Japan, I’ve Fallen For You

Most Filipinos my age consider JAPAN as their dream destination. Why? We grew up watching anime series on a daily basis. I remember how big Voltes V was when it was relaunched again on GMA-7’s Primetime Block in the late 90’s. The only Japanese characters who caught my attention are Doraemonย and Lupin III. Didn’t care much about the rest like Flame of Recca and Dragon Ball Z, although some of my friends were collecting cards or what we fondly call ‘tex’.

A Jolly Japanese Rickshaw Driver
A Jolly Japanese Rickshaw Driver

In high school, I have a friend who was so obsessed with Kenshin Himura. Imagine my reaction when I found out he is a fictional character from Samurai X #BoomPanes

There was also a time where in JPOP was more popular than KPOP. Play the video above and reminisce. You’re welcome. See, I am not one of those kids from the 90’s who wrote ‘JAPAN’ on the top of their bucket list.

I went there last week mainly because my blogger bestfriend Ada got married with a US Navy and they’re now based in Japan. Not seeing her for more than a year is too much to bear, so what’s a good friend to do? Fly to Japan!

10,000 Japanese Yen
10,000 Japanese Yen (Php 4,500)

Like what I mentioned on the Japan Tourist Visa application post, I’ve gone through some hardships before I got my passport. I thought I wouldn’t be able to push through with the trip. I met someone who was in Japan a few days before my flight and he described how hard the rainfall in Tokyo was. Am I really destined to visit Japan or what? Anxiously waiting for an answer. So my flight schedule is June 12 5:30AM and claimed my passport with the Japan Tourist Visa on June 11, 6PM. Kaloka, ‘di ba?

THE ARRIVAL

 

Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport

ย  Narita International Airport. I was relieved when the immigration officer placed a stamp on my passport. She only asked me where I will stay and let me go straight to the baggage claim area. Ada with her husband Josh were already at the waiting area when I arrived, but I didn’t see them right away. I went out and was lost in translation when I asked a random Japanese employee on where I must go. Although he didn’t really speak english, he went out of his way just to help me out.

First meal in Japan
First meal in Japan

So finally I reunited with the lovebirds and drove to Sakura for my first meal in Japan – Ramen and Gyoza, baby!

EXPAT LIFE AT EBINA-SHI, KANAGAWA

 

Early dinner with Josh and Ada. Sinigang for dinner cooked by an American!
Early dinner with Josh and Ada. Sinigang for dinner cooked by an American!

ย  I stayed at the Wilkinson’s humble abode in Ebina-Shi, Kanagawa. By train, it is more than an hour away from Mainland Tokyo. It is such a nice experience to live in a Japanese House for five days.

Best 'Welcome to Japan' Cake
Best ‘Welcome to Japan’ Cake

To my surprise, Josh cooked a very good Sinigang for dinner! The best Sinigang I’ve tasted in ages and not only that – they prepared a cute and tasty welcome Cake for me! Who needs Hello Kitty when you see (and taste) something this cute and sweet, huh? ๐Ÿ˜›

YOKOHAMA

At Chinatown in Yokohama
At Chinatown in Yokohama

ย 

Walking around Yokohama is such a bliss. We were able to pass by Chinatown (the cleanest I’ve seen so far) and Motomachi, which reminds me of some shopping districts in England. We were also able to visit a Shakey’s branch with Pizza and Pasta Buffet, very good Ramen place and a department store selling the quirkiestย items – so quirky I cannot post them here even if I want to LOL

TOKYO, Baby!

 

Just chillin' in Odaiba, Tokyo
Just chillin’ in Odaiba, Tokyo

ย  Since I only spent 5 days all in all in Japan, I wasn’t able to spend much time at Greater Tokyo as I wished. Actually, I flew to Japan with no ‘real’ itinerary. It is the reason why everytime Ada asks me where I want to go, I always say “it’s up to you!”.

We end up walking at Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa and my favorite – ODAIBA! Another thing I’m thankful for about this trip is the weather. The weather days prior to my arrival was terrible (heavy rain, strong wind). It was a bit gloomy on my day of arrival and it was sunny the whole weekend.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

Josh-Ada-Kiss
Love is all around <3

I FELL IN LOVE WITH JAPAN. It’s like you’re on a blind date with a stranger hooked up by a common friend and you have no big expectations, yet you end up having an awesome time and you didn’t want your time together to end. There’s so much to learn and discover!

I would like to thank Ada and Josh for being my host in Japan! I’ll see you again by the end of the year ๐Ÿ™‚

Follow the new blog Travel in Boots for more Japan-related photos and articles!




^ Play that song and tell me if it sounds familiar ๐Ÿ˜›ย 


Have you ever visited a country and fell in love with it even if you were not that interested at first? Is Japan included in your must-see list?ย 

16 Comments

  1. Ada said:

    Mag hangover parin ako. Kala ko nandito ka parin sa Japan while reading this haha. Miss yah badet!!! Kahit na 5 days lang napuntahan naman natin yung highlights at least hihihi. Come back here na!!

    June 22, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Miss na rin kita masyado! Bakit ba kasi hindi five weeks yung binook ko haha thanks for everything badet! At least time well-spent together. Busog pa palagi lol

      June 22, 2014
      Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      You will definitely have fun in Japan ๐Ÿ™‚ Sana makabalik din ako agad ๐Ÿ˜›

      June 22, 2014
      Reply
  2. Ron said:

    Inggit! Nagkita kayo ni Ada. Di natuloy meet-up namin nung april. Di bale sana matuloy na pagbalik ko

    June 22, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Sayang, bakit hindi kayo natuloy? Di bale for sure may pinaplano ka nang next Japan trip hehe ๐Ÿ˜›

      June 22, 2014
      Reply
  3. Nina said:

    Natuloy din! Bitin na bitin naman ang 5 day! Bilis, balik na bukas!

    June 22, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      True! Parang pumunta lang dun para magkape! Haha pero enjoy naman ๐Ÿ˜€

      Pinaplano ko na ang pagbabalik ๐Ÿ˜›

      June 24, 2014
      Reply
  4. I fell in love with Japan when I saw a beer vending machine on the street. Very cool country. Hope you have a great time.

    June 23, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Awesome, right? Didn’t notice if there was beer, but some machines have packs of cigarettes for sale lol

      June 24, 2014
      Reply
  5. Sarah said:

    Yahoo! Ang saya naman. Also: Ada!!!!

    Ako naman next year! ๐Ÿ˜€

    June 23, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Tapos na raw ang trial idaan na raw sa AirBnB o Roomorama next time :))

      June 24, 2014
      Reply
  6. Renz Bulseco said:

    OMAYGAD! ADA ADOPT ME PLEASE PAG PUPUNTA AKO JAN SA JAPAN!!!

    HAHAHA. OMY Mics, SALAMAT sa first youtube video. Kay tagal ko na yan hinanap. SHET 90s!!!!

    June 23, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      You’re welcome! Akalain mong ‘Feel Like Dance’ pala ang title nun ๐Ÿ˜›

      June 24, 2014
      Reply
  7. Hazel said:

    Wow! I could imagine the relief you felt when you finally got your passport! Thank goodness nakahabol! Haha ๐Ÿ™‚

    June 23, 2014
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      True! Nanginginig ako hours bago ko makuha tapos biglang ginhawa nung nahawakan ko na finally ๐Ÿ˜€

      June 24, 2014
      Reply

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