Izakaya

Izakaya (Japanese: いざかや ♥ Chinese: 居酒屋) is traditional shop which serves food and drinks. It is popular and relatively cheap place for after-work drinking. My first time visit to Izakaya is also my last day working in Japan. Yea, you're right. I've completed my 3 months work/training and force to leave my favourite country - Japan. T__________T

Although I sometimes always grumble about the tough working life, Japan is still a country that I'm longing to visit. Within these 3 months, have been gone through sweet and tough moment.
Sweet because of Hokkaido / Kyoto / Izu Peninsula short trip. Of course have been visited most of the tourist attraction in Tokyo. Have been stayed in different types of backpackers hostel/Youth hostels. Also have a good time when I saw endless lavender farm as well as enjoying King Crab feast in Hokkaido trip. Able to fulfill my dream by taking number of photos with geisha in Atami trip (First attempt failed in Kyoto trip). Bought my 1st DSLR in Akihabara. My birthday celebration in dormitory.
Tough because of work for 5 days OT per week. Everyday walk about 20 mins to office (even experience the scary Typhoon No. 8). Squeezed ourselves into the train in order to get to destination. Spent too much and make ourselves in tough situation at Ameyoko (Nearly cannot return to dormitory. Btw thanks to CREDIT CARD!) During the stay in Japan, I wore the same clothes because can't afford to buy even one dress not really keen on japan fashion.

Well, please come back to Izakaya. 2009-10-16 ♥ Our farewell ganbatte party with my colleagues in Tokyo. We still have to continue our task when we return to Sg. ="= Really great to visit Izakaya before we left. They serves a lot of food and drinks such as,

Yakitori & Kushiyaki

Sashimi (Wow!!!!!)

and other dishes...

All the best to you all!!!!

Izu Peninsula Day 3

[Oct 12, 09]

This would be the last short trip in Japan before we headed back to Sg. We had completed our work in Japan. We were so much reluctant to leave Izu. It looks like an isolated place that give us a getaway in our hectic life. If I have chance to choose, I wish I can stay longer in Izu (BUT NOT FOREVER).

We woke up late that day. We did not rush throughout the trip. As usual, I looked out of the window once I woke up. That day I found out the weather is specially good and the sea is calm. I love the peace of Izu. I wish I could visit here one day!

You would easily find the chestnut and persimmon in Autumn.

Bye, Izu!

Izu Peninsular Day 2

[Oct 11, 09]

We normally stay in hostel during the time in Japan because the hostel price is affordable. Hotel in Japan is incredible expensive. Don't expect too much if you choose hostel. Normally have to share bathroom with other tourists. Some hostels provide shower form/shampoo, but some are not. So better prepare own shower form/shampoo/towel before the trip starts. Staying in hostel has its pros and cons. We got to know friends from any other countries and shared travel experiences with each others.

Anyway day 2 in Izu. We woke up quite late since we don't want to rush ourselves in this trip. Journey started by taking local train to Shimoda station. And then took Tokai bus to Dogashima. From Shimoda station to Dogashima, it takes about 1 hour. It's long and exhausted journey. But you would forget about all your tiredness once you reach there.

The coastline of Dogashima in Western Izu is famous for its dramatic stone formation, cliffs and caves, formed by the lava flow of past volcanic eruptions and the erosion by the sea.

We took the sightseeing boat to tour around. It takes about 20 minutes. After this, we spent some times sit under the tree and looked at the scenery. A trip without rushing time is really fun. That's why we spent whole afternoon at only Dogashima.

In the late afternoon, we headed back to Shimoda station before we missed the last bus. We walked around the Shimoda town. Shimoda has historical importance as the landing place of several of Commodore Perry's "black ships" in 1854, an event which marked the end of Japan's era of isolation and the start of diplomatic relations between the US and Japan.

Second night in Izu. We still stayed in the same hostel. There are special event on going that night at Usami. Everyone in the town was very excited. Both of us are the only foreigners who watched the event.

Izu Peninsula Day 1

[Oct 10, 09]

We choose Izu Peninsula as our last trip in Japan. It is nearer from our dormitory and easy to get there by local train (no more Shinkansen), B-U-T it is still expensive! Not many foreigners will consider visit Izu. Only locals know about this place. When you need a place to hide or if you like nature, Izu definitely a good choice!

