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2014.08.13 | 北海道夏(2A)

[Volume 9 Issue 8, #1929]
Hokkaidō Trip Summer 2014 - DAY 2A of 8
Half A Day in Nagoya (名古屋)
中文讀者請注意: 因為篇幅問題, 這一系列日本遊記只有英語版本, 敬請見諒..
i hope you enjoyed reading the previous post of this series, and are actually looking forward to more posts, haha!! you may wonder why i called this a Hokkaidō trip while i also went to Nagoya (名古屋).. well, it was actually just a stopover since there was no direct flight to Hokkaidō, and we actually had just half a night and then half a day spent in Nagoya.. day 2 of the trip was a brief explore of Nagoya before we headed to Sapporo (札幌) in the late afternoon, and the remaining days thus all spent in Hokkaidō itself..
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Nagoya Japan - Nagoya TV Tower
#2A-1 ■ ■
in day 1, by the time we stepped out of the station, it was already dark at night.. to me, one thing about sight-seeing is that, i prefer to do it in the day, though night views can be more fascinating with all the lights, somehow i still think we see things in their "real" colours rather than colours from the lighting.. for example, this Hisaya Odori Park (久屋大通公園 Hisaya Ōdori Kōen) and Nagoya TV Tower (名古屋テレビ塔 Nagoya Terebi-tō), certainly look more "macho" than being a little "sexy" at night huh?? errr, i hope you get what i mean with my rather vague descriptions.. :D
Nagoya Japan - Oasis 21Nagoya Japan - Gachapon @ Oasis 21
#2A-2 ■ ■
if you know me well, i don't usually want to pay to go to every touristy place up close, but just happily snap photos from afar.. and this is Nagoya TV Tower (名古屋テレビ塔 Nagoya Terebi-tō) viewed from inside the Oasis 21 (オアシス21 Oashisu 21), which is said to give the best view of the tower.. and something interesting about the oval glass deck on top - it's filled with water (just imagine because i know you can't see from the photo) for an interesting visual effect and at the same time to cool down the temperature of the place, smart and practical huh?? anyway, i was more attracted by a capsule toy (ガチャポン gachapon) machines booth 50m away [click here] but too bad, i could not find anything on Doraemon :(
Nagoya Japan - Nagoya Castle
#2A-3 ■ ■
okay, here it is, our first stop the Nagoya Castle (名古屋城, Nagoya-jō), about 5-minute walk from the Shiyakusho station (市役所駅 Shiyakusho-eki) on Subway Meijō Line (名城線 Meijō-sen).. completed in 1612 on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) to ward off attacks from the direction of Ōsaka (大阪), it has been the residence of the Owari lineage of the Tokugawa family (徳川尾張家 Tokugawa Owari-ke), until the Meiji Restoration (明治維新 Meiji Ishin) in 1888, used as a palace for the Emperor.. a major part of the castle, including the Hommaru Palace (本丸御殿 Hommaru Goten), were burnt down during the WWII, however under the plead of the people, the castle was soon restored and rebuilt in 1959.. [Reference]
Nagoya Japan - Grand Sumo Tournament
#2A-4 ■ ■
digress a bit, we also found something interesting there.. we saw flocks of sumo wrestlers (相撲レスラー sumou resurā) heading to the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium (愛知県体育館 Aichi-ken Taiikukan) next door.. being curious we followed, but don't ask me for photos because it will be disrespect to "paparazzi" them lah!! we ended up finding there was this annual Grand Sumo Tournament (大相撲 Ōzumō) held there, and these were the flags representing the wrestlers lined up outside the gymnasium.. excited but even if we wanted to pay to go in and watch, all tickets were sold out, we could only watch it on TV later :p
Nagoya Japan - Nagoya City Hall
#2A-5 ■ ■
okay, you were scrolling up and down for more photos of the Nagoya Castle (名古屋城, Nagoya-jō)?? and i'm not pulling your legs if i tell you photo #3 is the only one, haha!! i may just grab a few photos from the internet, post them here and fake like i've been there.. but no, that is not my style.. the fact was that, we decided to give it a miss for two reasons, the entrance fees of ¥500 and we only had a few hours to spent before heading to Sapporo (札幌).. so we just continued to the next stop, having seen the Nagoya City Hall (名古屋市役所 Nagoya Shiyakusho) from afar as well as the roof of a building (on right of the photo) that looks like Nagoya Castle, haha!! like that also can lah~~ :D
Nagoya Japan - Atsuta Shrine
#2A-6 ■ ■
next, we made a visit to the Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū) which is about 5-minute walk from the Jingu-Nishi station (神宮西駅 Jingunishi-eki) on Subway Meijō Line (名城線 Meijō-sen).. founded 1900 years ago (read again, not year 1900 but 1900 years ago!!) enshrining the sacred sword Kusanagi (草薙の剣 Kusanagi no Tsurugi), one of the three sacred treasures of Japan, together with the Five Great Gods (五神 goshin) of Atsuta.. this shrine is revered since ancient time, and now ranked second to the Great Shrine of Ise (伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū) [Reference].. standing at the entrance was this gate (鳥居 torii), a simple identity of a shrine and symbolically marks the border between the profane and the sacred.. to be exact, there were three in total all the way to the main shrine, so how many levels have i been cleansed?? :p
Nagoya Japan - Atsuta Shrine
#2A-7 ■ ■
so this was the furthest we would walk into the area of the shrine, the main shrine (本宮 hongū) which is located behind the trees on the left is not opened to public unless you had prearranged some special activities (for example, wedding) with the authority, if i am not mistaken.. on the right, looks majestic as well huh?? that's the souvenirs shop, haha!! impressive huh?? at least they have built something that looks in-sync with the shrine and not some funny looking touristy thing with cute mascots moving around :D
Nagoya Japan - Karugaden @ Atsuta ShrineNagoya Japan - Ema @ Atsuta Shrine
#2A-8 ■ ■
don't get over-excited at the souvenirs until you miss this Karuga Palace (神楽殿 Karuga-den) which is quite hidden behind the souvenirs shop.. this is one very majestically looking structure which is a prayer hall (拝殿 haiden) to serve your prayers for safe delivery, good luck and so on.. outside this prayer hall, you will see many wooden plaques written with individual prayers (絵馬 ema), sold at ¥600 a piece if not mistaken, hung on a dedicated rack where the god (神 kami) receives the wishes (願意 gani) [click here]..
Nagoya Japan - Atsuta Shrine
#2A-9 ■ ■
were you searching high and low for my signature pose?? no lah, this is a shrine, a sacred place, so i must pose decently also, agree?? hehe.. anyway, here's another photo taken at Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū), i just love these rice wine (酒 sake) barrels stacked up neatly as decorative containers (飾り樽 kazaritaru).. like i said earlier, things are done with a reason here unlike the Bolehland mostly for the sake of "superficial appearance".. this started as supplies of sacred wine (お神酒 omiki) to the shrine for religious (神道 Shinto) purification rituals, but as the supplies of wine in barrels got overwhelming, brewers now supply only a bottle of two with a symbolic gesture of donating an empty barrel instead..
Nagoya Japan - Miya Kishimen
#2A-10 ■ ■
i don't remember we had proper breakfast that day, but some snacks bought from the convenience store last night.. it was late morning when we were at Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū) and after doing a bit of walking, the urge to eat came without warning!! we went to an air-conditioned cafe near the entrance, nothing attractive but expensive.. while about to give in, the observant me spotted a hidden eatery just behind, way cheaper and has got what i wanted to eat (TIPS!!).. what's more, having it alfresco under the shades of trees and on tables and stools we so commonly find in mamak stalls but hardly in Japan (at least for me).. that was why we chose to sit under the trees rather than the roof, haha!! :D
Nagoya Japan - Miya Kishimen
#2A-11 ■ ■
so, what was there that i wanted so much to eat?? Nagoya's signature flat noodles called kishimen (きし麺) that is!! it's something like our pan mee but more chewy, and cooked in simple soy sauce soup, topped with just bonito (鰹 katsuo) flakes and spring onions, tasted totally different of course.. as it was summer, they also had it served chilled and i personally find the chilled one tastier than the hot one, probably because the chilled one kind of "locked" the flavor in the soup..

