Day 3
Good morning! Today start a little later as we were out whole day yesterday. Start off the day at the convenient store as Kat wants to try the onigiri that I ate before during my previous trip to Japan.
So many option! You never get hungry in Japan because their convenient store is really the best!
Look what I found! They even have Lao Gan Ma (Chilli with black bean from China)!
This is the onigiri we are talking about! Although this time round the egg yolk is not flowing out like the previous time I ate, but overall, it still tastes as good.
Next, we took the train to Yoyogi-Hachiman for our brunch!
My first time to this area and seems like there is many unique shops here.
Saw this Cacao store located nearby to the Yoyogi-Hachiman station exit 1 and it got us all curious, so we went in to have a look.
Operating Hours: 11am to 8pm (Monday to Thursday & Sunday)
11am to 9pm (Friday & Saturday)
Website: https://www.theobroma.co.jp/
So basically, this is a shop selling chocolate! I would say it's a chocolate heaven for the chocolate lover!
There is a very wide range of chocolate and if you are looking for high percentage of dark chocolate, I think this might be the place you will love to visit.
Pass by this very beautiful flower shop! Very European feel, isn't it?
Pass by this Cafe Rostro and really love the ambience! Too bad we had plan in mind already so hopefully I can come back again soon for this!
So, this is actually what we planned for our brunch! The Bondi Cafe which is less than a min walks from Cafe Rostro.
Operating Hours: (Update: It's permanently closed)
Didn't manage to go to the beach here so we go to a "beach" theme cafe!
Look who was there once we walked into the cafe?! SO CUTE!
This is a pet friendly cafe so if you are lucky, you will be able to see dogs around the cafe!
Here's the menu.
Awwwww! Look at my cute friend from the next table!
Whatever it is, coffee first!
Ordered a few dishes and overall, the food is good.
After lunch we actually walked about 15 mins to Meiji Jingu! Well, taking a bus is about 15 mins as well so we thought why not walk over since the weather is good, and at the same time we can digest our late lunch.
Some exhibitions here?
Welfie is a must!
The thing of coming to a temple in Japan is whenever you step into 1 of their temples, instantly you will feel the Zen and mind you, we have not even step into the actual temple and this temple is located at a busy area.
Reached the Meiji Jingu!
First of all, the locals believe that all people should purify their body and mouth at the Temizuya (a.k.a the cleansing ritual) which is always located outside the temple before entering the Shrine.
So, the Temizuya more or less looks like this across all Shrine.
Of course, when you visit a country with different culture as yours, it's good to follow their rules and also experience the culture!
That's the whole purpose of travelling, isn't it?
So, at the Temizuya, first you do a small bow (in respect I think?) and you hold the wooden ladles to cleanse yourself by pouring water over your hands (cleanse your left hand first then your right hand).
And next you rinse your mouth with your left hand.
JP very happy cleansing herself!
To be honest, we didn't know about the sequence, but we just observe how the local do and we just follow! Monkey see monkey do! Haha!
Before stepping in the shrine, you can see counter selling Omamori (a.k.a Japanese amulets) which people believe it brings good luck and protection. Many people usually will get at least one if they visit any shrine in Japan. It doesn't cost a lot so if it really can bring good luck, why not right?
Let's go inside the shrine now!
These are Ema (a.k.a.Votive tablet), which is used by worshipper to write down their prayers and wishes. The Ema will hang on the camphor tree and be blessed by the shrine every day.
If you are interested in getting one, just follow the signboard for the counter to purchase,
500yen (SG$6.10) per Ema.
This is the O-mikuji (a.k.a Oracles), it is the Japanese poems with some meaning that might works or might not works on individual. It's like a fortune cookie and the poem in the cookies but work or might not works on you.
So how it works? Basically, you shake the box till one lot came out and after you drop 100Yen (SG$1.20) into the designated box.
Every lot comes with a number, so you just go to the little drawers to pick the O-mikuji from the numbered drawer that is the same number as the lot. They do have the English translation version so not to worry that you will not understand what is written on the O-mikuji.
I also bought a Omamori for healing of illness for my aunt who is currently sick, and she is a huge lover of Japanese culture so she will definitely love this!
Sorry for the blur picture (I didn't even realise it was blur when I took).
