For my future reference.
Japan Trip Budget log & Travel log for 25th Dec 2014 to 5th Jan 2015.
24th Dec 2014 Wednesday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Pickup ST at house and head for KLIA2. Met up with rest of group at KLIA2.
25th Dec 2014 Thursday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Depart KLIA2 at 1am with AK, MS, OM, ST and YF. Arrive Kansai International Airport, Osaka at 8.30am. Walk to closeby airport train station. Can already feel cold weather. Reload Suica card 2000yen. Now total 6500yen in card. Rest bought Icoca card from machine. Paid YF 1200yen for sharing rental portable wifi. Took train to Tokyo, multiple stops. Met EM and UT at Kyoto station. UT carrying PS4 box for repairs because Japan version machine. Photo with Kyoto Tower. Decision to walk to Mystays Shijo 2km+ away. Slight drizzle. Reached hotel at 2pm. Filled out stay form, able to check in early, 2 twin room, 1 triple room, 1 single room (actual check in time 3pm). Very good discounted room rates cheapest at RM45 per person per night. 3.15pm go out buy tuna mayo onigiri at Family Mart in front of hotel 110yen. Rest also bought onigiri. Took a bus to Ninnaji using card. Bus stops right in front of gate. Walk around and photos. Not many people. The place and surrounding areas close at 4.30pm so didn't have much time for original plan to go Kinkakuji. ST hurt his foot a bit while catching bus. Took bus back to Shijo Karasuma area, decide to go to nearby Saizeriya with everyone to eat Italian food 5.30pm. Ordered Ebi salad and use of drink bar for 550yen. After dinner some decide to go Yodobashi. I follow rest and walk back to hotel, drop by Family Mart to buy Ebi mayo onigiri and canned coffee for tomorrow's breakfast. Back in Hotel by 7.30pm.
2000yen Suica reload
1200yen share portable wifi rental
110yen Family Mart konbini tuna onigiri
550yen Saizeriya Ebi salad and drink bar
244yen Family Mart konbini Ebi mayo onigiri and canned coffee
4104yen day total
4104yen to date total26th Dec 2014 Friday.» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Everyone left hotel at 8.45am. Took bus to Gion Shijo station. Photo in front of Minamiza Kabuki Theatre. Reload Suica card 2000yen. Took train to Fushimi Inari. Arrive station 9.30am. Walk East towards Fushimi Inari Taisha. Photo at large red Tori gate. Shops lining sides of street. Beautiful surroundings. A bit crowded at the lined red tori gates where the path splits. Continue to climb until reach lake area. The hung Ema wooden plaques are in the shape of a fox head. People busy taking photos of a chubby cat on a dust bin. Our group joins in. Lost contact with MS, so wait a bit, then went down. Bought 400yen Torii fridge magnet. MS camera battery ran out, so he went back to get charger. Some bought takoyaki to eat in train. Rest leave by JR Inari station at 11.25am for Nara station. Arrive 12.35pm. Went into Aeon Max Value to buy lunch; 216yen onigiri and apple juice. Took bus to Kencho Mae, can't use Suica card so paid 210yen, 100yen UT. Lots of tame deer around. Walk to Kohfukuji Temple and took photos of buildings. Some were under renovation. MS went directly to Arashiyama instead because of timing difference and got nice photos and videos of bamboo paths. We took bus back to Nara Station 210yen, train transfer at Rokujizou then go to Kohata station where KyoAni studio. Arrive at 3.10pm. Took photos in front of KyoAni building then go to their shop slightly further away. At shop, bought some merchandise Chuunibyou and Nichijou Parapara Trump cards and Nichijou ruler for 4114yen. Went back by train to Kyoto station arrive 4.30pm. AK found on internet a restaurant on Kyoto University campus with Halal meal. AK, EM, OM, ST, YF, and me decide to go. Took bus to Kyodai Seimon Mae, and walked into campus. Dinner at Charproze, halal chicken steak with rice + water 810yen 5.20pm. Photo in front of Kyodai sign. Walked back to bus station toward Kyoto station, and dropped off near Yodobashi-Kyoto 7.15pm. Group photo in front of building and Kyoto tower. Went into Yodobashi and walked around. Not as big as in Akiba and Umeda, but still impressive selection. Everybody already tired so left around 9.20pm. Took bus back to hotel. Drop by Family Mart buy 2 onigiri and discounted mixed salad 468yen. In hotel room by 10.20pm.
