Universal Studio Japan (part 2)

Continue from Universal Studio Japan (part 1)'s post which talked more about theme park, this post will talk more about event activities, restaurant, and merchandise.


Animation characters parade are available few times per day. To be sure, you can check the schedule from Japanese written leaflet because this schedule was not written in other language version leaflet. Nonetheless, this is not so difficult to know the exact time from Japanese version leaflet because you just need to identify the time that's all. And, you can actually ignore those others "unknown" words.




From the parade, you able to meet Snoopy and Friends, Hello Kitty, Pink Panther, Sesame street characters and etc. During last Christmas season, snowman and ginger bread were joining the parade as well. On the other hand, some artificial snow was dropping from the sky. Thus, I can feel the Christmas was just around the corner.

As I said that Christmas was just around the corner, of course we cant miss the giant Christmas tree and Santa Claus. You can take photo with Santa Claus as well. However, you have to pay about 1000yen to get a print out from Universal Studio. Anyway, worth or not worth still depend on you.

In this studio, you can get some face painting service from the staffs. There are quite a lot of design for you to choose. For this picture, this little girl was painting with their winter limited edition design. Kawaii ne (Cute) ~~ Haha, Actually, I asked my friend to do this. Anyway, he said this was not a problem to paint on face when you still inside the studio. However, this is kinda weird too when leave the studio with your painting face. (=.=''''') Haha...alright... Anyway, we were staying in Kyoto which quite far away from this studio.

Is time to EAT !!! Snoopy Blacklot Cafe is the cutest cafe here. For instance, Snoopy shape bun and a lot of Snoopy food products are available here.

Hello Kitty bun and Snoopy bun's street food are available between Waterworld theme park to Jaws theme park. In fact, Hello Kitty bun is stawberry bun, and snoopy bun is banana with sweet bean paste bun. One of it is 370yen and price for three buns are 1100yen.

Amity Landing Restaurant and Mel's Drive In Restaurant are western serve restaurant. Basically, most of the food here (and other restaurant) are a bit pricy with small portion of food. Anyway, you can choose the best theme restaurant environment that you like most to have your meal(s).

This coin pitch games's gifts were cute. Furthemore, It looked easier to win the prize because I saw a lot of children were hugging those kawaii Elmo. After that, we bought 10 chances to throw the coin with 1000yen. But unfortunately, the Elmo did not go back home with me. (T.T) cry ~~

A lot of sorvenier shops are available there. In addition, you can get a lot of limited editions only from USJ here. Sesame street is the most famous products there. Even though I like it, I didnt buy anyone of it. Haha.... Because I spent most of my money on something else.

Yes, here is she -- my beloved Hello Kitty. I hope I can bring the whole shop back home. Kitty chan is soooooooo kawaii. I bought two note books, 2 mechanical pencils, few key chains and ....forget. I wish to buy those soft toy. However, this is a bit difficult for me to bring back to my home country.

In Jurassic Park, you can find a lot of dinasaur mechandises. I found out one of the interesting product was the T-rex cap. When you put on the T-rex cap on your head, other people may think that your head is bitting by a small T-rex. Kawaiiii ~~~~ XD

There are a lot lot more shop and activities available. Unfortunately, I did not have chance to visit all one by one. my advice is early planing is the best. Therefore, you will not miss the particular themes that you desire to go.


Anyway, end of the trip ~~~ Bye bye my beloved cartoon characters. I will miss you ..

Universal Studio Japan (Part 1)

Finally, I went to Universal Studio Japan last winter. This was an amazing trip that you cant miss when you go Osaka. This place was located in Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka. You can go to this place by train. Depend the place where you are staying now, you can take Hankyu line and change to JR line at Osaka station, or you can take Keihan line and change to JR line at Kyobashi station. In addition, you can direct take the JR line straight to Universal studio. But, this is kinda expensive compared to Keihan and Hankyu line.








This is JR line map to Universal studio. No matter which line are you taking, you still need to stop at Nishikyujo station and change to sakurajima line in JR line. This is a special line that go to Universal Studio Japan. Ok done. ~~

Once you reach there, you can feel the animation feeling that surrounding you. Furthermore, all the buildings even outside the studio are look animated design. Those shops are interesting. Anyway, you can find Lawson, Hagen daze, Hard Rock Cafe, souvenir shops and many restaurants are available there.

