Fuji-Q Highlands: Home of Roller Coasters

April 29, 2013

Another once-in-a-lifetime experience I had in 2013 was to visit the thrilling, breath taking, and home of roller coasters in Japan, Fuji-Q Highland.  From the entrance, you can  already see up close the famous Fuji-san or Mt. Fuji, where the name of the theme park came from.

Fuji-Q Highlands Entrance

Before going to the park, I was really excited to try all the rides and I’m up for all the challenges. But seeing the rides up close and personal, it seemed like I can’t make it especially if I take up the challenge alone. But if someone was willing to ride with me, will have definitely ridden all the coasters! In the end, I tried the King of All Coasters, Fujiyama and Dodonpa.

Not to mention the breathtaking view!

Fuji-Q Grounds

Its famous roller coasters include the following:

Fujiyama: 79m high, top speed of 130km/hr and a total length of 2045m. It was once the 8^th tallest, 5^th longest and 10^th fastest roller coaster in 2007.

Crazy. This is one of the best roller coasters I’ve ridden. And I’m looking forward to try other coasters in the future. The lines were very long but it was all worth it to experience this one-of-a-kind roller coaster. The warm-up move was to climb the 71m and getting ready for the 1^st drop. While we were slowly moving up, my bones were shaking whether I could make it or not but there was no backing out! The thought of it was really crazy!

Universal Studios Japan: Experience the Movies

April 24, 2013

Touched down Osaka, Japan. Where to go? Universal Studios Japan ex- the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Unfortunately, I went there a year before the scheduled opening of the Harry Potter themed attractions.

Universal Globe

Seriously, we went directly to Universal Studios (USJ). Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, we immediately purchased bus tickets to USJ bringing with us my big luggage. I didn’t care what other people might think. Haha! Travel Tip: There is luggage storage at the entrance of the park. You may leave your things there for a fee (I forgot how much though).

Too bad the weather didn’t cooperate during my trip because it was raining. But it didn’t stop me to enjoy and maximize my day trip to the park. After all, I didn’t know when can I visit this park again? Not until they announced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening soon! I’m not a die-hard harry potter fan but will surely be back there to see the attraction! HAHA!

Like my suggestion in all other theme parks, get a copy of the park map immediately and plan on how you maximize the place. Make sure to include in your schedule the park shows and performance. 

Universal Studios Japan:

Mandatory photo!

Itinerary: Kyoto

Before every trip, it is very important to research on the places you intend to visit.   It is equally important to plot everything so that you can maximize the little time you have bearing in mind the expenses you will incur.

Let’s face it, sometimes researching for your trip can consume most of your time before your dream vacation. Of course, if you are on a tour group, they prepare everything for you.

Sharing to you my 2-day itinerary in Kyoto, Japan.

Golden Pavilion

Day 1: April 26, 2013

06:05AM – Arrival at Kyoto Station via Overnight bus from Nagano Prefecture

06:05AM – 07:00AM – Travel to Cathedral of St.Francis Xavier (We arrived on a Sunday so we decided to attend mass before going around)

07:00AM – 07:30AM – Quick tour in the church and prepare for mass

07:30AM – 08:15AM – Holy Mass

08:15AM – 09:45AM – Travel to Kyoto ShuhokakuHotel (leisure morning walk)

09:45 AM – 10:20AM – Early registration and left our luggage

10:20AM – 1!:15AM – Breakfast near hotel

11:15AM – 12:00NN – Walk from hotel to Kiyomizu-dera (including the 20min from the city streets to the main entrance)

12:00NN – 01:00PM – Explore Kiyomizu-dera

01:00PM – 01:30PM – Walk to Kodaji Temple

01:30PM – 02:15PM – Explore  Kodaji Temple, Maruyama & Yasaka Park Shring

02:15PM – 03:00PM – Explore Kyoto downtown and Gion area

03:00PM – 03:30PM – Travel to Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel

03:30PM – 05:00PM – Check in and Rest (Eat snacks from convenience store)

05:00PM – 06:00PM – Travel to Kyoto University (I visited a place near the university)

06:00PM – 06:30PM – Met with the Director of the place

06:30PM – 07:30PM – Travel back to the Hotel

07:30PM – 08:30PM – Rest

08:30PM – 09:30PM – Special Kaiseki dinner at the Hotel

09:30PM – 10:30PM – Wash up! Prepare for tomorrow

Day 2: April 27, 2013

06:00AM – 07:00AM – Wake up! Prepare ~

07:00AM – 07:40AM – Hearty breakfast at the Hotel

07:40AM – 08:15AM – Pack things (We leave the hotel at night so we need to check-out early)

08:15AM – 09:00AM – Travel to Kinkakuji

09:00AM – 10:15AM – Explore Kinkakuji (GoldenPavilion)

10:15AM – 11:00AM – Travel to Ryoanji

11:00AM – 11:45AM – Explore Ryoanji

11:45AM – 12:30PM – Travel to Nijo-jo

12:30PM – 01:45PM – Explore Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle)

01:45PM – 03:00PM – Lunch and Rest! (We walked a lot!)

