Ultimate Japan Adventure: Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo!

ABBEY:

Mistakes to Avoid and Tips in Navigating 

At last we set our feet to the Land of the Rising Sun. It is not without its navigation challenges as you explore but fret not. The technology, through internet and apps, will help you towards an enjoyable vacation.

We had Google Maps and Japan Travel Apps installed in our phone and we also got the pocket wifi for the duration of our trip. The apps are helpful specially with the train timings. They even show the platform where you supposed to wait for your train.

Our Japan Rail Pass is with the Green Car but you still have to book a seat reservation. 

We opted to book the either ends of the coach to place our luggages and still have extra legroom. 

Always check if reservation is required in trains else you take the local train which takes more travel time. 

We ask hotel staff for directions to confirm where we’re going.

Signs in Japan are written in their language along with English, and sometimes Korean and Chinese.

Favorite Food 

Hard to say which one is my favorite but their pork bone broth ramen, omakase and rice balls stood out. 

This is the first time I got a coffee in can which served hot. Perfect for cold weather. 

Favorite Accommodation

Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is the place I liked the most. It was an onsen alongside a river and mountains. Hot and cold in one place. Our accommodation includes breakfast and dinner as well as shuttle to and from the train station. Worry free and total relaxation. 

Favorite Train Ride 

All our train rides are unique but what I enjoyed the most are the ones in Shinkansen (bullet train). We booked for the Green Car and it was awesome; fast, spacious, clean, and quiet. And best thing is you can eat inside the train.

Best Experience

Overall the Japan stay is best experience. We got to know a little bit more about the country; their infrastructure, culture, and food.

Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Laregst Onsen in Japan Itinerary

Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Tallest Gundam in Japan Itinerary 

 

WILL: 

How to Enter Japan without Missing Connecting Flight 

We had a connecting flight from Tokyo to Hakata and we missed our flight. Our flight ETA in Narita Japan is 2:35, and our more than 3 hours layover is not enough to transfer from Narita to Haneda. Why? There’s a long wait in the immigration that time and a heaby traffic everywhere. The 1 hour bus travel to became more than 2. Luckily ANA re-booked our ticket to yhe next flight without questions asked. Literally no questions. Haha. From there, I fell in love with ANA. So what is the lesson? Since Narita and Haneda is pretty far from each other you need to alot a 2 hours travel time by bus/train, 2 hours to clear immigration and 1hour for the automated check-in. More ore less 6 hours is pretty safe for a transfer. 

Favorite Accommodation 

Who beats to our Takaragawa Onsen Stay? We experienced the old and traditional side of Japan. But I know not everyone do not like ro stay in suburbs so my next suggestion is look for Montan Hostel. We stayed at montan Hakata. The staffs are lively and helpful, the room is huge, clean and most specially it is affordable! Indeed a value for your money! You won’t regret staying in this hostel. Wink-wink. 

Favorite Food 

Although we had a fun experience dining in Takaragawa’s dishes, omakase at Sushi Tokyo Ten and the most expensive coffee we had in LV Cafe what I really enjoyed is eating food from the groceries. Haha! It feels so local. The unforgettable rice balls, bentos, chips and LOVE chocolate. The best part is, it is veryyy cheap! I love the food and booze in Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony. If they say booze it is indeed booze. Undilutedand unoverwhelmed with ice! A MUST when you visit the capital of Japan. Ohh, before I forgot, the Hojicha Tea of Starbucks Japan is a thing not to forget in your travel. 

Favourite Train Ride 

Do you know that our train ride total cost is JPY240,044 and we bought the Japan Rail Pass for only SGD791.30(Klook). We saved SGD1,476.27! We really do maximised our Japan Rain Pass. Haha! My favourite train ride is from Hakata to Osaka, Sakura 550. The views outside is majestic and you’ll wonder how Japan sticks to its culture and agriculture while being one of the advanced and developed countries in Asia. This idea truly baffling and amazed me at the same time. 

Best Experience 

Everything!!! We had a great time! We enjoyed the food, the tranquility, bullet train ride is unforgettable experience. One tip I will give to you! STAY AWAY on tourist flooded sites. If you can’t and want to experience what you’ve seen in your feeds, go there early as 6AM. Japan is the Rising Sun of the east so expect that 5AM the sun is already grazing its rays. Enjoy your Japan Planning. Hope this blog will help you in your itinerary!

