Guess who's back from the land of jet lagged and adventure! The 24 hour flight from London to Sydney plus 9 hour time difference is no joke! My body is super sleepy in the morning and wide awake at night. It's currently midnight here and I thought I'd reminisce and share my epic Japan trip last March.
I didn't intend to go to Japan this year but I was planning on working from home from Manila. I always go once a year to visit the family and my dogs and my employer is supportive of wfh for a short period of time. Unfortunately due to the number of accrued leaves employees got during the pandemic, the HR department did not allow me to wfh but instead told me to just use my annual leaves. To be honest at that stage I currently had more than 30 days plus 2 months long service leaves so I've got plenty. I've had the urge to visit Super Mario World in Universal studios so why not? I booked an impromptu trip to Japan! I messaged my cousin to tag along then my auntie (her mom) and my mom wanted to come too so I've got a full fledged spontaneous travel squad!
I stayed in Manila for a week, got to see some friends and colleagues, quality time with my family and dogs and ate nostalgic Filipino food! It was also my father's 70th birthday so we had a little get together then off we go to Osaka. This is my second time in Kansai region my sole purpose was Super Mario haha.. my cousin and auntie stayed for 2 weeks while me and mom only for 4 days as I had to fly back to Sydney that weekend.
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| Kisses I miss you sooo! |
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| Knicks handsome as ever! |
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| Happy 70th birthday pops! We were all supposedly wear red but I don't have one so red strip will do! |
After arriving at the airport I have funny stories from both my mom and auntie! As you know Japan's toilet is quite techy and fancy, heated and all plus the buttons are all in Japanese. We went to the rest room and my cousin was wondering why they are taking so long. It turns out they were on a flushing frenzy trying to decipher the buttons! My mom had a stealthy exit while auntie emerged victorious and figured out the puzzle, it was hilarious! It's always cool to hang out with older people!
Anyway on our first night we went to the lively Dotonburi, Osaka's shopping district and did a little shopping from GU, Uniqlo's sister company but at a cheaper price. My mom and auntie are fit, they do weekly exercises and part of a Zumba club so they match our vigor stride for stride! Let's keep walking!
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| Japan crew mates, our hotel provides jammies! |
The next day we headed to Nara. I haven't been here before but it's an area filled with deers! They are friendly and if you give them treats which you can purchase there, they do a Japanese bow. Be careful though, if you have the treats most likely a swarm of deer will follow you.
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| Oh deer we are in trouble :p |
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| Just that local Nara park Pagoda |
After strolling at Nara park, we went to Todai-ji temple where the largest bronze Buddha in the world is located, Nandaimon gate, the largest gate made of wood, Nigatsudo just a scenic walkway and Kasuga Taisha shrine a world UNESCO heritage site known for hundreds of stone lanterns.
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| Todai-ji temple where the bronze buddha is |
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| Well we found one cherry blossom tree in bloom ahead of time! |
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| Kasuga Taisha shrine you have to trek up here to see the stone lanterns |
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| Still part of the Kasuga shrine at the top |
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| Auntie always buys us ice cream everyday! This one was after the long hike! |
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| We ate good soba at Sobadokoro! Soba aficionados do not miss this. |
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This is that good soba place, you won't miss it due to the bear statue. You'll encounter this towards the end of Nara park near Isuien garden.
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After half day in Nara area, we rode the train and went to Fushimi Inari where thousands of tori gates can be found. It's the shrine of the god, Inari.
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| We still have energy after walking in Nara! |
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| Mom striking a pose. |
The next day was our Universal studios trip. I was super hype for Super mario unfortunately you have to buy a seperate ticket that costs as much as the entrance. The down side is you can't choose the time slot, my cousin got 3:30pm I think and I got 5:00pm I was soo frustrated. I had to wait the entire day so I can enter the area. But I love the Bowser castle ride, (it's Mario Kart) and the chill Yoshi ride wherein you can have a view of the Super Mario world. The food in the Kinopio's cafe were a little pricey but oishi!
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| Hogwarts castle still a pretty site |
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| yep gotta line up for that butter beer |
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| Lunch at Doraemon's! The restaurants queues are all insanely long |
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| Easter shot |
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| Yeah we did ride the kiddy relaxing ones |
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| Finally after the long wait! The super mario details are insanely good |
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| It's the souvenir shop, bought a goomba mug! |
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| The entrance to Mario world includes the Bowser castle express pass. If you don't have the pass, it will take you about 2 hours to experience the ride. |
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| Queued at the Yoshi ride! |
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| My cousin at the Yoshi ride, too bad Yoshi is not seen in this photo. |
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| Loved the food here! |
The next day we went to Kyoto, one of my favorite places in Japan. We hiked Arashiyama Monkey park to encounter the Japanese macaques. I am glad my mom was strong enough to climb up, her weekly aerobic exercises paid off! Then we went to Togetsukyo bridge, Tenryuji temple then Bamboo forest and had the most delicious Tofu lunch! Apparently one of Kyoto's specialties is tofu, one must eat at Brother's Tofu when in Kyoto. After lunch we also looked around Nijo castle and saw its impressive moat.
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| Arashiyama is a beaut! |
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| The Japanese Macaque! |
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| It's quite a hike to see these bunch! |
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| Sisters! |
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| Yep auntie always buying us ice cream what a sweet tradition! Love the Matcha vanilla flavour! |
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Mom at Tenryuji temple
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| Arashiyama bamboo grove |
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| Got a pretty good shot with no people behind me! |
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| Inside the Nijo castle |
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| I swear best food in my entire Japan trip, Brother's Tofu in Kyoto! Don't miss it! |
This was our last day, my cousin and auntie still had a week ahead but for me and mom we flew back to Manila as my flight to Sydney was in the next day. But guess what? I'm flying back to Japan next year again this time with my parents and M. I also asked auntie and cousins if they want to fly with us hope they do so it will be fun! This time we're going to Tokyo in full bloom of the cherry blossoms. Can't wait! After all the countries I've been to, so far Japan is still my favorite.
My next blog post will be about my Europe trip but I'll seperate it per country. Now time to battle with my jet lag and catch my evasive sleep. Goodnight world!
