Came back from my Japan company trip not long ago. We went to Nikko and Tokyo! Pretty excited about this trip because, I'VE FINALLY BEEN TO JAPAN.
Well the 3D2N trip wasn't really that awesome but who cares. As long as I get to visit Japan, that will just be enough.
We took the past midnight JAL flight and visited Nikko first. Our ryokan( Japanese style Inn) was called Kinugawa Grand Hotel. The surrounding of the hotel is rather empty I would say, there is basically nothing around for you to shop. So we just onsen ourself all the way and we are too tired to go anywhere either. Well at least to me, getting to sleep on a decent bed is a blessing after having to sit up straight sleeping throughout the 6hrs flight.
I didn't experience bathing in a public onsen this time, still finds it awkward to be fully naked in front of other people and not to mention most of them were my colleague. I went for the private onsen housing 1-3 people per session.
And of course, going to onsen means wearing Yukata! (Y)
I picked a pink Yukata with usagi prints and matching it with a red obi. In the dressing room, they assigned Japanese ladies to help us put on the Yukata. Even for such a simple costume, it requires lots of precision and strength to put it on. And when I say strength, they really used lots of strength to make sure your Yukata is nice and tight!
Next day, we headed off to visit the magnificent Kegon Fall and the Tokugawa shine.
The weather up on the fall is super chilly!
Tokugawa Shrine
Steps after steps after steps. Now I know why Japanese are so healthy!
In the late afternoon, we are finally done with Nikko and headed for Tokyo!
A three hours journey to reach our hotel in Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel.
After settling down, it's free and easy time for us. Let the shopping begins!
My colleague and I went to Ikebukuro straight. Well if it's your first time in Japan, please follow someone who is familiar with their train system and station. It's just too big to know where you board should be boarding your train. Unlike in SG, if u missed a station, u can't simply get off at the next station and cross over to the opposite platform to take the next train back. Lucky for me, my colleague is like the guide for the day, and she knows Japanese!!
In Japan, their drug store is totally different from SG. Say if you want to buy items that you can find in our local Wastons store, you can find it over there as well but they have tons of other items available for sale as well. Like contact lens and high end cosmetics brand like Shiseido.
The whole stretch of street is filled with mostly of such shops and they sell pretty much the same things, which means it's also easier for you to compare the pricing.
For us, we actually went to every one of these shops which are in sight of us. And I just grab without looking at the price. Japanese brand are so so much cheaper there. Sometimes you are even paying less than half of what you pay in SG. So take what you want or you'll regret!
We didn't bother to have dinner at all that night, we shopped for almost 6 hours straight in just these little drug stores and we call it for the day. My arms were aching from carrying all the shopping bags and we headed back to our rooms. Well, in the end we had instant noodle for our dinner, which is nice too.
And in the last day of the trip, we did our final shopping in Shibuya and around our hotel area. We went back at around 1300 to pack our luggage and left the hotel for the airport at 1430.
If you are looking to buy Japanese snacks, the airport is the right place to get most of them. From Tokyo Banana to interesting flavored kitkat and not forgetting their Royce chocolate. So being sweet tooth, I bought like almost 5000yen worth of snacks.
And finally, it's time to head home~
Some of the items I bought in Japan:
Jill Stuart Blush in no. 8 - you just can't miss not getting this b
Sailormoon Eyeliner - available in our local Watsons store
Eye coffret contact lens
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 450ml
Some other hauls
NARS Matt Sheer Foundation
Mask and Ettusai powder
That's it for today. Till next time~