recommendation at ¥650 a bowl, though looked so plain, i can say this was one of my favorite food of the trip!! this place is called Miya Kishimen (宮きしめん), one of the venerable old eateries.. oh, i miss that bowl of kishimen (きし麺) already :p
Nagoya Japan - International Cosplay Show @ Centrair Airport
#2A-12 ■ ■
happily contented with the bowl of kishimen (きし麺), we got back to our hotel to picked up our luggage (we have checked-out earlier as standard check-out time in Japan is usually 10am, yes, that early).. off we took a coach to the airport (¥1000 per pax), available at another more renown hotel across the road instead of subway and then train, which was more convenient and saved us the troubles to carry and drag our luggage..

after a roughly 70-minute ride, we arrived at Chubu Centrair International Airport (中部国際空港 Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō) again, but this time for a domestic flight to Sapporo (札幌).. no joke, that's what we saw and found in the airport, cosplay fans swarming the place and happily posing for photos.. it was the Opening Event for the World Cosplay Summit 2014!! ah, such a nice coincidence for this uncle to meet up with the youngsters~~ :D
so that's it half of day 2 in Nagoya (名古屋) before we arrived at Sapporo (札幌) in the evening.. you may ask why i masked my friends in the photo?? well, i think this blog is public and my friends would not want to be "famous" yet, let's respect privacy here, shall we?? okay, day 2 is not done yet, stay tuned for the final half of day 2 in the next post, Sapporo (札幌) we will be~~ :)

travelogue posts in this series:

273 comments:

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  1. CHOPPPPPP!!!!!

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    1. I was in Nagoya in the 80's. Probably you were still a toddler then. Would love to try those Japanese kway teow/pan mee.

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    2. Ahhhhhh!!!! Can get a peek at your travelling companions. Hehehehehe!!!! Blue's the theme, it seems?

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    3. Geeee!!!! You certainly have got nice big arms now. Don't tell me they've always been like that. Good! good! Keep it up!

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    4. I went to Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya...and took the bullet train from there to Tokyo...if I remember correctly. Would be so very different now, after all these years...except maybe for the traditional sites, the temples and all.

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    5. Wah, Sugoi! this STP with his chop, chop, chop, always first! I think Kyoto is still the same because they preserve their local quaint old charm. I have been to Kyoto twice and love the place.

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    6. wow, STP has been to so many places in Japan but he has not been to Japan since then?? probably he doesn't like Japan because he couldn't have nice kampua there, muahahaha!! my arms are big?? come on, surely not as big as yours~~ :p

      and mun has been to Kyoto, twice somemore!! wow, i also like Kyoto, but my previous trip to Kyoto was so rush i didn't get to see much.. i wish to go there again..

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    7. Haha, but Japan got ramen, udon, also can compete with kampua I guess? :p

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  2. Wow, I like picture #12 the most, hehe!!! Get to so so many anime characters in costume, but usually I don't know their character's name la, but I like to see it!! =]

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    1. Good morning Sheta,

      You are nice and early here too. I gave up following anime series and characters already. Used to really watch every episodes of Naruto, Getbackers, code geass and etc.

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    2. I am not familiar with these characters at all. I only know Naruto and even then it is because my young nephew mentioned it.

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    3. 小影,same here! I have no idea at all those characters, cause there are just so many Japanese cartoons and animations! I don't watch any of them so I sure don't know.
      Anyway if I were SK that time, don't care la, just go ahead and snap photos! If got leng zai I lagi 不放过! Wahahaha xDD

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  3. Good morning Sk and all...why post in dual language? Thought u said one language

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    1. Opps title only dual language LOL. I thought whole post

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    2. Good morning Small Kucing,

      You are nice and early here as well. If SK has time, he will surely post in 2 languages as per norm but now he is under pressure from us to churn out all his travel posts in record timing while also working a full time job so he states he will write in one language only.

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    3. Kucing haven't took her morning coffee...still blur..hahaha...
      It will take SK lots of time to post in dual language. One language enough la.

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    4. Haha, if dual language really can pengsan! Better just write in one language, can concentrate more and write more detailed.

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  4. #1 Yah, for me I prefer to see the day color first then only the night, it has different beauty of it...and if I've the time, I'll go twice to see one day view and one night view...like winter and summer view also different...

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    1. If night time one need good camera, else photos also not nice.

      Yaya if possible everyone will like to see both day and night view. Just like the Eiffel Tower, must see both day and night view, very different!

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  5. Morning morning, salam everyone.. Please click your votes before you continue commenting, thank you.

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    1. Oohhh, today is day2 huh.. I guess I can still follow coz I can still remember day1 two days ago.. So today day2, I think still can follow la.. But if today already reached day7, and you ask me back about day1, dunno can remember mou.. But no issues, can always click back your detailed post to view..