So, this is Kiganbun, it's a letter to the Kami (a.k.a god) and you write words of gratitude or wishes in the letter, put into an envelope (provided) together with a monetary offering of any amount and put into offertory box next to the camphor tree. These letters are collected every day to offer to the Kami on their morning rite.
JP writing her wishes on the Ema.
And Kat writing her wishes on her Ema too!
I didn't because I have been here before and hopefully mine is still somewhere in the shrine! Haha!
Now hang the Ema at anywhere you like for the blessing!
Wish everyone's wish will come true!
Next, we are going somewhere and so we took the JR line (green line) from Harajuku to Shibuya (1 station)
We are going to the newly open Starbucks Reserve Roastery, and we will be taking bus 41 from Shibuya JR station and it's only 4 stops away.
The bus came right after we reach the bus stop, so this is roughly how the bus stop is located at. It is just outside the West exit.
Here we are at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery! My friend who came last week had to queue for an hour to go in as it just newly opens so many people was visiting the place so hopefully the queue is not long today or even better, hope there is no queue! Haha!
Operating Hours: 7am - 10pm (Monday to Sunday)
Well, there is a queue but a very short one! Yeah! We queue like only 5 mins!
Pretty crowded inside but the place is HUGE!
Lots of merchandise! And there is Japan limited edition too!
I got this Tokyo edition ceramic tumbler for myself! Now gotta queue to make payment.
This is where they roast their coffee bean, I guess?
If I'm not wrong, the coffee beans travel through the small pipes as I can hear sound from the pipes.
The coffee station for you to enjoy the barista working on your coffee!
The menu on the coffee they offer.
They sell freshly roasted coffee beans too!
The bakery section! Everything looks yummy!
Can you see what the wall made up with?
Yes! It's all mug! So nice!
View of level 1 from level 2.
So at level 2, it is the Tea level. Here you can get all kind of tea they carry.
I got myself this! Smell so good!
Pastry selling different from the bakery downstairs.
What a nice bag! It's a collaboration with Issey Miyake!
Happy with our buy but we have yet to drink any coffee as level 1 has no seats.
So, we took the lift up to the top level.
And here is a bar! A Starbucks bar! Of course, since it's a bar, they do sell alcohol drinks here.
Wanted to just get 1 tea leave but very torn with these 2 flavors so I decided to get both!
Time for some coffee and cake!
This coffee with serve with both hot and cold! I do not know why, and they can't explain in English too. Anyway, both way taste fine.
It's cold at night so hot coffee works like magic!
And ya, I'm the crazy one who still drink the ice coffee! Haha!
After coffee, we decided to walk over to Meguro River Park to see Cherry Blossom!
But before reaching, we got distracted by our favorite shopping heaven! Trust me, every outlet you go in you will find something new! It's not like limited to the specify outlet but the way all outlets display their things differently so you might not be able to find it in another outlet unless you really spend a lot of time to work every single part of the place.
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday to Sunday)
That's all for me this time round!
Continue to walk to Meguro River Park with our loot!
And we came across a graffiti painting on a wall, how can we not take photo with it right?
Seeing this Tsutaya Bookstore means that we are really near Meguro River Park already as it is just located at the Naka-Meguro station.
So, in case you are taking train to the Meguro River Park, you should alight at Naka-Meguro station and cross over.
Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm (Monday to Sunday)
They sell Starbucks book?
Small section for clothes from local artist.
Japan is known for their fashion magazine, and I think there is a wide range of Japan fashion magazine here.
Here we are at Meguro River Park! I think the cherry blossom season is ending real soon as the cherry blossom here are already mostly gone.
Still manage to catch some!
Not to worry, we will be going to another place for more cherry blossom tomorrow!
Time for dinner! The last time I came here and had Afuri, I just can't forget the taste of their yuzu ramen and both of them especially Kat who is a big fan of Yuzu, are very excited to try it too!
Operating Hours: 11am - 11pm (Monday to Sunday)
Full house but this is considered so much better than the previous time I came, whereby we have to queue and wait outside. Today we are just behind these people, which means once a group finish eating, it will be our turn! The staff also allow us to wait inside so at least we no need to stand outside the cold wind.
Their menu comes in English so not to worry that you do not know what to order.
