Tokyo Trip day 6

Day 6 of the Tokyo trip was the day we venture into Disneyland.


We took a bus from Shinjuku all the way to Disneyland. It took only about 1 hour? Alas, luck was not on our side, as it was raining the whole day. Maybe it was due to the impending Typhoon Melor then. Hah. But it was not that heavy, so we were still able to walk around the theme park.

Here are some shots of the day and the Disney characters. It was quite tough to take photos with the characters as everyone were in the main building; it was raining! And I didn't know how to force, push and shove my way through.









Oh, and we were ushered out from the Pooh's ride as Kae was wailing non-stop. The kids have to be sat down on the seat between the parent(s), and she kept wanting to sit on our laps. Sigh.


I so lurve our room at Hilton Tokyo Bay. Why? The room is so much bigger than our room at Shinjuku!


After a long day, we went to Ikspiari for a nice tempura dinner. Our 1st tempura in Tokyo actually!

Tokyo Trip day 5

I think of all the days in Tokyo, day 5 was the day we did the least.

Our first stop was to the Imperial Palace. We signed up for a tour actually. But it would have been difficult to push the stroller along the pebbled path, and the weather wasn't great, so we decided to give it a miss.




After which, we walked around the office area nearby and found this shop that sells really good beef stew and beef ribs. Yum!




After lunch, we headed to Sensoji, Asakusa Kannon Temple. I visited this place 3 years back alone while dar was attended his conference. So, we went back to this place as a family. But as luck would have it, the main temple was under restoration works. Argh.





The rest of the day was spent in shopping centres at Ginza and Shinjuku areas, as it was raining the whole day. Oh and we discovered a shopping centre dedicated to just men at Shinjuku area. It's Isetan. Imagine. 1 shopping centre selling just mens' stuff. Hmm.

another photo taking week at JG

We were requested to wear any traditional costume on tuesday as there was a Deepavali celebration the previous saturday.

Ah, finally Kae has a chance to wear her cheongsam. This is only her 3rd time in this dress heh. I didn't take much photos though; only had my iPhone with me.


On thursday, we were to take a class photo, which will be placed in the kid's portfolio. So, everyone dressed up nicely. That's why most parents brought their cameras along. Heh. Of course I brought my cranky sony digicam; the canon slr was too bulky. But on hindsight, think the photos would turn out so much nicer. Sigh. Next term!

the Best pre-packed takeaway Sushi

Okay, I am a Jap food fanatic. I am always up for Jap food, mostly sashimi and ramen. And not forgetting sushi and tempura. So I seriously went into depression when I was pregnant as I could not have any sashimi (raw food) at all!

Anyhow, I discovered the place (supermarket) where they sell the yummiest pre-packed takeaway sushi; Isetan Shaw! Yes, that supermarket has got all kinds of Jap food for the Jap community.

But their pre-packed sushi was the best! It tastes like it was just prepared by the chef. And seriously, the sushi (namely the fish) tastes a lot better than what a lot of Jap restaurants has to offer. Erm, but that could be the case as I bought the more expensive air flown kind. Hah. These 6 pieces cost me $15.90. But what the heck, the price is worth it!

and the search for the Ramen continues

I finally had a taste of Tampopo ramen!

We went to the newly opened branch at Takashimaya, located just next to Mos Burger. The place was clearly a crowd favorite as the place was crowded at 8 plus in the evening, while the restaurants around were all quite empty.

I had their Black Pig Shabu Ramen, while dar had their Black Pig Tokusen BBQ Pork Ramen. We both ordered an extra soy egg each as our ramen doesn't come with one.




What we had was their Kyushu Ramen; their soup is pork bone soup and their noodles are thin and hard. It takes 2 days to make their pure pork bone soup. Hmm. Well, their ramen did not disappoint; I thought it was good! But my heart still inches towards Santouka more, and Ichibantei and Tampopo are closely contesting for 2nd place. I will go back and try Tampopo's Black Pig Toro (?) ramen. It was apparently so hot that it was "out of stock". The meat I presume. And have to wait for their next shipment to arrive.