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    2. Eh, I really prefer this method.. Read, then see picture, read again, then picture again.. Hai lo, do like that ma good lor.. Easier to see, remember and digest, and comment too.

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    3. Haha, macho in the morning, sexy at night.. I think I can use my imagination a bit and fantasize a little..

      Oohh you won’t pay to get up to tourist attractions? For me, it depends, if mahal, then I will consider and think think la.. If not very mahal, then probably I’ll just go.. Ooohhh, wait, have to see the crowd too.. If too many people, no thank you (yes, really).. Some friends say “Aiya, you are already here, why don’t wana go there wor”.. But well, for me, no big deal wor.. *action mode*

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    4. Oh yes, you were so right.. Macam can read my mind.. I was looking for more of Nagoya castle too, coz in the middle talking about it, you digressed a little and talk about sumo thingy.. So I continue to scroll and wana read about the castle again la, eh, habis liao?

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    5. SK, my favourite photo of you has to be the one of you posing in front of the wooden plaques.. Side ways, suspense, very yau ying.. Phewwwitittt...

      I’m laughing la, you say you wana post decently, hahahaha.. True also la, must respect also la.. People are taking their quiet time to admire the place, takkan you hoo-hoo-haa-haa pose meh, kekekeke..

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    6. Hah? Food picture only one? I was expecting more.. But nevermind la, one also hou kor mou.. Ooohh so this time you guys had flat noodles.. Wah, something like pan mee, but more chewy? I like wor.. But sorry ahh, I don’t like it to be cold.. I still like warm soup leh..

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    7. That day I went to eat Japanese food with my colleagues, he ordered cold soba.. I don't like leh.. The noodles covered in ice, and it was really ice cold to eat.. I wanted to taste some, so I took his (ice cold) noodles (which was soaked in ice), transfer the noodles into my warm ramen soup, "wash wash a bit", and eat.. hehehehehe..

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    8. Ok, anyway, day2 done.. We still have 6 days to go right?

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    9. Thank you Princess Ribbon for reminding us to click our votes. I always forget. Do you know that we can click as many times as we like? I think we can do that. And there is a trivia from SK that says there is someone who always click hate/dislike. Do you know who that is?

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    10. Haha, yeah I saw that trivia too.. Maybe that person click Dislike for fun.. Or ter-click, can't undo, or just testing, well, we won't know.. Or maybe that person too good liao, click all 4 - Love, Like, Dislike and Hate sekaligus.. Haha..

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    11. I came back inside to check.. No ahh, I can't see any Dislike or Hate votes, just 1 Love and 2 Likes.. Maybe that person undo liao? But I think only can undo after we wana change it right away after we clicked, but if we close the blog, and come back like one hour, cannot undo liao ma..

      Hmm, maybe SK can takeaway the Dislike and Hate, can put maybe:
      Love, Like, Interesting, A-Ok, Boring.. (just my opinion)..

      Better ma? But well, this is his blog, his like, his sukak!

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    12. Princess - I click already.:)

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    13. Princess Ribbon, I checked now, also tak da hate/dislike, may be because he/she read SK's script and undo already, ;)

      SK memang pose decently, hehe, very 'si man zai'. True la, must respect, do the right thing at the right place, if not, SK will become 'famous' very fast (if you know what I mean)...

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  6. Good Morning SK and everyone! Me too prefer sight seeing in the day time. We see the surroundings and structures a lot more clearly as they really are. Sounds are also different in the day and night time. Besides, I am rabun ayam. hee...hee..hee...

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    1. Good morning Phong Hong,

      You are nice and early here. Often when sightseeing, the only day time and night time scenery I get to see are the areas around the hotels where I am staying in. Else it will only be go there once to visit and sightseeing. Never staying at one spot from day to night just to see the difference because there are so many places to go.

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    2. Good afternoon Mun! Yes, that's usually the case. We won't go back at to the places of interest again at night.

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    3. Yeah, day time always the best for sight- seeing. Even at the zoo too! Can see animals clearly.

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    4. ChrisAu, haha good example!
      If go zoo at night, the night safari, end up is the animals 'visit' us, not we 'visit' them, cause most animals got better eyesight at night, LOL!

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  7. So canggih the viewing deck is actually filled with water! Also act to cool the temperature, what a brilliant idea. But I guess we can't do it here because we have water crisis.

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    1. Japanese are brilliant. I was impressed too when I read it.

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    2. True, Japanese are always leading in terms of technology and ideas, but China also not bad wo, I remember what they did on the Olympics, the bird nest thing, very impressive!!
      How come Japanese and the Chinese from China are so smart eh? What did they eat? :p

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  8. I also would not pay to go up those touristy places. Sometimes you go in there but you find that it is just ordinary. A tower is a tower is a tower. Don't waste money.

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    1. Phong - I guess its for maintenance fees for the castle. Probably, meant for folks who took an interest in history especially the locals and researchers.

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    2. that explains why pre-trip research is important, haha.. gotta research about the places, how worthy it is to pay to go in.. and also have to depend on whether you have the time or not..

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  9. So convenient that the Nagoya Castle is just 5 minutes walk from the station. The entrance itself looks beautiful already. So rich in history and is a wonder to be there and imagine what it was like in the 1600s.

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    1. Phong - I can imagine there were a lot of kawaii ladies in kimono during the 60s at the castle, entertaining the emperor. :P

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    2. ah yes, i think everywhere we went are rather easily accessible by public transport.. that really made our trip easier and convenient..

      all in ChrisAu's mind are only kawaii ladies.. you should go to Japan and see them yourself!! :D

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  10. fall in love with Karuga Palace (神楽殿 Karuga-den) ...

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  11. Oiya! Sumo wrestlers! hee..hee...I like to watch on TV. There was a documentary a while back on how the sumo wrestlers are groomed and how they live together and train together. What I loved to watch is what they eat to make them grow so big. They eat mostly soup with meat and lots of veges. There are even restaurants that serve food that Sumo wrestlers eat so that other people can experience what they eat.

    You are right in not taking their photos. It would not be polite.

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    1. Wah what else to say, you guys are indeed lucky SK!

      But I heard those sumo wrestlers are kinda pitiful also ler... Imagine what they need to do in order to grow so big! But I know being a sumo wrestler is the one of the most respectful profession in Japan!

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  12. Neat idea to have water above to cool the area.

    Aww, no picture of Sumo wrestlers? :p

    Nice, the Cosway event.

    Good morning!

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    1. Oops! I meant 'Cosplay'. Psst, you missed an 'a' there too on second look.