2000yen Suica reload
400yen red torii magnet souvenir
216yen Aeon Max Value onigiri and apple juice
210yen Kencho Mae bus fare
100yen UT
210yen bus to Nara station
4114yen KyoAni shop merchandise
810yen Charproze Halal chicken steak
468yen Family Mart konbini 2 onigiri and mixed salad
8528yen day total
12632yen to date total27th Dec 2014 Saturday.» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Check out of hotel by 8.50am and walk to Shijo Horikawa bus stop headed for new hotel location. Few minutes ride, drop off Shichijo Horikawa bus stop. Split midway as I’m staying at different hotel nearby. Checked in Hotel Excellence Kyoto and left luggage at reception. Walk to Tomato Guest House to meet rest of group, they have checked in and left luggage for the day 9.30am. Walk to nearby Kyoto station together. Bought bus day pass 500yen with picture of Moe Uzumasa, Kyoto bus and subway mascot character on ticket. Take bus to Ginkakuji. Got off a bit early at Heian Jingu Shrine’s massive red Torii Gate at 10.30am. Walked East along Nijo Dori. Saw large baseball field. Lady tourist asking directions of place we do not know either. North East along Shirakawa Dori. House are nice and small gardens very well kept. Walk until reach Eikando Zenriji entrance then turned North along Shishigatani Dori. About 300m on, decide to get back on bus 10mins ride closer to Ginkakuji. A lot of shops all along the street towards Ginkakuji. Nearby shop selling Takoyaki. Group bought to taste. Paid 50yen. Started to drizzle a bit near entrance. Enterprising shop owner selling 300yen umbrellas. Some bought. Paid entrance fee 500yen and went in 11.40am. MS decide not to go in. Took lots of photos and videos inside gardens and buildings, silver pavilion, and up on top at the Overlook spot. Photo with 2 Koreans in kimono. Bought souvenir at store outside 260yen. Left at 12.20am taking bus for Kiyomizudera, arriving Higashioji Dori bus stop at 1.05pm. Uphill walk towards Kiyomizudera, with lots of shops on the way up. Tourist bus stop halfway up. Paid 300yen entrance fee. Lots of tourists. Took photos and video, and walk towards pagoda. Left Kiyomizudera by 2.30pm and walk to Higashishioji Dori bus stop. Took 3.25pm bus to Kyoto station arrive by 3.25pm. Everyone tired by then, but group decided to go for Kinkakuji. Took bus arrive Kinkakuji Michi bus stop at 4.15pm. Walk up to entrance and paid 400yen entrance fee. Group photo Kinkakuji temple. Sound of large bell. Took lots of photos and videos until camera battery died. It is getting dark. Left by 5pm by bus towards Kyoto station. Midway, everyone except MS, EM and me got off to buy takeout bento for dinner. EM went to pickup package from Karasuma Shijo Family Mart. MS went to check in Compass hotel. I went into Yodobashi walk around. Went up to fashion and accessories floors which we didn't go to last time. Bought 1620yen Earmuffs for Nozawa Onsen. Stopped by McD bought ala carte 2 Ebi burger 1 fillet fish 1060yen for dinner and tomorrow's breakfast. Stopped by Lawsons buy milk coffee and milk tea bottles 302yen. Back to hotel for proper check in by 7pm.
