It was 12 midnight when Carissa decided to go out and buy stuff in Donki (Don Quixote) store in the area. I was not in the mood to go out that time because I was already sleepy, but since it was her last night in the city, I realized that I will be solo again for another five days! Then I started to think about what to do for the rest of the days. Should I go to Sapporo for a couple of days?
We were supposed to go to Omoide Yokocho area where I told her about the local bars and resto to eat yakiniku and drink sake. Unfortunately, all of them are closed and I had a perfect spot to take a photo to opt. BUT really, I looked tired here and sleepy. Carissa wondered why I was not in the mood.
We stayed in one of the APA Hotels in the center of Shinjuku. A few minutes away from the nightlife such as clubs and red light district. Damn you better to act that you are local when you passed by these clubs or else you will be harassed by some promoters outside asking you to come inside their bar. It was not my first time in the area, but I am curious what it looks like inside. I need a friend who loves to drink to go with me and check out the crowd? HAHAHA
Oh well, I wish I can do that when I come back again and probably will try Roppongi area as I heard that they have good bars there or should I book pub crawl to meet new strangers and turn them into still strangers because you will never ever see them again.
I will pack my stuff after I published this post because I am flying to Tokyo tomorrow with my OG travel buddy Jo from Cebu as well. (okay that was random, I am writing about this, but I will be there the next day). You can check my Snapchat and Instagram: @jewelclicks for my updates or stories.
Looking forward to enjoying the cold weather before I hit the beach this summer!
HOORAY! For sharing you my Friday night with Rustan and Joel at Shinjuku. When I arrived in Narita from Osaka, I immediately looked for a train ride to Shinjuku. I jumped into N'EX cost you around 2000 Yen, honestly, I forgot na how much I paid, I had a lack of sleep that day. :)
I love the train very fast and convenient and no zombies! Just kidding. This reminds me of Train to Busan.
Chillin'
I was starving and good thing I still have this favorite biscuit I bought at 7/11 in Osaka.
Finally in Shinjuku Station!
Shinjuku Stations are a major railway station in Shinjuku and Shibuya wards in Tokyo, Japan. Good thing when I arrived, my Airbnb host sent directions which way to go out. I got lost with directions, but I made it to all the way to my place I booked. Huhuhu
Where to go?
Spotted this girl wearing a cute outfit.
I got closer to her to get the details. hahaha
Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho
When I had enough rest I met with Joel in my place after his work and then we met Rustan after her work at this Love Monument.
They asked where I want to go and I said I leave it to them, I don't have any idea where to eat. So they took me Omoide Yokocho. Some of my photos in the area are damaged, I don't know why. huhu so here's our photos drinking and eating.
Sake, Cheers!
Rustan, I and Joel
Then we transferred to another restaurant I forgot the name to eat more.
After our dinner, we all went home. Rustan and Joel went to different train stations while I walked back to my place. The next day I had a tour to Mt. Fuji tour booked by Rustan's travel agency.
That was a great Friday night out experience one for the books! My video blog will come out soon.
I heard you booked your tickets to Japan and now planning for the itinerary. Here's my short video blog of where to go in Tokyo in one day. You may also read my post about it for more details here.
Hope you like my short video and please subscribe to my youtube channel, like and comment.
So I'll skip my post for now about "Friday night in Shinjuku" for my next post. Friends asked me if I booked my trip to Japan in a travel agency. I told them "NO" I did my own last minute itinerary and with the help of my friends living in Japan I went to the places I should visit.
Speaking of, I met my friend Yvonne. She is currently living in Narita and I told her to come to Tokyo to visit touristy spots with me. She said YES! I stayed in Shinjuku where is a great location to stay in Tokyo. I rented a room via Airbnb.
We bought our one day unlimited JR Train Pass for 700 Yen, which is very convenient and will save your budget. This is good to go.
Shibuya
Our first stop!
Off to Shinjuku Station
Hachiko Statue
Outside the train station, you will find the statue of Hachiko. You sure not missed this one.
