Nara - here and there

Nara is part of Kansai region as well. In the period between 710 to 784 years, Nara was capital city of Japan which called as Nara period. However during Heian period, the Emperor Kammu decided to relocated the capital city in Nagaoka-ku. Now-a-day, Nara city brings up a lot traditional ancient style of Japan from the olden time.

No matter you are going from Osaka or Kyoto, you can take JR line or Kintetsu line to Nara city. Once you reach the Nara station, you can get the tourist map from railway counter. You can request help from the allocated staffs there if you have any enquiry. For me going from Kyoto, JR line was cheaper than Kintetsu line. However, Kintetsu line is nearer to most of the landmarks in Nara.

One of the famous animal is mouse deer. There were a lot of mouse deers walking around the city especially at Nara Park. For Nara people, they believed that the white mouse deer was transformed by god in olden time. Thus, the deer was classified as animal from heaven that came to protect the city and country.

Around the city, you can buy the deer food which called as senbei to feed the deer. For you information, senbei actually is rice cracker.

Anyway, I found out an interesting notice board in 4 languages which advised visitors be careful to those mouse deer. The reason is the deer may attack people especially to children and old people.

Due to time consuming, I was able to visit one of the famous place in Nara which called as Todaiki a.k.a Nigatsudo.

A kid with antlers was a famous mascot in Nara. You can get a lot of cute deer relate merchandises at near by souvenir shops as well.

Anyway, bye bye Nara...... Wonderful trip even though time consuming. The most important experience here was due with the mouse deer all over the city. At the end of the trip, I went back by Kintetsu line.

All about Osaka travel story

Osaka is the second largest economic city in Japan also known as Namba in olden time. However, the name had changed into Osaka during Meiji period. In fact, Osaka is a big city. In my opinion, shopping is the best thing to do in a city. Nevertheless, there are a lot of places to visit in Osaka as well. What are the places ??



Shin-Umeda City




Shin-Umeda City is a floating garden concept's building. Moreover, this is 173 meters high building. The entrance fee was 700 yens per adult. You can take the JR line stop at Osaka station and get out from Center North Exit. Then, you just need to walk about 5 to 10 minutes to reach Shin-Umeda City.The specialty of this building is you can go out to the sky walk and enjoy the 360 degree panoramic view in the open air condition. I can say that this is very cold during winter with the strong wind blow. However, this provided an amazing view of Osaka city especially at night. In this building, you can find out a lot of couple dating around. Moreover, you can have a cup of nice coffee and enjoy the view. This was quite relaxing as well. Official Website: http://www.skybldg.co.jp/.



Shinsaibashi area and surrounding




Next, of course is shopping time. Shinsaibashi is one of the best shopping area in Osaka. Depend where are you from, you can take either take JR line or Hankyu line to Osaka Station. After that, change to Midosuji subway to Shinsaibasi station. Then, you can reach there easily. You can find out a lot of different brands here or big department store such as Daimaru. For those who like H2M, you can get those average price items in this shop too. I was staying in Kyoto. For fashion items, you can get cheaper items here compared to Kyoto. I found out that Japan's stocking and leggings were very feminine and cute. That was a reason why I bought a lot of them.

Uniqlo is one of the Japanese economic brand here. In this shop, they sell all kind of clothing such as the clothing range from kid to adult, from female to male and from casual to formal. I bought a lot of heat tech clothing and legging because these kept me warm during winter with reasonable price. Official website: http://www.uniqlo.com/

Dotomboni is famous because of delicious food available here. This is just next to Shinsaibaisi. In this photo, this is basically sixth-stories building. Furthermore, you can get a lot of interesting stuffs such as costume, funny items or "unknown" items here. Next to Dotomboni, Americamura is not so far away. In this Americamura as known as American village, you can get a lot of Europeans and young fashion items. Furthermore, there is a 300 yens store which you can prepare cheap and nice souvenir for your friends.

In Dotonboni, you can't miss the famous ramen. Move over, the soup was sweet and tasty. Another famous food in Osaka is takoyaki. You can get the most originate tasty takoyaki from Dotonboni as well. However, I didn't try this even though I went there a lot of times. The reasons were too many people line up to buy the takoyaki and I was rushing time as well. (CRY) .. Anyway, I had no fate with with it. Next, yogurt from Yogurtland is worth to try too if you like dessert. But, please remember that the price is based on the weigh of the yogurt in your paper cup.