The admission fee is 6100yen for adult 1 day pass or 10,500yen for adult two days pass. As you know that there are a lot of people from different world visit this studio. You may need to wait for you turn to enjoy the games or movies. Sometimes it may cause you to wait more than an hour. Solution for this situation, you can get the express booklet from the counter that you buy ticket. Of course you need to pay extra. The prices depend which package are you taking. The express pass means you can access to special lane which you no need to wait for the long Q.

What is interesting there? You can try to enjoy 4D movies. In this 4D cinema, you can watch Sherk in the morning and Sesame Street in the evening. I can comment that the Sherk is better and interesting than Sesame Street. However, Sesame Street will be interesting too for children. The reason is the Sesame Street is a bit childish for us.

Jurassic Park is a place for you to see dinosaur by riding a boat. I didn't try this because we might get wet and I might feel very cold in this winter. Anyway, the Jurassic Park is decorated just like the movie showed.

Spiderman theme I think is the best here. You cant miss this. In this ride, you can take a "train" (I think). Then, the train will follow the movie scene and move around. On the other word, this is similar to 4D movie. However, this is more interesting and adventure "moving" movie. Thus, you can feel yourself which is located inside the movie.

Waterworld is another live show. This has movie showtime. Thus, you need to check the time before you visit this place. Then, you can reduce the waste time for waiting purpose only. In this live show, you might get wet due to the actors or actresses ride the jet in this Small pool. To avoid getting wet, you can choose back seat.

Rock and roll is a musical show that performs by monsters, zombies, and other science aliens. This will be interesting if you understand Japanese. The show takes about 30 minutes. Another show such as Animation Celebration's performance is combined between a real human and a cartoon character. This show is about how a cartoon author due with the created naughty cartoon character that comes to real world. This show takes about 20 minutes. Both shows are scheduled.

In Jaw theme, you can take a boat to enjoy the sharks surrounding you. You might get wet in this theme. I didn't ride this theme due to my easier "heart attack" friend. Haha... anyway, I think this is not that horrible also. However, the queues was extremely long. Other than that, you can take photo with the big shark that hangs in front of the Jaws main entrance. Anyway, you have to pay about 1000yen to get the photo that prints by staffs. Another option, you can request them help you to take photo with your own camera. But, this is kinda weird I think... XD

Toto and friends and OZ land are located in the same area. Both themes are like fairy tale story background design. Both are some live show or movie?? I not sure about that because I didn't get into the hall due to time consuming. Sad ~~ Anyway, I hope enjoy someday again when I re-visit to Osaka...

In my opinion, this is impossible to visit all the theme within a day. Then, early planing is the best to avoid the waste of time. You are not the only one person to visit this studio. Thus, waiting time should be considered while you are planing too.

To be continue *****

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.usj.co.jp/

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I do wish I was an iphone 4

Yeah, this is my iphone 3GS. Anyway, I found an interesting wallpaper. This wallpaper is written as "Yes, I do wish I was iphone 4". Haha..... I think this is funny to put in on my iphone 3GS.

紅葉、もみじ、Momiji in Kyoto November 2010

What is "momiji"? Momiji is maple leave. The leaves will turn red during Autumn. This maple leaves made the city had beautiful view. However, it did last for few weeks only. The mid of the maple leaves season is the most beautiful moment. You cant miss it.



I did visit to some of the places during the first week of the maple leaves season which around second week of November.

#1: Kiyomizu dera: some of the leaves still green. But, this is telling us momiji season is just around the corner.

#2: Outside kiyomizu dera: the momiji leaves is soooo beautiful. But, not all the leaves turned into red.

#3: Nijo castle garden: red colour leaves started dropping from the tree.

Early start of the momiji season did not provide the best view for us. Then, we tried to visit those on the following weekend which around third week of November. Anyway, this was the best moment. We love the beautiful red colour leaves that were surrounding us.

#4: Arashiyama: everywhere full of red colour leaves.

#5: Arashiyama: This was amazing. I cant imagine that the tree was decorated with bright red leaves.

#6: Arashiyama: combined between sunshine with momiji (*^_^*) I love this very much.

#7: Kinkakuji: This is World UNESCO place. A lot of maple trees here. However, this may not provide the best momiji view.

#8: Kinkakuji and Kodaiji: The night visit only available during Autumn. You can feel the different between the morning and night view of momiji. This was quite interesting. Night was beautiful too. Anyway, I still like the morning momiji view.

#9: Chioin: A place just next to my apartment. This is a quite and small place. But, Momiji here were amazing. I like here because there were less people here. Then, I can took a lot of photos of momiji without other people in.

