TOKYO OFF BEATEN PATH II : Tsukiji Market, Kagurazaka, Shimokitazawa, Hie Shrine.

Assalamualaikum. Hello everyone!

This time, I'll write down my story for another Tokyo's Off Beaten Path. So excited because I visited more spots in a day and I got a camera--that I'd been longing for so long--so  yeay, say hello to better pictures (at least compared to the previous one >.<)

If I need to choose what line I prefer to travel from one place to another within Tokyo , I will surely say JR Line! Tho it has less station numbers than Metro's mostly JR Stations is very convenient, located in central area in every district, also has some transfer line to other operators.But that day was another day, after wrote down my itinerary, I found out that most of stations I'll stop at are in Metro and Toei Subway line. 

I chose Tokyo Metro and  Toei Subway 1 day pass to explore Tokyo Area for ¥900

image source : https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/ticket/value/index_img_02.gif

If you come to Japan with Tourist Visa you can have that kind of pass with cheaper price, for details please check out Metro's webpage here.

1. TSUKIJI OUTER FISH MARKET.

Began my journey from Shimbashi as it's nearest station that has Metro line from my area. 

I took Ginza Line to Ginza Sta, transferred by Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Station and take exit number 1, and just turn left as soon as I got out from the underground tunnels. Walks  few meters, and after passing 1 intersection I arrived at Tsukiji Outer Fish Market Entrance. 

TSUKIJI OUTER FISH MARKET

After the inner market for Tuna Auctioning was moved to Toyosu Market ( few stations away still in Hibiya Line) at the end of last year, you still can have a fresh sushi in Tsukiji. Since all the restaurants are still remained here.

First impression after i arrived there, well it's literally a traditional market, since that kind of market can be hardly found in Tokyo. I took a walk around the outer market first and then I had my late breakfast yet my early lunch. 
I chose Maguro-don over Sushi that day at Kanno Tsukiji. Why ? becuase it offers reasonable price, and had availabe seats lol. #brokestudent

It cost me ¥700 for a bowl of  Raw Tuna Slices over rice with a miso soup and tea.

The main store where the sushi-ya san ( sushi chef) stands at.

the outer eating space located right next to the main road.

Maguro don a.k.a Raw Tuna Slices over Rice.

If you can't eat sushi, Tsukiji still can have a chance to be in your itinerary. As I said  it's a traditional market and famous so it's so touristy of course it offers more than only sushi. 

You can have sweets, such as strawberry coated chocolate, taiyaki and so on. 
If you came with a full stomach ( but you better don't :P) you can have yourself some souvenirs to bring back home from Matcha to Pottery. 

ready to Mingle?

Japanese Pottery.

2. KACHIDOKI BRIDGE - SUMIDA RIVER.

My plan was to walk until Tsukushima Station to take train to Ueno Station, and having a lil sightseeing at Tsukushima Monjya Street. A famous area for having Monjyayaki (similar to Okonomiyaki). 
It was a bright and clear day, and it's my first time to walk in double bascule bridge! Tho it has been unoperated since 1970. 

the picture I took with shaken knee since it's so shaky at the center of the bridge  and of course it was so scary!

View from Kachidoki Bridge.

3. UENO AMEYOKO MARKET

Of course Ameyoko4rf Market it's not on  The Tokyo Off Beaten Path list, since it's very touristy. Yet I made stop by because why not?
I visited 3 stories thrifted clothing store, Mode Off to window shopping lol and captured Ueno's area.

AMEYAKOCHO

Early bloomed Sakura Tree in Ueno Park.

4. KAGURAZAKA - HIDDEN ALLEY!

 They said, you can get lost at Kagarazuka's alley, and i literally get lost that day!
 Soon As I took exit from Idabashi Station Exit B3, I bought Peko chan shaped Taiyaki that only sold in Kagurazaka.

Peko chan Taiyaki

How to start exploring the alley ? Just make a turn on every alley form the main road and let your intuition as well as your foot lead the journey.

What to do inside the Alley ? If you're into a photograph capture a lot! if you want to have a descent lunchy or dinner this is definetely your go to place!
 

Kagarazuka's Alley

Atami Yu Kaidan

After struggling to find the famous Atami Yu Kaidan' staircases. I followed a group of Chinese tourist who was lead by a native Japanese guide to see this tiny staircases!  
Kagurazaka area is lil bit hilly area. Embrace your foot!

Kagurazaka Dori

Keywords of Kagurazaka's spot  : HYOGO YOKOCHO, WAKANA, ATAMI YU KAIDAN.



5. HIE SHRINE!


from Iidabashi Station take Namboku Line to Tameike Sanno Station.
I took exit number 5.
 PS: this is the area where Prime Minister Official Residence at.
 From the exit across the street, take a stairs up right next to The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. across the street and voila! Hie Shrine!

the pedestrians across the station's exit

HIE SHRINE GATE  View from the ground.

