Japan Trip: Whale Sashimi and Steak at Kujiraya, Shibuya

When I was in Shibuya, I looked fo a famous whale restaurant named Kujiraya. Even though I often heard that whale is one of the protected animals in the world, but eating it could be a once in a lifetime experience for me. At first I couldn't find the restaurant location. But when I was going to give up, then suddenly my travelling partner told me that we were walking in front of Kujiraya. This restaurant is located under Shibuya 101 building, but you should come in from outside the building.

That night the restaurant not really full, so we can easily got out seat without waiting. We ordered Whale Steak and Whale Sashimi.

Whale Sashimi

Whale Steak

For me, the Whale Steak tasted similar like beef and the Whale Sashimi taste like tuna but the texture was more stiff than tuna, so I like tuna better.

the texture of Whale Sashimi

me eating Whale Steak

Overall, it was a nice experience to eat whale. The price was affordable too, around 2,000-3,000 yen for both of the meals.


XOXO,
The Tourist

Japan Trip: Shibuya and Harajuku

I went to Shibuya on Saturday. Unlike any other day, that morning the japanesse who came to the Shibuya Station wore colorfull clothes. Usually they're using neutral colors like black, grey, or brown. Perhaps because it was weekend so no boundaries in the palette of their clothing.

After arrived at Shibuya station, I directly searched for Hachiko exit. Seeing Hachiko statue was one of my goal, because almost everybody taking photo in front of it (I've told you I'm a tourist). And when I met the statue, peoples already gatherd there and queuing to take a photo with the famous dog statue.

with Hachiko statue

Not far from Hachiko statue, there are also children statue. This statue was look a little bit creepy, but I forget what was the name of statue.

the children statue

All of these statues are located right before the famous Shibuya intersection. On of the busiest intersection in the world. I was so happy to be able crossing that intersection, cos I've been seeing movies that show the intersection for years and finally I could cross it with my own feet.

with Shibuya intersection as my background

I'm crossing it :D

If you want to get the best view of the Shibuya intersection, you can get it from the 2nd floor of Marks City mall. I even return to this place at night just to get the night view of the intersection.

Shibuya intersection at night when before people crossing

now the people can cross

I could spot a cute Hachiko bus

Since it was near christmas, the christmas decoration was all over the place, from the Tokyu Plaza, Parco, and etc. While I was in Shibuya, I really not interested to buy any clothes. The reason was simple, they were too pricey. Then I prefer to stationary and accessories stores like Tokyu Hands and Loft.

Christmas decoration at Center Gai

Tokyu Plaza's christmas decoration

in front of PARCO department store

colorful gears in front of Loft store

After finished walking around Shibuya, the me and my travelling partner continue our journey to Yoyogi Uehara to take a pray. The nearest Mosque that we can find in Shibuya was in Yoyogi Uehara. Its name was Tokyo Camii or also known as Tokyo Mosque. It was a Turkish mosque, since there were a Turkey flag around the mosque.

Tokyo Camii from accros the street

To get to the Tokyo Camii, you need to walk about 5 minutes from Yoyogi Uehara station. The Mosque was big, but a little bit confuse to find the stairs to the entrance door. Once you entered, you can see the mosque looks huge and looked beautiful. After praying, a woman who just enter the room greeted me with "Assalamu'alaikum", after replied her greeting, I felt so amazed that the moslem greeting was so universal. In the mosque, there were also two women that seemed like non-moslem who just wanted to know how is it look inside the mosque.

at first I thought this is the entrance door

the ablution (wudu') place (downstair)

the view inside the mosque

From Yoyogi Uehara, we continued our journey to Harajuku. First destination was Kiddy Land and Oriental Bazaar at Omotesando Street. Oriental Bazaar was a complete souvenir shop for me. But don't expect to find Pocky nor Kitkat, because this is a higher class of souvenir shop. It sells many things from chopstick to Kimono. The right place to find souvenir for your parents or older relatives.

a cute demonstration on omotesando street

I wish I know what are they talking about

TGIF restaurant near Omotesando street

After shopping, we continue our sightseeing to Takeshita Dori. Takeshita Dori is located in front of Harajuku station. It is a small street, where you can find the "harajuku style" clothing seller along the street. Many teenager came to this place maybe because the style and the price that were more affordable, compared to Omotesando or Shibuya.

