5 Days in Tokyo,

1:46:00 AM

( Sensoji's temple in Asakusa)

Japan, just like a dream place for everyone I suppose? :D It is a must to visit at least once in your lifetime!

As soon as Japan announced that Malaysian holding a passport with chip is allow enter Japan without any visa, I couldn't stop my mind to think about a holiday in Japan!!

If you still wonder whether the Malaysian passport that you're holding is allow to enter with or without visa? Now let me tell you in the simplest way, take a look at the cover of your passport and search for a small little gold logo at the bottom which looks like a camera icon.

Has it, enter without visa.

If not, apply a Japan visa or change a new passport.

Well, it so happen that mine has the little gold icon, so I decided to pay a visit ASAP!! Hehe.

As the flight into Narita is always full, so I had no choice but to enter from Kansai, Osaka and exit through Narita, Tokyo.

1st day arrived in Kansai, Osaka in the morning 9am, Immediately I proceed to the tourist information counter ask for the train to Kyoto. As the train system in Japan could be really confusing, I suggest you to search using http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html before your trip. They have multiple company running the train service but sharing the same track, if you took a wrong train, you'll need to pay extra yen. It will cost about 1880¥ from Kansai Airport to Kyoto with a transit in Osaka station, roughly about 90mins.

Kyoto is a very nice and small little city which you can easily access to everywhere with public bus. This map says it all :) I would recommend Piece Hostel Kyoto if you want to stay in.

I was just in transit that time because my main visit is Tokyo, so I found out about the coin luggage storage in Kyoto Station. There are two or three sizes storage which cost about 600¥ for large one, so that I don't need to drag my suitcase while I walk around nearby.

After a few hours in Kyoto, I took a shinkansen straight to Tokyo and it's about 2.5hours journey cost around 15,000¥.

If you don't have a JR pass, I suggest you to do same thing like me while travel around tokyo. Subway is still the best transport as it connects every single main attractions. Purchase a one day unlimited subway ticket which cost 710¥, but JR pass holder is not allowed to use subway, and same goes to subway ticket is not allowed to travel with JR train.

I would say 5 days is more than enough to cover the whole Tokyo, main attraction like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa sensoji's temple, Roppongi etc.

Tsukiji's Market

Tempting right? Oh I love sashimi !!

Tsukiji's market is famous for the Tuna auction which happen in the morning 5am and limited to 120 visitors only per day. I never seen the auction before because its way too early and I heard that people queue-ing up from 4am, crazzyy!! I went there around 9am and had my breakfast, the photo shows above cost about 2500¥. There are many restaurants and there's this one famous restaurant which you will surely see a super long queue outside, I didn't try that as I don't wana waste my precious time especially I am traveling ALONE! :(

Getting to Tsukiji Fish Market :

Tsukiji market is just above Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a five minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line. The closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where you can walk to the market in about 15 minutes.

From Tokyo Station, take the Marunouchi subway line from Tokyo to Ginza (3minutes) and transfer to the Hibiya subway line to get to Tsukiji station (3minutes). The fare is 170yen.

From Shinjuku Station, Take the Oedo subway line directly from Shinjuku station to Tsukiji Shijo station. The one way trip takes 20minutes and costs 260yen.

Roppongi's Hill

Roppongi's hill, is a high-end place to chill out and do some shopping. What famous here is the 238 meters Mori Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the city, the top few floors has an observation deck and a modern art museum which are open to the public. The tokyo city view observation deck is one of the best.

Getting to Roppongi Hills :

5 minutes walk from Hibiya subway line platform of Roppongi station and a 10 minutes walk from Oedo line platform of Roppongi station.

From Tokyo station, 15minutes by Marunouchi and Hibiya subway lines via Kasumigaseki station, costs 170 yen.

From Shinjuku station, 10minutes by direct Oedo subway line and costs 210 yen.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku, more lightly to be alive at night time. So, head to shinjuku and have your dinner here! After a great meal, you can have a walk around and do some shopping. If you are a shoes-holic, here they have some great shoes deal !!

Getting to Shinjuku :
JR Chuo line from Tokyo station to Shinjuku station, 15 minutes costs 200 yen.
or by Marunouchi subway line to Shinjuku station.

Odaiba

Odaiba, a man made island, famous for shopping and entertainment. Perhaps, I was too late by the time I reach, I didn't really enjoy it. The only thing that worth seeing is the tokyo city view from Odaiba together with the rainbow bridge. Access to Odaiba by train, by boat or by walk.

By Yurikamome : The Yurikamome is an automated, elevated train with rubber tires, which connects Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line with all of Odaiba's attractions and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. Trains depart every few minutes, and a ride between Shimbashi and Daiba Station takes 15 minutes and costs 320 yen. If you ride the Yurikamome more than twice, a one day pass for 820 yen is likely to cost less than regular fares. The Yurikamome crosses the Rainbow Bridge to get to Odaiba and offers spectacular views of the harbor and the Tokyo waterfront. Sit or stand at the very front of the train for the most impressive views.

By Rinkai Line : The Rinkai Line connects Osaki Station on the JR Yamanote Line with Shin-Kiba Station on the JR Keiyo Line, stopping at the Tokyo Teleport and Kokusai Tenjijo underground stations on Odaiba along the way. Some trains on the JR Saikyo Line continue to run on the Rinkai Line and provide direct connections between Shinjuku, Shibuya and Odaiba. The ride from Shinjuku to Tokyo Teleport Station on Odaiba takes 25 minutes and costs 500 yen. Note that the Japan Rail Pass, Seishun 18 Kippu and similar JR tickets are not valid on the Rinkai Line between Osaki and Shin-Kiba, even though the line is served by JR trains.

By Boat : Tokyo water bus operates boats between Odaiba Seaside Park and Hinode Pier (20 minutes, 480 yen, 1-2 boats per hour), where there are connections to Asakusa. Direct boats connect Asakusa and Odaiba less frequently (50 minutes, 1560 yen). Furthermore, there are boats from Hinode Pier to Palette Town and Tokyo Big Sight (25-35 minutes, 410 yen, one boat per hour except Mondays and Tuesdays).

Shibuya

Shibuya, shop till you drop :D They have a 5 storey store for brand like Forever21, H&M and many more!! I should say all fashionista must be born here, with their special and unique own custom-made brand.

Getting to Shibuya : by subway line Ginza or Hanzomon or by JR Yamanoto Line, Saikyo Line,Shonan Shinjuku Line.

Meiji shrine is just nearby harajuku. A very layback and relax place, people often hang out around here to do some reading with the mother nature surrounding.

Harajuku, famous for Japanese cosplay. You can walk along Omotesando hills to reach Harujuku. There are many small alleys, walk around and you'll see a lot of unique shops.

Getting to Harajuku:

Harajuku Station is a station on the JR Yamanote Line, two stations south of Shinjuku and one station north of Shibuya (140 yen from either station).

Only a short walk from Harajuku Station is the subway station Meijijingu-mae Station, which is served by the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines. At the eastern end of Omotesando is Omotesando Station, which is served by the Chiyoda, Ginza and Hanzomon Subway Lines.

These are most of the main attractions that I can list, I hope you enjoy reading it :))