Tokyo

Tokyo is really awesome. The walking pace really increased and to the highest at the Shibuya crossing o.O Lots of shopping to be done and lots of place to go :D 

In Shinjuku, there is a street where budding singers perform and sing. Most of the shoppers just walked past not paying any attention to them,  but the singers were persistent and continued to sing hoping some day they will make it big. In some of their eyes u can see the unrelenting persistence..

In all of them lies a dream and they have the courage to pursue it.

Yokohama

Yokohama is famous for the Chinatown as well as the ferris wheel. Be sure to try the Gyoza which was awesome! Much better than the ones I had in Tokyo. If you want to drink beer, try the All Malt Beer below. It is one of the best! 

Yokohama is a happy place because they have Happy Lawson!!! :D

Once in Yokohama,  the walking pace of the people is getting faster, much faster than those in Izu and Hakone. There's Ippudo in the shopping mall near the station at I must say it is better than the Ippudo in Singapore haha. Oh and there's Ichiran too! :D

Izu and Shimoda

From Hakone, we went to Izu and Shimoda. JR line again. As Izu and Shimoda are not cities, not many people can speak English. 

What do u do when u enter the izakaya with no English menu?

Just order - Yakitori... u will never go wrong..

The waitress was very friendly and spoke to us using sign languages.

She recommended chicken wings and grilled beef tongue.. just imagine how this was communicated using sign languages... 

Izu is very beautiful and food is very delicious ahhh..

At the Izu Kogen station, you can get to soak your feet at the public hot spring. I think it is interesting. 

Be sure to enjoy the hot spring if you come here  :)

Hakone fun 6-8 April

Hakone is a beautiful place - especially during the Cherry Blossoms season. We were lucky to see the cherry blossoms - of different species. Everywhere were so beautiful, even the cat looks cuter than those in Singapore (ok maybe I'm a little bias). 

We took Cathay from Sg to Haneda airport. We chose to land at Haneda because it is nearer to Tokyo (save traveling time :) ), and then we took the JR Line to Hakone-Yumoto Station. We bought the 3-days Hakone free-pass at the Odawara station for 4500 Yen. 

You can go here for ticket information.

Places to visit

1) Owakudani (大涌谷) - an active volcanic valley, to eat the black eggs. It comes in a pack of five. Legend has it that eating one of them will prolong one's live for 7 years. I ate two and a half of them. Too much cholesterol for the day  >.<

2) Lake Ashi - actually it is just a lake but it is featured in every guidebook about Hakone

3) Gotemba - for factory outlet shopping.. Not really fantastic.. only the view of Mount Fuji is freat!

4) Hot spring - for the brave ones. But some Ryokans allow you to lock the doors of the indoor Onsens at midnight - became personal hot spring whee~

5) Hatsuhana Soba - It has the best Soba I have ever eaten. Yummy!