03:00PM – 03:30PM – Continue to stroll to Imperial Palace

03:30PM – 04:15PM – Explore Imperial Palace

04:15PM – 04:30PM – Travel to Gion area

04:30PM – 06:00PM – Explore Gion at night and bought some souvenirs

06:00PM – 06:20PM – Go back to Hotel

06:20PM – 06:30PM – Just grab our luggage!

06:30PM – 07:00PM – Travel to Kyoto Station

07:00PM – 07:40PM – Explore Kyoto Station

07:40PM – 08:30PM – Dinner at McDonalds in Kyoto Station

08:30PM – 09:30PM – Rest

09:30PM – 10:30PM – Went to the bus, board and rest again!

10:30PM – Departure!

That’s it for my Kyoto trip. It was very short so I just visited the major destinations in town.

This is just a simple guide to help you plan your Kyoto escapade. Feel free to modify my itinerary according to your interest and schedule.

If you have more time in Kyoto, you can explore other places: (not a complete list)

Ginkaku-ji – Silver Pavilion. Arashiyama.. Shugakuin Imperial Villa. Tenryu-ji. Kamigamo & Shimogamo Shrines. Mount. Kurama. Kyoto National Museum.

Enjoy your Kyoto trip!

Kyoto | Imperial Palace: The Emperor's Residence

April 27, 2013

To conclude our Kyoto trip, we went to Kyoto Imperial Palace, ‘just walking distance from Nijo-jo,’ according to many Japanese. But this doesn't mean 5min walk. Aha. Just like in other developed countries, a 20-30min walk is a norm for them. Just to make things clear, its around 2.8km from Nijo Castle. Now, it’s for you to decide if you want to walk.

In our case, we walked from the castle to the palace. I’m good with the walk given the cool weather and pleasant view, including traces of Cherry Blossoms. I also enjoyed observing Japanese lifestyle and culture.

Kyoto Imperial Palace was the home of the country’s Emperor until 1868, when they transferred to Tokyo Imperial Palace (been there in 2009). 

Imperial Palace Main Gate

Kyoto | Kinkaku-ji: Golden Pavilion in Nature

April 27, 2013

First thing on the list in our 2^nd and last day in Kyoto – my number 1 place to visit, Golden Pavilion – Kinkaku-ji. It’s arguably the most famous temple in Kyoto and even in the country.  Make sure to visit the place to understand its magnificent beauty. A perfect place for reflection of what you have done with your life. HAHA!

After freshening up and a hearty breakfast, we immediately went to Kinkaku-ji. I was very excited to see the temple that I woke up early and researched some fun facts to appreciate the structure more. Travel Tip: It’s good to read prior before visiting a place to know its value. Reminder to self: Read, and not just pure photos!

The entrance to the temple was already very inviting because it was perfectly maintained. You can already feel a serene ambiance leading to the main temple. The locals and tourists were also very disciplined. Who would dare throwing rubbish here?

Kyoto | Kiyomizu-dera: A Temple in Otowa Mountain

April 26, 2013

Exactly a year ago, I visited Kiyomizu-dera or Clear Water Temple in English. It is one of my top 5 places to visit in Kyoto. A beautiful temple at the East side of Kyoto and just walking distance from our hotel, Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel.

Kiyomizu-dera's main temple

Yes, striking distance but that doesn’t mean less than 10min of walk because the walk from city streets to the temple entrance is already 20min. Hence, from our hotel, it’s approximately a 35min stroll. Travel Tip: Consider wearing sneakers. The walking time might be easy for you! But how about the elevation and slopes! Take note, the temple is located in Otowa Mountain.

But it's a pleasant walk! Most people, including Japanese high school students in their school uniforms, heading to the temple would also walk to the entrance.  There's a wide array of shops too along the way. Travel Tip: Grab the green tea or sakura ice cream. It’s amazing! Buy some refreshments too!

Tokyo Tower 東京タワ: Japan's Iconic Tower

July 8, 2012

Since we were not able to go up the observation deck of Tokyo Sky Tree, we decided to go to Tokyo Tower instead and made sure to reach the skies. So, we went straight to Tokyo Tower without any second thoughts! Or honestly, it was part of our itinerary! HAHA.

