Kawaii Japan (7th Day - Last Day)

Wednesday, 12th June 2013.

It was the last day for me to stay in Japan. I had my flight back at 12 pm and should be in the Narita airport 2 hours earlier. Considering that I took train as my transportation, so I decided to go at 07.20 am.

Last night, after went to Shinjuku, Dave gave us direction how to get the airport. He gave me the details schedule about the trains, the time and the price. Actually Kazuki also did, but I thought that Dave alternative was better and easier to get. So I took Dave's direction.

I woke up at 06.00 am at that time to have a shower and double check about my luggage. It was sooooo cold as Shibuya still in the rain. I thought it was raining since yesterday though. Geez! It seems like Shibuya was crying all the time.

My luggage was 10 kilos as I just brought 6 kilos in the beginning

At 07.10 am Dave came to my room and he took me and Retno out to the Hatsudai station. He helped us to buy a ticket. I was freak out when Dave told me there was something revision about the route. But it didn't, just a little bit miss-understood.

The train was exactly coming as the schedule. Fortunately we arrived 5 minutes earlier so we didn't miss the schedule. I thought it was the last time I saw Dave, it such a hard moment to say good bye. Thank you for your hands to help us, Dave. If you put Indonesia on your list, I believe we can catch up again.

By having Dave's direction, I went through station by station until the last station, Motoyawata Station. From Hatsudai Station to Motoyawata Station, we passed 21 stops. I bought a ticket from Hatsudai Station 120 yen, then when we arrived there, we paid 360 yen more, so it total 480 yen / IDR 48.000 one way.

Direction Board to Narita Airport Station

Then we walked up into Keiseiyawata Station to go to Narita Airport. We didn't get lost anyway (fortunately!). From Keiseiyawata Station to Narita Airport station it cost 840 yen / IDR 84.000 one way to get Terminal 1. But if your flight in Terminal 2, you only pay 780 yen / IDR 78.000 one way.

Keiseiyawata to Narota Airport Station 840 yen / IDR 84.000 for Terminal 1

I thought in the last destination I already arrived in Narita Airport though, but it didn't. So we had to transfer another train again by using the same ticket. So totally we took 3 different trains to get to Narita Airport.

Miles by miles we passed and brought us to the airport. It took time about 2 hours for us to get the airport and 30 minutes for passing the security check. The check in time was closed at 11 am, so we still had 30 minutes to relax.

Last night, I searched for Kit Kat green tea, but I didn't find it. However in the airport, there was store selling it. Beside Tokyo Banana, Kit Kat green tea such a mandatory snack "to be bought" when we are in Japan. It because Kit Kat green tea only exist in Japan.

Kit Kat green tea -Wafer Snack from Japan-

I had to wait around an hour at boarding room because the flight was at 12.00 pm (local time). So I just spent time talking with Retno about our next plains to come back to Japan next year (amen).

Retno looks like a terrorist, lol

That was Garuda Indonesia 885 as our airplane to fly to Jakarta.

GA 0885

 

My ticket, near the window still

This time, me and Retno decided sitting next to each other. Now between me and her even closer to each other. I spent my time to watch movie and drink beer, Japanese beer!

Asahi Beer

Retno just sighed knowing that I drink beer and beer every time the flight attendants offered us drink. Then I said "don't worry, I behave myself. It just a beer". I teased her "do you want to try some?". She didn't answer, just shook her head quickly, lol. She was so funny.

The weather was so great though. But there was turbulence, and it was bit scary. It felt like I was in jet-coaster. Fortunately it only for 5 minutes and stop and 5 minutes again and went stable.

"You like cloud in the sky. I could see your beauty yet couldn't touch you"

I got some inspiration by watching cloud. It was making me so relax, so calm.

2 hours before landing, the meals were served. I choose Japanese food as my lunch.

Simmered mixed vegetables and chicken cake simmered pasific saury, Noodles with sauce, Chicken Teriyaki, Japanese vegetables

It was really really good menu though! To be honest, I want it more, lol.