Hachikō is known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō (忠犬ハチ公) "faithful dog Hachikō", hachi meaning "eight" and kō meaning "affection."[4] During his lifetime, the dog was held up in Japanese culture as an example of loyalty and fidelity. Well after his death, he continues to be remembered in worldwide popular culture, with statues, movies, books, and appearances in various media. (source)
I watched the movie once and I cried. So I don't want to watch it again because it breaks my heart. Ugh,.
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station where also Hachiko statue located. It would be a shame to come to Tokyo and not take a walk across the famous intersection outside Shibuya Station. (source)
So, I crossed there thrice! I wanted to shoot for this video for fun!
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN CROSSING!
Before we went to Harajuku, we ate our breakfast at McDonald's just around the area of the crossing.
Harajuku
Harajuku is the place to go for trendy shopping, people-watching, and daytime dessert.(source)
So true! I mean, look at the crowd, I can't help, but take a photo of them and selfie too! This is what you can see when you go out of Harajuku Station.
Yvonne was busy searching where to go next.
Meiji Shrine
After we checked the Google Maps, Meiji Shrine is beside the JR Yamanote Line's busy Harajuku Station. Tadaaaah!
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮 Meiji Jingū?), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. The shrine does not contain the emperor's grave, which is located at Fushimi-momoyama, south of Kyoto. (source)
My face when I read "Sake" HAHAHA
It was Sunday when we visit the shrine so we were not surprised by the number of people who tourists and locals in the shrine.
Traditional Japanese wedding.
Make a wish!
Sunday is a family day in Japan. Spotted these cute kids wearing traditional Kimono.
Of course, a free photo opts with these lovely ladies.
I took a lot of photos inside the Meiji Shrine, so I have a separate photo diary about it.
I told them to have some coffee first because I started to feel sleepy and I don't want to have some energy gap. HAHAHA
Sensō-ji Temple
Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Formerly associated with the Tendai sect of Buddhism, it became independent after World War II. (source)
Whoa! People I can't compete. As usual, I like having my photo with them as my background.
Joel bought Matcha Ice Cream and I was like:
"matcha looking at??"
Okaaaay. HAHAHA
"Where to go next?"
Yvonne's face tho. So I told them I want to go where I can see "Gundam"
It was getting dark when we are on our way back to Asakusa Station to Odaiba.
Odaiba
Odaiba (お台場?) is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. It was initially built for defensive purposes in the 1850s, dramatically expanded during the late 20th century as a seaport district, and has developed since the 1990s as a major commercial, residential and leisure area. Odaiba, along with Minato Mirai 21 in Yokohama, are two of the only places in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area where the seashore is accessible, and not blocked by industry and harbor areas.(source)
Whew! That was really an interesting information about Odaiba. That's why you will see Statue of Liberty there?
Giant Gundam Robot in Tokyo's Odaiba District
YAY! Finally, GUNDAM! :) Off the list. I tagged my siblings and my friend's husband that loves Gundam.
Sad news about this life size mobile suite statue is leaving Tokyo this Spring. :(
Bandai Namco Holdings, the parent company which controls the rights to Gundam, has announced that March 5, 2017, is the last day the full-size Gundam will be on display in front of the Diver City entertainment complex. Fans’ first reaction will no doubt be denial, but the same statement was also made by toy division Bandai, animation division Sunrise, and even Bandai Namco Holdings-owned advertising agency Sotsu.(news source)
(Somewhere) Roppongi
This is the critical part "Where to eat for dinner" Joel take the lead. We left Odaiba to somewhere near Tokyo Tower. His favorite restaurant was closed on Sunday so we had our dinner in this restaurant. No name, because I can't read Japanese. HAHAHA
Thank you, Joel for our dinner! :D
It was 9PM or 10PM when we were about to go home in different JR Train line.
What I really love about other countries is that you have a limited time to enjoy the night because you have to catch the train ride before it close or else you will pay an expensive cab to go home, which you will not dare to do (except when I rode a cabin Osaka twice) unlike here in the Philippines that it's alright to go out until sunrise because we have a lot of modes of transportation available 24/7 and cheap, so no excuse to go home early.
Time to say bye to Joel because Yvonne and I will go to Narita the next day.
My happy face on our way home to Shinjuku. We had a long day and the young were still young.
The night was still young, we went home rest for a bit and go out again to check the nightlife in Shinjuku. That will be in my next post.