Tokyo Tower was the main broadcasting and communication tower of Japan from 1958 to 2012  (yes, 54years!) when Tokyo Sky Tree was built. Despite its 333m height, it cannot provide clear signals to TV and radio network these days due to the skyscrapers around the area (before, absolutely yes!).

We went there around 4pm, just in time to see the city before dark and before the city lights and the tower itself was lit. While walking to the tower, I can’t help but take a lot of photos just to get the perfect angle of the picturesque tower in front of me. I don’t look at the streets while walking. LOL!

Walking to the tower

Mandatory photo!

Tokyo Sky Tree: World's Tallest Tower

July 8, 2012

An itinerary to Tokyo Sky Tree is a must for a trip to Japan! However, we went to the world's tallest tower accepting the reality that we won’t be able to go up at least  350m (higher deck @ 450m) above the ground to the observation decks. We went there last July 8 and the tower opened in May 22, 2012 (less than 2months of operation). However, the observation decks were already reserved until July 11. Yes,  just 3 days, we were just ahead for 3days..

Tokyo Sky Tree (634m):

It is the tallest broadcasting tower in the world and the 2^nd tallest structure after Burj Khalifa (828.9m) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Aside from its observation deck at the 350^th flr & 450^th flr., it is also a broadcasting and communication tower for TV and radio companies in Japan.

Tokyo Sky Tree from the shops

Mandatory photo! yay!

As mentioned, we weren't able to go up but, nonetheless, we still enjoyed our trip there:

THE Sky Tree

Another mandatory shot. HAHA!

Tokyo DisneySea: Where Imagination and Adventure Set Sail

July 15, 2012.

Disney changed people’s lives. And age doesn’t matter when you’re heading to a Disney Resort. This time, it’s Tokyo Disney Sea.

Like our 22hr trip back in January 2012, we again travelled all the way from Nagano to Tokyo to visit this one-of-a-kind resort. But this time, we are staying overnight to visit both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Yay! Brace up for another adventure! This is bigger than Tokyo Disneyland!

We arrived at the resort before the park opened so we went straight to Hilton Tokyo Bay to park our things (we can’t check-in yet). My host family also decided to park the car there and take the Disney Monorail from the hotel to the resort for another experience.

At Hilton Tokyo Bay Hotel

Tokyo Disney Resort Monorail:
It’s the same with the HongKong Disneyland Rail – with Mickey windows, Mickey handles, and all the other Disney designs -- but this one is way more expensive.

Look at the ticket prices!

Tokyo Disney Sea Map:

Familiarize yourself with the entire DisneySea resort.  It has 7 main themes: Mediterranean Harbor. Mysterious Island. Mermaid Lagoon. Arabian Coast. Lost River Delta. Port Discovery. American Waterfront. Travel Tip: Make sure to get your map at hand and plan your route inside the park. You may want to take an unconventional route by starting in the 3^rd or 4^th theme. Normally, when people arrived in the park, they just do clockwise or counter-clock wise route. Start in the middle when there are still less people. Make sure to consider live performances as well!

Familiarizing myself with the park

Entrance:

Once you entered the park, you will be welcomed by the DisneySea SquaSphere , showing the model of the earth, helping you realize the body of water that surrounds us.  From this place onwards, seems like everything is a fantasy.

Welcome to Tokyo Disney Sea!

Where's the Philippines?

HeadStart 2012: Kinga Shinnen!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It was January 1, 2012.

I woke up with renewed self for the coming year but I still could not understand my feelings. It was New Year. It was already 2012. But I'm not with my biological family. I'm with my foster family. I was not in my dormitory. I was not in South Korea, where I study for a year. I was not either in the Philippines. I was in a different place. I was in a house. I was in Inasatomachi. I was in Nagano City. I was in the Land of the Rising Sun when the sun first rose on 2012 or Hatsuhinode (the first sunrise of the year).. Yes, I was in Japan! I was wondering whether it was a dream or reality? Then.. It was definitely a reality!

Yes, it's really Japan

Japanese Custom: New Year's Day Postcards
I went down from "my room" (I call it my room because it's a spare room I used during my visit so I own it. hahaha) to the living room to greet everyone 'A Happy New Year!' And in return, they gave me New Year post card. My foster mom prepared it around 3am, when we arrived from our long-tiring transit (I will post about this soon).

My New Year Gift

My Happy New Year 2012 Postcard

They received hundreds of postcards and even the children received their own postcards from their classmates, friends, relatives or their own acquaintances. The Japanese have a very special custom of sending New Year's Day postcards to their friends and relatives (Nengajo / 年賀状).

