Japan (Tokyo) April 2010 D9-D14

As our JAL promotional tickets allowed only 14 day stay in Japan hence we had to cut short Mochan's bus trip from 14 to 10 days. This allowed 2-3 days for us to spent our time exploring Tokyo in greater depth. On the 10th day after visiting a few tourist attractions in Tokyo, our group bid farewell to Mochan and the rest of the HC/CS members.

I should confess that our Malaysian group had a great time in Japan. We were overwhelmed by the kindness and friendship displayed by our host, Mochan and his local & overseas members. The Sakura parties in Osaka and Tokyo were great and well attended by Mochan's members. The 14 day bus trip was well organized enabling us to visit many interesting places which probably may not be well covered by a package tour.

Sayonara to Mochan and we wish him all the best in all his future endeavors. Long live Mochan's Wish Club !!! Till we meet again in Malaysia or another corner of the globe !

After the bus trip, we were left on our own in Tokyo. We had 3 days before flying home. In Tokyo, we stayed in 3 hostels, all located in Asakusa. The hostels were:

1) Sakura Hostel - Y3,100=RM145 dorm
2) Khaosan Tokyo Smile - Y2,800=RM104 &
3) Asakusa Smile Y2,300=RM85.

As Mochan's bus trip had taken us to Tokyo Tower, East Garden of Imperial Palace, Sensiji temple, Yoyogi Park, Meiji-jingu shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya & Metropolitan Government Offices, we went on our own using the Metro to Disneyland, Ginza, Shinjuku / Kabukicho, Tsukiji fish market , Odaiba / Tokyo Bay , Ueno Park & Yokohama.

Our own 3 days in Tokyo - free & easy :

1) Yoyogi Park - young urbanites with punk hairstyles !

2) Disneyland - entrance fee Y5,100 (RM188) for senior citizen, normal Y5,800 (RM215) . It was raining when we visited the Disneyland

3) Tokyo Tower - Mochan's 2nd cherry blossom party was held at a garden near Tokyo Tower. The first Sakura party was in Osaka Park

4) Ginza by night - bright, colorful neon light; elegant shopping, Louis Vuitton, world branded labels; Japan most famous shopping district

5) Asakusa - a major tourist attraction, Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori, Kannon temple, Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), cheesy souvenirs, kimonos, leather bags & fancy geta (wooden sandals)

6) Meiji-jingu shrine - built in memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, the shrine was destroyed in WWII bombing and rebuilt in 1958

7) Shibuya - a trend setting hub, a young people paradise especially in weekends for fashionable under 25's

8) Tsukiji Fish Market - the world's biggest seafood market, frozen tuna ready for further processing after an auction sale in the early morning starting 05.00am

9) Shinjuku & Kabukicho - more than 3 million pass through the Shinjuku station daily; the notorious red light district in Kabukicho

10) Ueno Park - the largest in the city, favorite place for holding cherry blossom parties by merrymakers & urbanites

11) The East Garden (Higashi Gyoen), Imperial Palace - an ideal place for relaxation

12) Odaiba & Tokyo Bay - built on reclaimed land in the port of Tokyo, Rainbow bridge, The Statue of Liberty

13) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices - a panoramic view of Tokyo as seen from the 45th floor ( free admission)

14) Harajuku & Takeshita-dori - near Yoyogi park, packed with teenage shoppers for trendiest T-shirts & stockings

15) Yokohama Port & China Town - 20 mins by train from Tokyo, celebrated its 150 year anniversary in 2009. the popular China town has some 500 food shops and restaurants - strong Hong Kong influence

16) Japanese fast food chain & eatery stalls - set menu with rice, beef / pork slices, miso soup, pickled vegetable and green tea, bowled noodles with pork slices - we paid Y400-600 (RM15-22) for a set meal or a bowl of noodles stuffed with meat slices and hot soup; all were healthy meal and taste great

17) Sakura Hostel in Asakusa, Tokyo

" Never believe what the lines of your hands predict about your future, because people who don't have hands also have a future. Believe in yourself . Be happy always "