Osumiyaki is worth to try as well. Basically, there were some vegetable, meats, egg and something unknown stuffs gill on the hot plate in front of you. This was quite interesting. However, you may smoke with the food's smell all over your body.

Umeda City

A lot of higher end department store around Umeda Station. One of the special department store is Hep Five. At the top of Hep Five building, there was a bright red colour Ferris wheel. For this Ferris wheel, you can observe the Umeda city view. Official Website: http://www.hepfive.jp/.

Besides Hep Five, there are a lot of department store such as Hep Navio, Yodobashi, The Hilton Plaza, Comme Ca Store, Hankyu department, Hanshin department, Loft and etc. For those not so higher end brand, you can get it from Hankyu Sanbangai or Hankyu market street. All the places listed above are not so far away, and there are just walking distance apart only. For those who like electronic stuffs, you can get it from Yodobashi.

Christmas was just around the corner, there were some decoration around Osaka city. There were not a lot of illumination decoration. But, this was beautiful enough.

Osaka Castle Jo / Kyobashi

Next, Osaka jo is somewhere around Kyobashi. A lot of people wander around this park. Furthermore, there are mini train service which travel around the Osaka Castle park. Each ride is 200 yen.

Osaka castle is one of the historical castle. Anyway, the history background you can check from their official website: http://www.osakacastle.net/. The entrance fee is 600 per adult. The castle is opening from 9am to 5pm. In this castle, you can spend 300 yen and try to put on their traditional clothing with photo taken.

Next to the castle, there is Osaka Historical Museum. Each entry cost about 600 yen for adult and free admission for children. Basically, this is exhibited about the history of Osaka. Official website: http://www.mus-his.city.osaka.jp/.

In Osaka, I found out reading the railway map was a challenged to me. Anyway, once you get familiar with the map you can travel smoothly all over the place in Osaka. Enjoyy ~~ Yahooo !!

Kanebo Sales shopping day

Back From Kanebo warehouse sales. This was my first time bought so many cosmetic in one time. Furthermore, there were Kanebo!! I think this is quite expensive for me. Anyway, I bought, long gel mascara, mascara base, and eye liner gel from Kate series. For Coffret D'or series, I bought a plate of eye shadow. Actually, I didn't know the different between Kate series and Coffret D'or. However, I think only different is price. For instance, Coffret D'or is more expensive than Kate.





I had used few types of mascara before, for example, Maybelline Volume mascara, Maybelline cat eyes mascara, and The Body Shop double intensity mascara. I like The Body Shop double intensity mascara most. The reasons are eyelashes are divided after apply and easier remove even I didn't use any special eye make up remover. On the other hand, I not really like Maybelline product because of this is harder to remove cleanly from your eyelashes. However, I bought cat eyes mascara because of this is Hello Kitty limited editions product, this is better than other Maybelline typical mascara. Nevertheless, I seldom use due to this is difficult to remove from eyelashes.

Anyway, I used up all mascara already. Then, I bought Kate series long gel mascara and base mascara. From their explanation, apply base mascara first before gel mascara because of this action are used to prolong the curliness and make it long lasting. I still haven't try this. Anyway, I will try this is someday later.

Next, gel liner from Kate. Anyway, I used to use gel liner because of the colour easier to put on compared to pencil type liner. Furthermore, this is easier to dry after you draw on your eyelid compared to liquid liner. However, I found out this is difficult to draw with the brush (from Sasa)that I am using currently. After that, I tried this when I came back home. I can say that the eyeliner brush from Kate is fine and tiny. Moreover, you can apply finer and smoother eyeliner on your eyelid. Oh my god, I like it!! This make my life easier ~~





For so many years I used cosmetic products, I like Kate eye shadow most. Maybe I didn't try other higher end brands. I think Kate eye shadow is the best for me. The colour blend well together when you apply on your eyelid. In addition, the colour series are new and trendy. Moreover, all the colours are shinning.

This is my first time try Coffret D'or series eye shadow. Of course, this is more expensive. According to the market price, this is selling about RM100++. However, I just got this from warehouse sales with RM50 only. In fact, this is almost same price with normal price of eye shadow from Kate series. Certainly, I can try something new. Moreover, the casing from Coffret D'or series is more elegant. Anyway, I still haven't try this. ~~ Lets do it sometime later too !! haha ~~


In a conclusion, I enjoyed the shopping day especially during sale. To be a savvy consumer, why not try to grab those things during sales which you need to use them too. (*^_^*)

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/

(*^_^*)

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





(*^_^*)