Thursday, October 12, 2006

Day 1 - Tokyo Ikebukuro

Arrived Narita Airpot at around 2pm but after collecting our baggage, the lumiousine bus to our hotel had already left so no choice, we had to wait for the next bus.

An hour later, we finally board the bus, we are looking forward to our hotel at Sunshine City Price in Ikebukuro. This is our first time but was told that the room is little on the small side.

After checking in, Dad & Mum did not want to waste anymore time and in order to beat the after work rush hour, we headed straight to Akihabara to shop for electronics product.

On the internet, Mum heard about Maid Kissa and since today is not Sunday, we don't expect to meet any but fortunately, we got to meet fews of them...dressed in french maid attire and distribute flyer with directions to their cafe.



Dad & Mum were busying trying out all electronics equipments that they can land their hands on but I on the other hand was looking for Xbox360 or PS2...

After some complainting, Mum finally brought me to the shop and let me tryout the PS2, the game I was playing is Dragonball Z Sparkling Neo, it is not too difficult for me to play and I really get a hand of it very soon. I hope Mum will get me a PS2 or DS Lite for X'mas this year...

Prior to our trip, Mum has more or less compare the prices but found out that it is not worth buying due to the different voltage/adapter provided and warranty issue. But, if you would like to try out the latest model of any electronics device or cell phone, by all means go! go! We didn't buy any goods there but it is an eye opener.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Creative Tours

Since the beginning, Mum have been liaising with Creative Tour for our hotel booking in Tokyo, Nikko and Tohoku area.

Already ding dong for more than 1 week, this morning when she finally received an email reply saying that they are unable to book the type of room she request and ask her to try her luck on the internet.

Sooner or later, people will stop engaging Travel Agent for hotel booking unless they can really give us a comparative rates otherwise, we really have not much problem booking using internet. In fact, it is more reliable than booking thru an agent.

This shows the declining of travel agent business and the trend of customer making their owns booking is gaining popularity in Singapore.

With internet booking, we don't have to duel with staff attending courses or leave, miscommunication, bad customer service and interpersonal skill. Above all, the internet hotel rates are very comparative to those by local agents.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

My Useful Link

Useful Link

Japan Referance
Japan-Guide
Tourist Information Fukushima
Koriyama City
Nikko Tourist Association
Mapion - http://www.mapion.co.jp/html/map/web/admi07.html

List of Hotel
Washington Hotels
Fuji Grand Hotel, Aizu-Wakamatsu
Hotel Listel Isnawashiro
Villa Isnawashiro
Toyoko Inn
Nikko Park Lodge
Nikko Hotel Seikoen
Turtle Inn Nikko, Hitori-An
stayat.jp - http://stayat.jp/
Ryokan in Tohoku - http://www.ryokan.or.jp/tohoku/english/index.html

Basic Information

Basic Information

Please read this first if you wish to buy electronics good to use outside Japan.

The voltage throughout Japan is 100 Volt which is different from North America (110V), Central Europe (220V) and most other world regions. Japanese electrical plugs have two pins as shown in the image below, and fit into North American outlets.



Some North American made equipment will work fine in Japan without adapter and vice versa, however, caution should be taken as some sensitive equipment may get damaged. If you intend to purchase electric appliances in Japan for usage ouside of Japan, you are advised to look for equipment specifically made for oversea tourists.

The frequency of electric current is 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan (including Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hertz in Western Japan (including Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku, Kyushu), however this frequency difference affects only sensitive equipment.

more information can also be obtain from japan-guide website

Friday, September 15, 2006

Travel Route Planning (2nd draft)

Travel Route Planning (2nd draft)

Day 1 - Singapore to Tokyo
Day 2 - Tokyo, Yokohama
Day 3 - Utsunomiya, Koriyama
Day 4 - Fukushima, Inawashiro, Aizu-Wakamatsu
Day 5 - Nikko
Day 6 - Nikko, Tokyo
Day 7 - Tokyo
Day 8 - Tokyo to Singapore

Draft plan

This is my second time to Japan this year. In March, I went with Mommy for Tokyo Disneyland only and Dad can't join us due to his work commitment.

But, this time we are going as a family and I will get to experience the Autnumn Season in Japan. We intend to visit the northern part of Japan, known as Tohoku and Kanto.

We will be visiting places like Nikko(日光) Koriyama (郡山) Isnawashiro (豬苗代町) Aizu-Wakamatsu (會津若松) Fukushima(福島) just to name a few...

PS: Those symbols you saw are actually name of places in Chinese but can't shown in my blog...why is this so...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Good news...good news...

This evening, I received a good news from Mommy.

We are going to travel to Japan again, second time this year and I've just returned from my Bangkok Trip!!

I'm over the moon and too excited to sleep tonight...

Oh, YES!