due to our limited time. We skipped Kiyomizudera Temple and the famous Fushimi Inari. But if you guys have enough time to explore Kyoto, please do visit these two famous destinations.

Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizudera, and Gion can all be easily accessed by the Keihan Line (Fuhimi Inari Station for Fushimi Inari, then Gojo Station for Koyomizudera, and then Gion Shijo for Gion), so the best route would be to begin at Fushimi Inari then go to Kiyomizudera by train. The train ride itself is only about fifteen minutes, though i read the trek up to Kiyomizudera involves quite a walk (nearly all uphill). From Kiyomizudera, you can either take the train or bus to Gion--it is a short distance away by either means (you can walk between the two, but it will take about fifteen or twenty minutes).

Love everything about Kyoto despite its crowdidness, in my opinion Japanese who live in Kyoto are more humble and more nicer than people who live in other Japan area.

Our next destination is Takayama, this is my hubby's pick just because he wanted to see the famous Shirakawa-go. For Takayama and Shirakawa-go stories will be posted soon. Cheers!!!

21 November 2016

Europe Trip 2016 part 1

Setelah pulang liburan dari Jepang bulan Maret kemarin, kita nggak punya rencana (baca : tiket promo) kemana-mana lagi, sampai akhirnya pada akhir Agustus 2016 gw memutuskan untuk resign dan istirahat sebulan dulu sebelum join di tempat yang baru. Untuk mengisi waktu luang selama gw resign, gw paling rencananya mau ke Bali dan Bandung aja. Dan tiba-tiba munculah ide untuk keliling Eropa sembari mengunjungi adik ipar yang sekarang lg study di Jerman. Mama mertua semangat sekali untuk ke Eropa mengingat kan gw juga lagi libur jadi bisa nemenin ke Eropa sekeluarga.

Untuk sampai akhirnya kita jadi ke Eropa kita beberapa kali sempet mengalami keraguan antara lain sampai 2 minggu dari tanggal berangkat di rencanain kita belum pegang tiker return sama sekali dan Alhamdulillah pas lagi ada Travel Fair CIMB Niaga kita dapat tiket lumayan murah dari Qatar Airways return Frankfurt seharga Rp 8,5 juta. Selesai masalah kegalauan pertiketan, timbul kegalauan setiap mau berangkat ke negara yang mengharuskan pakai Visa. Yak, galau Visa Schengen karena ada sedikit masalah di nama pak suami. Di nama paspor depan 2 suku kata, tapi di nama halaman belakang paspor 3 suku kata (karena pada saat perpanjangan paspor, orang imigrasi bilang untuk naik Haji harus 3 suku kata sehingga ditambah nama ayah). Setelah diskusi sama org VFS ( yak, kita apply bisa lewat VFS dengan harga Rp 1,2 juta per orang) masalah nama ini, pak suami diminta sign formulir bahwa memang ada rencana untuk naik haji. Dan seminggu kemudian Visa Schengen kita keluar. Yeayyy...

Uppss... Udah siap untuk berangkat ke  Eropa? Eitss.... Hotel, transport, train dll belum kita book. Dan dengan kekuatan bulan gw sama pak suami setiap hari mantengin komputer research tentang penginapan, transport dan destinasi yang baik, bagus, dan harga bersahabat. Nanti akan gw kasih list tempat-tempat dan review penginapan kita selama di Eropa. Trip kali ini rada dadakan, tapi alhamdulillah berjalan lancar dan tidak ada yang keselip atau terjadi sesuatu hihi. Postingan Europetrip akan gw posting per review aja kali ya, saking bingung gw mau mulai dari mana hahhaa.