Are you planning to travel around TOKYO all by yourself but stuck at the itinerary things ? Believe me, I know that feeling. I thought as soon as I secured by flight booking everything will become easy yet fact says, it's not. I only realized later that my days will be so precious, I want to spend it wisely in my budget. I used to ask this to myself before leaving.."Is it possible to explore all the gems' of Tokyo with limited budget ?" And apparently, I can answer without a doubt : "Yeap,as you wish , IT IS!"
After procrastinating to be active on blog for some time.. Here's continuation of Tokyo's Hidden Gems, part #2 (read part 1 here) ! This post also marks exact a year already since i've been into this amazing place, Jiyugaoka. You probably hardly hear about this place in tour & travel itinerary, I know..Yet, keep continue to read so that you know it's never a waste because this District, is where you can experience the different feels of Japan. A little Europe of Tokyo :)
What are you enjoying the most while travelling ? Does it tasting delicious local food ,shopping sprees, simply strolling around the street? Well.. For me, it's finding hidden gem while doing all of that at once ,at the mainstream city like Tokyo. If it's a hidden gem , that's means it is an area which are not much known by tourist,yet highly recommended for free spirited traveler.
It's the last post of my Japan 2016 Trip series ! On the fifth day, I went to 3 places all around Tokyo. First, the famous luxurious shopping district ,Ginza.It's my second time being here and it's good to be back especially this one building that always be on my checklist since I reach Tokyo . Shiseido at the Ginza.
Opened in 2011, this building certainly attract many tourist as well beauty enthusiast around the world when they're coming to Tokyo. It can be said that it's a one stop beauty store too. On the ground floor, it's all about any Shiseido's head to toe brand such as Anessa, Integrate Gracy, Ma Cherie, Tsubaki, etc.On the upper level, there are Hair and Makeup Salon, Photo Studio, Bihada Lounge ( Beauty Counseling Counter) and even Dressing Table to be play with.
Shiseido The Ginza not just provides beauty but fashion items as well. The place always crowded everytime I came back here and mostly fills with Chinese tourist that's why the shopkeeper are able to speak multilinguals ( English , Chinese and Japanese) and they are very kind too. If you are looking for any Shiseido items that can't be purchased nowhere , I highly recommend this place!
Around noon, I continued my journey to Akabanebashi and just in front of the station, I can see the where the heart of Tokyo stands.. Tokyo Tower ! It feels like surreal, really, the landmark where only seen at TV and magazines are standing right in front of me. Idk why but somehow I feel moved maybe you can relate too..If you're in love with this country that much like me lol..
You're not experiencing Roppongi If you are not stop by Roppongi Hills . This is one of the largest Japan's Integrated property development and complex contains of museum , obsevatory, high end shops and restaurants and also cinema. Roppongi Hills are popular around foreigner in Tokyo also where are the cool people of Tokyo ;socialites usually hanging at.
The area are so spacious and it's bit confusing for a firstimer.. If you are not pay attention you can actually get lost like me 😂.Well, at that case ,I just take Mori tower and the giant spider statue as the check point lol . And oh,no worries there's tourist information desk, getting an area map should help ,too.
Around the Giant Spider Statue, Just Walk across the garden, You can see a a nice view of whole Tokyo from above for FREE !
I can see both TV Asahi building and Tokyo Tower here, sooo beautiful ! And that's how I end my night... I really can't thank enough to God for giving me this experience ,being in the my most favorite country once again and counting my blessings :") Really this world is His Masterpiece. That's why traveling like this can help me get new insight of life and adjust myself once more.I will come back, Japan !
Well that's a wrap for my Japan 2016 Trip Series. To be continued on Japan 2017 Trip !
Kindly read my other posts about Travel in Japan here :
Hi All, continuing day 4 of my 2016 Tokyo Trip ; Ikebukuro district full day tour ! IMHO ,I was expecting there's much to see here but it's not except shopping mall and stores.Tho,Ikebukuro is more likely less popular shopping district rather than the big 3 ;Harajuku; Shibuya;Shinjuku in Yamanote Line and the farthest o ne.Why I decided to go here is probably because i've hear it many times from manga like GALS ! that this district worth to visit.Many says, Ikebukuro is most favorited place by female anime otaku /manga fans than Akihabara.
