Arashi's Roke Tour in Tokyo! part 3

In the first day of 2013 I went to climb Mt. Takao. Wow!!! Hiking in the New Year!! XDD In Japan there’s a tradition visiting temple on new year eve and some people climb mountain to see the first sunrise! I wanted to go too, but it was really cold and I felt that mountain in the night was scary. ^^

Why Mt. Takao?? It's because Arashi has been here for Arashi ni Shiyagare! XDD

I took train, Keio line, from Shinjuku to Takao-zan station around 8 am. It took 1 hour to get to the station and I walked about 2 minutes to reach the gate.

There are 7 tracks you can choose to explore Mt. Takao. But of course I chose track No. 1 like what Arashi did. Moreover it’s the easiest track. You can hiking by walking or riding cable car or lift to some point. Arashi rode cable car! But I thought I could enjoy the view more by riding lift. Both of them cost 400 yen.

There was a lot of people came that day and most of them were family. I was very excited when I saw the shop which sell Tengu Yaki! It’s kind of Taiyaki. Nino and Jun was lost to eat it!

It taste good but I prefer usual taiyaki. hihihi

Walk along the path and you can find this. This tree is really big!

The octopus statue. Everyone touches it's head! I don't know what for. XDD

At this point there are two paths you can choose, stair path or usual slope.

Honestly the stair path was not that tiring!!! XDD

This is the point where the winner (Jun, Sho, Aiba) ate their price. But when I was there they just sold dango! But there is an ice cream shop that an interesting board in front of their shop.

It look like Arashi has eaten there but Arashi hasn’t eaten there. XDDDD

I couldn’t get a good capture of the temple because there were a lot of people who came to pray.

Don’t forget to draw Mikuji (fortune)! Love fortune!

My result was same with Nino! Yeay!!!!!!!

Arashi stopped their exploring here but I went to the top! The track was really friendly and the scenery was really beautiful! I think the best time to climb is on autumn or spring with the yellow red leaves or sakura.

I could see Mt. Fuji from the top!!!! It’s big! Hahaha…

Unfortunately I didn’t stop by at Soba restaurant where they ate before. I didn’t have much time because I wanted to visit Asakusa and Sky Tree.

Next is the last day~

Arashi's Roke Tour in Tokyo! part 2

Let’s start for the 2^nd day!

3.   Meiji Jingu

            There are so many temples in Japan, but Meiji Jingu was the place where they held their adult ceremony        

            celebrating their 20 years-old.

            It’s a quiet and wide area and it’s more like a small forest for me. ^^

 

      I took subway from Shibuya and got off at Meiji jingu station. As I thought Tokyo is really different with

      Osaka. I could find Arashi’s poster or CM everywhere. XDDDD

      

      I found this at Shibuya

4.  National Stadium a.k.a Kokuritsu

           Tokyo is really wide and don’t even dare to walk to get yourself somewhere even you think it’s close.

           XDDD I walked from Meiji Jingu to Stadium for half hour and more. It’s a nice option if you want to 

           enjoy the city but it’s far!!!

           I couldn’t enter the stadium and there was nothing there. XDDD I wish I was there when Arafes! >.<

     5.  Ueno Zoo

　　  It’s located in Ueno Park. Aiba used to have shooting for Shimura Doubutsuen here. The park itself is

　　  really wide and has museum there.  It’s located 2 stations from Akihabara station.

4.  Mandarake (Akihabara)

           It’s like an otaku shop. You can find Arashi’s or other Jhonnys group’s goods here. They even sell 

           second-hand concert goods and fan club bulletin here.

5.       Tokyo Tower

            I’m not sure if It’s Arashi’s spot or not but NHK held Kouhaku screening here. And fortunately I  

            happened be there at New Year Eve. XDDD There was many Big Posters of Arashi and Maki Horikita.

Next is Mt. Takao~

Arashi's Roke Tour in Tokyo! part 1

I happened to be in Tokyo for 4 days spending my winter holiday so I brought my self to Arashi related spots! XDD Maa…. It was not coincidence though I planned it before! XDD

1.       Keikarou

Ok! I think this one is the most visit place for Arashic!! Well, it’s not located in Tokyo exactly but it takes only 40 minutes to get there.

Route : Board on JR Chuo/sobu line for Chiba Station and get off at Makuhari hongou Station. Yellow strip train!  (I used my Tokyo Furii Kippu until Nishi Funebashi Station and paid 160 yen until Makuhari hongou)

 Get out from the exit gate and take exit in your left hand side. After you exit from the station turn left and walk along the road on the bridge.

When you reach the traffic light, cross the road on the right and walk down this street.

Less than 3 minutes you will find a simple white based house on the left side. (When I got there, there was not really long line but it took hours to get in the restaurant.)

When you get in the line the waitress will ask your name and for how many people. (In my case, because it was winter the waitress lent my friend and me blankets. What a nice service!! ^^) When you get closer to the door the waitress will ask your order. (I think I waited for an hour and there I saw a Taiwanese couple sitting wait for her turn. I gathered my courage to greet them and asked them if we could share table. Ohh…. And yes! Arashi’s fan is always nice! I cut my other hour to wait and could sit in the table 30 minutes later!!!!! ^^; But once I entered the restaurant they made us wait before got in the table. There were many Aiba’s fan-made picture, doll and others.