After eat, there was immigration officer checking our passport in the airplane. It was the first time experience though.

So after they swept my passport, they gave a stamp on arrival in my passport and they gave me Immigration Clearance Card as a ticket to pass the immigration session in the airport later on. How easy, isn't it?

Spent 8 hours in the airplane brought me to come back to my reality, Jakarta. It was one week having good times in Japan that I will never forget forever in my life. No bad experience at all. Everything went so good, so memorable.

Here I would like to say thank you so much to Kokoronotomo Indonesia - Garuda Indonesia - Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Kazuki - Angelika and David for giving me all of good experience there.

I was not sure even if I came back to Japan again I will get the same experience but I really want to come back again. I really do.

日本どうもありがとうございます。

Love,

Aditha 

Kawaii Japan (6th Day - Raining Day)

It was Tuesday already. As I remember, in the same day last week before this Tuesday, I opened my eyes with a lot of spirit, because in the next day I will go to Japan. But this Tuesday, it really hard for me to opened up my eyes.

I saw Retno still beside me on bed. Yes, we shared bed together. She thought the same like me, very lazy to wake up.

This is the last day for me and Retno to stay in Japan. Because on Wednesday we had to come back. Ok, please Aditha, don't talk about your leave in this day!

Well, back to the story on Tuesday. I was not sure what time I had my self wake up, but it probably around 9am or 10. Then I went to have shower. Because (actually) I planned to go to Ueno park and Ueno zoo. It was not sunny, a little bit cloudy.

A view in front of my room, 2nd floor.

However, my friend told me that she really wants to go back to Tower Record in Shibuya. She wants to search for Japanese magazine. Anyway, one thing that make me wondering when I see Retno really addict with Japanese actor in the magazine. "Haaaaa, so handsome. Kawaiii". Then I asked to her, "so after you buy the magazine which is having the picture of your favorite actor, so what will you do then?". Se said, "nothing, just look at him". Oh Retno, your answer was really making me broken heart.. </3

But I appreciate about her, because you know, for me, what Retno does was remembering me when I was in junior high school. I bought some poster of A1, the boy band from England. Everyday I watched their poster and wished to go to London. I know by doing that, it gave such a motivation beyond the mind. And look Retno now, she was in Japan at that time. I just thought that I already passed those circle in my life. A mature stage what I'm facing now.

So, because of me and her already went to Shibuya on Monday, so we just took same transportation. We took ourselves by bus to go to Shibuya station. Haaa, fortunately the bus didn't crowded so we had a seat.

It was drizzling actually. But we just ignored it because it was only soft drizzle. Then we arrived in the station without any trouble. Then, after that. Ups, we had no idea in which way we had to start, lol. We decided just walked away, at least we were still in  Shibuya area, lol.

Shibuya was raining at that time. It was the first time I felt how Japan when it raining. I heard that in June, Japan is always raining all the day. Fortunately, the rain just felt when it was my last day. So it didn't bother my activities before. And I was glad I could catch in the rain. It was cold, probably around 15 degrees I guess.

I admitted because of raining at that time, it made us didn't excited to go to many places. We planned to go to Ueno right after Shibuya. But we just cancelled it.

After Retno bought some magazine and CD's, I had another purikura session, now with Retno. For myself, purikura is such kindda fun though.

I know it was such a silly, but both of me and her, we hot harder to come back to the bus station. We just walked (and I thought just circling) in the same area again and again. It took around an hour until we finally found the station. Fiuh.

By the way, if you travel by bus, make sure you know about the schedule to avoid you wasting time to wait (like mine). Because of I didn't know about the schedule, I waited for 20 minutes.

Bus from outside

Bus from inside

For taking the bus, you have to pay 200 yen / IDR 20.000 one-way. I was not sure about the last destination of this bus from Shibuya because I finished in Yoyogi street.

