Osaka: Universal Studios and more!

It's cool to find out that I got an aunt and some cousins in another city of Japan. So we visited them and it took us and 8 hour-drive from our place (Suwa City, Nagano) going there. But it's ok because it was such a smooth travel. Express Ways in Japan are just perfect for long drives.

First stop was at the Universal Studios. Gosh there were really a lot of people because it's the Golden Week holidays (and most of the Japanese people didn't have work/school). The whole day was spent there and it was really tiring. I experienced lining up for a certain ride at almost 2 hours! Yikes that's crazy, yet fun.:)

My favorite ride was Spiderman. It got the longest line at entrance. Well it's actually worth it. That 3D experience was awesome. I also enjoyed the Waterworld show. It's a live act that's full of effects, plus the actors were really good. They did the acting, the stunts, and they even involved the audience. Though this show can really get you soaked! haha! Some actors/crew were throwing water to audience at the first few bleachers. So funny!:))

 Universal Studios entrance

 the globe :)

 

 same Coach sling bag. now you see why bear key chains are essential. LOL

 

 Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, Grandma

 Hello Kitty! (it's my childhood love!)

 Audrey Hepburn's star ;)

 JAWS ride. It's cool. The fake sharks looked real and scary!

 JURASSIC PARK ride. You'll get dropped that high inside that building.

 haha never mind

 BACK TO THE FUTURE 3D ride

cousins wearing Elmo hats

Too many people

WATERWORLD!!!

the bad guys haha

one of the streets

SPIDEY!!!

me likey!:)

all pink stuff at the Hello Kitty Shop

 :)

 

Hard Rock Cafe and other restos and shops

USJ train going to the city

After dinner, we rested a bit at our Aunt's condo then went back to Nagano.

We weren't really able to explore much of Osaka so I felt lucky when I had the chance to go back. This time, alone! I traveled by bus for almost 8 hrs. Spent around  Y5000 (Php2500 )for a roundtrip ticket. It was a smooth travel. Though kinda scary 'coz it's my first time to travel alone in a different country. But at least, I knew how to speak some Nihongo.  I intended to bring around Y10000 (Php5000) but my Aunt was worried about me so she gave me an additional Y20000 (Php10000). Haha but I found the trip really exciting! Anyway,I went there for an important appointment (will share in another blog post). But I as happy that my Aunt accommodated me. Her husband picked me up at the bus station and I stayed at their condo overnight. The next day, my Aunt and cousin accompanied me in Osaka City Air terminal (OCAT) Bldg. Then after my appointment, we went around Umeda, Namba, and Shisai Bashi. I actually saw a lot of tourists there too.

besides the terminal, there were actually offices inside the building

 Going to Namba

 shopping place!:)

Shisai Bashi

 Glico logo at the background

 7 floors of H&M! Woah!!!

 buying train tickets

 somewhere in Umeda

 lavatory inside the bus

After exploring Osaka, my Aunt sent me to the bus station and even asked the driver to look after me. haha! I was like a kiddo. Anyway, it was a simple yet fun overnight trip.:)

Tokyo love! :)

I may not have been to other countries yet, but I would say that Tokyo so far is my most favorite city. I've explored Tokyo for two days of my 3-month stay in Japan. It wasn't actually enough but still, I know I've already seen a lot in Tokyo. My uncle's family house is in Setagaya-Ku and since one of the most expensive places to live in Tokyo. But in general, the cost of living in Japan is really expensive, most especially in Tokyo.

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. It's the hub of the biggest local and multinational companies. Being the center of business, there are really a lot of working people there. I got amazed seeing them cross the streets in huge numbers yet very organized. Besides that, it's also the fashion central. Almost everyone in the streets is a fashionista. You'll be surprised how much they spend on clothes, shoes, and bags. There, everybody can afford branded bags, apparel, shoes, and jewelries. It's also a good place to buy gadgets. Everything's so high-tech and everyone's digitally literate. It is where all my addictions are. Shibuya, Harajuku, Ginza, Akihabara, and Ueno were my favorite places to shop.:)

I wasn't able to go to Disneyland and Disney Sea because we didn't have much time, plus my family used to go there every year without me and I wasn't able to convince them to go there for the Nth time. haha! Well I'm not a fan of amusement parks anyway. Another thing I wasn't able to try was the nightlife (at Roponggi I guess) because I didn't have friends there to hangout with.

Here are some photos I have taken during our trip...

 at the immigration

 Big Chef at Decks Mall

 and everything seemed so real

 this really scared me haha

 talk about "daily wear"

 I <3 Tokyo!

 Joypolis (Sega World) Entrance

 an interesting indoor ride

 look who's been here!

 branded bags on sale

 

pedestrian lanessssss!!!!

 people enjoying 3D entertainment

 Palace of the Prime Minister (a few meters away from the Emperor's Palace)

 high-tech parking (more like a car vendo lol)

 shopping!!!!

 Harajuku Street (like Greenhills haha)

 best gyoza ever at Sangenjaya

 drive-thru car wash!

 

Tokyo International Forum

 w/ my cousin

crossing the street going to Ueno (like Divisoria haha)

there's an ongoing festival

 they got the best Kitkat flavors!:)

 

 anime!

 Akihabara: the gadget central

 fat girl about to cross the street LOL

 a building full of clothes...expensive yet fashionable clothes!

 shoessssss!!!

 yeah, expensive!

 my cousin trying on a crazy headband haha!:))

 Shibuya at night

More of my Japan 2010 experience in my upcoming posts.:)

Because it's Hearts' Day...

Shoutout to all the SINGLES out there! 

Nah...this isn't a day for bitterness and sorrow. It's a day to celebrate and appreciate singlehood! Being single doesn't mean we don't love as of the moment because in fact, we are full of love! We do not only show exceptional love on one single day for we express it 365 days in a year!:)

We all have reasons why we're still single on this day...but don't ever take any reason negatively. Let's feel good about ourselves. Take note, we are AWESOME. Just listen to Bruno Mars and you'll feel even better.

\

Just stay happy and inspired. Don't look, instead patiently wait; 'cause the right person  comes the least you expect it. The long wait shall be over soon. And trust me, it will all be worth it.



And the moment you find it, you should never let it go...


Realistically speaking, not everyone gets their "happily ever after" endings. Yes, life isn't a fairy tale; but if you believe that LOVE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, you will never be afraid to take that extra mile to make a relationship grow....to NOT make a happy ending 'cause you believe that HAPPY STORIES DO NOT HAVE AN END.



 And now, I shall leave you with this quote...


"Destiny is the bridge you build to the one you love." -My Sassy Girl

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a hopeless romantic; but I am not a hater as well. This is just a call of the season. LOL:))

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE! <3