 

 My order was a lunch set and Mabo Tofu.

 It was delicious! The best mabo tofu I ever eat! ^^

They served us with popcorn at first and tea at the last.

The restaurant is not really big but full of Aiba and Arashi’s stuff! Most of them are happy birthday wishes for Aiba. I bet they received a lot of stuff from fans and change the decoration regularly!

I happened to see Aiba’s Papa when he got out from the kitchen. I’m not sure about his mother but I think a short cut hair beautiful woman who charged in cashier when I was waiting was his mother.

 And the note book where you can write your message to Aiba!

Most of the people wait in the line were girls but there was also family and man.

2.       Fuji TV Station

I think Speaking of Odaiba is not Gundam Statue or Rainbow Bridge for me. It’s Fuji TV Station!! The building itself is unique and when I got there, there was like a Fuji TV event and one of the booths is VS Arashi booth.

It was raining and the wind was really strong! >.< But I managed to get the ticket for 7.20 pm rolling coin tower! Yeay!!!!

There’s still two hours before I could play so I went around and there was like Fuji TV program exhibition at 6^th floor.

There are also big Arashi’s drama posters since Saigo no yakusoku until now, I think.

 I found this station was really fun and interesting.

There were 2 machines inside the booth and they were big! The coins were heavier than I thought before!! They let us play for 1 game but unfortunately the other player in my table dropped the coins so fast! I just played for 3 rounds! T___T When the game ended they gave me a sticker.

Camera is forbidden but how could it stop me taking pictures!!!! XDDDD

What a really coincidence I met again with the Taiwanese couple at VS booth after separating at Keikarou. Moreover her number was right after me! XDDD

Continue at the next stop~

  

A Short Trip to Tokyo!

Happy New Year 2013!!

I visited Tokyo for 4 days on New Year’s holiday. It was my first time visited Tokyo so I was confused about many things. XDD In this post I just want to share some info hopefully it’s useful for you who debut travelling to Tokyo with low budget.  But… since I come from Osaka, so… maybe it’ll be a bit different if you coming from abroad.

Transportation

Osaka – Tokyo : Night Bus

The price is changing depend on the season but ￥4500 is the reasonable price on high season. It’s standard or you can call it economy class but they lend you a blanket. 8 hours sitting on the bus was not comfortable though.

Tokyo : JR or subway

If you want to go around the city I suggest you to buy one day pass ticket. Tokyo is really big so there are so many kinds of ticket. It’s a little bit confusing so you have to manage your plan for one day so you can buy the best ticket you could use. You can find the detail here.

1.      1.   Tokyo Furi Kippu

   It’s the most convenient ticket I think since train station at Tokyo is very confusing. You can buy it at JR       or subway ticket machine. With this ticket you can use many lines include JR and subway.

   Things you need to aware :

   If you want to go to Odaiba, you can’t use this ticket. You have to buy ticket with Yurikamome Line. But if you want to enjoy the city by bus, since this ticket accommodates Toei Bus, you can get on the bus in every direction.  You can go to Odaiba by bus but it takes 40 minutes to get there.

  There’s distance limit for JR. You can’t reach Tokyo Disney Land with this ticket since it’s located at Chiba.

2.      2.   Tokunai Pass

   This ticket can be used for JR only. If you want to visit famous place only like Shibuya, Ueno, Akihabara and others, I recommend you to use this. Basically those places are on Yamanote Line (the famous line) ^^

But if you want to go to places like Diet Building, Tokyo Tower or Sky Tree I don’t recommend you to buy this ticket since the station is quiet far.

3.      

          3.   Metro Pass

  You should by this ticket at Metro ticket machine only. Using subway is the best way to visit many places in the city. The distance between one station to another is not really far and it’s close from many places such as National Stadium. But if you have to change the train you need to walk for hundred meters. >.<

  I didn’t know about this ticket before so I used JR pass and it brought me walking in a long distance. >.<

Accommodations

Staying at a guest house is the best way I think. I recommend Khaosan though you have to share room for the best price.

The last option is Net Café. My recommend is a net café called Manboo at Shibuya. They have woman only booth and we can use shower for free. One night pack also includes free drink. They facilitate you with television, comics, and also DVD player. Moreover, you can charge your mobile phone or camera for free. The price is friendly but you need to manage your time properly. Don’t forget to calculate your shower time because there’s the time you need to wait for your turn.

Souvenirs

Tokyo Banana is the most famous souvenir from Tokyo. You can find it at Tokyo station and the price is same in every shop.

Note : Don't expect a firework festival on New Year Eve in Japan~ XDD

That’s all for the info I could share.

I can’t share the recommend destination since everyone has different style and purpose for having vacation at Tokyo. ^^

Next I’ll write about Arashi’s spot! ^____^