Raining all the day

In the evening, I asked Dave to accompany me and Retno to go to Daiso store in Shinjuku. I thought the rain would stop, but it didn't. Aaaaargh, it was really annoying. I was not comfortable to look around when raining. :(

However, because of Retno really wants to go there to buy some souvenirs, well okay, we did it. And I planned to had a purikura session (again, lol) with Dave. Because I knew, I might not see him again as his life is for travelling around the world. However, picture is the best tool to keep the memories inside, isn't it?

Anyway, 3 times I had a purikura, the price is same, 400 yen / IDR 40.000 per session.

Put your 100 yen here for 4 times = 400 yen

You can find purikura in the game station or somewhere which has this box.

Purikura itself has 3 boxes. The first box above, is for taking the picture. It has green screen behind.

After taking some pictures, we can edit as fun as we want.

Edit the photo with special pen

You have to do that as fast as you can because the time is really limited.

Then, wait your photo here.

Trust me, when you are in Japan, you have to do this.

Well, after that we had a dinner together. I saw the Yoshinoya and we went there.

My menu for dinner

Went to Daiso checked. Purikura checked. Dinner checked. So now time to go home. Dave guided us to look around Shibuya. It was great time however unfortunately I only had one day :(

He showed me the replica of Empire State Tower and Lourve Pyramid. I do believe I will see them for real one day ;)

Empire State Tower

Lourve Pyramid

I think that time was the last time for me to explore Japan. Because next day I had to prepare myself to come back to Indonesia.

Love,

Aditha

Kawaii Japan (5th Day - Shibuya Dedicated For Hachiko)

Monday, 10th June 2013.

I loved that Monday really. It was one of the best Monday I ever had in my life. I opened my eyes from my very good sleep. Yes, I had a good night laid on very comfortable bed. I saw Retno already woke up in front of her laptop, had a chat with her boyfriend whilst me just be lazy still. Hoooaaammm..

That day, because of Kazuki missed his flight yesterday, so he offered himself to accompany us for one more day.

So we planned to go to Shibuya. Retno would like to go to Tower Record for buying some CDs whilst I would like to 'touch' a very popular dog statue in Shibuya named Hachiko! Considering to go to Shibuya was able to get by bus, so we decided to go with another public transportation, to feel another experiences.

We went by bus cost 200 yen / IDR 20.000 one way to Shibuya bus station.

When I saw the bus driver, I like his face anyway. Lovely, like a comic. :D Because of the bus was crowded on Monday, so we didn't get a seat. Ah well, no worries.

Me - Retno - Kazuki

So, if you take a bus for your transportation, be aware with the button near the seat or on the steal. It can be used for the clue to stop.

Press the button

I didn't have a chance to push the button because I got the last destination which is Shibuya station. It took around 20 minutes from my place to arrive in bus station.

I was in Shibuya station. It was very nice weather and pretty busy traffic. I just realised that in Shibuya, more foreigner around there. Different atmosphere like in Ikebukuro and Asakusa.

I walked around 5 minutes from bus station and I saw my main purpose. Hachiko statue! Yeeeeey! Hachiko was exactly in front of me though!

Hachiko Statue, such an important thing to be seen

I was really really really happy and super excited. I've seen the movie titled "Hachiko" starring by my favorite actor, Richard Gere, it was so much touching movie for me.

You can see Hachiko's trailer here:

And look, I could touch him for real.

I wish I had a dog like him

Train that Hachi always waiting for

You know something, when I watch this movie (for many times),I just wish myself, I really want to see the statue, touch it for real. And my dream came true! I felt I was soooo blessed (and I am still). Thank you my God.. Really I thankful to You.

I felt so relived because 3 main point I wish to come, it was completed. Disney Sea, Skytree and Hachiko statue. Actually I still had some places to go (Ueno Zoo, Ueno Park, Harajuku), but well, it could be done in the next day as I still have one day more.