Some of my foster family's New Year postcards

Ski Experience: 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics

Iizuna Ski Kogen Resort
"Ski the Heart of Japan"
January 6, 2012.

It was my 2nd to the last day in Japan but there were still a lot excitement and memories to paint. I was slated to a whole new experience: SKIING!

We went skiing at Iizuna Ski Kogen Resort, one of the Ski resorts used during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. By the way, Nagano was the south most city that hosted Winter Olympics.

Iizuna Ski Kogen Resort: Used during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics

Tokyo Disneyland: Electrical Parade

January 2, 2012.

A nighttime parade full of lights! The Disney stars covered in colorful sparkling lights! This gorgeous parade turns the Tokyo Disneyland night into a radiant world of sparkling lights and Disney music. It is a dream world of a million of lights sparkle in this grand nighttime parade. Starting next to the Haunted Mansion, the parade flows past Cinderella Castle and exits beyond Toontown.

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: Jubilation Parade

January 2, 2012.

The magic of Disney in daytime! The Jubilation Parade is a live performance with dreamy princes dancing with their princesses, forest friends frolicking in the woods, the mysterious jungle, the wide open sea. This parade is filled with the dreams and wonder you'll find throughout Tokyo Disney Resort. Let your Disney friends invite you on a journey of discovery through all your favorite Disney scenes.

Let us enter the joy-filled world of Disney! Delightful scenes from Disney films and the enchanting world of Disney come to life in front of your very eyes for a truly jubilant time. With every float bearing Disney characters, the Park resounds with the Guests' jubilation and cheers.

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: Minnie! Oh! Minnie!

January 2, 2012.


This is the first live performance we watched in Tokyo Disneyland. 


Minnie! Oh! Minnie!
It's dance time at Theatre Orleans!  It is a cute show starring Minnie Mouse. After Goofy, Donald, Chip 'n Dale, and others get the show started with a vibrant performance, the star of the show, Minnie, takes the stage! Followed by Mickey! This high energy performance features lively Latin music and colors.


When Minnie takes the stage, she whips the show up to its exciting finale, and the audience is invited to join the fun and dance along. You'll leave the show with a hot Latin beat in your steps.


This is a clip of the show:

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: Mickey and Friend's New Year's Greeting!

January 2, 2012.


Mickey, Minnie and Friends welcomed the guests of Tokyo Disneyland. They wore Japanese traditional clothes: Kimono!

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: A Whole New World

January 2, 2012.


As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the priorities in visiting Disneyland Parks are the live performances. And this includes the Disney Parades, Disney Shows and Disney Fireworks display.


In my case, when we went to Tokyo Disneyland, I was able to watch the following:
Click on the link to watch the videos.

• Minnie! Oh! Minnie!
• Mickey and Friends New Year's Greeting
• Tokyo Disneyland's Jubilation Parade
• Tokyo Disneyland's Electrical Parade
• Tokyo Disneyland's Disney in the Sky

In fact, as a youth, I would prefer watching live shows and parades than queuing for an hour or so just to ride a 3minute Disney attraction that are usually for really young kids. In my opinion, live performances are "a must" in any of Disneyland theme parks. It's not just because they are very good in performing but because they Disney Characters are live in action.  You will see for real what you just see on televisions. Yes, the actions and emotions of Disney Characters and Princesses are definitely like what you see on the screens.


Travel Tip: Check out the schedule of the live performances. Depending on the show, there might only be  few shows during the day and some are overlapping with other performances so plan out. Some shows have limited number of seats, make sure to grab one!


At around 9:00am, we watched the first live performance: Minnie! Oh! Minnie!

Minnie! Oh! Minnie!

Tokyo Disneyland: Where Dreams Come True

January 2, 2012.

It was already a dream come true for me when I got the chance to visit Japan once again. But it became truer when I came to visit Tokyo Disneyland. It was definitely a magical playground. I don't mind going back to Disneyland theme parks for the nth time.

This day was simply a blast.  We were out for this journey for 22 hours. Yes, 22 hours including travel time from Nagano to Tokyo to Nagano.  We started our journey 4:00am to be in the theme park at around 8:00am just in time for its opening at 8:30am.  We just had a stop in a 7-11 convenience store to buy our breakfast  and off to the long road trip.

Now, let's discover Tokyo Disneyland through the following photos.

Even though we were very excited, we still slept during the travel. Save some energy for this big day! Travel Tip: Like all journeys, you need to have a good rest. But you should get extra rest for this one. It's a very long day with thousands of people fighting to be the first.