#10: Tokufuji: This one of the most beautiful Momiji view place. However, there were extremely a lot of people. Anyway, I still can say that this was the most beautiful place for momiji.

#11: Eikando: I did not go in to this garden due to the entrance ticket were very expensive. Anyway, I able to took some photo outside the Eikando. From this photo, you can imagine how beautiful momiji were in this Eikando garden.

#12: Eikando: Momiji here are most bright red in colour. This photo was taken just outside the Eikando. I love this ..

Momiji are beautiful. But, this beautiful moment only can last for few weeks. The start and the end of the momiji season did not provide the best momiji view. In spite, only the mid season provide the best momiji view. However, the mid season only last for few days only. I felt sad too when I saw the maple leaves dropped from the tree because this was telling me that Winter was coming soon.

Sometimes, we did not notice the change around us. This may make us miss out a lot of wonderful things. Let's try to notice and take care people surrounding you especially your family and friends. You may find something differences that you may miss out long time.

~ Lovely Chocolate cake -- multipurpose use case ~

NEW HANDMADE PRODUCT

~ Lovely Chocolate cake -- multipurpose use case ~

#1: Front view

#2: Top view

#3: Side view





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Temple (dera) and shrine (jinja) in Kyoto

If you ask me, what do you think about Kyoto? I will answer you that Kyoto is an amazing city that full of Japanese traditional feel. In this city, you can find out a lot of shrines and temples are categorised as UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is worth for you to visit if you like Japanese tradition.

KIYOMIZU DERA （清水寺）

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which located at Higashiyama Gojo dori. You can access to this place by taking city bus with the number of 206 or 100. Other than bus, you can take Keihan line and stop at Kiyomizu Gojo station; then, walk 10 minutes from the station to this temple. The entrance fee is 300 yen for adult.　


　

#1: Kiyomizu dera

This is a famous visit place for all tourists. In fact, full of people is a common phenomena during weekend. Thus, this is better to visit this temple during weekday if you want to take a lot of nice photos.

A lot of people are trying to drink the water from this temple as shown in photo #1 second row Lefts photo. Each water stream represent love, healthy and wealth. Anyway, you are allow to choose one of them. Then, the particular luck will increase. Thus, you have to choose which is most important to you.

#2: Kiyomizu dera - Love god

There are a special shrine to improve lover relationship. In this shrine, there are 2 stones on the floor. You can do a test to prove that your love one will just around you by walking from first stone to second stone with your eyes close. This may sound difficult. But, you can ask you friend to assist you.

#3: Kiyomizu at night

All the shrine and temple in Kyoto will close by 5pm normally. However, night visits are allow during Autumn with full of maple leafs season. At night, the entrance fee is 400 yen per person. This is worth to visit too to have a good Kyoto view from this temple because this temple is located on the mountain. Thus, you can see the Kyoto Tower and Kyoto city from this temple.

KINKAKUJI （金閣寺）

#4: Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji is located in Kinokasa. You can take this city bus by 205 from Kyoto Station or 59 from Sanjo Keihan line. The entrance fee is 400 yen per person. This is UNESCO Heritage site too. In addition, this temple famous of a golden villa was built on the lake. The best view for this "golden villa" is during winter with full of snow.

TENRYUJI （天龍寺）

#5: Tenryuji

This is located in Arashiyama. Tenryuji is one of the UNESCO Heritage Site too. You can access to this temple by JR line, Hankyu line or Arashiyama Subway and stop at the Arashiyama station. Then, walk about 10 minutes from the station to this temple. The entrance fee for the main hall and garden are 600 yen. However, garden visitors are only have to pay 500 yen for each entry. Anyway, the garden here are beautiful especially during maple leafs season.

TOFUKUJI　〔東福寺）

#6: Tofukuji

Tofukuji is located at Southern area. You can access to this temple by JR Nara line to Tofukuji station or 208 city bus. Entrance fee is 400 yen for adult. This temple is famous for maple leaf viewing with large maple tree garden.

FUSHIMI INARI （伏見稲荷）

#7: Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari is just 10 minutes walk from Tofukiji. There are no nearer station for city bus to access this shrine. However, you have to stop at Tofukuji if you take the city bus. Nevertheless, JR line and Keihan line have just stop in front of this shrine with the station name as Fushimi Inari. Anyway, this is free for all visitors.


For those who had watched "Memories of Geisha", you may remember a scenes for the little girl was running pass through a lot of Tori-gate. This is the place with a lot of Tori-gate.