HIE SHRINE GATE VIEW FROM INSIDE THE SHRINE

THE RED TORII TUNNELS

6. TOKYO CAMII MOSQUE

Before going to Shimokitazawa, I make a stop in Yoyogi Uehara station as the station is the last stop for Metro's Chiyoda line. Meanwhile for going to Shimokitazawa Station, from Yoyogi Uehara Sta, I need to take Odakyu Line which isn't covered by Tokyo Metro Pass. 
So I decided to make a stop and visit Tokyo Camii for a lil rest and pray time. 

Tokyo Camii's Exterior

Tokyo Camii Interior

7. SHIMOKITAZAWA

If you love to hunt great thrift goods, it's a go to place. 
My impression it's like Bigger version of Takeshita Dori in Harajuku.There's some local cafe and bar too, and ofcourse the current hypes bubble milk tea or locals here called that as "tapioca drink"

Shimokitazawa's Fashion

Hero totetabag

If you're muslim and feel hungry around here, there's Kebab Cafe!

Sandwich Kebab

Well, it's a wrap for this post! 
Hope this will help you to see the other side of Tokyo!


XOXO




racita

TOKYO OFF BEATEN PATH I : Nezu & Yanaka Ginza

Assalamualaikum, everyone!



As I live near Tokyo, it's such impossible for me for not exploring Tokyo's off beaten path.
That day I got JR Tokunai Pass in my hand. With that ticket I could explore JR lines lay within  23 special wards in Tokyo Metropolitan Area. 　（東京23区）

1st stop - Nezu Area.

Start the journey from Shinagawa Station, because it's only 8 minutes away from my station by JR Tokaido Lines. I purchased the ticket from the Reserved Seats Vending Machines > Discounted Ticket > JR Tokunai Pass (指定席券売機＞おとくな切符＞都区内パス) for ￥750.

After purchasing the ticket I took JR Yamanote Line to Nishi Nippori Station, and transferred to Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Nezu Station (this line is not covered by JR Tokunai Pass). I took Exit 1. and turn left. a few meters walked I arrived at Nezu no Taiyaki store on my left. That times It was 11am, but there was a line of people already--from local people to tourist. I waited about 10 minutes and got 2 pieces of Taiyaki for ￥340. 
There's only one options for the filling, Adzuki or sweet red bean paste. I'm not sure wether you can have the taiyaki on the spots but based on what I saw mostly people take away their taiyaki. 

 

Nezu No Taiyaki Store.

Nezu no Taiyaki!

I continued walk for a couple minutes to Nezu Shrine. I wanted to see the Red Torii Tunnels in Nezu Shrine. 

the path between the red tunnels and the main shrine

view of inner gate of main shrine

The tunnel of red torii.

The shrines is not packed at all, since its not a very touristy area. So it's one of go-to-place when you want to visit Shrine.

The entrance of inner gate to the main shrine

Main Shrine

2nd Stop : Yanaka Ginza Area

After strolling the Nezu Shrine, I continued to walk to Yanaka Ginza area which has a retro image of Tokyo.
It took about 15 minutes to reach the edge of Yanaka Ginza. Mostly people get in from Yuuyake Dandan Gate which is near to Nishi Nippori Station. But since I took a walked from Nezu Area so I ended up on the opposite entrance gate.

What to do in Yanaka Ginza?

Culinary Adventure, from savoury dishes to sweet desserts. 

There's a famous store for its cheap tempura and katsu near to Yuyakee Dandan entrance. I don't know the name of the store but it's the biggest store for tempura-ya. It has a lot of option. From Vegetables Tempura to Chicken Liver Katsu. But It's really famous for its   Menchi Katsu (contained pork). So I chose Chicken Liver Katsu and Chicken Namban (It's Japanese Karage topped by Tartar Sauce). I have nothing to complain for the cheap, delicious tempura and katsu galore but the services isn't at its best. Since I dont eat pork, i ask to make sure wheter this or that contained pork or not:")

Tempura, Chicken Katsu, and Renkon

Chicken Liver Katsu and Chicken Namban

Grilled Chicken and Ebi Furai.

If you don't want deep-fried food like that, you can try a lot of desserts with Cat-theme store. Yanaka Ginza is also known for Cat Area, but that day  I didn't see many cats around. You can also get yourself Japanese Souvenirs such as  pottery, chopstick to seal.

Japanese Pottery

Yanaka Ginza Icon

The famous Yuuyake Dandan, they said it's good spot for Sunset watching

After exploring one of Tokyo's old town .
I continue that day trip to Asakusa  > Okachimachi - Ueno > Tokyo Station > and last stopping Shibuya for go-round- sushi dinner. But since all the places is already popular so I won't write it down here. 
See ya in my another Off Beaten Path Trip Post!


XOXO,

raCita!

BLAST Malaysia & S'pore Trip 2014! Day 4

Assalamuaalaikum Yeay finally it's DAY 4! Closer to the end of the journeyyyy....
Soo, lemme spill it out guys!

We had our breakfast earlier than usual, and got morning call from our tour leaders to get prepare hurriedly.
So we got our breakfast with lil rain outside :( After our tummies were fed up, we went to JOHOR BARU! Yeah you know we were heading to LEGOLAND!!! [Pathetically the best wast placed in the last, well they said SAVE THE BEST FOR THE LAST :( :) ]
The journey to Johor Baru from KL approximately 4 hours with 1 stop. so  i was just sleep, while doraemon the movie was being played.