After reading the menu, next you will go to the machine to purchase your ramen ticket just like Ichiran ramen.
If you got add on (eg, egg or chashu), you will have more than 1 ticket.
It's our turn! And for you to eat in ease, you can leave all your big bags at their shelves rather than putting it on the floor.
Kat ordered dry yuzu ramen and she loves it!
I had cleared soup last time and this time round I choose the spicy one and surprisingly the yuzu flavor did not get covered but the taste of the chilli! It has mild spiciness but with yuzu taste linger in your mouth after every sip of the soup!
You will never go wrong if you go for signature! This is the bowl of ramen that make me miss it so much!
As usual, all gone!
We usually will end our day at one of the convenient stores nearby our apartment, sometime Family Mart and today it's Lawson. We just love to go in and see what each convenient store has! Haha! Sometimes we will buy some desserts and drinks back!
Trust me the convenient store in Japan have cheap and yummy dessert, eg cream puff, fruits jelly, eclair etc!
Remember to try if you go to Japan!
Day 4
Good morning!
Here we are at Nakano! We are going to a famous cafe for brunch!
Wanna make a guess where we are going?
Hint: The colourful flower that smile
While walking to the cafe, we pass by the shopping street of Nakano.
It's located at the opposite of the North entrance/exit of Nakano JR station.
Beside Don-quijote. Japan drug stores is another heaven for us! So many things to see and buy!
Yup, we went in...
And in here (another drug store) too...
And the Lotteria caught our attention!
Lotteria here in Japan sells such a cute pudding pancake!
After much distraction, we are finally near our main destination.
The cafe we are going is located at the 2nd floor of this Broadway Center.
Tada! Did you get it right?
Yes, we are having our brunch at this Bar Zingaro a.k.a the Murakami cafe!
Operating Hours: 12am - 7pm (Thursday to Monday)
Closed (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Website : https://zingarokk.com/
Not many people are a plus point for us!
So many happy flowers here!
Don't you feel happy when you see them?
Ok, back to real business! We are so hungry now!
Here's the menu.
Even the drinks are with the Murakami flower!
Even the food is with the Murakami flower!
A table full of happy flowers!
The food was not bad.
Honestly Food in Japan seldom will make anyone disappointed. Well, at least not for me...
After our brunch, since there is no one else in the cafe, we shall take our time to take more pictures with the Murakami flowers!
Thick skin, no shame, we spend a good 30mins taking pictures!
After finish eating (and photo taking) at the cafe, we proceed to the Murakami store which is just located at the 4th floor. For those who wants to get the Murakami flowers, you can purchase it here.
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday - Close
Saturday and Sunday - 12pm to 5pm
Website: https://zingarokk.com/
Everything looks so cute! I love that ottoman but sadly my pockets say no...
Spot me?
And again, no shame, we took pictures around the store too.
This carpet looks so pretty!
The ottoman that I really love! Soooooo pretty!
Here's the price list.
Not everything has stock, so you can look at the list and ask the staff for the stock arability.
The one I wanted is sold out!
There is also a vender machines outside for your quick purchase!
Back to Shinjuku and we went straight to The Alley for some bubble tea!
So funny right? Come to Japan for bubble tea... But that's because there is no The Alley in Singapore yet (I think?)...
I kind of like the taste if the tea as it tastes stronger and more fragrance than most of the bubble tea chain while their pearl is acceptable, quite chewy.
Pass by this cheesecake shop and this girl just want to be the poster girl.
Ok, time for some real cherry blossom business! We went to Shinjuku Gyoen (a.k.a Shinjuku Garden), one of the famous gardens during cherry blossom season! Continue to read if you have not seen my past Japan post to see why this garden is so popular.
Operating Hours: 9am - 4pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Closed (Monday)
Entrance ticket is at 500Yen (= SG$6.10) each person.
Get our ticket through the ticketing machine.
Let see how many kinds of cherry blossom and flowers we can find inside the garden!
Let's go!
Not very crowded today as compared to my previous visit.
So pretty! And you can have very up close on the cherry blossom if the tree is short! But please don't pluck it! Cherry blossom doesn't live long so let's do our part and let them live their life to the fullest!
Another kind of cherry blossom found!
Thanks to a passerby who offer to help us take a group photo! I assume this will be the only group photo taken with the cherry blossom!
