Japan Day 2: Tokyo - Tsukiji Market and Sushi Dai

Arrived 9AM in Tsukiji market to get sushi for brunch. Headed to Sushi Dai which they say is the top place toe-to-toe with Sushi Daiwa. I was only expecting a 1.5hr-2hr wait, but my goodness look at the lines everywhere!! Horrible. 

I roamed around for a bit before lining up, but almost every sushi joint has a long line. So might as well line up for one touted as the "best" one right. 

About 1 hour into the wait I can't bear the boredom any longer. Note, there's no free wi-fi around the sushi shops. So I made friends with the person behind me and made a deal to save a spot on the line while we take turns to roam around the back-markets of Tsukiji.

Japan Day 1: Tokyo - Getting to Tokyo from Narita

Our flight arrived 4.5 hours later in Narita, as a row of beautiful rice fields greeted me. Too bad I was slow to take a photo as I enjoyed the noon skyline. Everything was nicely arranged. It was such an adorable sight to see rice fields neatly laid out. Photo below was a little too late, just see for yourself when you land in Narita airport. 

Narita

Pass cards and how to get around Tokyo

Before leaving the airpot I already bought a "Pasmo card" which is a re-loadable card that you can use for almost all the transportation systems in Japan. Even if different companies run the trains and subway systems, the Pasmo card will work without problems. 

How to get a Japan visa for Filipinos

Ok, before going crazy over which clothes to pack, food to eat, places to shop, and sights to visit make sure you have your Japan visa ready. Too bad for us Pinoys we need to get a visa in order to go to Japan.

Essentially the visa is free of charge but you need to pay a fee to the travel agency that will process the visa for you. Note, you cannot go directly to the Japan embassy. You must process your visa via one of their accredited agencies. 

Fees will range between P500-P2,500 depending on the agency. 500 peso application only happens during travel expos, and note that a higher fee doesn't mean higher chance of visa approval.

I got mine at Reli Travel and Tours in Megamall and paid P1,000. I processed mine with them due to proximity to our house, plus my Dad and other relatives used them in previous travels with no problems. 

Things you ought to prepare before applying for visa:

1. Make sure your passport is not expiring within the next 6 months counting from your travel date to Japan. I know this is a stupid rule, but friends of mine got left on a Singapore trip because of this really stupid policy. 

Nippon: The land of extreme kindness, succulent food, and wonderful people

For the first time in my life I will travel solo. Which better country to start with than the extremely organized, immaculately clean, ever safe, and hospitable Japan?

Photo credits to owner

A cousin of mine just came back from her first solo trip in Japan and I was envious! So looking for cheap tickets I stumble upon Cebupacific flights landing in Narita(Tokyo) and departing Kansai(Osaka) for only 4,500pesos ($100)!! So without thinking twice I booked the tickets, then only later realizing that is was summer in Japan! Hahaha, what a bummer for me because I hate the heat! 

So first travel tip, don't go if you don't like the heat during the months of June til early September as it's hot and humid! I thought I had escaped the hellish Manila weather, but Japan was also hot and sticky hovering around the 28C-31C temperatures during these months. However one cool thing about the summer season is Mt Fuji is open for climbing season which I highly recommend if you're into hiking. This is a good way to lose all the fats you get from eating delicious O-toro, ramen, yakiniku, katsudon, takoyaki, okonomiyaki and other delicious Japanese treats! 


With this my 15-day adventure begins in the land of beautiful sushi and Japanese girls! :P

O-toro, so beautiful it makes me cry  =,)

Pre-trip: Acquiring a visa to Japan for Filipinos
Pre-trip: Should I get a sim-card/wifi dongle or not? 
Pre-trip: How much money to bring?
Pre-trip: Understanding the transportation system
Pre-trip: Do I need to learn Nihongo? 
Pre-trip: What should I bring to my Japanese friends? 

Day 1 - Narita Airport to Tokyo
Day 2 - Tsukiji and Sushi Dai, Akihabara, Shibuya, Hachiko, and Izakaya 
Day 3 - Meiji Shrine, Ichiran Ramen, Harajuku, Asakusa
Day 4 - Mt. Fuji climb to the summit
Day 5 - Return from Fuji and excellent Soba dinner
Day 6 - Biking around Tokyo 
Day 7 - Raining Tokyo
Day 8 - Magnificent Kyoto
Day 9 - Gardens of Kyoto
Day 10 - Palace of Kyoto
Day 11 - Chill in Kyoto
Day 12 - Gorgeous Nara
Day 13 - Friendly Osaka
Day 14 - Universal Studios Japan
Day 15 - Don Quijote and Macha

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