Basically, when I went to Shibuya, I just explored about malls and malls and malls. It looks like a metro life style.

Actually, three of us (me, Retno and Kazuki) had our different main purpose. Me for Hachiko. Retno fot Tower Record store. And Kazuki for buying a couple rings for him and Retno (what an envy meeee).

By the way I was so glad because eventhough I went with Retno and Kazuki (which is I was a third "annoying" person), but they didn't feel that I was annoyed them. Both of them were very welcome, aren't you? *poke Retno and Kazuki*

We had time to lunch at good restaurant named Saizeriya. The menu quite was delicious and cheap! Good for my pocket ;)

My lunch menu

In Shibuya, another my money just went away so quickly. Tower record, Hello Kitty store. Aaargh, I hate this part. It made me ran out my yen though. I really need to exchange my rupiahs into yen.

I went to 2 money changer, they didn't buy rupiah. Oh geez! So, for Indonesian, in case you want to go to Japan, make sure at least you bring USD or AUD. Rupiah didn't valid there.

However it was really lucky for me, in the same day at night I would meet with my junior high school friend named Angelika who is staying in Japan since she was graduated from Senior High School. She changed my rupiah and just keep it until she comes back to Indonesia. Thank you so much Like xoxoxo

I am pretty sure believe that good person will always be guarded by good person too. I really have no idea if I didn't have such a great friend like her. I might not enjoy my trip in my couple last day more.

Met her in the night after she finished work, Like took me out to Shinjuku for enjoying okonomiyaki. It was different with my okonomiyaki earlier. There, I could cook by myself. Oishiii..

The dough from beginning

My creation, not bad, lol

Mine and Like's dinner

To be frank, I was not sure how many yes the menu should be paid, she paid it all. Thank you so really much darling. I am looking forward to doing the same once you are in Jakarta :)

After dinner, still with her, I felt the most popular "tradition" for Japanese girl called "Purikura". It such kindda photo box and it could be edited as we like. It was fun though!

Purikura

It was such a great time spending my time with her. Chit chat, share about experience. So good time eventhough we didn't see each other since junior high school graduation.

Time flies double, it was around 11.30 pm. We decided to say goodbye. Because I worried I couldn't get train. Truly honest, I was so afraid at those moment. I had to walk alone from the station to Dave's flat. Scary :(

But I know I will be okay. By saying a lot of God's name every step I made, it brought me to the flat safely. Fiuh..

It was the end of my story on that day. I was so tired and just fell asleep once I laid myself on the bed.

Love,

Aditha

Kawaii Japan (4th Day - Tokyo Banana)

What a great Sunday!

It was the last day for me and my friend to stay at Sunshine City Prince as the accommodation privileged for 3 days. However, it was more than enough for me. Sunshine City Prince hotel was nice. I was glad had such kindda good experiences there.

For the days left (4D3N), we searched for the accommodation by ourselves. When I was in Indonesia, I joined in the sites named Couch Surfing (CS). I found some one who I purposed to be my host in Japan. David, a France guy who can speak lots of languages. No matter what, because he speaks English regularly, that was my main reason considering I couldn't speak Japanese at all.

Well, that day I woke up bit late as I felt so tired still after went to Skytree and Sensoji Temple yesterday in one time. I (again) had a bath tube to relax my feet in the warm water, at least to make it better.

That was pinky day

Actually, I planned (and I shared my plan to Dave), after check out from hotel at 11.00 am, I would like to go straight away to his place in Yoyogi. But because of I felt hungry, so I changed my plan and decided to have a brunch first. And it was sushi as our menu! It felt so great especially sushi is my favorite menu in life!

I ate all of them though! Unfortunately I forgot about the restaurant's name. But the menu, almost of them it cost only 105 yen / IDR 10.500 per plate. Also, you can choose your sushi around you.

If you couldn't find your favorite menu, you can also use the I-phone order tool for your special order. When your order is ready, then the screen will beep.

