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?

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: In Detail

When you talk about Japan, it's all about technologies, gadgets, well-developed infrastructures, vending machines, earthquake, disciplined Japanese and a lot more.  If you would come to look at it, it's all about adults.  How about the kids in Japan?  They are nowhere to be found with the population getting older and one of the lowest fertility rate in the world.

But little did we know that they have one of the best themed parks in the world.  They have Tokyo Disney Resort: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. If you are traveling in Tokyo, you should not miss this beautiful and majestic Disney Resort.  I believe it is one of the must-visits in Japan, most especially you have your kids with you.  You cannot enter both parks on the same day (unless you pay 2x) so you need to a lot at least 2days.  In fact, if you have luxury of time, I suggest you visit each park for 2days with a total of 4days remembering your childhood memories.

Tokyo Disneyland is a 46hectare (Tokyo Disney: 71hectare) theme park located in Uyarasu, Chiba, Japan.  It is the first Disney theme park that was built outside USA (California & Florida) in 1983. There are 7 themed park areas: World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Toontown.

Tokyo Disneyland Entrance

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