KODAIJI （高台寺）

#8: Kodaiji

This is located at Higashiyama. 206 city bus that stop at Higashiyama Yasui is near to Kodaiji. The entrance fee is 500 yen. This is a simple temple. In contrast, lighting at night is so much difference if compared to day time. The night visit is only allowed during Spring and Autumn only.



NANZENJI （南禅寺）

#9: Nanzenji

This is located in Eastern area. You can access to the temple by taking number 5 city bus or Tozai subway and stop at Keage station. There are a lot of temple near by such as Hean Jingu, Eikan do, Ginkakuji and etc. You have to pay to enter each temple. This may a little pricey. Then, you have to choose which is your favour. Basically, most of the temple are similar with the main hall and Japanese garden. I choose to go Nanzenji because of the garden are free entry.

YASAKA SHRINE （八坂神社）

#10: Yasaka jinja

This is near to Gion at Shijo dori. You can get off from number 206 and 100 city bus. This is free. Beside this shrine, Maruyama Park. This open park are famous during cherry blossom viewing.

KIBUNE SHRINE （貴船神社）

#11: Kibune Shrine

This is located in Kurama area. The transportation from Kyoto city to this shrine is a little bit pricey. But anyway, you can take the Keihan line from the Kyoto city to Demachiyanagi station. Then, change to Eizan line and stop at Kibuneguchi station. In spite of, this is free entry. Anyway, the specialty in this shrine is you can get a lucky chain plain paper. Then, put the plain paper on the water that provided. The information on the paper will appear.

CHISAKU IN TEMPLE （智积院）

#12: Chisaku-in

This is located in Higashiyama- Shijijo. This is free entry. The maple leaf in this temple is nice. On the other hand, this temple very quite with less people if compared to Kiyomizu dera and Kinkakuji.

Actually, there are still a lot of temples and shrines. Yes, I have no enough time to visit all the temples in Kyoto. But anyway, this is a great experience for me. I love all the Jinja and Dera here. LOVE !!!

Difference between men and women - John Gray

I read a book regarding the difference between man and woman with the title of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" by John Gray. Anyway, today I able to read until chapter 4 only. While reading this book, I was laughing because I think the facts are quite true that really reflect almost everyone of us. This is happen to me either.



In chapter 2, He had discussed about men are "Mr. Fix it" and women are "home improvement committee". Men are not usually like to raise up the problem unless they need advice. In fact, they are more likely to solve the problem by themselves. However, women tend to give suggestion or opinion to people.



PROBLEMS OCCUR BY MEN
When there are some problems exist for men, they are unlikely to seek any help. In contrast, they will think the solution by themselves. In this moment, women will offer men some suggestions. In the women mind, they are thinking to concern the men. In spite of, men will offended because they assume women think they are useless or untrusted.



Solution - women can give men more support. Let the men feel they are important and trusted when there are any problems occur.



PROBLEMS OCCUR BY WOMEN
Similar problems that happen to women, women like to express their upset feeling by telling to the audiences. Indeed, they just want somebody to listen. However, men will put on their Mr.fix it hat to offer a lot of solutions. In the point of view of men, they just want to help them to relieve their negative feeling. In the moment, women will think that why the men cant pay 100% attention just to listen to them.



Solution - All the men can do are just listen quietly because women just want somebody listen to them only.


Anyway, I will continue reading tomorrow. This is an interesting book. Enjoy to experience the difference.

Halloween party in Japan

This was my first Halloween party celebration. This of course must thanks to our dearest organisers Nisses Nisses and Julie. All of us gather in front of Nihongo Center.

After that, we went to Doma Doma to have our dinner. This restaurant is located in Shijo Kawaramachi. Its Japanese bar which called as "izagaya". The restaurant has variates of food such as Japanese and western food. Most of the people here like to drink alcohol because alcohol is cheaper than other drinks.

We took a lot of photos during our dinner. It was a crazy night. We dress in Halloween costumes. For example, Lin - cat woman, Nisses Nisses - leapord, Emmanuel - rabbit, Abe - mouse deer, Julie - devil, Kitto - I share my witch costume with him (haha), Shohei - donkey, Liu - Cat man and Tomoko - Phantom.

We Had a wonderful time in Doma Doma. The night was still young. Then, they decided to go clubbing.

Yes, we went to the club in Shijo Kawaramachi. The prices were 3000 yen for male with 3 free drinks and 2000 yen for female with 2 free drinks. Anyway, I didn't drink alcohol. I had gave my free drinks to my friends.

This was a fun night. I enjoyed the party.

~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~