Day 18: Ginza, Tokyo

Previously:
Day 18: Odaiba

Walking in the Ginza at night where the lights and giant billboards fill up the roads along side with brand name stores was absolutely eye catching.

We about to dig into one famous yakitori shop underneath the Yurakucho subway line bridge but it wasn't our lucky day as they were renovating the shop at that time.

So we continue walking toward the deeper alley of Yurakucho where we found the looking good BBQ restaurant (just bare with me until the next blog, I will show you how good it was).

Before we arrived at the restaurant, as we searching along the alley, coincidentally I saw this bread shop that I ever read reviews about it in some blogs and it also listed as shop to visit in tripadvisor.  The shop name is Heart Bread Antique and I totally love their door handle.  We just grab one of their famous Chocolate ring bread to fulfill my curiosity. 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 18: Toraji BBQ restaurant 

Day 18: Odaiba

Previously:
Day 18: Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo

Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay.  This place was initially built for defensive purposes but later has developed as a major commercial, residential and leisure area.  So many things to see and visit in this tiny island, such as: Rainbow bridge, replica Statue of Liberty, Daikanransha Ferris wheel, Fuji television studios, Miraikan, Aqua City shopping centre and do not miss to visit Diver Tokyo Plaza, where most of geeks are dying to see the giant Gundam Statue.   

How to get there:
Catch JR Yamanote line and get off at Shimbashi station.  Then catch the Yurikamome, which is an automated, elevated train that connects Shimbashi station on JR Yamanote line to Daiba station and takes about 15 minutes and costs 320 yen for one way ticket.  The train departs regularly every 10 minutes interval.

Rainbow Bridge

Replica Statue of Liberty with Rainbow Bridge backdrop

We went inside this Aqua City Shopping Mall and to found this hidden Ramen museum like.  A few varieties of ramen stalls in one area foodcourt like.  They showcase different type of ramen from a few different region in Japan.  In my opinion, this place is actually much better compared to the so touristy Yokohama Ramen Museum.  More quite, interesting choices of menu and they are taste absolutely wonderful.

Fukuoka Ramen 980yen

Spicy Ramen with Pork 980yen

Gundam Statue

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 18: Ginza, Tokyo

Day 18: Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo

Previously:
Day 17: Shinsekai, Osaka

As usual, before we get into Shinkansen, we packed ourself ready with some yummy ekiben.  Yakitori Ekiben, Sushi Saba Fish and Matsusaka Beef Sandwich.  Sounds a lot because it took us roughly about 3 hours train ride from Osaka back to Tokyo.

Yakitori Bento 880yen

Saba Fish Sushi

Matsusaka Beef Sandwich

Once we arrived at Tokyo, to spend our last night in Japan.  We checked in to one of the finest and most convenient hotel in Japan.  This hotel is located just in the station, one of the entrance is just next to the Tokyo Marunouchi Station South Gate.  We can even see people passing by the gate from our rooms.   The rooms are newly renovated, very modern and luxury.  As we all know that Japan has the good toilet system but in this hotel is the best so far that we ever tried.  More sophisticated and the toilet bowl's lid can be open and shut with those excellent goodies.  Moreover, the staffs in this hotel are mostly have a well-spoken English.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 18: Odaiba

Day 17: Shinsekai, Osaka

Previously:
Day 17: Nara

Shinsekai is known as a dangerous neighborhood in Japan.  This image derives from the fact that there are lots of homeless living in this particular area and especially in the south side, the prostitution is quite open as police control the area with one-eye-closed.  However, it wasn't pretty bad when visit Shinsekai.

Beside all of those bad reputations, Shinsekai is actually a great place to visit as they have lots of restaurants to choose from and 'Kushikatsu' is definitely one of Osaka's best known specialties is served right here.  Kushikatsu is a skewered dish, battered then deep fried.  They offer a great range from chicken, meat, vegetables, banana, cheese to ice creams.

Then they also have Tsutenkaku Tower, which is built to imitate the Paris' Eiffle Tower.  Also here is famous with the Spa, a large number of pools with European and Asian themed floor. 

Stew Quail Eggs

Fried Squid Leg

Varieties of Kushikatsu: Tuna, Chicken Tight, Quail Egg, Pork Rib, Cheese, Sweet Potato, and Chocolate Banana

The thing that makes Shinsekai even more spooky is this 'women only' carriage.  This area is the only place we see that have a separate gender carriage in Japan.  It is good though to prevent something bad happen.  However, the reason behind this carriage exist make this place even scarier.


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 18:  Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo