Friday, January 25, 2019

[JAPAN] HONSHU: TOKYO MUST VISIT + TRANSPORTATION

Capital city of Japan, which full of balance between modern and classic traditional touch. Nothing i can't say for opening since sooooo many great blogger already share it for you (for sure) so i just gonna share my Tokyo days back then. I spent here with my boyfie for 4 days and i thought it was perfect not too long, neither too short. Depending on how great your time management is, but exploring Tokyo is not as complicated as i knew and i will make it simple for you!

東京
TOKYO

HOW TO EXPLORE IT
Japan transportation fee can be a pocket bomb, super expensive. and Japan offers so many options for "cheap" transportation, i will not compare any here because it gonna make you having a headache. We used KEISEI SKYLINER + SUBWAY 3DAY PASS FOR ¥5400/person, this pass you can buy right at the airport ( Narita and Haneda) without reservation, and it will active since the first time you tap on the subway gate. It covers most all subway lines, except JR train and Disneyline. for more detail you can check their website and updated price here

BEST PLACE TO STAY
Too many areas HAHA personally we stayed in Agora asakusa hotel, near Sensoji area which very convenient, not so crowded as i expected but if you looking for shopping all day long crowds, you can stay around Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku area or Roppongi for exclusive choice.

MUST VISIT
TOO MANY PLACESSSSS TOO!!! Every season offers different places to be visited. and me summer nothing really ... interesting HAHA but here it is! 

#1 SENSOJI TEMPLE, TOKYO SKY TREE, SUMIDA RIVER
SUBWAY STATION : ASAKUSA ST.
can be said as #1 Tokyo must visit HAHA snacking along nakamise shopping street lead to one of biggest famous temple, Sensoji. Trying your luck with some sticks for  ¥100. And then walk away from crowd, enjoy walking around sumida river or take a cruise tour. and end the journey with go to the tallest building in Japan, Tokyo sky tree, but back then the weather was foggy so i didnt go up.

#2 AKIHABARA
SUBWAY STATION : AKIHABARA ST.
Game and anime lover, here is your heavveeeeen. I am not really into it, but my bro asked me to buy him a nintendo switch which much cheaper than everywhere in the world and just fun playing claw machine at Sega station, and gathered with the crowd.

#3 GINZA
SUBWAY STATION: GINZA ST.
Luxury area that nothing i can affort here *kidding **but true HAHA so every weekend, they held car free day along the road and its kinda fun and even you can't buy gucci or LV bags, you can buy some clothes at the biggest UNIQLO in Japan with 9 floors.

#4 OMOTESANDO
SUBWAY STATION: OMOTESANDO ST.
Hypeee area for cafe-ing and local brand hopping. super lovely area so far, since me and my boyfie came here around 9am, it was super calm and just peaceful. So many choices of cafes and pretty brunch places to explore and we visited BLUE BOTTLE, famous coffee chain and see my review here

#5 HARAJUKU
SUBWAY STATION :MEIJI-JIGUMAE ST.
Harajuku style? well, i expected to see some unique-dressed girls, but instead all korean-looked Japanese HAHA WHERE HARAJUKU STYLE!! along harajuku, i found mostly they sell korean stuffsss, like fila bags, hippies hoodie, etc, well i was lil bit confused with what's going on?HAHA

#6 SHIBUYA
SUBWAY STATION : SHIBUYA ST.
Who doesn't know famous Shibuya crossing? Take a mandatory photos from Starbucks HAHA and exploring area that offers so many stores and great food around. and don't forget Hachiko statue.

#7 TSUKIJI
SUBWAY STATION: SHINTOMICHO ST.
Mandatory fish market, top tokyo food bucket list!! for seafood hunter and street food lover, like me IT IS PARADISE! where you can eat grilled eel for IDR 40000? haha

#8 TOKYO TOWER
SUBWAY STATION : KAMIYACHO ST. / AKANABEMASHI ST.
Tallest building in Japan before Tokyo skytree built. Not really necessary it quite far from station but since i love my boyfie and he loves One piece, ok lor.. you can find Onepiece original store and dinning here.

#9 DISNEY
SUBWAY STATION : MAIHAMA ST.
Last but not least, happiest place on earth, DISNEY. Disneyland is kinda too childish so you can try Disneysea, more frightening ride- themes. for more details and what the best ride to ride? HAHA click here


MY ITINERARY
D1 : Asakusa/ Sensoji area 
D2 : Disney full day
D3 : Omotesando, Harajuku, & Shibuya in the morning, & Akihabara at night
D4 : Tsukiji in the morning, Ginza in the afternood, & Tokyo tower at night

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THAT'S A WRAPPP for tokyo but wait for tokyo foodie post for my food adventure story <3 Hope this post help you to decide where to visit in tokyo!

JAPAN PART.3 - HONSHU 13DAYS12NIGHTS BACKPACKER TRIP




LONG TIME BLOG! this time i came back after winning agains my laziness HAHA so actually this already more than 1 month after my summer trip to Japan. This time me and my boyfie exploring Honshu island, super basic Japan backpacker destination. But to be honest, even it's not my first time but since usually i joint group and took bus everywhere, it was quite tough 2weeks taking public transport and choosing what to eat HAHA and thanks to nature for Typhoon that made our journey super unforgetable!! So many details to share, hope this post help you who want to do solo-trip to Japan. LET'S START!

🔻ITINERARY🔻

DAY 1  | 29 AUG// ARRIVED AT TOKYO
DAY 2  | 30 AUG// TOKYO DISNEYSEA
DAY 3  | 31 AUG// TOKYO
DAY 4  |   1 SEP//  TOKYO
DAY 5  |   2 SEP // TOKYO- MT FUJI- KAWAGUCHIKO (BY BUS)
DAY 6  |   3 SEP // KAWAGUCHIKO- TAKAYAMA- KYOTO
DAY 7  |   4 SEP // KYOTO
DAY 8  |   5 SEP // KYOTO- OSAKA
DAY 9  |   6 SEP // OSAKA-KOBE-OSAKA
DAY10 |   7 SEP // OSAKA UNIVERSAL STUDIO JAPAN
DAY11 |   8 SEP // OSAKA
DAY12 |   9 SEP // OSAKA
DAY13 |   10 SEP // OSAKA- TOKYO
Thanks to typhoon i got extra "stressful" day bcause my flight cancelled
DAY 14 |   11 SEP // TOKYO- NARITA- JAKARTA
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🔻BUDGET ESTIMATION🔻

(per-person)

// Flights
Flight SEOUL- TOKYO (by Eastar jet)   = ₩80.000
Flight OSAKA- JAKARTA +40kg luggage (by Airasia)   = ₩250.000

➥Flight total = ₩330.000 (1 KRW = IDR 13) = Rp 4.290.000

// Transportation
TOKYO keisei train airport oneway+subway 3daypass =  ¥3.500
TOKYO disney jr line + disney resort line ¥500
TOKYO- KAWAGUCHIKO japanbusonline.com = ¥1.800
KAWAGUCHIKO 2daypass = ¥1.500
KAWAGUCHIKO- TAKAYAMA willerexpress.com = ¥5.000
TAKAYAMA-KYOTO willerexpress.com = ¥2.800
KYOTO 1 daypass bus = ¥600
KYOTO-OSAKA tokaido-sanyo line = ¥560
OSAKA-KOBE-OSAKA train (¥410x2 roundtrip) = ¥820
OSAKA universal studio line (¥180x2 roundtrip) = ¥360
OSAKA optional subway budget = ¥1.000
➥Transportation total = ¥18.440 (1 JPY = IDR 130) = Rp.2.397.800

// Stays
( based on private room price)
TOKYO AGORA PALACE ASAKUSA ¥10.000x3nites = ¥30.000
MT FUJI ZAKURA IIN ¥9.900
KYOTO PIECE HOSTEL ¥7.000x2nites = ¥14.000
OSAKA BEST WESTERN FINO ¥9.000x5nites = ¥45.000
¥98.900: 2person (1 JPY = IDR 130Rp. 6.428.500

// Tour Entrance Fee
Disneysea US$ 67
Universal studio japan US$60
Express pass USJ US$60
➥Tour Entrance total = US$187 (1 USD = IDR 15.000) = Rp. 2.805.000

// Meals
Eat budget (heavy meal) ¥1000 x 3 ( breakfast, lunch & dinner) x 13 = ¥39.000
Meals fee total = ¥ 39.000  (1 JPY = IDR 130) Rp.5.070.000

// VISA
Japan visa single entry Korea  ₩30.000
Meals fee total = ₩30.000  (1 KRW= IDR 13) Rp.390.000

GRAND TOTAL
Rp. 21.381.300
( ~USD 1528  // ~KRW 1.645.000// ~JPY 165.000)

this is comfort zone backpack. Full meal + private accomodation HAHA actually i SPENT MORE because of the typhoon cancelled my flight that should be from Kansai, Osaka changed to Narita, Tokyo. So me and my boyfie bought additional OSAKA-TOKYO bus (¥7.000/person) and TOKYO-NARITA AIRPORT bus (¥1.200/person) meant we spent more around IDR 1 MILLION for this and uncountable tears haha

Because actually taking intercity bus in Japan can be a big problems for traveller with many baggages. Every passenger only allowed to bring 1 big luggage but we brought 2pieces each + 1 box and THAT FUCK** BOX was too huge to be brought inside. After 30 mins begging and crying finally they allowed us to bring it. We should take shinkansen but you know it out of our budget as backpacker (bcause bus ¥7.000 and shinkansen ¥19.000) SO BECAREFUL!!

P.s if you out of budget here our tips
#1 STAY in hostel or capsule instead of hotel
#2 wake up late skip breakfast and have lunch & dinner at fastfood resto
#3 use bus or regular train to go to other city, don't take shinkansen
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After itinerary and all the money that we used now i will give you detail each city and some important travel tips 

#1 BEST TIME TO VISIT 
Cant suggest you as you know 4 season countries always good all the times. but You can come here MID JUL for best flower season and JANUARY for best winter festival

#2 VISA NEEDED?
For you visa waiver, no need visa. But for me Indonesian old passport needs visa, and living in korea. So you can check here, how to apply Japan visa in Korea for foreigner.

#3 MONEY! 
JAPANESE YEN (¥)
Japan is a cash country so prepared your cash for local transport and dining. But for mini mart and some restaurant or souvernir shopping that accept card, use card is better :)

#4 INTERNET CONNECTION
Some area provides some free public wifi on some touristy spots but not really strong, so better you rent a router in the airport with early booking from your country.

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TOKYO
Capital of Japan, busy metropolitan city. But for me, even it's "metropolitan" i always feel that Tokyo still have that "mystic" feeling. Always love tokyo! food, scenery, just too many choices to be explored.
BEST AREA TO STAY: 
For luxury shopping choices, SHINJUKU, SHIBUYA, AND ROPPONGI and for budget traveller like me, We chose AGORA PLACE ASAKUSA area, located near Sensoji temple and Sumi river area.

MT FUJI & KAWAGUCHI LAKE
Perfect destination for escape from busy city life and become one with nature for a while
BEST AREA TO STAY: 
Tatami Japanese style resort, you can search around Kawaguchi lake or for cheap option, You can browse around Kawaguchi station, i stayed at FUJIZAKURA IIN 15 mins away by foot.