500yen Kyoto city bus day pass
50yen share of Takoyaki
500yen Ginkakuji entrance fee
260yen Ginkakuji souvenir
300yen Kiyomizudera entrance fee
400yen Kinkakuji entrance fee
1620yen Yodobashi Kyoto Earmuffs
1060yen McD 2 Ebi Burger 1 Fillet fish
302yen Lawson konbini milk tea and milk coffee bottles
4992yen day total
17624yen to date total28th Dec 2014 Sunday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Check out of Hotel and walk to Tomato Guesthouse arrive 8.35am. Walk together to Kyoto station and met up with MS at 9am. Pay EM 9790yen for 9.25am train ticket straight to Nagano station. Coming into snowy region. Beautiful landscape. Arrive at Nagano station at 2pm. It has been snowing in Nagano, with snow on the ground. Walk to bus area and wait for 3.05pm Nagaden bus. Some went konbini looking for onigiri. Board bus for Nozawa Onsen. Deep and heavy snow along the way. Arrive at bus terminal 4.30pm. Very cold. Uphill walk with luggage to Resort Inn Toemu, arriving for check in at 4.45pm. Go out for dinner at 6pm with AK, EM, MS, andYF. Rest stayed in hotel to eat ready food supplies. Had a look around town/ photos. Has a nice small town feel. Settle in at Sobadokoro Daimon restaurant. Ordered Tempura Soba set and orange juice for 1750yen. Lots of people coming in, some had to be turned away. Done eating by 7.15pm. Continue to walk around town afterwards, dropping by pharmacy for some to buy medication for members down with flu. Back at hotel by 7.50pm.
9790yen train ticket to Nagano station
1750yen Sobadokoro Daimon restaurant Tempura Soba set
11540yen day total
29164yen to date total29th Dec 2014 Monday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Leave hotel 8.15am. It is snowing lightly. Walk to Yamazaki konbini for them to buy onigiri breakfast. Eat in front of store. Walk to snowboarding area, detouring to other skiing lines. Got good photos along the way. Uphill walk all the way. Arrive Nagasaka Station ski lift at 9.15am. Already a lot of people. Walk in Salomon for Snowboarding equipments, boots and board rental 6300Yen. Everybody going for snowboards except UT skis. I decide to forgo helmet. Guy attending to us was Australian with both parents from Malaysia. Put handphone and camera in vest pockets. We went to opposite shop for visor and gloves rental. I already have gloves so only visor rental 450yen. Bought ski lift pass for 4800yen. Everyone got on the 2 gondolas, taking several minutes to reach destination. By the time we reach area to strap in our boards, it was 11.30am. Took photos and some videos. ST foot hurting from bad equipment. Got snowboarding tips and basic lesson from MS. Bad visibility. Went downhill with UT but lost him. Saw AK and EM, grouped up and go down slowly together. Visibility got worst. 12.25pm halfway to rest house. Wiped out a few times. EM tried to avoid random oyaji and went down hard. 1pm at rest house, nothing we can eat so settled with food supplies in backpack EM was carrying. 3 cans of Vanhouten Cocoa drink 480yen. Had a taste of CalorieMate. Rested up. Got message from others. They are at Nagasaka Station Salomon and are done. Left rest house at 2.20pm. Took ski lift back up to original point, and went down via Gondola to Nagasaka Station. Meet up with rest 2.50pm at Salomon. OM, ST, and UT already left to catch bus to Nagano and train to go to Tokyo next day Comiket. We continued at nearby course with shorter ski lift. Slightly crowded but better visibility. Course not as easy with steep undulating slopes. Went down hard several times. No damage. Ski lift stops at 4.30pm so made last run and went back to Salomon. Total 5 runs. Returned all rented equipments by 5pm deadline. Walked back to town to find place to eat. Some houses still have leftover christmas decorations. The pizza place was fully booked. Settled for a Japanese restaurant Wakagiri. A few gaijins reserved tables. Ordered Tempura Rice set and orange juice 1650yen. Back in hotel by 7pm.