During the 4hr road trip

The Tokyo Disneyland Map:
Travel Tip: Make sure to get your map at hand and plan your route inside the park. You don't want to waste your time by doing back and forth because of the attractions not visited when you pass the place. Make sure to consider live performances as well!

Tokyo Disneyland Map

Unexpected Vacation: Japan&Korea

This vacation had mixed feelings for me. Winter vacation in Korea is Christmas vacation in the Philippines. And when you talked about Christmas in the Philippines, it's a very special season of the year because it's the time when families would gather and spend time together. This is the first Christmas without my family. Back in the Philippines, even though I lived away from my family due to university studies, I always make it to the point to go home on this very special season. However, for this Christmas vacation, or shall I say winter vacation, I cannot make it. It’s quite sad but I have to accept this reality. Nevertheless, I spend time with them online through video calls. Thanks to technology and the fast internet in Korea and Japan.

And my winter vacation does not end there!

At Gyeongbokgung Palance

I was not able to be with my family physically but I was able to meet and spend time together again with my Japanese host family back in 2009. I participated a cultural exchange program in Japan and met my lovely host family. When they learned that I’m currently studying in Korea, they immediately made a plan to spend their winter vacation in this neighboring country. A perfect consolation for not spending my Christmas with my family.

At Seoul Tower with Snowy background

They went to Korea for 4days and 3nights. I was literally with them the whole time, from airport to airport. First, we went around the city – Gyeongbok Palace (경복궁), Insadong (인사동), Myeongdong (명동), Seoul Tower (서울 타워), Teddy Bear Museum (테디베어뮤지엄) and Nami Island (남이섬) to name a few. I could remember when I asked my foster mom what she wants to do in Korea; she cheerfully told me that she wants to go shopping. Indeed, we spend several hours shopping in Myeongdong and Insadong. We also had random shopping in other places of our city sightseeing. Aside from the tour, we didn’t miss to try different Korean dishes and street foods such as Bibimbap (비빔밥), Samgyetang (삼계탕), Samgyeopsal (삼겹살), Steam Chicken (찜닭) Toppokki (떡볶이), Odeng (오뎅) and many more. However, we had one problem. Spicy foods. My foster mom, sister (11 years old) and brother (8 years old) cannot eat spicy foods. Even if we tell the waiter not to make it spicy, the restaurant’s “not spicy” is still spicy for my foster family. Nevertheless, they liked the food even if they cannot bear just a little bit of spicy foods. I just told them that even I myself don’t like spicy foods before. I just learned to eat it here and like it because it will be my meal everyday for the next few months.

“I was literally with them the whole time, from airport to airport.” Yes, because my vacation didn’t end when they went back to Japan. They gave me a trip to Japan. I joined them going back home. I stayed with them for a week. I spend time with them like my real family. I showed them the pictures we had during our first meeting, pictures of my family, pictures of my stay in Korea. I also told them stories that happened to me. They also told me their stories at the same time showed pictures of our meeting and their family. We reminisced together. On my last day in Japan, my mom and I didn’t even sleep just to maximize the remaining time left before I went back to Korea.

In Japan, we went to the places we visited before like the Zenkoji Temple. We also went to Tokyo Disneyland and Iizuna Ski Resort, where the 1998 Winter Olympics was held. It was one of my wishes to visit Tokyo Disneyland and it happened when I least expect it. In addition, the skiing experience was very fun. I didn’t believe it to be that difficult until I wore the skiing equipment. I stumble 5x but continued to play with the enthusiasm to learn how to do it because my foster mom was there to assist me. Like what Disney Parks would always say, “Where Dreams Come True.” Indeed, Tokyo Disneyland and Skii Ride were dreams come true for me!

At Tokyo Disneyland

At Iizuna Kogen Ski Resort

Aside from those ‘dreams come true’ activities, I also met a childhood friend of mine whom I didn’t meet for almost 5years already because their family migrated to Japan in 2007. We spend time and talked about the things that happened to us. In addition, we also prepared a very special Filipino meal for my host family as a gratitude for everything that they gave me. We cooked Filipino food, “Chicken Adobo” and “Nilagang Baka” for viands and “Fruit Salad” for dessert. We ate it with Filipino style and etiquette. This means that we get rid of rice bowls, individual viand bowls and chopsticks for big plates, spoon and fork. We also put the viands on the table just like what we do in the Philippines. My foster family was very grateful for what we did. But if we come to look at it, it is nothing compared to what they have given me.

They were very happy for me! Such a very kind and sweet family of them. I would say that they are not just any ordinary Japanese family. I am very grateful and forever be grateful to meet a family like theirs, Kawamura Family.

To summarize my winter vacation, I could only say a word: MEMORABLE!