So pretty but not very sure what flower is this.
3rd kind of cherry blossom?
Another kind of cherry blossom? Now I am all confuse; they look almost the same?
Saw this man sitting here drawing the beautiful view in front of him! So nice!
Countless of different flowers there so you have to go and see it with your own eyes on how pretty they are!
This place looks so back in the olden days of Japan? Yup! we left Shinjuku and went to a little further out of town.
We are now at Miyanosaka Station, and you must be wonder why are we here right?
Answer will be revived shortly.
From the Miyanosaka Station, we will walk pass the resident area...
And we reach our destination! This temple is call the Gotokuji Shine.
This temple are very famous for their Manekineko (a.k.a fortune cat) and many people believe that the Manekineko from Gotokuji Shine will really bring fortune to them!
You can read up the interesting history of the Manekineko of Gotokuji Shine.
Operating Hours: 6am to 6pm
Website: https://gotokuji.jp/en/manekineko/
We actually reach there at 5.45pm and unfortunately the place is already closing but the staff is very kind to let us in and tell us that everything (the temple and the souvenir shop) is close but we can just walk around the place.
So, we just walk around and enjoy every bit of the Zen in the temple. It just makes us feel so Zen and relax.
This is the famous Manekineko that I was saying earlier on!
The Manekineko comes is many sizes!
And if you are wondering why are all the Manekineko displaying here? All these Manekineko actually belongs to the believer! They purchase one from the souvenir store and write the name on the Manekineko and they will leave it here to be blessed by the temple! It's the same concept of the Ema from all the Shine.
But of course you can buy the Manekineko and bring home too which I really wanted to and plan to but sadly we are too late! ( blame ourselves for not looking at their operation hours before heading over )
Left with empty handed and walk back to the Miyanosaka station and this is actually an old train that was exhibit next to the station and I saw on google map that some people manage to take the same kind of train which is still on operation! I guess it depend on your luck? The one we took are kind of more modern.
It's getting dark so off we go!
While on the train back, we pass by a big supermarket, and we decided to alight the train at Matsubara station and head over to see what they have. This is indeed a big supermarket!
We saw all the snacks and we can't resist ourselves to get a few to try!
We will be having dinner plan later, so we didn't dare to get too much food from the supermarket even though we really wanted to because all of them looks so yummy!
Look at the portion of meat from the dumpling ( a.k.a our siew man )!
Ok it's really getting dark now! Let's go for real now.
Looking at this crowd I guess you should know that we are now at Shibuya right?
Yes we are standing at the famous Shibuya cross road!
Walking around Shibuya first because we are not very hungry yet.
Hee hee our favourite place!
JP wanted to get something from Bathing Ape so we went in to have a look.
Honestly I'm not a fan of bathing ape and their staff attitude was always so bad! I went a few outlet in different country and even the most well know of politeness and good service country like Japan, had very bad attitude staff. You might think that maybe I don't speak their language that's why I misunderstood them, but nope! I went to country ( a.k.a my own country, Singapore ) and obviously we speak the same language and they too have the same bad attitude. I myself is from the same industry so I know what kind of service attitude is consider bad.
But I guess that's their "concept" since it is like the same attitude and energy across many country!
Of course despite their bad attitude, people who love the brand will still support because it was quite crowed inside.
Operating hours : Monday to Sunday - 11am to 9pm
This go kart is also quite famous activity in Shibuya!
It's dinner time and this time round is my favourite Maisen tonkatsu! I miss the tonkatsu so much!
Operating hours : Updates, they are permanently close at this outlet
Website : https://mai-sen.com
My usual to go set!
Someone ordered a different set.
Look how thick the tonkatsu is! And their sauce is to die for! I basically pour the sauce in my rice, my tonkatsu and the (unlimited serving of) cabbage!
After a happy dinner, we walk across to the Starbucks at Tsutaya to get some coffee and watch over the famous Shibuya walk! Tips if you want a full view of the people walking at the Shibuya crossroad, Starbucks at level 2 have the best view!
Operating Hours : Monday to Sunday - 6.30am to 11pm
Coffee to end the day!
Trying the moussed form latte that doesn't have in Singapore Starbucks and I kind of like it!
Anyway, good night people!
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