First, I took Delta Airline's transfer flight to go to Japan since it was a part of a pretty decent deal with the hotel. As a Japan-tourist newbie, I now know to do something different next time I come. Legit, the hotel isn't that nice and it's really small...but in the end, most of the time is spent walking around so I did agree beforehand to spend less on accommodations and more on shopping and such. The flight was 3.5 hours and when we landed, it was starting to rain. Japan is quite chilly, especially in contrast with the Hong Kong humid and stormy weather. Wearing my Zara cardigan is actually appropriate (I also had on a pair of tights with my heavier weighted skirt). We took the Narita Express directly from Terminal 1 of Narita airport to Shinjuku station. The train was so awesome! That food, the cleanliness and dang...it might just be because extra awesome in contrast to the train ride from Guang Zhou to Gui Zhou. Everything is so high tech, I feel so stupid like I was from the countryside and never seen a train before. (To be honest, I might've been extra derpy because I was so overwhelmed and it's really not as high tech as I make it seem...) I also love how on time everything is. The train left exactly at 14:18!
After that, the rain started pouring...my derp side came out even more and I lost all my ability to comprehend Japanese or even say anything. In the end, it was English, pointing and I lot of trouble navigating the stupid GPS. Google map trolled us (turn left, walk straight, turn right, walk straight, turn left again...to get to a place you can get to without turning...). My godmother and I got lost in the rain with our two luggages and it was kind of funny 'cause some people saw us walking by twice...
We found our hotel and the manager working spoke fluent Cantonese! Surprised us, my godmother and I, and he was able to teach us how to walk to the train stations with a shortcut and yeah, made us feel better. Also, one good thing and bad thing about the hotel is that it's in Shinjuku...kind of like living in Mong Kok, there's clubs...hosts clubs...karaoke bars and LOTS of pachinko parlours downstairs! A little awkward at night with lots of people standing on the street trying to get you to go (like what you see in anime and dramas!), and they obviously didn't ask me ): offended. Until this one guy came up to me and asked me to go to this karaoke bar, but I kind of like...refused and then my godmother came he hid the sign! (LOL) She was totally offended 'cause he was pulling out the sign and saw her and put the sign away >< I probably made it less funny, but yeah...
A whole different experience...and seeing them Japanese prostitutes on the streets (a little awkward). There is A LOT of men in suits who were off work and just going out to eat, lots of adult cosplay stuff and yeah...to sum it up, I don't hate it. A whole different experience...but yeah, don't worry, I won't go to a host club (hahahaha!) too intense. Even a butler cafe I'm starting to be hesitant. That's pervy fangirl feels arising!
So where did I go shopping? I walked around the Shinjuku district around my area...went through the department store above the Shinjuku East side and it was awesome already. Since right now isn't the time for sales, the prices are just decent, not ridiculously worth it and around the same as Hong Kong or even Canada. I went to Uniqlo (a huge one) and bought some basics, GU (to pick up some socks), a cute random shop for stockings, and HMV to pick up a GazettE CD, and that's about it for now. Hoping to probably shop more for little gifts and maybe a pair of shoes. Dad says I can splurge, but honestly, seeing this massive amount of skincare stuff plus clothing, makes me wish my sister is around to help me focus!
Oh, I would also like to bring up that for the washrooms in Japan, Mr. A did not troll me...there is like automatic public washrooms that gives you the option to clean your parts (front and behind). The washrooms are quite clean...with toilet seat wipers, the disposable sheets, and yeah. I lost my first time using the one in the hotel room and it was...weird. I do appreciate the toilet seat warmer though :) Also, I still find it so awesome how the Japanese tubs are so small, but deep! Sadly, I'm too paranoid to use the tubs and don't have enough time.
As for food, first meal was RAMEN! We went to a random chain store and the ramen, you order through a machine (prepay) before it spits out a receipt for the chef to cook the ramen. Very convenient and efficient indeed, but the ramen was just okay (I'm using Nanchu, Santarou, and the other ones I've had in Hong Kong years ago as markers). It was just really unique with the machine and buttons! We also had ice cream treat at the 7th floor of the Shinjuku Station department where it's a little like marble slab, they "fry" your ice cream...my godmother had her red berries flavor mixed with slightly almond flavored tofu pudding and it was yummy! I had a mint oreo yogurt drink where a scoop of mint ice cream freshly mixed with an oreo cookie is placed on top of a calpis-like drink. It was good :) They also sing you a song while they make it which was soo cute! For dinner, we had this udon which is also a fast-food-like one and it was fairly good for a simple meal (400 yen). Lastly, I did the most tourist-y thing and bought a drink from the legendary, amazing vending machines (taking a photo after) and indeed...it was awesome!!
In general, I'm falling more and more in love with Japan than I already have. I have come to a strong conclusion that Japanese people are very, very polite. They are very courteous and kind (especially to derpy tourists like me), giving us directions despite the language barriers, helping me figure out which coin is 50 yen and 10 yen and 1 yen (picking the coins from my stash!), and how I see they act so politely, even when talking on the phone they still bow. Things you purchased are handed to you with such care (and your change), with both hands, and especially at Uniqlo, they bowed slightly after you received your purchase. I love this place...and this is just Shinjuku!