6300yen Salomon snowboard, boots, and clothes rental
450yen visor rental
4800yen ski lift pass
480yen rest house 3 Vanhouton Cocoa canned drinks
1650yen Wakagiri restaurant Tempura rice set and orange juice
13680yen day total
42844yen to date total30th Dec 2014 Tuesday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
AK, EM, MS, YF and me checkout hotel 8.30am to walk to bus terminal. Waited in waiting room. Smell of gas from gas heater. Boarded Nagaden bus for Nagano Station 1500yen. Arrive Nagano station 10.45am. Went to Saizeriya while waiting for 12pm bus to Tokyo. Ordered seafood doria and drink bar 690yen. Boarded bus to Tokyo 12pm with several rest stops along the way. Groups of schoolchildren and their teachers on school trips. Heard of some communication issues between the Comiket group. Arrive Shinjuku Station at 4pm. Took train to Minamisenju station. AK, EM, MS and YF headed for Hotel Palace Japan 400m South, while I headed for Chiyoda Inn 100m West. Check in hotel by 5.30pm. Supposed to meet at Minamisenju station at 7pm, but Ikebukuro Pokemon Centre closes at 8pm, so went out earlier. Walk to Hotel Palace Japan. MS doing laundry so not going. Went out with AK, EM and YF at 6.20pm. 100yen bottled mineral water from vending machine. Take bus at nearby stop to Shinjuku, use Suica card. Arrive Shinjuku 7.15pm. Walk around a bit to find location, arrive Pokemon Centre inside Shopping Mall. Browse and photos. Decide to have dinner at Tenya in same building. Ordered Tendon 500yen. Finish dinner 9pm. Walk out and around Ikebukuro, hitting some arcades. Active nightlife in area. Go back at 10.15pm via train Ikebukuro station to Minamisenju station. Drop by Lawson buy water and food supplies 617yen. Back hotel by 11pm.
1500yen Nagaden bus to Nagano station
690yen Saizeriya seafood doria and drink bar
100yen vending machine mineral water bottle
500yen Tenya tendon
617yen Lawson konbini water and food supplies
3407yen day total
46251yen to date total31st Dec 2014 Wednesday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
8.30am leave hotel walk to Palace Japan visit ST. ST, UT and OM checked in Palace Japan last night. Had a look at their quad room, morning TV and some Comiket loot. Leave Palace Japan 9.20am with AK, EM and YF to go Anime pilgrimage at Enoshima/Kamakura (Tari tari, Ika Musume, Hanayatama, Tsuritama, etc). Took train from Minamisenju station to Shinjuku. Bought ticket for Katase-Enoshima station and day pass ticket for use on Enoden train line 1470yen. Add 620yen for reserve seating. Photo with sales cart lady. YF spilled expensive coffee on floor. Paid back EM 4500yen for previous day’s Nagano to Shinjuku bus ticket. Arrive Katase-Enoshima station at 11.20am. Bright and sunny day. Walk out and along bridge to Enoshima. AK camera memory card is full. Kayak/water sports activity ongoing. Can’t see Mt. Fuji from bridge due to poor visibility. Lots of stores selling seafood. AK and YF ordered grilled squid and Ramune bottles. AK bottle sprayed open. Start walk along east side of island, view of marina. A lot of bikers. One swiped side mirror on metal pole. Saw small shrine with lots of chubby cats. Walk along main street with lots of food and souvenir shops uphill towards Enoshima shrine. Place is getting ready for New Year’s celebrations. Lots of stairs. Quite a number of couples around. Enoshima apparently a popular dating place. Nice views of marina and Kamakura from high up. Took photos. Enoshima lighthouse observation tower. Enoden gashapon souvenir 200yen. Head towards love bell. Lots of locks attached to fence. Nice ocean view. Skipped Iwaya caves. Nice walk back via North West coast. Bought tasty red pepper senbe rice cracker 120yen from store, and Azuki Taiyaki from stall 170yen. Walk towards Enoshima station on Enoden line. Drop by Lawson for AK to buy memory card for camera. Took train at 2.30pm to Hase station. Walk north towards Daibutsu. Lunch at Kebab Kamakura store 4 people 2200yen. The owner is still as cheerful as previous years visits. Daibutsu entrance fee 200yen. Walk around and take photos. Ika Musume shots. Obligatory green tea ice cream 300yen. Shops around here sell stuff like souvenir and weapons replicas. Said goodbye to Kebab shop owner, will come back again next year. Back to Hase station 4.30pm. Enoden coin press souvenir 100yen. Enoden train to Fujiwara station, hoping for better visibility of Mt. Fuji from inside train, no luck. Back to Shinjuku 620yen reserve seats. Decide to go Akihabara, arriving at 7.40pm for AK and YF first time. Saw MS in front of Gamers. Went into Gamers, checking out each floors from top to bottom. Photos with life sized cutout of Love Live characters. Walked around Akiba. Split off from group 8.45pm. Sega arcade has life sized cutouts of Wake Up Girls characters. 100yen UFO crane Komachi plush keychain fail. Bought onigiri 2 inari 1 bottled coffee at Newdays konbini 517yen. Leave Akiba 9.30pm.