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    2. HappySurfer - Our Putrajaya also got ... the lake to cool down the place. LOL

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    3. love how they thought of the practicality of the design, so unlike what Bolehland has here huh?? as long as big enough, as long as tall enough, useless also must spend millions to built~~ :D

      opppsss, thanks for pointing that out!! already "masuk" that "a" in~~

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  13. Too bad there was not enough time to see the Nagoya Castle. Maybe next time?

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    1. yeah, really we didn't have much time to see.. but from a brighter side, this is actually a bonus to our trip, we saw a little of Nagoya which is an extra~~ :)

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  14. #1

    For me , I would like to see it in both lights...night time and day time coz both will have a different feel to it.

    Day time will be everything look stark naked. Night time will be more mysterious though snapping photo will be hard unless pandai adjust lighting for the camera or phone la.

    Day time is more to snapping lovely clear photos la

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    1. yea i get what you mean by the description.

      Just like our Twin towers...day time look strong and mighty ...night time it is like "she" is showing her glory

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    2. yeah, if can see both during the day and night, then would be perfect.. but most of the time, we won't be going back to the same place again lah.. unless just nearby hotel, or that place is a must-go then no choice lah.. hahaha!! you get what i mean, so very true lah.. strong and mighty at the day, and at night like a lady glowing sexily~~ :p

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  15. Oh, the Atsuta Shrine is also 5 minutes walk from another station. Very ancient and so mystical. Imagine it was founded 1900 years ago! So did you feel enlightened after passing through the three gates?

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    1. oh yeah, i didn't know that it was like 1900 years old.. i did my post-trip research and was speechless~~

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  16. #2

    the view seems still too near. like seeing only half of it.

    LOL ...too bad no doremon ah...got Ultraman or not?

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    1. very nice way of cooling ...I wonder about the cleaning system. Will it be like some sore of water fountain where water pump up and down in a cycles. Otherwise there will sure to be breeding ground for mozzie

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    2. errr, actually didn't purposely go there to see the Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21 lah.. just on our way to the Subway station only.. hmmm, i am sure they have advanced cleaning system lah, cos when i look at the water and the deck, bersih aje, cannot see even any greenish thingy not to even mention mozzie~~

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  17. The souvenir shop is a replica of the main shrine? Yah, agree that they constructed this structure in sync with the shrine or else it would look so cheap and out of place. Not exactly good for such a revered shrine, right?

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    1. I guess it was constructed later for tourism purpose.

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    2. yeah, definitely it was constructed much later for tourism purpose.. and glad they did not built something that would cause sore eye huh?? haha~~

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  18. #3 The restoration of Nagoya Castle (名古屋城, Nagoya-jō) seems to have been well done after WWII. Not like half ruin.

    Imperial palace...That would be something to look at and visit.

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    1. oh yeah, i think it was a full restoration of the whole castle if not giving it any extra development.. but too bad, didn't go in to take a look~~

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  19. The Karuga Palace is beautiful! Is this prayer hall also closed to public? It looks deserted. I see so many plaques written with prayers. I wonder if the prayers come true. So how to place a prayer? Have to buy the plaques?

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    1. errr, i guess it was also closed because like you say, the place looks deserted and very quiet.. those ema are sold at 600-yen if i am not mistaken, get one for yourself then you are free to write your wish on them, then tie them on the dedicated rack..

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  20. hah..hah..yah, confession,,,I was looking out for your signature pose. Of course lah at such places must be serious and not play the fool. Those rice wine barrels are rather colourful and decorative.

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    1. hahaha, no signature pose there lah.. it would be a disrespect to such a sacred place, haha!! but you are right, those wine barrels are beautiful~~

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  21. #4

    This trip brings you a lot of unexpected things wor. Come out from train saw doremon...now saw sumo wrestlers . Too bad about no more ticket. Sure to be an eye opening experience if can see by own eyes.

    But through TV also hentam aje la. Must have been very grand like fight for Piala Thomas in badminton....yeah i know both have nothing to do with each other...just that the excitement level must be similar. whole nation would be attached to the TV to watch

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    1. you are right, i think only if you go for DIY trips that you would bump into coincident and unexpected events.. if you follow group tour, then you are just in the coach all the time, not much chance to see additional things lor..

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  22. #5

    ooo....kena pay entrance fees and short of time...ya better give it a miss. If anay, i think he will spent whole day there looking.

    Boleh la..at least when people asked...you can honestly say you really went to the place before. Not simply say and copy paste. LOL

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    1. yeah, and it was a ¥500 entrance fees.. we would have paid for it but then we really did not have much time that day, so better just give it a miss lah.. and you are right.. if Anay goes there, he will never miss this and probably spend one whole day inside admiring the structures..

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  23. #6

    seems like the train station there is very strategically located. every place of interest is between 5min to 10 minutes walk .

    Atsuta Shrine found 1900 years ago? alamak...my mata..lucky you hightlighted else i thought baru baru aje. That means nearly two millennium ago?? And it had survived all the wars and natural disaster(if any). That is impressive....cont later...have to restart system

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    1. back....

      I think after so long time the place is still standing strong. There must be holy spirit protecting it

      How many level you have been cleanse ah....hmm...you better don't CB mouth there leh else kena lightning strike. Very holy place la.

      Do visitors have to wear special clothing to go in. Like if go Batu Caves, ladies cannot wear short skirts and etc.

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    2. kucing - They have a very good transport line structure from trains to buses.

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    3. yeah, very well planned transportation system and almost all the places we went were so conveniently accessible by the train or subway.. eih, don't cakap bukan-bukan CB mouth lah, haha.. though we are not in the shrine, we still must show respect even talking about it here mah, haha!!

      Delete
    4. Wonder hows the train system in Japan? Complicated or not? Tourist-friendly?
      But I think should be ok la right? Since it's a high-tech country, their train system sure high-tech also.

      Delete
  24. Good to go Free & Easy as can go the places u wanted to go and stay as long as you want there without the limited time...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah, that is why i always go DIY trip, my last time joining a group tour was in 1998, no more since then~~

      Delete
  25. That bowl of kishimen looks tasty, The noodle looks like kuay teow but thicker. You were OK with the spring onions? hee..hee...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it looks more like pan mee like what SK says rather than kuay teow. I know I would love to eat it if it is not too firm because I like to eat chewy and rather soft doughy starchy noodle. SK does not like to eat spring onions? Since you ask like that.