Order your special request here

Whilst me and my friends had brunch together, I requested to them to accompany me to buy Tokyo Banana.  It only sells in Tokyo Station or Skytree Station (as I mentioned before, eventhough I went to Skytree Station yesterday, but I didn't know about those information, so I didn'y buy anything there). Ah well, that was my own lesson. That is why for you who want to buy Tokyo Banana, you can go to Tokyo Station or Skytree Station either.

Okay, before that, let's finish sushi first.

After that all, I did my plan to go to Tokyo Station from Ikebukuro Station. It cost me 190 yen / IDR 19.000 one-way.

Ikebukuro Station to Tokyo Station cost 190 yen / IDR 19.000 one way

It took about 30 minutes to arrive in Tokyo Station. Fiuh, it such a 'special trip' only for buying Tokyo Banana. O-M-G!

And here: Tokyo Station in Tokyo City.

Main clue to get Tokyo Banana in Tokyo Station

There are 2 kinds of store which is selling Tokyo Banana. If you want to get Tokyo Banana like in this picture clue, after you find out this clue, with the same point of you exactly with this picture), just turn left. You can find Tokyo Banana with banana jam inside.

Tokyo Banana with Banana jam. It cost 500 yen / IDR 50.000 for 4 pcs

Yet, if you see the main clue in 45 degrees in front, they also store where is selling Tokyo Banana with another flavor which is caramel and strawberry.

Caramel Flavor

Strawberry Flavor

Both of them it cost 470 yen / IDR 47.000 for 4 pcs.

In my opinion, I like the taste with banana fla and strawberry fla. The cake was so soft and for jam was not too sweet, it was comfortable in my tongue. Oishii! Anyway, this cake will be expired after one and half week, so be careful with the expired date.

After finished buying some of Tokyo Banana, my friend guided me to exit center of Tokyo Station to see outside. Yes, I captured some views from Tokyo City.

I saw a traditional taxi there. So cute..

Okay, after I had enough time there, I decided to go back to hotel to take my luggage out and continue my destination to Dave's flat.

Eventhough Dave already told me the way to get his place (what kind of trains should be taken, what kind of station should be transferred at)I get lost still. As I remember he told me to take 2 different kind of trains which is value 380 yen, however I just took one train and it cost only 160 yen. Ah well okay, this time the tour guide -Kazuki- seems like confused and unfamiliar with the place.

Ikebukuro Station to Shinjuku Station 160 yen one-way

Actually between me and Retno, we had own plans, so by being separated is kindda win-win solution. But you know, considering I didn't understand Japanese at all, also I have no idea about taking train by myself, so I don't want to be separated with her. I was too worried to get lost if I walked by myself.

I couldn't imagine if I had to go to Dave's flat alone, perhaps I will never arrive there as Shinjuku station is really big station, even the biggest station in Tokyo.

Me, Retno and Retno's boyfriend -Kazuki-, we walked around an hour. I was not sure how many kilos we passed to arrive at Hatsudai Station (the meeting point between me and Dave). It was so tiring, especially we brought heavy luggage and heavy hand bag. I almost crying by myself, oh God, please show me where is the Hatsudai station, I was about dying.

Step by step brought us to the Hatsudai Station, thanks God. I thought it was a meeting point as I and Dave talked about, but actually it was wrong. However Dave picked us up there and showed the way to his flat finally.

It was the first time I met him. Listen by his accent on phone, I thought he was a bit Spain, but he looks definitely French. He walked so fast though! Hei wait, me and Retno had no power left to follow his fast step. Indonesian walk slow anyway :(

I arrived at his flat around 4 pm, so there was nothing to do. Me and Retno decided just stayed at room for relax our feet.

By the way, a lot of thanks for Kazuki who accompany me and Retno to get in Hatsudai Station until he missed his flight. It truly gave me more and more good impression with Japanese.

ありがとう Kazuki!

Love,

Aditha