1470yen train to Katase-Enoshima pass ticket
620yen reserve seating
4500yen payback EM previous day Nagano-Shinjuku bus ticket
200yen Enoden gashapon souvenir
120yen red pepper senbe rice cracker
170yen Azuki Taiyaki
2200yen 4 Kamakura Kebab
200yen Daibutsu entrance fee
300yen Green tea icecream
100yen Enoden coin press souvenir
620yen reserve seats back to Shinjuku
100yen UFO crane Komachi plush keychain fail
517yen Newdays konbini onigiri, 2 inari, 1 bottled coffee
11117yen day total
57368yen to date total1st Jan 2015 Thursday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Leave hotel 7.45am and meet up with AK, EM, MS and YF at Kita Senju (1 stop away from Minami Senju) to take train to Washinomiya for Lucky Star pilgrimage. Weather is sunny but very cold. Reach station at 9.30am. Small Dagashiya store in front of station with some pictures of Lucky Star characters. Walk to Washinomiya shrine. People in festival mode, no big crowd yet. Some cosplayers and anime merchandise for sale. Walk around and take photos. Ema wooden plaques hung with anime drawings. Bon fire burning previous year’s goals. MS tried love omikuji, shou-kichi. Stage performance started with drums, flute, and actors, recorded video. Large crowd and long lines into the shrine by now. Regroup and met with SF. Buy large takoyaki 700yen. 10.50am leave shrine to walk to station from other side. Saw large wall mural of Lucky Star characters. Took train to Asakusa 11am. Arrive 12.30pm. Main roads closed to cars for pedestrians to walk. Fine snow falling, shows how cold the day is. Met with OM and ST in front of Kaminarimon. Large crowd trying to go in Sensoji temple. Plenty of stores along Nakamise lined up towards temple. Can see Sky Tree from here. Walk around, took photos, very crowded. Exit temple heading west. OM heads off to Akiba. Rest decides to have lunch at nearby Tenya 2pm. Still not hungry so split off to walk around area. Rejoin and walk to Tokyo Cruise building. Photo of famous Asakusa golden turd. Buy Tokyo Water Bus ticket to Odaiba for 3.15pm departure 1560yen. Best boat with panoramic glass walls/ceilings, and can go up on top deck. Leisurely cruise towards Odaiba. Photos with rainbow bridge. Reach Odaiba at 4.15pm docking North West of Tokyo Teleport station. Walk to Diver City where the giant Gundam is located to meet up with UT and AR. Took photos with gundam. Go into building to Gundam Museum on top floor. 5.30pm everyone entered except MS and me. Walk around free area/shop and browse Diver City. UFO crane Round 1 fail 500yen. 100yen Sniper arcade game. Regroup 6.40pm, head for 7.30 Giant Gundam projection light show. 8pm group at 7-11 konbini some plan buy dinner go back. Head off back alone to go Akiba. On train at Akiba stop too lazy to exit, continue straight to Ueno transfer to Minamisenju. Bought ala carte kani koroke burger at station McD 390yen. Nearby Family Mart canned coffee and salad 268yen. Back in hotel by 9.30pm.