Tokyo Trip day 4

Day 4 is the day where we spent the longest time waiting in queue for a fantastic lunch and equally yummy dinner.

Our plan was just to spend the day at Harajuku and Shibuya area. We did cover these 2 areas when we were in Tokyo 3 years back, but it was more of a touch and go. But before that, lunch at Katsukura at Takashimaya Shinjuku.


This place was recommended by one of dar's friends. And we went at lunch time on a sunday! So, we waited for like 1 hour. Hah. But the food did not disappoint. The gohan consists partly of barley rice. The cutlet is nice; the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and soft and not at all dry! Yum! Must try food in Japan! seriously, the standard of the katsu in Singapore is nowhere near compared to what we had. Oh and their chawamushi is huge and yummy too! Very silky texture.




After a heavy lunch, we headed towards Harajuku. We chose a sunday to visit the area as there would be people dressed up in cosplay wear loitering there for people, especially tourists like us, to admire and look see. But alas, I think there were more 3 years ago. I was quite disappointed actually.


We decided not to visit the Meiji Shrine again, since we already did 3 years back. But more so we can't as it would have been an almost impossible task to push the stroller on the pebbled pathway.


Yoyogi Park looks the same. Hah. I was expecting to see signs of autumn on the trees, but no.


We started walking towards Omote-sando, a tree-lined boulevard which is referred to as Paris' Champs-Elysees. It is an up market shopping area where all the international fashion brands have shops there. We spent the whole of the afternoon till evening there walking the shops, and looking for the Blue Label Burberry boutique. In the end, I decided to buy a bag at the Takashimaya branch instead as we could get some discount off with dar's Takashimaya credit card. Instead, my dar bought his 1st pair of designer jeans. Hah.


We walked all the way down to Shibuya. This time round, I was determined to find Hachiko. Erm, long story short, Hachiko was a dog who used to wait every day at Shibuya train station for its owner, a professor at University of Tokyo, even for a decade after the professor died. Hachiko's lengendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty. People were so moved that they built a statue of Hachiko at the station, which is now a popular spot. I knew of this when watching en episode of The Amazing Race 3 years ago. Heehee. And I found it! I wonder how I could have missed the statue 3 years ago. Duh!



After walking around Shibuya, we headed towards Mark City for sushi dinner! This place was recommended by Jack, so we decided to give it a try. Apparently, their fish is fresh and their cost is reasonable. And that is why the queue was so bloody long! We queued for like one and a half hour? We were like the last customers of the night. Hah.


Yah, we only managed to eat at around 9 plus. But the food is good! Fresh, and considered slightly cheaper than other places. Worth the wait! Luckily for us, Kae didn't really whine while we waited, if not, we would have gone to eat elsewhere.




I am hungry now, just thinking of the food that we had. Hah!

Sunday, fish Spa, Spinelli

Kae was left in the care of my parents today. And we headed off not knowing how to spend the day.

In the end, we ended at the OC (Orchard Central), and had our 1st ever attempt fish Spa-ing. Erm, it just feels like little ants biting you. Erm, I would not pay to do this; this was free courtesy of our usual foot reflexology branch at Marina Square.



And of course what would a lazy afternoon be without any coffee. We stopped by Spinelli and had a cuppa, and I took some time to read my new book by Mitch Albom, "Have a Little Faith".


I want more time to read my book(s)!!!!

Ice-cream day

The best thing to do on a super hot sunny afternoon? Head down to Island Creamery for their delish ice-cream. Personally, I lurve their Pulut Hitam flavour. Yumz!

We had their Burnt Caramel and Honey Milk Tea flavours today. Erm, taste quite normal actually.


And Kae had a great time eating the cold cold treat :)