My Last-minute Japan Trip

As a reward for finishing graduate school, my aunt granted my wish to spend winter in Japan (where she's residing with her family). It's my 3rd 3-month trip to Japan but it's my first time during winter 'cause I usually go during spring. It was a last minute trip because there have been some delays in our (me and my grandmother) visa application. Our visa was released late in the afternoon of November 26, so we were able to pick it up from the agency on the morning of the 27th. That day we confirmed and paid for our ticket, which has been pre-booked on the 28th. We only had the afternoon and night of the 27th to pack our stuff because our flight was at 5am the next day. Each roundtrip ticket (Manila-Narita-Manila) cost Php 24,000 (taxes included) via Delta Airlines. The trip was too sudden that I didn't have the time to say bye to my friends.

luggage :)

super early flight

with the granny

Anyway, I was satisfied with Delta. The ground crew and the cabin crew were very nice and efficient. Thanks to the pilot, we had a smooth flight (especially the landing and the take off). We travelled for 4 hours. However, there was a long queue at the immigration gates so it took us an hour before getting out of Narita Airport. My uncle came to get us. It's a 4 to 5-hr drive from Narita to Suwa, Nagano (my aunt's apartment) so we had lunch brunch first at the nearest service area. Since the weather's too cold (less than 10 degrees Celsius), I got a ramen.

the view before landing at Narita

udon

spicy ramen

My grandmother only stayed 'til December 14. She usually travels with me to Japan and stays for 3 months but this time, she just stayed for 2 weeks since she preferred spending Christmas in the Philippines, plus she'll be coming back here with my cousin on March (spring) for 3 months again. But during the two weeks she's here, we've been going to different places, dining and shopping. We often go to onsen (hot spring) too to relax.

aunt's bedroom

cousin's bedroom

i love buying veggies for the healthy meals I make

it's a dream come true! haha always wanted to try this :))

One place we're visiting often is Matsumoto City (Nagano). We love shopping at Don Quijote, a place with literally everything under the sun. It has lots of cute stuff too, plus some branded items such as bags and jewelries. Hard Off, a recycle shop there is a must visit too. Some of the second hand items there actually look new. And of course, we've visited a lot of Daiso (100 yen) shops too.

Edion Mall (electronics)

kaiten sushi (conveyor belt sushi)

Starbucks tumbler Nagano

ear muffs :)

no Green tea flavor :(

road trip :)

ramen and gyoza love

shoe lockers at the resto

Japanese food overload...and it didn't cost nor taste cheap.

vendo!

one of the best ramen places

used stuffed toys that actually looked new

lovin' these neon kitchenware from Daiso

So I spent Christmas with my aunt, uncle, cousin, and my aunt's bestfriend. (I call my aunt Tita Mama because she's like my second mom). Christmas is just like a usual day in Japan ('cause they're not Christians); however, they acknowledge the Christmas-New Year holidays  that's why they have Christmas-New Year Sale too. On Christmas Even, we exchanged gifts, had Noche Buena, and Skyped with our families in the Philippines. It wasn't a white Christmas because it didn't snow that night/day, but I'm glad to have experienced winter Christmas.

the winter halo before Christmas

our mini Christmas tree and Coach presents :)

Christmas cake

fruits

Noche Buena plus Skype w/ the fam in the Phils

with my cousin in our Santa Claus costumes

Christmas hoodie! haha

More of my Japan trip in my upcoming posts.

xoxo,

city girl :)

The Love for PINK!:)

Since I was a kid, I've been a Hello Kitty fan. Maybe it's one of the reasons why PINK became my favorite color. And look what I've got from Harajuku last week:

Hello Kitty fashion eyewear!:))

and not to mention, I was wearing pink pajamas here too!:))

Last Sunday, we attended a birthday party of a 2-year old boy in Matsumoto. To look a bit younger, I decided to go PINK casual :)

Outfit: PINK CASUAL (Forever 21 Aviator, Forever 21 High-Low Lace Top, Pink Tank Top from my cousin, Forever 21 Pink Bangles, Forever 21 Denim Shorts, Love Junkie Cardigan, D&G watch, Coach Poppy Bag, Every 777 Wedges from rakuten.com)

The wedges I was wearing was my first ever online purchase from rakuten.com. This pair just cost me around 2,500 yen but the shipping fee was an extra 1,500 yen.

My pseudo-mom slash tita mama always checks our outfit before leaving the house. Haha!

 Pls. excuse my fat face! haha!:))

 Tita Mama is obsessed over LV! Bags, wallets, key holder, etc!

 My cousin was wearing: Momo Mullet Dress, Salus Wedges from rakuten.com, Coach Poppy Sling Bag, and Forever 21 sunglasses

 another full body shot. I just love brown, black, and pink stuff!:)

At the party, we played BINGO and our entire family won prizes. It was a simple yet meaningful celebration for the birthday boy and his parents.

Cookie: the birthday boy :)

 I was finally able to try the 0% alcohol beer from Asahi! It didn't taste good though!:))

she's like a sister to me :) 

It's been our hobby to take vanity shots while in the car haha! It actually makes us dizzy while on the road!:))

 Forever 21 shades!:) Mine looks like RayBan though haha!

It was my 3rd to the last weekend here in Japan. Got 2 weeks left and I don't wanna go...

and I also wore my favorite pink lipstick: NYX Milan matte lipstick!

there's a certain angle that makes me look like Kim Chui LOL!:))