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All Nippon Airways 

(W) https://www.ana.co.jp/en/sg/ 

Click here for cheaper flight

Ticket Cost 2-Way for 2pax: S$3,436.80 

 montan HAKATA 

(W) https://go-montan.reservation.jp/ja/s... 

Click here for cheaper hotel deal

2-Night Cost for 2pax: S$200.98

Ibusuki Sunamushi Onsen Natural Sand Bath 

(W) http://sa-raku.sakura.ne.jp/en/ 

10-minute session cost: ¥1300 (including bath towel) 

 Sakurajima Ferry (W) https://www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp/saku... 

Fare: ¥200 for 2-way per pax

Hotel Hokke Club Kyoto 

(W) https://www.agoda.com 

(E) kyoto-yoyaku@hokke.co.jp 

Cost: SGD 185.52

Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku Inn 

(W) https://www.takaragawa.com/english.html 

Click here for Onsen Resort deal

Cost for 3D2N Stay: S$ 766.74 (Breakfast and Dinner Included)

ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza 

(W) https://all.accor.com/ 

Click here for Onsen Resort deal

Cost of 3Nights: ¥55,147.50 

 Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony 

 (W) https://www.symphony-cruise.co.jp/en/ 

Click here for Onsen Resort deal

Sunset Cruise Japanese Plan (drink-all-you-can): ¥14,800

Kawaguchiko Ropeway 

(W) https://www.mtfujiropeway.jp/en/ 

Cost: ¥500 / pax per way 

 SPONTINI 

(W) http://spontini.jp/ 

Cost: Double Mozzarella ¥1350 | Pizza Pieno ¥ 1550

Sensoji Temple 

(W) https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html 

 Yasukuni Jinja 

(W) https://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/ 

 Sushi Tokyo Ten 

 (W) https://sushitokyo-ten.com/ 

 Le Café V Ginza (A) 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7 Chome−6−1, 7F, Japan (H): 11am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

Easy Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe with Soy Sauce and Garlic

Ingredients:

Pork shoulder

Broccoli

Carrots

Soy sauce

Garlic (minced)

Oyster sauce (optional)

Cut the pork shoulder and carrots into strips and the broccoli into florets.

Sauté garlic and add the pork strips. Cook until brown. Put half cup of water and bring to a boil until most of it evaporates and pork is tender. Add the broccoli and carrots. Put in a tablespoon of soy sauce and salt and pepper to taste.

You can replace soy sauce with oyster sauce. Add water for desires thickness of sauce. Serve with rice.

Beef or chicken can be used as well. 

VERDICT:

WILL: Beef prices in Singapore are exorbitant, often exceeding S$7 for a small portion of meat. However, I still crave the savory flavors of ginger and beef. That's when I turned to Abbey for ask him on whether he could substitute pork in a Beef Broccoli recipe. 

Abbey cooked it and I was pleasantly surprised with the tender and juicy pork strips infused with a gingerly soy sauce. Adding colorful broccoli and carrots made this dish not only delectable but also visually appealing. 

This recipe has become a staple in my monthly meal plan

Discover the Best Ready-to-Eat Gourmet Meals and Desserts from Melvados, a Unique Singaporean Brand

ABBEY: Last Christmas we have the reason to eat more ice cream than the usual. Hahaha.

We got a couple of pints from Melvados: Salty Caramel and Almond and Triple Chocolate. It is on the pricey side this we  got this indulgence in a holiday season.

The ice cream is soft and easy to scoop right from the freezer. No fight between your spoon and the frozen delight. They are creamy and smooth and really taste good. Not your ordinary ice cream. You can taste its premiumness.

WILL: Melvados, a Singaporean brand that has been in operation for almost a decade, offers ready-to-eat gourmet meals and desserts at a wholesale price, making it a sought-after "Made in Singapore" item. With over 90% of the food supply sourced from outside the country, Melvados is a unique find in the market. The brand is also associated with a parent company that supplies products to 5-star restaurants and airlines.

As an SEO expert, I am impressed by the taste of Melvados' Salted Caramel and Triple Chocolate ice cream. These premium desserts are delicious, creamy, and comparable to international brands.

If you're looking for a unique gift idea, consider Melvados as a festive treat for your loved ones. Not only are the products made with passion, but they also offer a unique Singaporean experience that's sure to delight anyone.

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Melvados 

(W) https://melvados.com

(T) 6339 4953