Takeshita Dori entrance gate

Harajuku station

Something that amazed me was the store in there are not only owned by Japanese, but also by foreigner that looked like african-american. They sell clothes and hats and they sometimes act like Japanese too.

After sightseeing in Harajuku, we returned to Shibuya, just to see the night view of the intersection also to eat whale sashimi (I tell you further in next post).


XOXO,
The Tourist

Japan Trip: Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower

There are two famous towers in Tokyo, the old one is Tokyo Tower, and the modern one is Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Skytree is higher than Tokyo Tower, but Tokyo Tower has become the symbol of Tokyo. So each of them has its own superiority compare to the other.

The entrance ticket to Tokyo Skytree is 2,000 yen. By paying this, you will take elevator up to Tembo Deck at 345th floor. The Elevator was so fast and they said it was as fast as formula 1 car. It only took me 1 minutes to get into 350th floor  from the ground.

the entrance of Tokyo Skytree

ticket to Tembo Deck

The view of Tokyo City from this floor was amazing. I could even see Tokyo Tower from here. Besides the amazing view of on the window, there was also an interactive map of Tokyo, where you can click and find out what is that place and the history of it.

Tokyo City view from Tokyo Skytree

the interactive map

The highest floor is the 450th floor. To get to the 445-450th floor (also known as Tembo Galleria), I needed to pay additional 1,000 yen. The elevator then took me to 445th floor, then I walk in spiral floor to 450th floor.

floor guidance

ticket to Tembo Galleria

inside Tembo Galleria

The highets point of Tembo Galleria also known as Sorakara Point. There is a photo spot in here, where you can take a picture with of yourself holding hand to the person next to you. Because the wall is covered by mirror, so it will make you looked as if you holding hands and make a circle.

Sorakara Point

the photo spot

After came out from Skytree tower, I just realized that Christmas ornaments already put outside the tower. There were a huge Christmas tree and some stalls in Christmas theme.

Christmas theme food stalls

Santa Clause in hip hop pose

the pathwalk to Tokyo Skytree

Finished from Skytree, I continued my journey to Tokyo Tower. I stopped at Hamamatsucho station, and took a walk from there to the tower. I did not plan to enter there tower, so I just walked a close as possible until I could see the tower clearly.

the view while walking from Hamamatsucho Station

I decided to walk up to Zojoji temple and took a pic of the Tokyo tower from there. This Zojoji temple is usually used for new year's eve countdown. Unfortunately the temple already closed that night so I couldn't get a clear view of the temple.

close enough

view of Tokyo Tower from Zojoji temple

XOXO,
The Tourist

Japan Trip: Gundam and Mini Liberty Statues at Odaiba, Tokyo

When I found out that there is a 1:1 Gundam Statue in Tokyo, I tried to find out where is it located. Then I found out that it is located in a man made island, named Odaiba. Odaiba is located in the far eat of Tokyo. Even to arrived at Tokyo Teleport station in Odaiba, I had to take special line named Rinkai Line.

After arrived at Tokyo Teleport station, I directly went to Diver City Plaza, the Gundam statue location. Even I wasn't a fan of Gundam, but seeing the robot this big was amused me. The great thing is, this is not just a stiff statue, he can even shake his head in slow motion and blow some fog.

the Gundam statue

Not far from there, I tooked a pathway to Aquacity mall. Near Aquacity mall, there's a mini Liberty Statue. I haven't went to USA, so seeing this Liberty statue really excited me.

the pathway connecting Diver City Plaza and Aquacity Mall

The Liberty Statue

From the Liberty Statue, I could see rainbow bridge connecting Odaiba to the main land. This bridge called as rainbow bridge because at night it flashing rainbow colors, and make it looks colorful like rainbow. If the weather was clear, I could even see Tokyo Tower from here. Amazing.

The Rainbow Bridge with Tokyo Tower behind it

When I returned from Aquacity to Diver City Plaza, I took a photo of FujiTV building. The building has unique design with an iron ball inside the building.

FujiTV building

Before returned to Tokyo, I visited Diver City Plaza and bought some souvenirs at The Daiba. For me, The Daiba is a complete store if you want to buy any kind of souvenir (like t-shirt, chopstick, stationary, and many more) and snacks (like various Kitkat and Pocky flavours, also some mouthwatering local foods), for people at your hometown.