700yen Washinomiya large takoyaki
1560yen Tokyo Water Bus to Odaiba
500yen Round 1 UFO crane fail
100yen sniper arcade game
390yen McD ala carte Kani koroke burger
268yen Family Mart konbini canned coffee and salad
3518yen day total
60886yen to date total2nd Jan 2015 Friday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Leave hotel 9.30am go to Hotel Palace Japan. LK there, chat a bit. AR bunked in with them previous night. Left hotel with ST to go Akiba. At Minamisenju station McD, 1030yen ala carte and set Kani Koroke burgers, even tho had Nasi Lemak in room earlier. Reach Akiba 11.15pm for ST first time. Change backup USD to Yen. Walk into Gamers, Hobby Store, ComicToranoana, etc. Bought 2 sets Garupan school emblem pin badges 1759yen, free Yukari card. Others are meeting up to have sushi in Shibuya. Limited time so decide not to go. Rest in Mister Donut 2.10pm. 3pm decide to head to nearby Kanda shrine. Long queue of people outside the gate. We line up to get inside. Sea of people. Head for the Ema wooden plaque area. Lots of anime drawings, places to hang full. ST bought one to draw. Photo with lady in new year clothing. On way out bought 500yen Kebab and 500yen Takoyaki. 5pm go to Mandarake met up with AK, AR, EG, EM, LK, and YF. Bought used NDS Love Plus 324yen, and new NDS Love Plus+ 1296yen. Went off to hit arcades with ST. 100yen Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax first time finished with Taiga. 400yen UFO crane Renge small figure fail. 200yen misc fail. 100yen Dengeki Bunko with Misaka. Leave Akiba 9.45pm to Minamisenju station. Nearby Family Mart bought tamago sando, konbu onigiri, 2 rice snacks, 1 carton fruit juice, 1 large bottled water 973yen. Back in hotel by 10.30pm.
1030yen McD ala carte and set Kani koroke
1759yen Hobby Store 2 sets Garupan school emblem pin badges
500yen Kanda Shrine Kebab
500yen Kanda Shrine Takoyaki
324yen Mandarake used NDS Love Plus
1296yen Mandarake new NDS Love Plus+
100yen Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax arcade game
400yen UFO crane Renge small figure fail
200yen UFO crane misc fail
100yen Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax arcade game
973yen Family Mart konbini food and water supplies
7182yen day total
68068yen to date total3rd jan 2015 Saturday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Leave hotel 9.40pm meet up with EG, LK, and OM at Minamisenju station, train to Akiba. Split off to walk around. OM taking earlier flight back for work. Entered Renewed Radio Kaikan building. A lot more shops already settled in since last visit. Bought 2pc Garupan 1pc Ika Musume Prememo booster packs 840yen at Yellow Submarine. Love Live billboard truck making rounds. At arcade 100yen Virtua Fighter 5, 100yen Dengeki Bunko. 604yen at Book Off for Ika Musume tankoubon vol 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8. Garupan x WoT posters in random stores. Life sized cutouts of characters placed all over Akiba. Tried to find as many as I can. Saw Porsche 911 Takane Shijou itasha. Bread Papa 220yen strawberry shu cream. Leave Akiba at 3.30pm. Minamisenju station McD ala carte Ebi burger, Kani Koroke burger, Fish Fillet 1079yen. Back hotel by 4pm. Leave again 8.50pm go Akiba. Hit the arcades Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate 100yen. Dengeki Bunko 100yen. In Sega men’s restroom tried peeing toilet game. UFO crane 700yen for 7 tries get 6pc of Non Non Biyori plush keychains success. Sega staff was kind enough to line up all characters for easy pickings. Back hotel by 11.40pm.
