Focus Japan :: 22/11/09

The morning view of Mount Fuji from our hotel during breakfast.

.However, some who are unfortunate might not be able to view Mount Fuji because it might be blocked by clouds, depending on the weather.

.Mount Fuji has 5 lakes, this is one of the lakes, but i have forgotten its name.

.this is the Fuju Mihana hotel where we stayed a night. There's an indoor and outdoor hot spring for both sexes. and of course it's separated. and you must be fully nude.

.From the hotel, we went up the mountain again to visit the Owakudani boiling volcano valley.

.we had to climb up a short trail of steps to reach the steamy area and bubbling pools. and the place was full of people.

.Look at the fumes, those are sulfur fumes that rise from the crevices in the rocks, mainly because Mount Fuji is a volcanic mountain.

.Owakudani. The sulfur fumes has a really strong and piercing smell.

.it was raining and it was really cold. lol.

.this is the shop where they sell boiled eggs which are cooked by the hot boiling sulfur water. and the eggs become black.

.the black egg. and it tastes sweeter than the normal boiled egg orh. it seems that it could prolong your life for 7 years by eating one egg. lol.

After a relaxing and refreshing journey to Mount Fuji, we took an approximately one-hour bus ride to the world's most expensive city, Tokyo or Tokyo Metropolis.

Our first stop. Asakusa.

.on the way to the Sensoji Buddhist temple or also known as Asakusa Kannon temple located at Asakusa.

.When approaching the temple, you would first enter through the Kaminarimon or Thunder Gate, the outer gate of Sensoji and the symbol of Asakusa.

.definitely must take a picture of the Thunder Gate, if not it's like you've never visited Tokyo.

(:

.beyond this gate, is a shopping street with rows and rows of shops selling souvenirs ranging from fans, kimono, robes, traditional foods (like rice biscuits) and sweets, toys like Hello Kitty or Bandai Gundam, and T-shirts.

.the Mandarin words are 金龙山 (Sensoji) above there, while the big red lantern with two big bold Mandarin words is 雷门 (Thunder Gate).

.the streets of Asakusa.

.can you spot the 100 yen shop behind there? it's the same shop we have here in Malaysia as well. (:

.we were waiting for our lunch, and some of them were in the 100 yen shop, so we took a few pictures of the street.

.why is my brother finally smiling so sheepishly? because i was tickling him.

=P

.my mummy.

.this is what we had for lunch. tempura. typical Japanese food set.

.besides, Japan's shops and restaurants are really small. cosy, i guess.

(:

.usually it comes with a fish, and several cold dishes, chowan mushi and miso soup.

i love miso soup!

.makan makan. my brother's favourite tempura, that's why he is smiling. LOL.

.after lunch, we went through the Thunder Gate, towards the Sensoji temple. this is actually the back lane of the rows of shops.

.this is the second gate of the temple.

.Sensoji is Tokyo's oldest temple btw.

.the same gate as the above picture, the front of the gate.

.didn't take a picture of the temple because it's under construction but it's still open.

.i love the way how Japanese shops display what they are selling. small miniature models of their foods.

(:

.this is the shop where we bought the black sesame ice-cream.

.250 yen for one. approximately around RM12 something.

.texture of the ice-cream, it's smooth plus a little bit rough because of the sesame, rich in sesame flavour, very unique. i don't think you can find it here in Malaysia.

Our second stop was Ginza, Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district. Branded stuff ranging from Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Prada, LeSportSac, Swarovski Crystals, Godiva chocolate, Mont Blanc, etc. etc.

Ginza is also one of the most expensive real estate in Japan.

.the streets of Ginza.

FYI, do visit the Burberry outlet (with a huge Emma Watson poster in front) here in Ginza, Japan, or anywhere in Japan, because they have this one and only Blue Label, you cannot find it in other parts of the globe.

As you know, Burberry is very recognisable for their boxes-like, checkered-like pattern, light brown-in-colour style which is known as the International Label. but the Blue Label in Japan deviates away from the traditional colour because it is more for young people. Therefore, do invest in a Burberry Blue Label bag, prices ranging from around RM800 to a few thousand. (i mean if there's a suitable one, not just for the sake of buying, =.=") because it's very interesting right! LOL. (: and the bags are somehow like a limited edition thing, they have only a few for a certain style, one's its sold, there won't be anymore of it.

Just right beside the Burberry outlet is a huge toy store selling Japan's most up to date toys. awesome i tell you. and if you're a fan of Bandai's Gundam (those robot models), the price in Japan is a little bit cheaper.

Our last stop in Tokyo before dinner is Shinjuku. Ever watched the Jackie Chan movie "Shinjuku Incident"? *Personally i have not watched the movie, and have no interest in it* LOL.

.at night in Shinjuku.

.damn lot of people. they just keep coming and coming.

.this is part of Shinjuku's red light district, with restaurants, bars, love hotels, and a wide variety of red light establishments for both sexes and sexual orientations.

.McDonald's!. I think the Japanese words stated there are McDonald's Hamburger.

.on the way walking back to the bus.

This is the end of our Tokyo City Tour. Next stop! Disneyland! Yippee!