XOXO,
The Tourist

Japan Trip: DisneySea, Tokyo

Japan has two Disney theme park: DisneyLand and DisneySea. The entrance ticket for each Disney is 6,200 yen. Since it was not cheap for me and I didn't have enough time to visit 2 Disneys park, so I had to choose. My choice goes to DisneySea, because DisneySea only in Japan, and I can visit DisneyLand someday in other cities like Hong Kong, Paris, or Los Angeles.

Once I arrived at Maihama station, I had to take another Disney Resort Line to get to DisneySea. The train has Disney theme like Mickey's head shape window and hand grip. The train stopped first at DisneyLand and then continue to DisneySea.

Arrived at DisneySea, I saw a globe with 30 years words in it, I guessed Disney just celebrated its 30th anniversary. And not far from there, I saw Mickey Mouse gave his autograph to his fans. But when I wanted to take pic with him, his assistant said that Mickey wanted to take a rest first.

the Disney Globe

Mickey Mouse from behind

When I entered the DisneySea gate, it was the time for The Legend of Mythica show that was played at the Mediterranean harbor. Actually I have already spotted some attractions that I wanted to visit, the first one is Journey to the Center of the Earth. This is a roller coaster ride inside the artificial mountain of Mysterious Island of DisneySea. Because the queue was too long, so we decided to get the fastpass. In Disney, you don't need to pay additional fee to get the fastpass, you just need to be smart enough to manage time in using your fast past. My fastpass stated that I had to return at 8 p.m if I wan to use the fast pass. So in the mean time, I decided to have lunch and take a look at other attractions.

the Legend of Mythica show

the dancer from Legend of Mythica show

in front of Journey to the Center of the Earth attraction

Another attraction that I wanted to visit too was Indiana Jones Adventure, but when I arrived there, the park assistant said that the attraction was closed due to maintenance. The shape of the attraction was looked like an Inca tribe pyramid. So I was interested to take a photo in front of it.

the Inca Pyramid

What I loved about DisneySea is its view. They really put 110% in creating the park. So even if you don't take any ride, you still feel happy in there. So the tagline "The Happiest Place on Earth" is the rightest description for Disney's park, including DisneySea.

the view  inside mysterious island

that unique building is the Tower of Terror

the harbor for DisneySea Transit Steamer Line

with Mysterious Island as the background. The artificial mountain is a roller coaster ride.

I don't know what happened with the crack on the wall, but many people interested in it.

The evening view of Port Discovery

with S.S. Columbia as my backgroud. this ship is a place for UnderSea Observatory with Talking Turtle  as its attraction

Every attractions has its own theme and unique appearance. The visitors also looked interesting, most of them bought and wore the Mickey's, Donald's, or Goofy's hat. But when I wanted to buy the same thing, finding out that the price for the hat was 2,000-2,500 yen, I stepped back and changed my mind. It was quite expensive for me, remembering that I might not wearing that hat again when I go home.

These two students looked so cute with their buns

The cheapest snacks that I ordered in DisneySea was popcorn. It sold popcorn everywhere with various taste. My favourite was Corn Potage. I also tried the strawberry flavor but I was just not into it.

Corn Potage Popcorn

When the night come, DisneySea became more beautiful in neon light. There was also some attractions in indoor playground at the Mermaid Lagoon, but most of them were attractions for kids.

with Triton's Kingdom as my background

indoor playground inside Triton's Kingdom

the gate of Arabian Coast area

cute water fountain

Caravan Carousel at night

Besides The Legend of Mythica, there's also other shows in Mediterranean harbor, which using some balloons and projected some Disney's movies like Cinderella and other princesses stories.

the princess story

they even blowed fireworks at the end of the show

When I visited the park, it was close to Christmas time, so DisneySea had special show showing a giant Christmas tree in the midle of the lake.

the giant Christmas tree

And to close the day, Disney also has a show named "Happiness on High" where we could see beautiful fireworks sparkling in the clear sky. I even could see fireworks in as shape of Mickey's head shape.

"Happiness on High" show

What a happy day!


XOXO,
The Tourist