840yen Yellow Submarine 2pc Garupan 1pc Ika Musume Prememo booster packs
100yen Virtua Fighter 5 arcade game
100yen Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax arcade game
604yen Book Off Ika Musume tankoubon vol 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
220yen Bread Papa strawberry shu cream puff
1079yen McD ala carte Ebi burger, Kani Koroke burger, Fish Fillet
100yen Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate arcade game
100yen Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax arcade game
700yen 7 tries get 6pc of Non Non Biyori plush keychains success
3843yen day total
71911yen to date total4th Jan 2015 Sunday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Check out of Chiyoda Inn hotel 9.45am. Meet up with AK, EM, MS, ST, UT, YF at Minamisenju station to go Ueno station. Said goodbye to EM not following to Osaka. At Ueno station, they had breakfast at Andersen bakery. French guy said their croissants taste just like in France. Buy Shinkansen train ticket 13620y non-reserved seats to Shin Osaka station. Took 11.50am Nozomi no.337. Nice scenic ride. View of Mt. Fuji. Rest are sleeping. Pass through snowy regions. Arrive 2.20pm. Osaka is slightly warmer than Tokyo. Recharge suica 2000yen. Train to Tanimachi Yonchome station, check in APA hotel 100m from nearest exit at 3.30pm. They check in Hotel Mystays Otemae further 100m. Went to visit Mystays, met with Malaysian guy, holidaying with family. Chat with AK. Go to nearby Hokahoka Tei 390yen Tendon bento. Eat with others at Mystays. 5pm leave hotel and walk west 600m to Sakaisuji Hommachi station for direct train line to Nipponbashi station. Arrive 5.30pm. Walk 400m in sprawling underground shopping maze towards Namba station. Exit above ground head towards Dotonbori. A lot of street lights decorations on the way. Short walk to Dotonbori, a lot of illuminated billboards along the river canal. Photo with famous Glico running man. Ferris wheel above Don Quijote shop building. Walk along canal. Share a bit Takoyaki. Different style than in Tokyo. A lot of eateries and food stalls along Dotonbori Ave, parallel south of canal. Most with ‘gimmicks’ like giant crabs or octopus above shop entrance. They bought some grilled scallop at stall, tasted sweet. Decide to eat crabs at restaurant Kani Doraku 6.30pm. Proper tatami room for 6 people. Everything looks expensive. YF plays Aiura song Kani Do Luck. MS blanja some items on menu. Ordered several types of king crabs kani sushi and sashimi, crab legs sukiyaki 1500yen share + 2300yen. Shiawase. Exit restaurant and continue walking along Dotonbori Ave. Singing Maguro Tuna. MS won some UFO crane Funassyi plush keychains. Photos with Kuidaore Taro Clown, the mechanical drumming man. 200yen coin souvenir of Kuidaore Taro. Checkout some UFO crane games, very different machines from Tokyo. Everyone decide to go back 8.30pm. 8.45pm split from group to walk around. Walk randomly towards IOIO Namba Marui building. A lot of covered shopping arcades. Head South East towards Den Den Town. Namco, Taito game buildings, others. UFO crane 1400yen chihya fail. Bought 1300yen misc. By the time reach Den Den Town, most shops closed. 10.30pm go back via Nipponbashi station to Sakaisuji Hommachi, then chuo line to Tanimachi Yonchome. Nearby 7-11 konbini bought big bottled water, juice carton, seafood cup noodle, 2 onigiri, 2 bottled coffee 987yen. Back hotel by 11.15pm. 1000yen card.
13620yen Shinkansen ticket to Shin Osaka
2000yen Suica reload
390yen Hokahoka Tei tendon bento
3800yen Kani Doraku crab dinner
200yen coin souvenir of Kuidaore Taro
1400yen UFO crane Chihya fail
1300yen misc
987yen 7-11 konbini big bottled water, juice carton, cup noodle, 2 onigiri, 2 bottled coffee
1000yen card
24697yen day total
96608yen to date total5th Jan 2015 Monday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
10.30pm go Mystays. Rest checking out of Mystays today, leaving luggage at hotel. Bright sunny day. Walk East 400m along Hommachi Dori to Osaka castle. NHK and Osaka Prefectural Police buildings on either side. Can see nice view of Ichiban-yagura turret with moat. Photos, then walk inside castle area through western Otemon Gate. Some renovation works being done. Go into inner area through Sakuramon Gate. Rest bench and photos, small dog in panda outfit. Some stalls selling Crepe, yakoyaki, Taiyaki, etc. 200yen Osaka castle coin press souvenir. Group photo with castle. 600yen entrance fee to go inside castle. Start tour from top floor observation area, view of West, South, East, and North. Start descend. A lot of historical facts and exhibitions about wars and related people using video projections, etc. Very interesting. Some floors cannot use cameras. Exit castle at 1.30pm. They all bought Taiyaki. Crepe stall lady not around so bought 200yen custard Taiyaki. 2pm start move to Umeda train station to go to on Kanon Anime pilgrimage at Moriguchishi station. Arrive on scene 3.10pm. The clock has been replaced to a digital one. Leave 3.35pm to go Umeda look for Okonomiyaki restaurant. Exit station infront of huge Yodobashi Umeda. Nearby Okonomoyaki shop, under the rail lines with a lot of other eateries. Ordered 3 mix okonomiyaki share with 6 people each pay 425yen. Each table has teppan hot plates embedded into it. Shop is small but nice and warm with a lot of people coming in. 5pm said goodbyes to AK, MS, ST, UT, YF they leave for hotel to pickup luggage and depart evening flight from Kansai International Airport, I stay back Umeda. Walk around area. At Tokyu Hands bought 4pc multi pen pencil for 4104yen. Same building has Pokemon Center. Head East towards Mandarake. Not as big as Akiba or Nakano, but still good selection. 7.15pm go back via Nakazakicho station. Hokahoka Tei 2 pc Tendon bento 780yen to eat in hotel room. Back hotel by 8pm.
