Korea-Seoul Apr’19: Hanbok Rental and Photoshoot

Posted on May 22, 2019 by missuschewy

Dressing up in a traditional Korean hanbok was the first thing on my must-do list when I was planning our Korea trip. I think it is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture and get a unique experience especially if you visit tourist landmarks such as the royal palaces while wearing the hanbok. If you like watching Korean dramas or movies that portray traditional Korean culture typically in the Joseon Dynasty, you will definitely find joy in this hanbok experience.

There are many hanbok rental shops and we highly recommend Hanbok Girls for a number of reasons. Firstly, the rental price is very affordable, at prices starting from 10000 won only. Prices depend on the type of hanbok (traditional or special) and also the length of duration of the rental (2hr or 4 hr). There are no hidden prices and everything else is FREE. Lockers are provided at no extra cost so you can leave your bags and clothes in the locker while you walk around freely in your hanbok. Hair service and accessories are also provided. If you need a bag (for ladies) or a head gear (for men), or even footwear, these are all provided for your use. Secondly, the location of Hanbok Girls is superb! It is just a 3-minute walk away from both Gyeongbokgung station and Gyeongbokgung Palace. This means you spend less time travelling and can have more time for photos at the palace.

Thirdly, Hanbok Girls has a decent selection of hanbok although everything is on a first-come, first-served basis. You need not worry about not knowing how to put on the costume as there are a few staff who will go around helping customers at the fitting rooms. Lastly, if you want some professional photos taken, there is a studio located inside Hanbok Girls! Speaking of convenience, you can have some photos taken indoors before you head outdoors for more photos!

We met Joon, the photographer from INT Studio and he took some photos for us in his studio before we walked over to Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was a good idea because we were already warmed up and got to know one another a little before the outdoor shoot. Joon told us that the weather was not so good but I guess that is from a professional photographer’s point of view. Apart from the weather, I was also a little worried about the crowd but photographers always have this magic (no I’m not talking about Photoshop here) and most of the photos seem to portray misterchewy and I in our own world lol.

Joon is very friendly and easy to talk to, which makes us feel very much at ease throughout the photoshoot. He also gave us many ideas and guided us with the various poses. We also noticed that Joon used a variety of camera gear, which looked very heavy for him to carry around, but it also shows that he is committed to delivering a dynamic set of photos for his customers.

Joon also has a keen eye for detail and knows where are the good spots for great pictures. We expected the crowd to be scattered all around the Gyeongbokgung Palace but Joon hows how to avoid and prevent unwanted photobombers.

Photoshoots are usually quite tiring, especially if you are looking at anything more than one hour. However, Joon did not rush through the shoot and the pace was pretty comfortable and leisurely. We actually enjoyed the photoshoot and it was really fun!

There are just too many photos to share so here are some of my favorites. Let me know what you think! 🙂 Joon is very popular and his sessions get filled really quickly. You can contact him at intstudio.seoul@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to book a slot!

Hanbok Rental Shop:

Hanbok Girls

Address: 8, Jahamun-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
It is on the 3rd floor of the blue building on the left alley at exit 3-1 of Gyeongbokgung Station.

Hanbok Photography:

INT Studio

Email address: intstudio.seoul@gmail.com

Korea-Seoul Apr’19: Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Ihwa Mural Village & Namsan Tower

Posted on May 16, 2019 by missuschewy

After 5 years of parenthood, misterchewy and I decided that it was time we go on a couple trip! We share a love for Korean dramas so it’s a no-brainer that Korea would be our holiday destination! Actually, the hubs wasn’t keen on watching Kdramas as he thought that all Kdramas were soppy love stories until I managed to convince him and then he got hooked when he first started watching “Familiar Wife” starring Ji Sung and Han Ji-Min in August last year. Through numerous Kdramas, we picked up some Korean words and phrases, learned a bit about their culture and also got drawn to their food and soju. As we had to trouble our parents to take care (his on weekdays and mine on weekends) of the kids, Korea is also an ideal choice of destination as one week is sufficient to cover a few tourist attractions and activities. In fact, we managed to visit Seoul and Busan over our 8D7N trip.