      Delete
    2. yeah, it looks more like the thick pan mee we have, and the texture also similar because both made of flour, but i heard they did not use egg for the kishimen.. also the shoyu soup with bonito gives a totally different taste..

      yes, i hate spring onions, like i always commented this in PH's blog, haha.. but those on that bowl of kishimen actually tasted way milder and fresher than what we have here, so i happily ate them~~ :p

      Delete
  26. Only half a day to look see and this is quite rush, right? But you managed to pack in some sight seeing but can't spend more time to see in detail. Those cosplay fans were very happy to pose for photos huh? Agree with you that you have to respect your friends' privacy and not show their face on your blog. I also won't like it if my face tiba-tiba appear on someone's blog or Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. we actually started around 9am and got back to the hotel to pick up our luggage slightly after noon, so we actually had quite some time exploring, the places weren't too far apart, we planned the itinerary earlier after some research..

      haha, yeah, can be a little uncomfortable especially to those who do not want to be "high profile"..

      Delete
  27. It seems the nagoya trip is a bonus to you guys seems there is no direct flight to hokkaido. Not a bad idea to see another place though it's just for a short while. At least , you enjoyed some of their food there and the scenery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with ChrisAu that this Nagoya is like a bonus trip. So it is smart to fly here first then only continue to Hokkaido.

      Delete
    2. zmun2 ... yeah lor. good idea!

      Delete
    3. But maybe should add another few days in Nagoya to say travel in Nagoya done? Or will it be too expensive to add another few days to the 8 days travel. Like that can say cover another place in Japan without needing to fly there again.

      Delete
    4. yes, though we actually did not have much time in Nagoya but then think from the bright side, we actually did see a bit of Nagoya and also taste some nice food there, which is an extra as this trip was actually aiming for Hokkaido only..

      errr, would not be too expensive if we add another few more days, but then time is also a constraint lah, just holiday no need to work ah?? muahahahaha~~ :D

      Delete
  28. #7

    agree with you on building something that looks in-sync with the shrine. it would not be an eye sore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. at least they won't make you go through a maze to get to the exit la. Many tourist place have tourist trap where to enter and view the place is easy but to get out, we have to go through on big maze that brings you around all the souvenirs shops

      Delete
    2. hahaha, you are so right Meow.. this souvenirs shop is just there, interested you go, not interested you can stay away.. and only one entrance/exit for the shrine lah, one straight road only, you go in and go out using the same path..

      Delete
  29. I also prefer sight seeing in the day as you can see things more clearly than at night, though the night can be beautiful with all the lights. I guess the TV tower is one of the attractions there !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah, actually also depends on what we are seeing lah.. some better during the day, some better during the night.. but better still, would be nicer if can see both lah.. :)

      Delete
  30. So, what did they have in the toy capsules ? My kid would love some kamen riders and ultraman. Lol .... or sailor moon figurines ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. errr, many different toys lah, but many i do not know what they are, haha!! no idea what is kamen riders leh.. ultraman i think got, but didn't notice sailormoon..

      Delete
  31. Wow...there's a castle here where the emperor stayed before. Don't know much about Japanese history except samurai and ninjas. Hahaha ... its nice to visit historical places rather than just shopping malls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I travel, I don't want to go shopping. Only go shopping for necessities or chocolates hee..hee...I only want to focus on seeing the scenery and visit historical or places of interest.

      Delete
    2. Phong - yeah, shopping can be done anywhere.

      Delete
  32. Wow... They are surely crazy about Sumo over there , besides AV ...ahem ! Each flag represent one Sumo fighter ? He must be well revered there ! And they even shown it on TV !! I wonder how much is the ticket ? Should be very expensive !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh yeah, we saw on TV the sumo wrestling tournament, the whole gymnasium is full.. errr, the ticket surely not cheap lor, i've forgotten how much already..

      Delete
  33. #8

    so did you go and pray for anything at the Karuga Palace ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. errr, no woh, and i think it was not open to public also leh.. no idea actually..

      Delete
    2. Oh too bad! But good enough already la, can see it with own eyes and snap a photo, so you get anything from the souvenir shop?

      Delete
  34. #9


    hahaha...hmmm but this hand in the pocket look also kira as one of your signature pose leh. Quite many of your photos with this pose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. is the words on the barrel respresenting each brewer company?

      There must be many barrels there. If no offence, would be great to make into garden decoration. Planter pots or something

      Delete
    2. Yah lah, that was what I was thinking. Nice for the garden!

      Delete
    3. hahaha, i am not good in posing mah, so its either hands down by the side, or in the pocket lor, hehehehehe~~

      oh yeah, those words are probably the names of the breweries..

      Delete
  35. Aiyo...Visit to the castle not free ah ? Yeah , since you all lacking time , no.point going in. The city hall looks like a castle ? Hmmm..must be an old building. In fact , the place seems have a lot of old buildings. Good to restored !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yalor, need to pay ¥500 to get in leh.. at first we thought only the castle itself, so we tried another entrance to try our luck at free visit of the courtyard, but then disappointed, need to pay to get into the compound lor.. i actually have no idea what's that on the right of the City Hall woh~~

      Delete
  36. Somehow I always felt most of their shrines have this sword thingy like at the entrance. And they really take good care of their shrines. So, do you felt holier after passing by the ..err.. gateways ? Must be well cleanse ! Hahah..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh really?? this one i didn't know, what you are reading here is what i got from my post-trip researched, haha~~

      Delete
  37. #10


    let me guess...RAMEN??? is it? betul tak?

    your eyes darn sharp ah...can find such cozy corner. else kene slaughter kau kau

    i see the place like to too hot also leh. under the tree shade. nice to eat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ooopsss, scroll down for the next photo and you can get the answer, haha!!

      yeah, luckily i notice there was a corner there, and better value for food.. yes, it was like 30-over °C leh, very hot but under the tree shades okay lah~~

      Delete
  38. Wow... The may shrine needed permission from the authorities to go in ! Must be a very important shrine and I guess vip like politicians or the royal families must be visiting it very often. I guess you cannot misbehaved inside there as well as taking pictures around. No monkeying around or no fing fing there ! Lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you are right, it is one very sacred place and revered by the people.. don't play play there wokay?? :p

      Delete
  39. Yes , the karuga place looks very nice ! I like these wooden ancient structure ! Very authentic ! So, did u get any souvenirs ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, the Karuga Palace is definitely looking majestic.. haha, didn't get souvenirs from there lah, expensive leh~~

      Delete
  40. #11

    aisay...i should have scrolled down before comment for the #10.... not ramen.

    kishimen...okay will take note. I wonder KL have this or not. I know it will be a pale imitation but at least maybe can try and see what is the taste.

