minamimusings

Ok, this was a long time coming, but now that we've tackled flights, let's talk accommodations. But before all that, make sure to read my previous post on choosing hotels . Done it? Great! With the presence of the internet, booking places to stay has never been easier. There is a wealth of sites dedicated to the hospitality industry, with photos and reviews. Travelers now have better knowledge of different properties, and thus, better control over their decision-making. Plus, it doesn't hurt that because of all the competition, some websites offer special deals and discounts! Here are my favorite ones to visit when I'm looking for places to stay, whether it be in Japan or other countries.

This was originally part of my Accommodations post, but seeing as it got too long, I'm using it as a separate entry. Yay! More blog posts! So, how to choose where to stay? Here's what I think: 1. Choose a place near a railway station. Wherever you decide to visit, my key recommendation, owing to the nation's advanced, extensive, and hugely efficient transportation system, is to stay near a railway station. If you are near one, you can basically get anywhere. An added plus is that Yamanote Line (the train that goes around Tokyo) stations usually have affordable dining options nearby. 2. Map out your itinerary and see where you find yourself spending the most time in! Railway tickets can get pricey--the minimum you'll pay for a stop on Tokyo's Yamanote Line is 130Y or about 65PHP--so it might also be best to map out the exact tourist spots you plan on seeing, or seeing more of, and look for a good place to stay nearby. For example, when we're in Tokyo, m...

Happy New Year! It's the first month of 2015, and if you're Pinoy and planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun this year, well, there's no better time to start than now. Trip planning always starts with a little research, and here I am joining the number of blogs that have shared their insight on which airline to take and which room to get. Flights There are a number of airlines that fly direct to Japan from Manila, and here's what I think of the most popular ones. Cebu Pacific is the budget airline famous for its piso fares that have made it possible for the average Pinoy to travel. They run out quickly, but if you're fast and extremely lucky, your round-trip will only amount to four whole numbers, which gives you room to book extra baggage for the trip back. Even if you don't get the cheapest fare, anything below 30,000php (which is the usual price for a Japan trip) already saves you money, although personally, Cebu Pacific is only a steal if I p...

For us wee Asian muggles who missed our letters from Hogwarts and despaired of ever setting foot in anything Harry Potter-related, the news of Universal Studios Japan building its own Wizarding World theme park came as an answer to a prayer. Finally! We can fulfill our Hogsmeade dreams of drinking butterbeer! Notwithstanding the obvious language barrier, WWHP in USJ is... in a very cliched term, several kinds of awesome. Several different kinds of awesome. It's like unicorns and rainbows and chocolate and winning the lottery all at the same time. (On second thought, maybe not so much winning the lottery... but it's close!) Here are some hopefully helpful tips for first-timers on their way to demand their much-sought-after letters from Japanese Dumbledore.

So this is where I get to share my most awesome day of wearing an actual kimono and walking along actual temple streets in actual Japan. LOL. Obviously, I love kimono! The color, the pretty designs, the formality, the elegance and daintiness of it all... One of my big dreams has always been to wear one, and specifically, wear it in its native land. Back when we first travelled here in 2007 , my goal was to own a set, however, I balked when I saw how much a new one (or even an old one) costs; I decided to purchase yukata, the summer kimono, instead. Because we were headed for Kyoto for this trip, I thought, well, why not see if I can wear one while touring their amazing temples? Magpaka-ilusyonada nang nasa Memoirs of a Geisha or Rurouni Kenshin!   It took procrastinating and a lot of very-rushed, should-I-shouldn't-I decision-making before I made reservations with Okamoto Kimono's branch in Kiyomizuzaka. At the time, I thought we could maybe visit three or four temples, an...

Girls in kimono in Kiyomizu-dera. There are a number of shops that rent out kimono in Kyoto and offer kimono-wearing services. Because Kyoto is a big tourist area--currently Conde Nast's top Asian destination for the second year --they cater mostly to travellers and tourists both foreign and local, although the Japanese are also apt to acquire their services for special occasions due to the expense of owning the actual garment. (Also, renting offers more variety.) Here are links to some of the stores with english websites: 1. Sensho Kitamura Location: 470 Shimokawaracho Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi kyoto 605-0825 Price: 5250Y (includes dressing, accessories and hair setting) Return on or before: 6:00PM 2. Yume-Kyoto Location: ( main shop ) 300 Gion-cho Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi ACROSS Yasaka building 4F ( Kodaiji shop ) Masuya 2F, 362-5 Masuya-cho, Higasiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi 605-0826 Price: for female, 3500Y if they choose for you, 5250Y if you choose for yourself (...

UPDATE! Looks like we reacted too soon. Popping our bubble, the embassy clarifies that Filipinos still need to apply for visas when visiting Japan. However, when approved, you can now be granted multiple entry for up to three years. From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan June 25, 2013  In celebration of the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the Government of Japan has decided to begin issuance from July 1, of multiple entry visas for short-term stay to nationals of the Republic of the Philippines (ordinary passport holders) who reside in their home country. The further development of Japan-Philippines exchange is expected as a result of the issuance of multiple entry visas, including increases in the number of tourist from the Philippines who visit Japan and the enhancement of the ease of business transactions between the two countries. «Reference» Multiple entry visas for short-term stay for nationals of the Republic of the Philippines (ordinar...

Because it's almost spring in Japan and the cherry blossoms are again going to be in full gorgeous bloom, I thought I'd bust out some of our sakura photos from 2007 in tribute. These were taken in the park in the Imperial Palace. Carpet of fallen sakura blossoms.

Because it's almost spring in Japan and the cherry blossoms are again going to be in full gorgeous bloom, I thought I'd bust out some of our sakura photos from 2007 in tribute. These were taken in Nakamise-dori and near Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.

Because it's almost spring in Japan and the cherry blossoms are again going to be in full gorgeous bloom, I thought I'd bust out some of our sakura photos from 2007 in tribute. These were taken in Ueno Park. I miss Tokyo. Still hoping Paul and I can go back there soon.

Among the things that made my first time out of the country memorable was that, for once, I went with something I loved, and chose to go to Japan where most would opt for the U.S. Another was the presence of my husband (then, boyfriend), Paul. It was fun because, while we weren't strangers to traveling, doing so without tour guides and just one other person for company was new, especially for me. We found that the first 24 hours was already a wealth of experiences. Our flight was delayed leaving, which is normal for the Philippines, I think, despite the plane being Cathay Pacific. Naturally, we had to disembark and take a connecting plane in Hong Kong, but since we were late, by the time we got there, it was about to leave and we were two of the few people it was waiting for. The ground stewardesses at HK International hurried us to our next boarding gate. Paul and I headed directly for the sign that read ECONOMY PASSENGERS. As we ran through the jetway, we looked at the windows ou...

10. Kimonos. Part of my initial checklist when we went to Japan was to buy one. I even set aside a "budget" for it, knowing that it would be so expensive. But when we were there and I saw just how much it cost, and read through the net how difficult it would be to keep and wear, well, I had to reluctantly give it up. I settled for buying several yukata instead. :P With matching obis, of course. They're just as pretty, won't be as hard to put on, and cheaper. They're also usually the summer version of the kimono, so they're perfect to use in weather like ours. 9. Real, authentic, Japanese-made, Japanese food. Yes! Japanese food really tastes different when you're in Japan! :P Ev en the Yoshinoya beef bowl tasted different. Paul and I were lucky enough to eat at a small restaurant near our hotel that specialized in tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) and the servings were quite big. On one of our Akihabara days, our friend Aaron took us to a Yoshinoya-li...