Oh, before I forget...everyone is so beautiful. Both male and female look so fabulous, I look like a sack of potatoes with my make-up-less face and disgusting blackheads & etc.. I saw such beautiful, long lashed male (who are definitely male...not like they look womanly, but they're just beautiful), it make me feel so sad. I noticed everyone wears make-up and dress up in such cute clothing with amazing hair. Just dang, them beautiful people here...guess I'll put on some foundation to cover them blackheads and scars at least...thank gosh I brought it! (I see all my friends' types errwhere!)
Tomorrow's adventure is to an onsen for a day, and others! :D Super pysched. I can't wait for my next Japan trip already! Thanks for reading - Oyasuminasai!
We found our hotel and the manager working spoke fluent Cantonese! Surprised us, my godmother and I, and he was able to teach us how to walk to the train stations with a shortcut and yeah, made us feel better. Also, one good thing and bad thing about the hotel is that it's in Shinjuku...kind of like living in Mong Kok, there's clubs...hosts clubs...karaoke bars and LOTS of pachinko parlours downstairs! A little awkward at night with lots of people standing on the street trying to get you to go (like what you see in anime and dramas!), and they obviously didn't ask me ): offended. Until this one guy came up to me and asked me to go to this karaoke bar, but I kind of like...refused and then my godmother came he hid the sign! (LOL) She was totally offended 'cause he was pulling out the sign and saw her and put the sign away >< I probably made it less funny, but yeah...
A whole different experience...and seeing them Japanese prostitutes on the streets (a little awkward). There is A LOT of men in suits who were off work and just going out to eat, lots of adult cosplay stuff and yeah...to sum it up, I don't hate it. A whole different experience...but yeah, don't worry, I won't go to a host club (hahahaha!) too intense. Even a butler cafe I'm starting to be hesitant. That's pervy fangirl feels arising!
So where did I go shopping? I walked around the Shinjuku district around my area...went through the department store above the Shinjuku East side and it was awesome already. Since right now isn't the time for sales, the prices are just decent, not ridiculously worth it and around the same as Hong Kong or even Canada. I went to Uniqlo (a huge one) and bought some basics, GU (to pick up some socks), a cute random shop for stockings, and HMV to pick up a GazettE CD, and that's about it for now. Hoping to probably shop more for little gifts and maybe a pair of shoes. Dad says I can splurge, but honestly, seeing this massive amount of skincare stuff plus clothing, makes me wish my sister is around to help me focus!
Oh, I would also like to bring up that for the washrooms in Japan, Mr. A did not troll me...there is like automatic public washrooms that gives you the option to clean your parts (front and behind). The washrooms are quite clean...with toilet seat wipers, the disposable sheets, and yeah. I lost my first time using the one in the hotel room and it was...weird. I do appreciate the toilet seat warmer though :) Also, I still find it so awesome how the Japanese tubs are so small, but deep! Sadly, I'm too paranoid to use the tubs and don't have enough time.
As for food, first meal was RAMEN! We went to a random chain store and the ramen, you order through a machine (prepay) before it spits out a receipt for the chef to cook the ramen. Very convenient and efficient indeed, but the ramen was just okay (I'm using Nanchu, Santarou, and the other ones I've had in Hong Kong years ago as markers). It was just really unique with the machine and buttons! We also had ice cream treat at the 7th floor of the Shinjuku Station department where it's a little like marble slab, they "fry" your ice cream...my godmother had her red berries flavor mixed with slightly almond flavored tofu pudding and it was yummy! I had a mint oreo yogurt drink where a scoop of mint ice cream freshly mixed with an oreo cookie is placed on top of a calpis-like drink. It was good :) They also sing you a song while they make it which was soo cute! For dinner, we had this udon which is also a fast-food-like one and it was fairly good for a simple meal (400 yen). Lastly, I did the most tourist-y thing and bought a drink from the legendary, amazing vending machines (taking a photo after) and indeed...it was awesome!!
In general, I'm falling more and more in love with Japan than I already have. I have come to a strong conclusion that Japanese people are very, very polite. They are very courteous and kind (especially to derpy tourists like me), giving us directions despite the language barriers, helping me figure out which coin is 50 yen and 10 yen and 1 yen (picking the coins from my stash!), and how I see they act so politely, even when talking on the phone they still bow. Things you purchased are handed to you with such care (and your change), with both hands, and especially at Uniqlo, they bowed slightly after you received your purchase. I love this place...and this is just Shinjuku!
Oh, before I forget...everyone is so beautiful. Both male and female look so fabulous, I look like a sack of potatoes with my make-up-less face and disgusting blackheads & etc.. I saw such beautiful, long lashed male (who are definitely male...not like they look womanly, but they're just beautiful), it make me feel so sad. I noticed everyone wears make-up and dress up in such cute clothing with amazing hair. Just dang, them beautiful people here...guess I'll put on some foundation to cover them blackheads and scars at least...thank gosh I brought it! (I see all my friends' types errwhere!)
Tomorrow's adventure is to an onsen for a day, and others! :D Super pysched. I can't wait for my next Japan trip already! Thanks for reading - Oyasuminasai!
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