Highlights of my Japan trip!

Hey guys, I know it has been quite a while since I posted anything but I've finally found the time to blog about my Japan trip! Not going me bore you with a lengthy post so I'm just going to share with you the highlights of my trip! *if you'd like to see all the photos, click here* All these events are in no specific order and just thought I'd round up my favourite parts of this trip. The food part is going to be in another post which you can read it in the link at the end of this post.

The thing about going on holiday is when you come back you gotta filter, edit, post, tag and blog about it. I'm telling you it's a lot of work when you've got over a thousand pics... I really admire travel bloggers who can seriously do all that so efficiently. An amateur like me still has lots to learn. Anyway, here are the highlights of my Japan trip!

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#1 Shopping in Shibuya & Shinjuku

Consider my bucket list checked on crossing the infamous Shibuya crossing! It's way bigger in actual compared to this picture and I felt like I needed to run across to make it over on time! #shortpeopleproblems Somehow it got me feeling so ecstatic walking in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Btw, you can get a great view of the Shibuya crossing at the Starbucks nearby. 

A dog lover like me must grab a photo with the Hachiko statue! 

The first stop I headed to was Shibuya 109. TBH, you can get similar clothes at a way way cheaper price here in KL but it's worth a look. I highly recommend you to definitely check out GU the next time you're there! It's the sister company of UNIQLO and has more fashion forward basic looks compared to UNIQLO. The price starts at RM40 for clothes and deals go as RM20 per piece! I literally bought a full set of clothes from GU. Too bad fashion in Japan goes by season so most of the new stocks were more to winter wear which I'm obviously not going to wear in KL.

UNIQLO is not bad too and somehow I feel like the UNIQLO in Japan is more fashion forward compared to the one in Malaysia.

You can find GU at Shinjuku at the BIC Camera store or BICQLO (the UNIQLO here is huge!) Spot the logo! Its blue and yellow like IKEA ahaha

Another store with similar price range is WEGO! You can find a WEGO store at Harajuku and it's fashion heaven for teens and young adults with a store full of items ranging from, clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. I dont really know why I didn't buy anything at WEGO but I'm guessing that I only went there on my last day and I've already spent over my budget. Oopsies.

Also, if you're into basics, you should definitely check out SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH. The price range is higher than GU and WEGO, something like MNG and Zara but they've got pretty sleek basics! I bought a furry mini tote bag from them which burnt a huge hole in my budget but I did not regret it at all! They have a store near Shinjuku station but I got my bag at their store near Meiji-jingmae station.

Oh I met with Godzilla too! You can find it at Kabuki-Cho, beside Hotel Gracery. It's so cute!

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#2 Exploring the low city of Tokyo - Asakusa

Right after exiting the subway, I spotted these young Japanese men in really short shorts and odd looking shoes/socks. It was pretty funny to me and of course the thing to do is snap a pic right? They caught me snapping pictures and approached me to hire them to be our tour guide. It's a cute idea to do this but we went on our own instead since I was the tour guide for the trip.

Tried some green tea which looked really appealing but it turned out to have added sugar.. :( Little did I know there was actually a booth near the temple giving out FREE green tea... wtf. And it tasted way better! K... Anyway, if you notice, people finish their food or drinks on the spot after buying it because in Japanese tradition its considered rude to drink or eat while you're walking. So better not be like me and get glared. *just kidding, no one glared but its best not to do so la.

Souvenirs of all kinds can be found in the souvenirs shops along the historic shopping street of Nakamise Dori.

Finally, after a good stroll I made it to Sensoji Temple!

A photo touristy photo is a must at the beautiful gates.

These huge lanterns are real pretty too!

OOTD is a must here since the red painted gates is a prominent symbol of Sensoji and it just screams Japan! Btw, dont be fooled by my Autumny inspired outfits because the weather pretty hot there. Slightly cooler than in KL but still hot. Yet, I do not regret it. #thingswedoforaphoto

Hot weather calls for ice cream! Had this Sake ice cream at some random shop and it was really good! They actually just get the ice cream in a cup form and scoop it into some machine to make it into a soft serve. 

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#3 Visiting Yokohama & NISSIN Cup Noodles Museum!

In case you didn't know, there's a Nissin Cup Noodle Museum in Japan. Just an hour train ride from Tokyo, I feel like Yokohama is a pretty underrated place. I havent even heard about it before until recently, or maybe it's just me. This is a place that's definitely worth the visit!

Cupnoodles Park!

And we're here! I tried making a vlog throughout the visit but failed miserably since I had to handle the camera and my phone all in one go.

I just love the white and wood!

The ticket is 500 yen for adults but if you want to make your own cup noodles it's an extra 300 yen.

The wall of instant noodles! 

This exhibit features instant noodles from all over the world starting from the birth of instant noodles in 1958 till now.

Amazing.

And that's Mr Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant cup noodles and founder of NISSIN! Fun fact, he's the first to make ramen edible in space and invented it when he was 80! I guess we're never to old to make something new.

The room where we watch how NISSIN was created.

Fake reading about the history of instant noodles.

Hi little cousie!

After exploring the museum, we headed to mini cup noodle factory where we get to customize our very own cup noodles!

Firstly, you get your plain noodle cup from the vending machine for 300 yen.

