I ❤ ToFu: Travel Blog 2015 : Japan v3.0 [1]

Heyy folks. not sure if anyone still comes back here often. I am not sure what kept me up for the past 5 months, i don't recall being very busy but uhm, probably because of alots of postings and presentations. So nowww i ended my semester 5 in medical school, results coming out 2 days later, hopefully can move on to clinical phase in August now! (fingers crossed)

Therefore, I am here again, sinceeee I am having a very long break until august.
Was hesitating whether to blog about japan first or vietnam first. Guess I'll just do Japan first because i love to. hahahahah. And there's nothing much extra lar, i have been to most of the places dy xD

and earlier this year, in January.. I'm back to Japan. The trip was set during my study break which we only had maybe 3weeks to prepare the itinerary and stuffs to bring? It was my first trip with Richard, just the both of us, for half of the trip before we meet my sister and Zerky there. Zerky decided to join us in Tokyo like 10 days prior to our departure.

So let's start!

i was doing the packing till the VERY last minute. because I reached home from Vietnam at 10pm Tuesday, and we were to be at the airport by 11pm Wednesday. i had 25hours. Thank God i did not actually miss out anything important to my survival, just some preparation items for Disney.

This time, I'm bringing this guy back to his hometown! (Last year I brought his smaller buddy back, if you know/remember, I hung it on my bag and lost the bag. It was really hilarious.)

It's my first time taking such a long flight with AirAsia. Well perhaps i should specify- AirAsia X flight. At first I was really worried and not expecting anything nice from that ride. But wow, thats when something comes up to surprise you. The leg room was definitely more spacious than the regular AA aircrafts. And i think the back of the seat was able to be made inclined at a greater degree! hahahahhaah. Guess I was too tired so I slept quite long during the flight. hehehe kesian baby i think he didnt sleep. Cause sometimes i rest my head on his shoulder then he gg liao cannot move hahahhaha =P

As usual, arrival card. He did something really silly to the card and I....... hahahhaha cute ttm.

And hello Osaka~!

we arrived at Kansai Airport around 8.30am, after claiming our luggage and immigration etc, i immediately put on my heat-tech and long sleeves. (as you know, i might be freeze to death anytime even in imu) While he only puts on his regular jacket and the coat. I asked him a few times whether he's sure about this? hahahhaha and apparently he is ok without the heat-tech. lol

Collected our pocket wifi from the post office at the airport. We rented it from Global Advanced Communication . Booking and payment are to be made online. We rented the ECO wifi (the cheapest one) for 12 days at ¥6450 (~RM190 at that time, the converted currency below are according to the rate in January 2015 which was about ¥1000 to RM29)

After that we went to the information counter at 1st floor to purchase the Osaka Amazing Free Pass. However we were then told by the officer that we can purchase the Free Pass which includes transport from the airport into the city at the railway station at ¥2900 per person. The pass comes together with some coupons where you can used them for discount at several tourist attractions and restaurant. The pass also allows you to have discount or free entrance to some attractions.

simply downloaded this railway map from google. I find it useful for traveling around Osaka.

After dropping our luggage at Toyo Hostel Osaka (where we were staying), started our day in Osaka.

***TOYO HOTEL OSAKA

Take the red line, get down at Dobutsuenmae 動物園前 station. Find Exit 4 and look for a pink building, 4 or 5 floors height i forgot. Walk into the alley and you'll find Toyo Hotel on your right.

Dropped our bags at the hotel and started our day in Osaka. First stop was eating place -- Osaka Osho Gyoza (大阪王将) at namba. HAHAHHAHA. we ordered some gyoza and some fried shrimp salad kind of thing.

Next we moved on to the Osaka Castle - Osakajo. We got of the train at Morinomiya Station and walked around the Osaka Castle Park (koen) to reach the castle itself. We were both amazed by the crazy huge castle. It's beautiful. hahahaha

how do i look with beanie? i think Beanie is not my thing. gosh. My forehead is like gila wide lolll

I didnt know how to wear a beanie, honestly. Here's my personal Fashion advisor helping me out.

After like a 10minutes walk in the park and crossed the river, here we are to see the back of the castle.

Hiked to the front and paid ¥600 for the entrance to the Osakajo Museum. (By right we can get in free with the Amazing Pass lol stupid enough to not to check with the ticket office first.)

There are several floors in the museum (or the castle). like 7 floors? if im not mistaken. You will go up to 5th floor by the lift, walked the stairs up to reach the so-called 'observation deck'. And then descend floor by floor to read on the history and look at the artifacts.

From the deck.

Came down from the museum and smells something hot and nice. Everyone else was holding a baked sweet potato and...
WE WANT IT TOOOOOOO *shiver shivering*

too many pigeons were flying and walking around distracting us. Meningitis +++ gosh.

it was already quite late when we finally got out from the Osaka Castle to the Business Park Railway Station. I think it was around 4pm? So we just went back to the hostel to check in, settled down a lil bit. Someone then took a nap until 5+pm.

We just packed our stuffs and then walked to Spa World, which was just across the road from our hostel. With the coupon that comes with the Amazing pass, we only paid ¥900 per person while the usual price is ¥2700. Uhm, females are at the European World again. Sad guys like forever have to stuck in Asian world. In the spa, yes, you go naked. 100% naked.

After spending about 1.5 hr in there steaming myself with hot and cold water, I just don't feel like going out at all. hahahhaha! However, it didn't feel as cold after we came out from the spa. Probably our body still releasing lots of heat. hahaha.

Walked down the stairs to Shinsekai and came to the Tsutenkaku Tower. Since the admission is free with the pass, we went up as well. Nothing much up there as the tower itself is not like a...skyscraper. hahah! There are many Ebisu statue of different appearance but my eyes were caught by this ..one...