TAKAYAMA
Moving to south west area, Takayama in Gifu provence that famous with wooden houses from Edo period.
BEST AREA TO STAY: 
around Takayama station, but i just had transit here for 4 hours
Read more :
TAKAYAMA IN 3 HOURS

KYOTO
Japan capital city before move to Tokyo. Can be said as heart of Japan history. 3rd biggest city in Japan after Tokyo and Osaka, but super less crowded and super suitable for you who love silence and historical sides.
BEST AREA TO STAY: 
Me and my boyfie stayed at Kyoto station area, PIECE HOSTEL. great hostel where you can meet new friends and they even host Takoyaki or beer party at night!

KOBE
City of premium beef, KOBE WAGYU BEEF. YEAH finally my dream came true! super close from Osaka, and a great choice for beefventure :3
BEST AREA TO STAY: 
So many hotel around Kobe station, but we just did one day trip.
Read more :
KOBE ONE DAY TOUR

OSAKA
2nd biggest city in Japan and become capital of Kansai prefecture area. Osaka can be said like mix of Tokyo and Kyoto in a middle. When tokyo is too busy and kyoto is too calm, Osaka just right. Osaka people is super friendly and easygoing, more helpful and funny. And last but not least, FOOD. don't forget munchies!
BEST AREA TO STAY: 
  Umeda for transportation hunter, Namba for anime lover, and Dotonburi for eating and shopping lover

will working on each posts very-very soon! If you have any comment or suggestion, super welcome! Hope this post will help you all who want backpacking to Japan. Even it looks very complicated but trust me, it is very understandable ♡

CIAO!
HJ

Thursday, January 10, 2019

STARBUCKS, NEW CHAPTER OF LIFE OR WASTING TIME?

Before it all,
MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR
i've been through alot of crazy decision lately (for months) that's why i am not updating this blog and if you've been following my instagram yes now i am back to Indonesia for good and i was just starting working at Starbucks.

[R U CRAY? FOR LIVIN KOREA FOR GOOD ]
Yes i think i am HAHA sometimes you just need to sacrafice something for future and main reason is actually YOUR COLLEAGUES SUCKS AS FUCK hahahaha i just can't stand anymore with all dramas and i had to quit before i get stroke HAAHA they are chinese they are sucks no offense just my chinese colleagues sucks fucks fuck sucks

[And HOW'S INDONESIA IT'S BEEN A WHILE]
Indonesia is lil bit kumuh HAHA (ofcourse compared with korea sorry ) AT FIRST. BUT NOW it's heaveeeeen. My papi mami and of course boyfie my supporterrrrr ♡ great food great people
[WHY STARBUCKS? OBSESSION?]
Can be said that my obsession was going crazy HAHA and actually i dont know what i want for job and expect nothing, walk in interview, and being accepted.

[WAS IT THAT EASSSY?]
For detail, it took only less than a week from walkin-interview till my first day. I am forget the date but let say, around 25th september? I did walkin-interview in Starbucks season city, they asked why i want to work at sbux, about placement, blabla and they were interviewing me in Full english. 
26th september, they called me, told me that i am accepted and i had mu health test on 28th september. 
29th september, i did 2nd interview with Bang edy, my store manager now and as he said ok maybe to HRD. 
31th september i told i am fully accepted and they asked are you ready for working tomorrow? Like wtf this big company work too fast HAHA i still wanna enjoy my life as unemployed useless girl. 
DONE! then on 1st and 2nd Oct, i had training session at Starbucks head office @ Sahid tower and 3rd day my first day workin at my store Central park 1 right across excelso, near tribeca park ( come to say hi! HAHA ) 

[HOW LONG YOU'LL BE IN STARBUCKS?]
Dont know. I dont have any plans yet. But so far, i love it although it drains my energy as fu*k. 2 partner beverage every day and free (tomorrow expired) food, who dont love it? And i felt like my coffee knowledge lil more gains.

[HOW ABOUT YOUR TRAVELLING BLOG??] 
I'm sorry but it will rest for a while HAHA i love travelling but now it is not my priority anymore. Spending time with love of your life much much more important right? :"" but i will try keep you all updated  :) 

I thought that's all for now! Just keep positive and God will give you a way. 
HAVE A VENTI DAY ♡
HJ