11 Nov 2015 (Wed)
We took a taxi to Changi airport terminal 3 and checked in our flight SQ 634 early. Knowing that we will be having Japanese food for the next 11 days, we chose to have Chinese food for lunch at the airport before boarding. After arriving and settling down, we went to the airport tourist information counter to make some enquiry. We bought the Tokyo subway 3 days tickets for 1,500 yen per adult and another 2 days tickets for 1.200 yen per adult. These tickets enable the tourists to make multiple trips on the metro within a day. We will be staying in Shinjuku 新宿 for 3 days and move on to Hakone and lake Kawaguchiko then returning to Shinjuku for another two day before leaving Japan for home. We also explored the berth for airport limousine bus transport to hotel Sunroute Plaza Shijuku, our next hotel accommodation.We had salad for dinner at the airport Mos cafe before going to bed.
12 Nov 2015 (Thurs)
We had breakfast at the Mos cafe before checking out of Royal Park Hotel and took the 11.20 am airport limousine bus to hotel Sunroute Plaza Shijuku. The limousine bus stopped right in front of the hotel drop off point. We were too early for checking in (3.00 pm) so we left our luggage with the hotel and went to Takashimaya Time Square for a walk. We bought our lunch bento set at the Takashimaya food square and then visited the Gyoen National Garden by MRT. We had our picnic there. We returned to the hotel in late afternoon. After settling down and a short break, we walked to the near by shopping mall, Lumine and stopped by at the Kobe Gyunta restaurant for dinner .We strolled the subway pedestrian's mall and had coffee at the Top House bakery and cafe.
Kobe Gyunta restaurant
at the counter
13 Nov 2015 (Fri)
We took the MRT Oedo line to Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market. This place was one of the tourists attraction. It was very crowded when we arrived. We tasted many local food along the way and also bought some dry sea food like small sliver fish and cuttle fish. We liked the road side ramen very much. It was one of the best ramen ( Japanese noodle) I had tasted so far in Japan. We had late lunch at the MUJI cafe. We shopped at the MUJI 无印良品 departmental mall and the forever popular Uni QLO fashion store. Dinner was at Yayoiken, an restaurant recommended by the trip advisor. It was value for money meal. The price ( 750 yen ) was reasonable and the food tasted good. The price was inclusive of free flow of rice and green tea.
I can't catch a word
14 Nov 2015 (Sat)
It was light drizzling in the morning. We visited another tourist attraction at the Senso-ji temple. We sampled the local food along the way. We went to Odaiba and visited the Aqua City building in the afternoon. Aqua City shopping mall was built on a man made island near the Tokyo Bay. Hilton Hotel and many up market luxury condominiums were built on this island. A Toyota City showcase was in the Aqua City. Many old, new and future cars were on display. We shopped at Daiso and had ramen in one of the eatery before going back to the hotel for rest.
behind uncle Pao
15 Nov 2015 (Sun)
We checked out of the Sunroute Plaza hotel in the morning. We left behind our big luggage with the Sunroute Plaza hotel and carried with us the small luggage. We will return to the Sunroute Plaza hotel 3 days later. We will stay in Hakone for 2 days and 1 day in Lake Kawaguchiko. We walked 5 minutes in the light drizzle to the train station. The train tickets were pre-booked on line. We took the 8.30 am ( romance car ) train and arrived Hakone Yumoto at 10.00 am. After making enquiry at the tourist information counter at the train station, we took the private shuttle bus (100 yen per person) to our hotel Nanpusu 南风庄. The hotel was built next to the mountain with a stream running by its side. The environment was very quiet. As it was too early for checking in, we left out luggage with the hotel reception and and went for lunch and shopping. We bought the tourist bus ticket and took a bus to Gotemba premium outlet. The premium outlet sold most of the branded goods at discounted pricing. The premium outlet was the shoppers paradise. We managed to get some bargain hunting from the outlets, Gaps, Nike and Adidas. We checked in Nampusu hotel officially at 6.30 pm and the went for the hotel onsen (Japanese hot spring bath) before our dinner. Dinner was set up and served in our room. We had a good serve of Shashimi (Japanese raw sea food). After dinner, a skillful senior uncle came in to set up the Japanese traditional bed, tatami for us.
to Hakone
16 Nov 2015 (Mon)
We took the Hakone Tozan train from Yumoto train station to Gora and took the cable car to Togendai-ko. Along the route we can have a glimpse of Mount Fuji. But we can't have a full view of Mount Fuji on that day due to weather condition. Part of the mountain top was covered by clouds. We took a ferry from Togendai-ko to Hakone Macho-ko pier and then took a bus back to Yumoto. Once again we enjoyed the onsen in the hotel before dinner.
to Hakone Macho pier
17 Nov 2015 (Tue)
We left Hakone Yumoto for Lake Kawaguchiko by bus. We contacted the lake hotel upon arrival. A bus from the lake hotel came to pick up our luggage at the bus station and we went straight to the Kachi Kachi Ropeway for cable car ride. At the mountain viewing galley, we can see Mount Fuji from a distance and the town below. What a spectacular scene! We checked in the hotel at the 6.30 pm. and went for the hotel onsen before dinner.
Lake Kawaguchiko
obscured by clouds
from bus terminal
18 Nov 2015 (Wed)
I went to the hotel onsen for the last time before breakfast. We took the hotel transport to the bus station and took the Koei Highway Express coach back to Shinjuku. We reached Sunroute Plaza hotel at noon. It was too early to check in so we left our luggage at the hotel reception and went for our lunch and shopping at Takashimaya time square.
arriving Shinjuku
19 Nov 2015 (Thurs)
We had breakfast at Gontran Cherrier Tokyo cafe. This was a popular french cafe with the local and the tourists. It served good french pastry and coffee. We wanted to visit the Imperial Palace but were rather disappointed. We realised it was closed for renovation when we reached there. We went for our next destination, the TMG no. 1 building. This building gave free access to the public. We took the shuttle lift to the 45th storey. We had commanding view of the whole Tokyo city.
TMG building 45th storey
20 Nov 2015 (Fri)
We spent the whole day shopping at Takeya 本馆. This shopping mall consists of 3 blocks. A wide varieties of goods can be found here. Watches, cosmetic, health care products, sports attires, garments, shoes, electronic goods, home appliances, food stuff and many others.....
21 Nov 2015 (Sat)
After breakfast we went to Shibuya, The popular busy traffic junction with all directional crossing. The traffic lights will turn red at the same time to all the road junctions and pedestrians can cross the road simultaneously at any direction. We visited the Shrine before checking out of Sunroute Plaza hotel. There were not much shopping outlets at the airport, we decided to take the late 6.30 pm airport limousine bus so that we can have more time to shop at Shinjuku.
22 Nov 2015 (Sun)
Our return flight to Singapore was 8.15 am and we need to check in at 6.15 am. and staying at the airport hotel for a night had the advantage. After checking in we had breakfast in the airport departure hall cafe and did some shopping before boarding SQ631. Balik Rumah - Going Home - 回家 !