    You said served cold...means room tempreture or was is cold like just out from the fridge? hmmm ...kinda weird for me to eat if serve cold as in just out of the fridge. Jakun a bit...hahaha....can't help it coz been drummed into my brain that not to eat cold food from fridge coz sakit perut later

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also cannot get used to eating cold noodles or soup. Room temperature still OK.

      Delete
    2. I also prefer hot ramen or udon. But depends on the climate la... if it's very hot, something cooling is nice!

      Delete
    3. I have not seen this kishimen here in local Japanese restaurants. I think cold is like fridge cold. Here you can eat soba cold too. In Korea restaurants, I have eaten cold noodles or rather glass noodles where there is ice inside the soup. It is meant for them to eat during hot summer days to keep cold. Here since it is summer all year round, should be available in mamak stalls or coffee shops yet there are none. I guess our parents all say cannot eat cold nanti perut sakit.

      In Taiwan, during summer, they sell cold (ice cold soup) with lo shu fen (mousetail noodles) and it is sweet too like some kind of tong sui. Not available in other seasons but only during summer and it is sold out quickly during hot days.

      Delete
    4. this kishimen was really very nice leh, so nice i am missing them already, that's why i recommend lor, haha..

      they served the chilled ones by placing them in the fridge, totally chilled without using ice.. because you know if you put ice, once melted they dilute the soup, making it less tasty.. but in the fridge without ice, that's how they can still remain the flavor of the soup, and probably because it's chilled, the flavor is kinda of enhanced.. actually it's nice lah, can try lah.. can order both hot and cold to try, and to make a comparison~~

      Delete
  41. #12

    Check out time is 10am? But you covered so many places.I thought it would at least takes you half a day to go to all the above places and see everything

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looks like ou all are well prepared and very clever traveller. Know how to go across the street to a well know hotel to get a coach to the airport. Hahaha...I baru read about that in one of the traveling website. Before that I never thought of doing it . Betul jugak...if roadside you can get a cab...then just walk to a well known hotel and get the concierge to get us a cab.

      Delete
    2. wakaka...you really have all the luck ah..... go airport also get to see Cosplay people there. Sure Chris will drooll liao...sayang u tarak post lenglui photos there

      Delete
    3. aiya....mask friend face...biasa la..i also do that. Betul la...privacy. Friend may not like it leh. .

      Delete
    4. Very true Small Kucing, we all can learn many travel tips by reading SK's blogs. SK is so lucky, right? Can get to see cosplay and yesterday can run into the Doraemon posters.

      He is also so considerate to mask out his friends faces. I wonder whether his friends read his this blog or not.

      Delete
    5. Kucing - Not kawaii enough leh ... :(

      Delete
    6. we actually checked out before went out to explore the places, we just left the luggage at the concierge and went back to collect when we were ready to depart to the airport.. we started at around 9am and three hours plus was actually enough for that brief exploration, furthermore the places are actually nearby.. we did research and planned the itinerary accordingly before the trip mah.. but of course, we also saw many things that we didn't plan also lah~~ :)

      Delete
    7. Check out time is so early leh! Usual check out time is 12pm, that I also think kinda early already...
      But luckily can leave luggage at concierge, actually most hotels provide that these days. Imagine what happen if we need to drag our luggage along when we go walk around? =_=
      Good that you guys planned to walk around nearby, no need so rush, and won't scared lost :p

      Delete
  42. Good morning SK,

    Wow, you are really working hard to write your travel posts but we love it because we get to enjoy reading your posts, almost as if we were there travelling with you. Thank you! Thank you!

    You are so considerate to mask your companion faces out to retain their privacy. They will be so grateful to you.

    I notice that you have a trivia commentary from yourself popping up some time and this time it is about your dedicated hater. Yes I also wonder who is so boh liao to click the hate and dislike link. Can you get the IP of this person and match it against the comments here to see whether or not the person is one of your own, hahaha!

    Thank you again. Looking at your photos, I feel as if I am back visiting Japan. I was there 3 times and still would want to travel there again. Maybe in another 10 years when I am fully retired.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done, SK. A well documented post!

      Delete
    2. haha, that is why i can only write in English and have no time for another language.. because while writing the travelogue, i am also doing my post-trip research, to find out more and to know more about the places i went.. different from pre-trip planning which i research for what places to go only..

      yeah.. better not to reveal my friends' face lah, they may not like it because they are not bloggers.. so mun has been to Japan three times, wow!! two time Kyoto and what other places you have been??

      Delete
  43. Good morning SK and everyone!
    Such a nice post on the trip~

    LOL I laugh when you mosaic your friends!
    Thanks for teaching all Japanese word even I feel it is not easy to remember @.@
    I thought pic #9 is lantern at first haha~

    You are so lucky to meet anime in Japan wow.
    Yay, looking forward to your next post~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He never mosaic his friends before but got shocked by some blogger's thoughtless comments that hurt the readers very much... Haiks! No apology whatsoever.... no qualms! Welcome to Bolehland! LOL

      Delete
    2. Really?! I didn't know about that! Thanks for telling me about this.
      Ermm, can't imagine had such agitated readers here before as I notice all readers here are nice so far :))
      I think this is my first time seeing blogger's picture sharing with mosaic, so abit special and funny for me, no offense ya~

      Delete
    3. Yeah I also thought it looked very funny! Normally the newspapers would only mosaic the faces of the criminals, rapists and victims! Who says all readers are nice and sweet? You should visit more often and read some comments that might help you clear your serious constipation and flatulence.

      Delete
    4. hahaha, those masks may look funny but then they are not funny at all actually.. gotta respect the privacy of my friends because they are not bloggers, and also save them from being exposed to stalking and criticism which may not be fair to them.. so rather you say i am weird or funny, maybe you have no problem showing the happy face of your friends in this public platform, but i think i have the responsibility on my friend's privacy~~ :)

      Delete
    5. Just the opposite from one panda blogger who would mask himself but not his friends..one man;s mask is another man's mosaic hehe

      Delete
    6. Twilight: Erm, maybe what you said is true, but sounds little scary weh! Btw, will come here more often to see how real life goes here hehe~

      [SK]: Sorry if sounds offended~ But I didn't mean to laugh at you and your friends ahhh. Just that mosaic sounds unique for me~ I understand that every blogger's has their own blogging style and values, and I know you need to show respect to your friends as you clearly explained in the post.