Anyway, talkin about 4 hours trip, i thanked Alloh, Alhamdulillah for the super comfy bus. You know the bus tragedy on the second day, rite? After that and along the 3rd Day, we were given a bus that was driven by an India Man. I didnt mind at all about him, cause he was being nice along the trip. But since burned a Dupa (Sesaji Orang India tea ninga) wasnt our culture, so i wasnt used to smell that kind of smell. and it was making me, and my sis a lilbit despressed.

 BUT ON THE DAY 4! There's no more that Smell, the bus was mooooore spacious than before, and the seat was more available.

Ma Familia pict! Geez it's kinda annoying when the pict was shown with black rounded. My Dad was just so in love with his new wide lens on his SLR :(

And finally we arrived in LEGOLAND. We took some touristic pictures before had a fancy lunch in the mall in front of The main gate.
Our lunch that was served from Dwidaya Tour in a duck porridge restaurant. It's chinesse food but no worry it's HALAL. Yeayayyy! The food was so deliz!

The taste and the menu are similiar with Ta'Wan Porridge and Roasted Duck Resto in PVJ Bandung. eh tapi Ta'Wan ada dibeberap a mall di indo sih, kalau ga salah taman anggrek ada. metropolitan bekasi juga.

Rite before lunch!

Well on our last lunch provided by The travel agent, My Family got the same table with Hanin and her family. They're a family from Kalimantan. They were the only moeslim family beside my family. and we got along so well! yippie...

Mom, Dad and Naira rite before we entered the gate afterr lunchie.

the first Lego creature we took photo with, haha This Sleepy oldman also Snore so loud!
 

Miniland is the heart of Legoland, trully we really enjoyed to stroll along the miniland... 
All the miniatures in Legoland are represented all landmark of ASEAN countries.
And lucky us the weather is pretty nice. It was not so shiny, a lil bit cloudy and windy.

SHAWADEEKAA... It's Thai!

Clarke Quay for S'pore.

TANAH LOT, BALI FOR INDONESIA!

Nai With Mr Einstein.

Okay! we left the legoland approximately on 4 pm Malaysian Time.and we were goin to S'pore by Bus!
the trip time was so short, even it spent more time from KL to Johor Baru than from Johor Baru to Spore.

Our Bus's first stop was BANGUNAN SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA, it was Malaysia Immigration in Johor Baru. Get ur passport on your hand ya guys!
We got the stamp as we leave Malaysia, and then the journey continued, the bus went along a long bridge, until we arrive at Woodlands--Singapore Immigration

I dont really remember what i did along the immigration in Johor nor Woodlands, because everything was handled by the travel agency, all i did was only taking my passport -->Queing nicely -->and got stamped! 

Nah, for anyone who will bring kiddos under 17 years old, the kids should be accompanied while getting the stamp. and maybe the parents or guardian would be asked some question about the kiddos.

 i was officially 19 backthen, so i get stamped alone while my dad taking care of my sis Shafira, and my mom taking care of my lil sis Naira.

The officer in Johor Baru nor in Woodlands were not friendly at all. ahaahaha.. but i dont mind since i will enjoy the trip instead.

We arrived in Ibis Novena Hotel around 7pm. the room is much smaller than the room i had in KL.

This is what my room looks. Image take from here

The view is only the hotel next to our buildings and the roads :( 
There's nothing much to explore around Novena, or maybe it was just me ?

Novena i thought it was the medical centre in S'pore. there is A LOT HUGE Hospitals in that area, one of them is the most familiar Mount Elizabeth Hospitals. 

The review for this hotel room are
 (-) The room is so tiny!
 (-) No Mineral bottle for free, for waters you just cant get it directly from ur wastafel.
 (-) The resto is quite small, so sometimes we need to queue to get breakfast for any longer.
 (+)  Three Stars Hotel.
 (+) There's free drinks compliments like coffee, tea, and sugar.
 (+) Nice Staff, and super clean.


After we pray maghrib we went to Orchard to get dinner! Yeay! We reached orchard by MRT. the MRT station in Novena is placed in Novena Square. you can go down directly by escalator right next to Ren Ci Hospital. CMIIW.

It was only two stops from Novena (NS 20) and it's on the same line. the Red Line--North South Line.

Purchasing General MRT Tickets

No one of us has EZ Link Card, so we purchase the general MRT Tickets. The ticket is an usual thick paper  that also could be used for several times. 

The machine is easy to use, first just choose the the station where you are, the choose the destination station, and the amount of the tickets.
Insert the money as your credit. Then the tickets will come out one by one, and so does the changes will be given in coins.

So that night we only spent our time to stroll around the Orchard and having NASI PADANG for LYFEEE! in ION foodcourt.


aha! we ate the famousssss uncle blqa bla (uncle who sih ya lupa ) 's ice cream.

  

















PS: We'll continue to write diz post but seems like this post will be goin too old on my draft so lemme just post it yaaaaa. heuehu