2018 New Year Japan Trip Itinerary: Day 2 Osaka - Tokyo

****Day 2: Osaka - Tokyo****

Shinkansen experience was really nice. It took us only 3 hours to reach Tokyo and the journey was smooth. When we reached Tokyo station, we went to search for subway pass before we check in to the Airbnb place. We bought the 2-day Tokyo Metro pass with JPY 1,200 (~RM45). The 2-day pass is only available for tourist as you need to show your passport in order to purchase the pass. Luckily we bought this pass as traveling out from the Airbnb place to Tokyo city would cost us more if we didn't buy this pass. 

The Airbnb place was near Nakano-Shinbashi station and it was hostel-like. The room was very small tbh but I guess that was why the price was much cheaper than other hotels/hostels. After unloading our luggage at the Airbnb place, we headed back to Shinjuku area for lunch. First meal in Tokyo - super large bowl udon @ Tsurutontan Shinjuku. 

Why they have such complicated crossing??

It was quite difficult to find the restaurant as it was at basement. We reached the place and didn't realized that it was just right in front of us. XD But was fated to try as we thought to randomly try the udon shop in front of us and realized it was the shop that we were searching for when we were queuing. There was a long queue and waited for about 20 minutes.

I ordered a bowl curry katsu udon, with 1.5 portion of udon. 

Sorry for not taking care of my image XD Yours truly was really hungry!

After that, we walked around Shinjuku area before meeting up with my friend's friend. We went to check out Omotesando area near Harajuku station before heading to Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu). This is a major luxury shopping destination and the trees along the street are famous for street photography. However, as it was winter, it wasn't as beautiful as the photos taken during spring. 

Oh well, trees during winter are still worth enjoying. Where do you find this scene in Malaysia?

And that was my OOTD for new year eve! Loving my Aldo boots as it is so comfy and only costs me RM200! Such a brilliant consumer. =P Behind me was a long queue for either Garrett popcorn or gyoza. I don't understand why the queue was that long! 

After a few photos, we walked to Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu, 明治神宫). It is usually close at 6pm but for new year eve and a first few days of new year, they open till midnight. Especially that they have prayers at midnight for new year. But we did not join that ceremony.

2018 New Year Japan Trip Itinerary: Day 1 KL - Osaka

It is always my dream to travel to Japan. Never thought it would happen so soon and with a friend that I've never thought of. But well, it was a wonderful and memorable trip! Japan is really a beautiful country and rather huge to explore! Can't wait to visit Japan again!!! 

So I'll start with detailed daily itinerary and then a summary. =)

Day 1 (30th Dec): KL - Osaka

Departed to airport around 9.30am for afternoon flight to Osaka. Spared some time at airport to grab brunch and collect the wifi router from Travel Recommends counter. I would suggest to rent one wifi router as it is necessary and cheaper than getting SIM card in Japan. The one that I booked cost RM200 for 9 nights (RM100 per pax). This saved us from getting lost in Japan! XD 

View from the flight. This is so beautiful!

We reached Osaka airport around 9.45pm and started our adventure! We tried to grab a midnight train to Tokyo, which we couldn't managed to book online. Rushed to JR office to change our JR pass and tried to book the train. It was freezing cold! Unfortunately, it was fully reserved and we had no place to sleep at night =( Lesson learnt -- Don't try your luck especially during peak season like New Year.

So, we decided to go with Plan B, which is to find a place to stay in Osaka for the night and also to hunt for supper. Instead of wasting one day of our JR pass, we bought the train ticket to Osaka station, which costs us JPY 1190 (~RM45) each. The train took about 30 minutes to reach Osaka station, reached there around 12.30am.

Ticket for the last train to Osaka station from airport! 

Suit up to combat the cold weather for the night! Don't know where to sleep yet XD

As we were starving that time, we decided to grab a bowl of ramen as supper before we hunt for a place to rest. Hence, Ichiran Ramen @ Umeda which opens for 24 hours was our first food stop in Japan. My friends have been telling me how great it is. So excited to have it as my first meal. =D

Guess what, there were people queuing at midnight for ramen!

Once we got into the restaurant with our huge luggage, the waiters helped us to store the luggage aside. Then, we ordered our ramen using the machine. Once you paid, the machine will give out a receipt. After that, proceed to the seating place to wait for a seat. You will then pass your order to the kitchen for ramen preparation once you are seated. The procedure is so systematic and the ramen was served quite soon that day.  

Ta-daa! Ramen served with soft boiled egg (JPY 1020 = ~RM38). You can choose the flavour of the soup and also with toppings. So individualized! And, they also have individual seating. I love the concept so much! Eating alone wouldn't be awkward anymore! 

After our supper, we went to hunt for place to stay. Found a kind-of-weird hotel and rested for 3 hours before we catch the 6am Shinkansen to Tokyo. That 3 hours stayed cost us JPY 8000, which was the cheapest that we could find.