      No worries, what I looking for is just your travel sharing experience. That's all~!
      Keep it :)

      Delete
  44. Greetings everyone here! I see all of you are here nice and early. I know some are fully retired so can go chop chop chop everywhere, hehehe but some fully working also so hard working and can come here to chit chat, having so much fun until I also am drawn to chit chat here. If I get makan fried squid, you all know what happens lah! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha, if makan fried squid, then don't blame me okay?? :p

      Delete
  45. Yeah, not wise to do anything funny like your signature pose at the shrine. It's better to have some respect for others. wow... so much sake wine there!! Can the public drink it or just for offering ? hahaha... I love sake drink served hot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. exactly!! must not show disrespect in such a sacred place lah.. those wine are sacred wine, used for religious rituals..

      Delete
  46. The miya kishamen really looks good though I haven't tried before. It looks like some thick pan mee and very healthy. Looks very clear ! And, it's definitely comforting to sit under the cooling tree. Wah...eating a cooling noodles under cooling tree ... how nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, it looks like the thick pan mee we have here, but of course simple shoyu soup with some bonito only, taste totally different from pan mee soup of course.. and yes, the cold one taste nicer than the hot one..

      Delete
  47. Ah.... how nice you are guys are greeted by cosplays folks at the airport. I saw kamen riders there ...wow... if my kid was there, he surely will be very happy!!! Kamen Rider V3 was there too! I guess it's a grand event since it's the world cosplay ! It will great to attend it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kids sure love cosplay! Their hair color and costumes already attract attentions~

      Delete
  48. wow...you guys really travelled a lot en-route to the airport. However, not a bad thing as you can sight-seeing in the coach and train. These are places where the tour guides will not bring you , the not so popular sides of the city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. actually not en route lah.. we checked out, left our luggage at the concierge then started our little exploration of the place.. about noon we get back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and headed to the airport.. and of course, we would have been to some places that tour guides will not bring lah.. :)

      Delete
    2. Tour guides usually bring to see very big famous places, and also places which they can earn commission one, hehe!
      Those small and not-so-famous place, need to go do research baru tahu one, or unless if there's friend/relative staying there la!

      Delete
  49. Good morning everybody!! I am always one of the last ones to comment... another twenty minutes more and it will be noon... very lazy to work.. so come by here to wash my data eyes.. (just finished looking at some data!) pheww... a relief! Really looking forward to retirement... !

    Mun, you said you got 10 more years to go? I wish you Happy Working! hahahhaa...

    Sorry to digress, SK! Back to your trip... I will go picture by picture...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Calire, once you retire you can compete with STP to CHOP !

      Delete
    2. Aunty Claire now goyang kaki....waiting for her retirement.

      Delete
    3. hahaha, the Ipoh Food Mayor vs the Sibu Food Mayor?? :p

      Delete
    4. Claire, you are not the last one la!! I am even later than you ler!!

      Delete
    5. hehehe... so I am not last! Chris, belum goyang kaki yet... still walking up and down in the office here. macam office boy...

      Phong Hong, when Arthur sees your comment, he will say "NO WAY!!" hahahaa...putting words into his mouth...

      SK, do you think I can compete? See size also know liow... hahahaa...

      Delete
  50. #1, yes, agree with you... daytime and night time scenes differs definitely... daytime all will be bustling.. night time looks more serene and romantic! My opinion! hehehe..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, i agree with your opinion too.. that's why, best to be able to see the place during both day and night hor??

      Delete
    2. Haha, but sometimes it's impossible to see both day and night la!

      Delete
  51. #2... Me too, I don't normally pay all the entrance fees to go in and then walk out from the other end. Like you, I just take pictures at the entrance...at least showed I have been there... if worth going in, then only I go and also depend on the rates. Too expensive, I consider.. hahahaa...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha, most of the time yes.. but some places if must-go and worth to pay to go, then i will not be "kiam siap" to pay for the entrance fees lah.. furthermore, you may not be going back to the same place another time mah.. basically, a lot of things to consider also.. cost, time, attractiveness and also the economical scale~~ :p

      Delete
    2. Ya, it depends what kinda place also la, some memang cannot missed and cannot kiam siap, since we are already there ma!

      But I think also depends on luck? Sometimes we listened to people and if they say worth going in, we paid and went in, end up, feeling disappointed. Cause what people feel doesn't really means how we feel, people might think it's worth it but we might thought the opposite....

      Delete
  52. It seems really like a hot day over there as I can see they skies are blue. Probably it's still summer over there and now wonder they served cold noodles. Anyway, summer is comfortable la ... not so troublesome need to wear thick clothing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh yes, it was mid summer and real hot, beyond 30°C similar to the weather in KL.. but of course drier, so sweat also dry faster.. :p

      Delete
    2. But I think their summer is pretty comfortable also la! Unlike the 'summer' here............ =_="

      Delete
  53. oh dear, my 3rd comment is missing! I forgot to click something a moment ago and it vanished before my eyes... I forgot to click comment as "reanaclaire" it was still showing google account..
    Never mind, I forgo the 3rd comment.. I fast forwarded the #3 picture onwards... too bad.. it was a long one too! hahahaa...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sad Claire to lose a long comment like that. Sometimes this happen and we are lazy to type the same thing again so tak jadi long comment lor.

      Delete
    2. aiyoh, too bad for this "forgetful" claire.. didn't see you comment further already?? you went to one corner merajuk and sobs sobs ke?? hahaha.. next time if type long comments, remember to copy first, if anything happened at least can paste again later~~ :p

      Delete
    3. Sometimes this Blogger also very annoying one, I encounter that a few times, some it says got what conflicting comment, and what I typed terus hilang! Grrr...
      So I learn already, type my comment in notepad, then only paste over here in the comment section. A bit troublesome, but at least got backup if anything happens.

      Delete
    4. Yes, learn a lesson... if type long, then must copy paste... "waste the radio" if you know what I mean.. Wanted to repeat what I have commented but the words just don't flow easily already.. I mentioned I don't like to eat chilled noodles.. not used to it..
      Sk, apa nak buat... that is why I always "forgive and forget"... hahahaa... life is less stressful this way...

      Delete
  54. SK very lucky la during this trip.

    The Doraemon showcase.

    The World Cosplay Summit lagi.

    The Sumo tournament some more.

    Very good time lah to have picked your travel date.

    All this perhaps you won;t get to see through a travel guide. :)

    *thumbs up*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, perhaps you can only see one or none of these! The timing was so right!!