It was drizzling when we arrived there and there was BGM playing classical instrumental song around the streets...very calming and enjoyable as we walking around here and there..
Spotted a star- themed cafe ; Milky Way ,best known for its ice cream and dessert
Sunshine City サンシャインシティ; biggest building in this area including shopping mall,observation deck , aquarium, planetarium ,hotel ,pokemon mega center and many more.It's only about 8 mins walking from Ikebukuro Station, and 3 minutes away from Higashi Ikebukuro station. If you do mind about time , opt for latest station.
There was a Dragon Ball Z event held in J -World( indoor anime theme park) but since I am not that into anime and manga, I decided to skip and talk much about it lol
Another anime indoor theme park, yet this one is for kids ; Namco Namja Town.Just casually taking pics because the mascot is kind of cute lol
There's also game area full of UFO Catcher machine ,you can try for some fun and luck here!
For Shopping, since there's pretty much wide range of choice.You can shop at Dept stores like ALTA or any other Japanese local branded fashion stores. As highlight of the day, I treat myself with a bag from my fave brand : samantha thavasa chouette brand limited edition 😁 It's the only nearest Samantha & Chouette Gallery that I can find, glad they were having special promo too that time!
That's all about my 4th day. To be continued day 5; last day
Kindly read my other posts about Travel in Japan here :
Hi Guys, continuing my blog post series about last year Japan Trip. Here's the 3rd day ! Spent my days at two of the most touristy , fashionable districts in whole Japan, Harajuku 原宿 竹下通り and Omotesando 表参道 Please bear with tons of pictures bc i can't keep myself stop from snapping photos. too much quirkiness and unique things blend into one culture here. Let's start !
On the second day of my 2016 Tokyo Trip, I got chance to visit 2 touristy destination, which is Odaiba and then Ueno 😆 Because it was Saturday plus I was in the mood of leisurely sightseeing, chilling at Odaiba お台場 in the morning till noon would be perfect.
To get there, I just follow my personal subway assistant a.k.a Hyperdia as usual. It takes about 25 mins by train From Shinagawa to Daiba Station via Yurikamome line ( not Odaiba station which is located farther from some attractions) and it was my most memorable on -train experience ever! Why? because I can see the famous rainbow bridge already from window! Arriving there, I was greeted by this famous building ...
Fuji TV Headquarters
Many famous J-dramas like Rich Man Poor Woman, 1 Litre of Tears , Hana Kimi, From 5 to 9 are produced by this TV station .It's one of the landmark at Odaiba because of its giant floating ball.
Pedestrian zone is so spacious, It feels good to take a leisure walk with your loved ones and just enjoy the breeze, We can see Daikanransha Palette Town Ferris Wheel 大観覧車,Aqua City, and obviously it makes a beautiful ,dreamy instagrammable landscape pics too.
mirror selfie inside Axes Femme Diver City
For Shopping , I personally recommend the biggest mall among this area ,
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
because it is whereThe one and only Giant Gundam Statueall across the world located
Ultra Magnificent. Somehow I feel like this robot is about to walk over us lol
Beside the statue, There's a open concert area, and around 4pm there was a girls group performing. Idk what is the band name but suddenly the crowd went crazy so I just butt in to see what's happen and we were prohibited to take any picture, so this is the only picture I took secretly back then
From Diver City, Traced back to the Fuji TV Headquarter area ,there's where Rainbow Bridge and Liberty Statue located. The Scenery is such SuperB !!
For a while It's feels like NYC ,not Japan 😁
Ps : If you watch Itakiss Love In Tokyo ,You'll know there are some scenes taken here lol
Saying bye-bye to Odaiba and moving on to Ueno, There's this hidden cheap shopping street gems area that not so much people know called Ameyoko / ameya yokocho アメ横
You can find tasty dried fruits,local street food, and anything cheap here .On top of that, some stores allow you to bargain which is kind of rare in Tokyo.See,cute sneakers as low as 990 yen 👍 Feel free to shop till you drop.
That's all about my 2nd day. To be continued day 3
Kindly read my other posts about Travel in Japan here :