Then, you'll be allocated to a table by the friendly staff and let the designing begin!

TADAA! My customized cup noodles with a unicorn Pusheen!


How cute ey!

Then it gets fun because we get to turn the conveyor belt to get the noodle to fall in the cup!

Like this!

Now pick the soup base and ingredients! Everyone gets 1 choice of soup (chicken, seafood, curry or tomato) and 4 choices of ingredients!

Look at the cute chicks!

I picked a seafood soup base, little chickens, beef, cheese and prawns! Okay weird combo but I'm sure it tastes good!

All our creations together!

Sealing the cup noodles!

Lastly, pumping the cup noodle airbag to prevent it from getting damaged. Check out my new shoes I got from GU! Fur sandals all the way!

Of course in a museum, you'd expect to find a food court right? This food court is filled with various types of noodles from all over the world.

Malaysia's Laksa is here too!

 Doesn't the setting remind you of a night market?

I ordered a tomyum kung from Thailand. Tastes, Japanese-fied. ahaha

After the noodles, it was time to say goodbye to this place.

The next stop would be the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. It used to be a warehouse many years ago but now it's filled with shops selling bits and bobs, and F&B outlets.

After visiting the red brick warehouse, we made our way to the Osanbashi Pier. Despite the super long walk, it was definitely worth it because the architecture at Osanbashi pier is simply breath taking.

The flooring is made entirely out of wood and it's truly fascinating how they managed to form such shapes and yet able to maintain the form of the wood.

Told you so. The architecture is amazing.

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#4 Witnessing a 360 view of Tokyo, 200 meters above ground

Tokyo is packed with high rise buildings and what better place to get a glimpse of it in 360 at non other than Roppongi Hills. 52 floors above ground, this observation deck is actually in Mori Art Museum.

wow.

There was an exhibit that day featuring Japan's famous monster invasion show characters.

They even made a detailed miniature of Japan. I'm a mega fan of all things miniature and I went in complete aww on the great attention to detail.

 Seriously?!

 Amazing.

 After the exhibit, there's this book lounge which overlooks Tokyo. Beautiful isn't it?

 I love the neon against all the white!

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#5 Discovering Odaiba

 Odaiba is a large artificial land which houses many amusement parks and attractions. The weather was perfect that day and I could finally wear the bomber jacket I brought over!

There are many Sanrio stores in the malls of Odaiba and Rilakkuma lover like me cant let go to those cutie plushies!

In Venus Fort, there's even this family floor which is full of pet stores! More shops for pets than babies. Seriously. More people were bringing their dogs instead of their kids. Made me miss my little babies back home even more.. :(

 GUDETAMA!

Gundam fans must grab a pic at this life size Gundam statue outside Diver City.

And when you're in Odaiba, you must visit the Fuji TV building! Their mascot looks like a mix between Snoopy and Blues Clues.

 Apparently the big ball up there is a prominent feature of the Fuji TV building.

Because the escalator shade so nice, must take picture what. But my brother took so long to snap and I just couldn't stop laughing till I almost pokai. And yeah, he had to snap such a shot of me. Perfect...

Passes the camera to mum. Mum still does it better.

 Anyway, inside the building features interactive tv sets of the shows by Fuji TV. I actually watched Run for Money before and it's really gancheong. That was back then I didn't have Astro and 8tv shows were my thing. hahaha

Over looking rainbow bridge which is so not rainbow colour but okay. Also, blending into nature like nobody's business. Yeap.

And of course, Shiba Inu spotted!! OMG it's so adorable I cant even!! And it just stared at me as I took this. So photogenic and so cute!

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#6 Becoming a Harajuku lover

My last day of Japan was truly my favourite and the most well spent because it was at Harajuku! Seriously girls, dont go waste so much of your time in Shinjuku and Shibuya like I did. Should have spent more time here! The biggest Daiso is here too and I bought like a lot of things. Everything 100 yen. So worth it!

Prepare yourself to see a whole lot of fluffy stuff, from baby alpaca keychains to furry shoes and handbags.

When in Harajuku, one thing a girl must do is try out the Purikura machines! Everything was in Japanese and everything had a timer which was stress AF when you're not a pro poser. The first shot was totally unready as you can see la.. But after that we pro liao. Mum nagged me for dragging her into this because she kept saying she was the oldest one there. HAHAHAH! It was worth all the laughter and fun mah.


Thick skin, super vain me of course did one for myself la. Came all the way so might as well. How I wish my besties were there and it'll be super BFF goals... Maybe next time!

Strolling down Harajuku street is a must to snap and act chio. Chio bo?

I'd definitely recommend Harajuku for youngsters because the stuff they have here are just too nice I want em all!

 Even the buildings also so nice.

 And there's a BOOKMARC here!

After that, I headed to Omotesando area to dine in at the famous Aoyama flower market x tea house! Undeniably the perfect place for girls because, flowers!! Suspense leh.. Read all about it here.

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So that concludes the highlights of my Japan trip! I visited a lot more than these places but putting them all in will bore you and myself hahah so yeah. Overall it was a great first time having this free and easy trip at a country whereby not everyone understands English. It wasn't hard because I did a month's in advance planning of the itinerary. In case you'd be interested in my full detailed itinerary that I made, you can drop me an email!

Also, I've separated my food review post so you can read it here!

Till next time!