Posts
Sunday, February 19, 2012
After about 7 days in Hokkaido, we finally packed our "barang barang" and took a flight back to Haneda Airport where we board a taxi to our hotel, the Prince Hotel at Shinagawa. Initially I am a bit worried that the location might not be ideal as we planned to "going around places" using their subway.
Surprisingly, the location of the Hotel is fantastic as the subway station, Shinagawa Station, is just a few steps away. ( I've been searching for my map for the Green line to upload here but seems like it's hiding from me ) Anyway, the location is very ideal. From Shinagawa Station, you are able to reach the Tokyo station or shinjuku within 20 minutes. Pretty convenient .
The breakfast at Shinagawa Prince Hotel is quite fantastic. for the few days over there, we get to choose from four different cafes, restaurants for our breakfast. Needless to say, we tried ALL of them :)
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| I actually had more UDON than anything else during my stay in Hokkaido and Tokyo. After a bowl of Hot bowl of Udon, I will then proceed to attack the various choices of authentic Japan breakfast and also their breads. Food is one of the many things I loved about Japan. |
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| The reflection at the Hotel's restaurant. |
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| We visit the Epson Aqua Stadium just beside our Hotel. I did not think much of it in the first place but boy,,am I surprised. It turned out to be fun and very enjoyable. An icing on the cake was that there were many children visiting on that day and seeing them so happy and laughing really makes our day better... so kawaiiiii :) |
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| Seal playing acrobatic ! |
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| The performer slot a "horse head" on the seal and it actually played along. |
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| Finally, the Golden Flip. |
Before we went for show, I was abit sceptical. Of what you may asked.
Well, those of you who have watched " The Cove" should know why. And as I am also following OPS under their mailing lists, ( OPS stands for Oceanic Preservation Society ) I admit that I do have an uneasy feeling going in there. However, seeing those beautiful children so happily watching the show and playing around, I hoped that something good may come out of this...That is, to let them know that dolphins, as well as other animals, are our friend and is important to our natural environment and also plays a significant role in our ecosystem. Sorry, Off Topic here now......
last note, if you want to know more about OPS and how you can help, please visit
or
http://readitculous.blogspot.com/ (some trailers regarding the cove )
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Ok, back to Tokyo.
Some street shots while walking around Tokyo streets , Ginza.....
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| MacDonald, forever the Fast Food Empire. ....actually my focus is on the girl.. haha :) |
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| A street band performing ...well on the streets.... |
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| This is the entrance of the Tokyo Metropolitan Tower. I was there to pick up information from the Tokyo tourist Office on the directions to Nagano. I did not take much picture on this as it was very very very cold and the wind was too strong...Brrrrr |
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| This is the Lift entrance for 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan tower to have a panaromic view of the Tokyo City. |
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| Ginza Street |
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| Lady in Red..........heels :) |
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| Unlike the stores I seen in Singapore... this spans 4th storey high ( or isit 3 ?) with a lift within the building |
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| Bic Camera. I spent almost an hour inside the Bic Camera store and cannot even finish one level. If you are a gadget person, I suggest allocating at least 3 hours to slowly browse around. |
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| This is the Shinkansen ( Bullet Train ) at Tokyo Station |
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| I took this to Nagano which takes about 1.5 hrs. Fare ? 7800 yen + |
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| One thing that leaves a deep impression on me was that the train allows you to bring in food and they do also have a cart selling food items and drinks. When the commuters alighted the train, they disposed the rubbish at the station rubbish bin. We should learn from them. |
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| The sight of Nagano is totally different as compare to Tokyo. There are snow everywhere ( just like Hokkaido ) and from the news the night before, it reported that Nagano was snowing heavily the couple of days before. |
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| Having a nice warm coffee to rid off the coldness. |
I wouldn't be be able to post pictures of the snow monkeys, (thou I've reach the moutain foot ) due to
the timing. Although I feel disappointed I have no regrets coming here as the trip from Tokyo to Nagano was an enjoyable and an educational one. You get to immense into their daily life and to places ( along the way ) where it's so untouristic. You see things where you will not be able to do so with a tour group and communicate with them even thou you do not know how to speak Japanese.
Therefore to me, this is a most valuable trip and the next time, I will be seeing the monkeys, soon.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
On this day, we arrived at Otaru. The famous spot in Otaru is none other than.........................
The Otaru canal, which gives an air of nostalgia and romance. Former brick and stone warehouses has become museums and shops line both banks of the canal.
Otaru Canal during the day.
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| As we are running out of time ( visiting Otaru Music Bos Museum ) I vowed to return durint he night for another shoot. |
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| We checked out One of the most famous, if not the famous Music Box Museum in the world. the Otaru Music Box Museum. |
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| There are thousands of different music boxes, shapes and sizes for you to choose. However, I left the place empty handed. Instead, I bought a little glass dragon in red colour at the shop next door. Hey it's the year of the Dragon this year !!! |
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| This is my favourite. I Should have brought him home with me. |
Night falls and I took a cab to Otaru Canal from my hotel,
Otaru Grand Park Hotel. Armed with a fragile tripod, this
is what I could managed. I still remember that the temperature
was minus 8 deg C.... Brrrrrrrr......
How I wished there was a bowl of Ramen for me to eat, sitting
by this beautiful canal and sipping a cup of Green tea.
I can't remember the name of this Beer factory in english. Can someone enlighten me please ?We were brought to this factory although it was not included in the itinerary. the snow outside the
facility leave me impression thou :)
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