Japan

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Okinawa, Japan (2017 April)

Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture, is the portal between Japan and the tropics. Okinawa’s climate is subtropical, with temperatures around 15 degrees in winter. The beaches, the seas, are just amazingly beautiful!

Travel type: Couple
When: 2017, April 1-9
Weather: Though sunny, it was cold with strong wind blowing occasionally
Flight: Peach (Hong Kong > Okinawa, 2h 45m)

Day 1: Hong Kong > Okinawa

Naha Airport LCC Terminal 
Reached Naha Airport Low Cost Carrier (LCC) Terminal in the evening. Passengers arriving at this terminal have to take a free shuttle bus to the domestic terminal. There’s no other way to leave other than the shuttle.

Car Rental with Paradise 
Some car rental company have their own shuttle bus, which will take you to their office. Our car rental was with Paradise, which doesn’t have a counter at LCC Terminal, so we proceeded to their counter at the domestic terminal. It was about 10 minutes for another bus ride from Naha Airport to Paradise office. Continue reading →

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Hokkaido, Japan (2016 September)

Hokkaido, Japan

Travel type: Company trip
When: 2016 September 2-7 (7 days, including 2 days transit at Bangkok)
Weather: Mild with some rains
Flight: Thai Airways (Penang>Bangkok>Sapporo)

Visiting Japan for the 2nd time, and Hokkaido was the destination. Both my Japan trips were with the company  :-o

Day 1 

Transit at Bangkok
Had a very very nice somtam (green papaya salad) during this short stop at Bangkok.
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Day 2 

Kirin Beer Factory
Kirin Brewery Company, is one of Japan’s four leading beer breweries. Continue reading →

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The famous Osaka Glico running man

Day 5 – Japan Osaka

Day 5 – Japan Osaka

We reached Osaka at night, just right for dinner. But we only manage to stroll along the famous shopping street, Tenjimbashi-Suji. The area was very crowded with people.

Osaka also known with their red-light district. You can see them like along the streets, outside the shops, trying to get customers who walk by. But, as we were told by our tour guide, they will not Continue reading →

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Day 5 – Japan Kyoto

Day 5 – Japan Kyoto (Arashiyama Bamboo Groves, Heian Shrine & Kiyomizudera)

Arashiyama Bamboo Groves

In Japan Kyoto, a visit to Arashiyama seems like is a must. The paths that cut through the bamboo groves make beautiful walkways. The groves are more attractive when there is a light wind that the bamboo stalks sway swiftly back and forth. I felt like I was in some historical sword fighting scenes while walking among the bamboos. It was such a serene place, well, minus the crowds,   Continue reading →

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Day 4 – Hakone Owakudani

Day 4 – Hakone Owakudani

Owakudani, is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fume, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced. Occasionally, Owakudani has good views of Mount Fuji on clear days. There are number of steam vents and bubbling pools at the volcanic zone. Here, you can purchase eggs, cooked in the naturally hot water, whose shells are blackened by the sulfur.

Continue reading →

Beautiful top view of Mount Fuji from far

Day 4 – Mount Fuji

Day 4 – Mount Fuji

After a day at Disney, we proceeded to the famous Japan Mount Fuji, also know as Fujisan （富士山）. We spent a night nearby, at Hamayou Resort. This resort has both indoor and outdoor natural hot spring… well, no photos for you of course.. haha… The room is large, with a bed and also space for tatami.    Continue reading →

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Day 3 – Tokyo DisneySea

Day 3 – Tokyo DisneySea

We visited DisneySea instead of Disneyland. DisneySea was inspired by the myths and legends of the sea, which is made up of seven themed ports: Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront. DisneySea, while suitable for all ages, claimed to be more appeal to grown up audience.    Continue reading →

The view from Tokyo Tower

Day 2 – Japan Tokyo

Day 2 – Japan Tokyo

We started our trip from Penang International Airport, transited at Hong Kong, flying via Cathay Pacific. There are two airports in Tokyo, Japan. One is Haneda Tokyo Airport, another one is Narita Tokyo Airport. We touched down at the latter airport, at night. I checked out their clean, modern toilet upon arrival… haha  :-P  Continue reading →