      Delete
    2. Yaya, all are pleasant surprises! Too bad SK and friends din't manage to watch the sumo fight, else it'll be a really cool 'bonus'! I wonder is there anymore surprises in your trip? ;)

      Delete
  55. 啲米酒桶純粹只喺裝飾或者有其他用途架?不過嗰張相影得特別有美術感。

    上次去北海道都冇買番嗰繪馬嚟許願,下次如果有機會再去日本,一定要咁做至得!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 係裝飾, 不過係有意義嘅.. 代表酒莊有份捐獻奉神嘅聖酒..

      你上次去北海道係睇雪, 應該都冇咩機會去神社參拜啩??

      Delete
  56. Thought you only had until afternoon? Seems like you managed to cover a lot in just half a day! For me, night view is only spectacular if the photographer has the skills. That's why I rarely attempt night shots myself..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeap, but we started the day early at 9am, the places we covered at not far apart, so three-hour plus later we were back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and headed for the airport.. so you are a skillful photographer??

      Delete
    2. Oh, so the early bird gets the worms! No wonder you guys covered quite a lot of places in just a short time!

      Delete
    3. No la, I am not, that's why I rarely attempt night shots ma, attempt also useless, come out a pile of sh*t hahaha..

      Delete
  57. For Pete's sake you are not gonna finished those barrels of sake right? haha

    ReplyDelete
  58. Yes, I notice that 'rate me' section, and I do click love/like occasionally! But I never click dislike/hate ha, ok? :p

    Hmm, I wonder who is that who clicks hate? Hehe, may be he/she just saja click for fun la!

    So this is slightly a long post! Hmm where shall I start...

    Yes, of course I enjoyed reading the previous post! Like I said, I will take this as a 'virtual' tour for me, since I don't know when will I be able to visit Japan again >.<

    ReplyDelete
  59. Oh ya, I know what you mean... Daytime sight seeing is somehow 'clearer' and 'more real' if compare to night time, though both also got its own goods and bads la!
    But then ho, certain landscape and view is prettier during night time one. Like a colorful fountain for example, if during daytime it's just a normal and boring fountain, but if at night, with the effects of the lights, it'll become something different!
    Your vague descriptions is quite good, at least I know what you're trying to say, hehe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, so you are someone who don't pay to those touristy place? Is it because of your 'auntie mode'? :p
      Well, sometimes true also la, if can snap photos from far and can see the view, then no need pay on purpose, save the money for other usage. But sometimes if it's really worth it then never mind la! Or if it's really 'no choice' then have to pay also. Take it as buying an experience lo.
      What I mean with the 'no choice' is like, erm macam my Bangkok trip last year. The taxt driver recommended us to go floating market and gave us a total fees, which he said includes everything. Then he dropped us at the 'entrance' of the floating market and left, but it was then we realize there's no floating market! Rupa rupa nya we need to take a boat from that 'entrance' and the uncle will bring us to the real floating market, which is about 5-8 minutes boat ride from the 'entrance'. We actually din't want to go already cause we felt like kena cheated, but what to do? We were already there and worse, the taxi driver left already!
      So unwillingly, we paid about RM 60 for the boat fees :'(

      See, this is what I mean, 'no choice', have to pay and visit the floating market also.

      Eh there are so many capsule machines! Too bad there's no Doraemon huh? Never mind, save the money! :p

      Delete
  60. Nagoya castle, heard of it but never know about the history behind, thanks for sharing! Actually there're so many nice castles at Japan right?

    Oh so you guys came across another surprise during the trip! The sumo show! Aiseh, all tickets sold out... Else I bet that would be another memorable experience! I always wonder how things like watching the real sumo fight, live. Really salute those wrestlers, not easy being them!

    Ok so you guys din't went into the castle... But the fees is quite cheap, around RM 15 I guess? But then since you guys only got few hours might as well skip it la, I think nothing much to see also inside the castle.
    Time management is really important when we go travel, just like my Bangkok trip (again), we din't went into the palace, cause have to pay and also we din't have much time since it was a rush trip, so we decided to skip it and went shopping instead, more worth and meaningful for us :p
    Just taking photos from the outside consider good enough already, 可以交功课了,哈哈!

    That meaning behind that torii is interesting, instantly differentiate profane and sacred!

    Oh ya, some areas are prohibited to enter, I remember that in certain shrines.
    Haha yep, that souvenir shop is impressive! At least something 'matching' with the rest of the building.

    The Karuga palace, is it big?

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    1. The Sake barrels make a nice decorations! I remember there's a Japanese restaurant in Puchong had similar decorations.
      Actually can copy this design and put it as decorations at home, haha! But who will have so many sake barrels right? :p

      I like that kinda 'outdoor' dining place you shared in pict 10, something like those HK dramas, 古装戏里头有的情景,haha! I bet it's not hot also la, got quite a lot of trees!

      Wow that bowl of flat noodles make me drool! The broth looks good leh, and I love those flakes, I think a bowl of plain noodles can already taste good with just the flakes!
      Got chilled one? If possible I'll try both, hehe!

      Wah, the Cosplay show looks much more interesting and complete compared to what I've seen here! Got quite a lot of leng lui and leng zai I think, hehe! Good la, indeed another pleasant surprise! Never thought airport also got Cosplay one...

      Oh ya, I was wondering why you masked your friends... But it's ok, it's your blog, you can do whatever you want =)

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  61. #2 it's filled with water? You mean when it's raining?

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    1. #3 Is good for them to rebuilt the it, some buildings might just left it like that after burning, even though the building wouldn't might be same as the old ones, but at least the memories were still there!!

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    2. #4 hehe, but watch it from the TV always different from the live one, so all the tickets sold out means tickets of the day were sold out or same as the rest of following days as well, usually this type of this ticket show once they've released, they sold out pretty fast right? But never mind, can check the schedule, you can always go back to visit to see it again, right?

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  62. #5 That's funny, when I saw picture #3 I was thinking, the memorial statue means the whole castle? but I scared there're more pictures at the back, hehe!! But true also la, if already knew no time for the visit, might don't waste the money for a "rush" visit, right??

    Of coz like that also can la, who dare to say no, hahaha~~~ (as Princess Ribbon said mah, your blog you suka mah!! =])

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  63. #6 Wow, 1900 years ago, which means year 114?? Am I named it the correct way? That's like super super ancient places..(But not to play with their history, the story does sound like those anime punya opening, hehe!)

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  64. #7 That's good for them, at least they did think of if build something very modern there might not match with the surrounding!! This reminds me when I visit the Korea emperor castle, they also did the same thing but of coz those souvenirs are selling inside are incredibly pricey lo!!

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