200yen Osaka castle coin press souvenir
600yen entrance fee to go inside castle
200yen custard Taiyaki
425yen Okonomiyaki share
4104yen Tokyu Hands 4pc multi pen pencil
780yen Hokahoka Tei 2 pc Tendon bento
6309yen day total
102917yen to date total6th Jan 2015 Tuesday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Start work day. –Most expenses covered by company, not listed.
Evening go to Den Den Town. Shops are closing. Bought Prememo standalone cards 20pc for 420yen at Yellow Submarine. 3sets of coaster of ika musume, oreimo, and railgun for 300yen at Lashinbang. At Taito Game UFO crane 3300yen Chihya success. Tried 1000yen random medal game.
420yen Yellow Submarine Prememo standalone cards
300yen Lashinbang 3sets of coaster of ika musume, oreimo, and railgun
3300yen Taito Game UFO crane Chihya success
1000yen random medal game
5020yen day total
107937yen to date total7th Jan 2015 Wednesday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Head for Den Den Town at normal hours. 1000yen Indian vegetarian curry naan lunch. At Super Position bought 100yen Ika Musume key chain, 600yen 6pc DOA figures complete set. Ika Musume tankoubon 4, 9, 10, 11 for 800yen at a-Too. Bought used ps3 games Another Century Episode R 150yen, Gundam Extreme VS 150yen, Me & My Pet 100yen, and Beat Sketch 30yen at Super Position. Spent an hour sorting premium prememo cards at C-Labi (top floor Animate/Melonbooks building), 116pc total 2436yen. 5.15pm start walk back.
1000yen Indian vegetarian curry naan
100yen Super Position Ika Musume key chain
600yen Super Position 6pc DOA figures complete set
800yen a-Too Ika Musume tankoubon 4, 9, 10, 11
150yen used ps3 game Another Century Episode
150yen used ps3 game Gundam Extreme
100yen used ps3 game Me & My Pet
30yen used ps3 game Beat Sketch
2436yen C-Labi 116pc premium prememo cards
5366yen day total
113303yen to date total8th Jan 2015 Thursday» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
On the way to Shin Osaka station, drop by Yodobashi Umeda help buy CD+DVD 1740yen for ST. Nozomi train to Shinagawa.
1740yen Yodobashi Umeda CD+DVD for ST
1740yen day total
115043yen to date total9th Jan – 11th Jan 2015» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Tokyo meeting – Back to Osaka, USJ restaurant site visit and meeting – To Tokyo meeting – Flying back to Malaysia from Narita Airport. Bought Omiyage Green tea Chiffon cakes 600yen, Dorayaki 600yen, rice snacks 300yen. Light breakfast tuna mayo onigiri and lemon juice 270yen. Arrive KLIA2 5.30pm delayed by strong headwinds.
600yen Airport shop Green tea Chiffon cakes
600yen Airport shop Dorayaki
300yen Airport shop Rice snacks
270yen Airport shop tuna mayo onigiri and lemon juice
1770yen day total
116813yen to date total + RM810 (27000yen) Airplane return ticket KIX, (later extended for business, company bear costs)
Total spent for an 11 night, Osaka-Tokyo round trip (not including items purchased before going to Japan): =
Total spent on Food & Drinks (excluding snacks for souvenirs): = 26416yen = RM792.48