We stopped at Atami. Why Atami? Honestly we were really disappointed during the time in Kyoto because we only managed to see geisha's BACK (Please refer to this entry). Therefore this time we will not let ourselves down. No more! We were going to Atami Geisha Centre to look for geisha!

On our way, we kept on asking locals about Atami Geisha Centre until we managed to find it. Yes! we are here! We already here for Geisha! We were excited like kids (jumping up and down like jelly fish).

Admission fee: 1300 Yen (we got 100 Yen discount!) ^_^

Refreshment: cake + a cup of green tea. (Don't worry. All included in admission fee)

Finally we saw geisha on the stage. We found the performance really funny because we don't understand at all. All around us are aunties and uncles. We are the youngest one! ^_^ and also the silly one. ="= Paying 1200 Yen just to see geisha, but anyway it is cheap compared to those geisha centre in Kyoto.

Even more exciting, we got the chance to take few photos with them. Hahahaaha..

After performance, we walked to Atami Castle. The weather just nice for walking. Sunny but not hot. Windy but not so cold. We saw a pair of husband and wife fishing near Atami beach. How relaxing they are! Erm, how to control myself not to think about those irritating project? Don't care. I should make use of my time in Izu.

Took cable car up to the hill and saw such superb panoramic view of ocean. We had our prawn udon here. The scenery is breathtaking! We decided not to go to Atami Castle because we would like to spend more time in this place.

After that we returned to Atami station and strolled around at the market. They sell a lot of dried food and souvenirs.

Before turn dark, we have to get to our hostel at Usami. We took local train to Usami station. Usami is a small town. Once we reached this station, we hardly can find anyone else on the road. Seems like NO-ONE town.

We check-in at Onsen Minshuku Otsuka. This hostel not as cheap as in Hokkaido, and also not as good maintenance as in Hokkaido. B-U-T hostel owner is really kind. ^_^ He can speaks English, but not fluently. He offered to fetch us to their so-called night market (pasar malam) for dinner.

Just right in front of this hostel, it is Usami beach. We are surprised to see many people were surfing near the beach. Why in such cold weather?! Getting cold at evening. We shivered while sit on the beach.

I LOVE IZU!!!

At night, we had our Unagi rice at one of japanese restaurant. Oishi!!

As I mentioned, Usami beach just right in front of our hostel. There is highway in between the beach and hostel. That's why we can hear the car racing sound especially midnight. Kick away those noise, just concentrate ourselves to those beautiful wave sound. Night at Usami is boring. Nothing much to visit during night time. No Starbucks. No Coffee Bean. No internet cafe. All shops and restaurants closed around 7pm. After 7pm, we rotted in our hostel room. Normally foreigner excited to put on the Yukata that prepared by the hotel/hostels. We also the same. Since the night is boring, the only activity for us is to put on the Yukata and take photos! ^_^ Of course, our silly act photos cannot be published in the blog. :P

I wish

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I sleep in my own dream house but not rented room.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, my saving suddenly becomes 7 digits.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, no need worry about tonnes of work.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I drive BMW to work.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I just need to plan for trip but not work schedule.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I no need to face those irritating faces or unfair incidents.

I wish,
one day I strike the 1st prize in TOTO or 4D.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, it is beautiful cooling day, but not freaking hot day!!

I think,
I think too much tonight.
It's time to sleep......

Tokyo Disney Sea

[Oct 3, 09]

I would regret if I never visit to Tokyo Disney Sea before I return to Sg. This time before visit to Disneysea, I must make sure I have entry ticket. I don't want the same thing happen to me again (Refer to this blog). Why we choose Oct 3 to Disneysea? no special reason. It is because we only left 2 weekends before we left Japan!!! By the way, see what a 'GOOD' day we choose. It was raining non-stop that day. T__T

There are 7 uniquely themed areas in Disneysea such as American Waterfront, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Mediterranean Harbor and Mysterious Island. We were not manage to explore all games due to the bad weather. We played the outdoor game only when the rain was stopped. Most of time we acted silly by wearing all those character series hat. :P

Remember: please stay until night time. You will be amazed by the night at Disneysea. It was so spectacular!