Even before we boarded our plane, we treated ourselves to some hot food and drinks at the airport lounge. Access to airport lounges is no longer restricted to just business flyers, priority pass holders or travellers who purchase annual membership. Through Ready To Travel app, travellers can now book a single access lounge entry to SATS Premier Airport Lounges! Some facilities of the airport lounge include buffet spread, massage chairs, widescreen cable TV, shower facilities, workstations with internet access, free flow of beverages and extensive selection of newspapers and magazines.

Since we checked in two hours ahead of boarding time, we indulged in the yummy spread. The piping hot laksa was so good that we went for seconds!

We even concocted our own whisky highball drinks. Hehehe.

Perfect space if you want to have a quick nap and do not wish to be disturbed.

Our flight was scheduled to take off at around 1am but there was a slight delay. Somehow, we were assigned the last row of seats and it got kinda irritating with many passengers visiting the washroom throughout the entire flight. Thank goodness for these Kakao hooded travel pillows which helped to block out the light and noise around us.

We had a pretty restful sleep (not travelling with kids, that’s why!) and soon, breakfast was served! A pity the food wasn’t that fantastic.

Happy to know that we have landed safely in the Land of Morning Calm!

No queue at Shake Shack in Incheon International Airport!

Boarded the Airport Railroad Express Train (AREX) to Seoul. It’s one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to travel to Seoul from the airport and vice versa. And of course, we whipped out our reliable Ready to Travel pocket wifi as soon as we touched down! Do you know that the pocket wifi comes with FREE delivery? Definitely saves you a lot of hassle especially when you are busy with your trip planning! Book yours here! Btw, please do not use Google Maps in Korea. We recommend Naver Map. You can download the app on your mobile device and input the destinations.

Since we were not travelling with the kids, misterchewy and I decided to stay in an Airbnb! So far our experiences were satisfactory but we also hear some horror stories from time to time, so book at your own discretion! I found this cute Hello Kitty themed apartment on Airbnb and the reviews are all positive! Also, our host is awarded as a “Superhost”, and we can attest to that. She has been very responsive to all our messages and patient with our enquiries.

Although the apartment is small, I feel that it is very cosy and fit for two people with not more than two huge luggages.

The shower head is attached to the sink so it took us awhile to get used to it. Toiletries and bath towels are also provided but this depends on individual Airbnb hosts.

Besides the price (only $60 per night during our period of stay), we loved the strategic location! Only a minute’s walk to the train station and we could also get to Myeongdong by foot in 10 minutes. There are also two convenience stores and many eateries just downstairs.

After freshening up, we went for lunch at Eulji Myeonok (을지면옥). If you like cold noodles or if it’s something you think you will like, do pay this restaurant a visit! It’s very popular among locals. There is also a spicy cold noodle version.

Address: 2-1 Chungmu-ro 144-gil Jung-gu Seoul

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (익선동 한옥마을) is gaining popularity in recent years. It is a quaint place with a few alleys lined up with shops selling vintage clothings and some bric-a-brac, and also cosy cafes where you can sip coffee and watch the world go by.

We had to wait a while for the crowd to clear before taking this shot. There were throngs of people even on a weekday afternoon!

If you like collecting vintage or cutesy stuff, Ikseon-dong has plenty of these.

I was actually quite tempted to bring Peter Rabbit home!

The crowd at Ikseon-dong was starting to give me a headache so we didn’t spend much time there. We adjourned to Ihwa Mural Village (이화 벽화마을) and had to climb a long flight of stairs. Phew!

The peak of the cherry blossom season was nearly over and we were thrilled that we could still see many beautiful blooms all around us.

Stopping by for an iced cold drink before more walking.

As the name suggests, Ihwa Mural Village has many interesting murals and art installations, revitalized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s public art “Ihwa-dong Naksan Project” in 2006.

Definitely a nice place to visit and capture some unique photos.

We did the love lock thingy when we went for our honeymoon in Europe a few years ago and we just had to do this cheesy thing again in Seoul! Yup we travelled to Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워) for this!

Kinda looks like we are exchanging wedding rings right? LOL.

Since we were there and it was still quite early, we paid 10000 won each to go up the Observatory. There is no time limit so you can enjoy the beautiful view of Seoul and snap as many pictures as you want.

Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워)

Address: 126 Namsangongwon-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul

We also made it a point to visit a few craft beer places during our trip. Almost everything on the menu contains beef, so we only had nacho chips to go with our drinks.

The Booth Sinyongsan Station Branch

Address: 100 Hangang-daero Yongsan-gu Seoul

After a long day, we were too tired to go anywhere else for dinner and decided to settle for a fuss-free one just below our Airbnb. The hubs had jjajangmyeon.

I opted for udon as I wanted something hot and soupy after being out in the cold.

We have come to the end of Day One in Korea/Seoul! Keep watching this page for more updates! 🙂

Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

Posted on May 2, 2019 by missuschewy

I’m a hugeeeee fan of cup noodles and instant noodles although these are not the healthiest food options around. I love the convenience they bring and all the interesting flavors that are constantly being developed over the years. With that, I decided to include Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka Ikeda in our Japan itinerary.

It is also known as Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, named after the person who invented the world’s first instant noodles, “Chicken Ramen,” after an entire year of research using common tools in a little shed he had built in his backyard in Ikeda-city, Osaka Prefecture.

Momofuku Ando, the Father of Instant Ramen, invented the chicken ramen in 1958 and dedicated his entire life to thinking about food in new and creative ways. Throughout his 96 years, he practised creative thinking and never quit until he achieved his goal. As a result, people from all over the world is still benefiting from his achievements today.

Admission to Cup Noodles Musuem Osaka Ikeda is free of charge but fees apply for attractions like the Chicken Ramen Factory and Cup Noodles Factory.

I bet you will be able to find all your favorite instant noodle here in this vast museum!

I already spotted my favorite Seafood and also Tom Yam Seafood cup noodles!

Due to time constraints, we only picked the My Cup Noodles Factory activity.

A sample of how the final product will look like.

In exchange for 300 yen at a vending machine, you will get this My Cup Noodles Factory cup and you can start decorating or coloring it in any way you wish using the markers provided.

As Littlemisschewy was still napping in the stroller, only Minimisschewy joined us in the activity. Well, I did most of the drawing and coloring. As I’m not artistic, my “artwork” is very simple and minimalist!

When we were done decorating our cup, we joined the queue to pick out the ingredients for our cup noodles. If you are not planning to eat the cup noodles, then whatever ingredients that go into the cup would not really matter.

How thoughtful! Since most visitors are travellers, the museum has prepared a bag which you can store your cup noodles and then inflate it like an air bag, thereby protecting your cup noodles from damage.

There’s also a string, which makes it very convenient to carry around.

Littlemisschewy woke up from the nap and totally missed the activity, so here’s a photo of her with the final masterpiece.

There are interesting exhibits in the museum, so it’s best to dedicate at least two hours if you are planning to pay a visit.

There is also a drama theatre but I think it’s all in Japanese language.

There is a small shop selling all sorts of souvenirs that you can buy for that friend who also loves cup noodles. I got myself some miniature cup noodle magnets, and trust me, they are the cutest!

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka 563-0041 Japan

(Reception time 9:00 – 16:30 museum holidays excluded)

Non-Business Days: Tuesday (in case Tuesday is a National Holiday, the following day will be a non-business day), Year-end through New Year Holidays

Universal Studios Japan 2018

Posted on April 9, 2019 by missuschewy

Hellooooo! It’s been a really long time since I last blogged and I’m determined to finish up our Japan 2018 travelogue before we head off for our next trip!

We spent the second leg of our trip in Osaka, and no trip to Osaka is complete without visiting Universal Studios Japan! Well, I guess it only applies if you like visiting theme parks!

We started our day bright and early, so the kids were chirpy and also thrilled to be able to interact with the various mascots in USJ!

We got our admission tickets via Voyagin, which was easy and hassle-free. All we had to do was just scan the QR codes and we could walk through the gantry! Prices are also very competitive, and Voyagin is verified by over 50000 positive reviews.

Look at those cute Minion popcorn buckets!

The hubs and I also purchased fast passes to enjoy rides such as Hollywood Dream, The Flying Dinosaur, Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey, and JAWS. Without the passes, I doubt we could go for all of these rides! The waiting times for the normal queue are insane! At least one hour and could even go up to more than 3 hours!

We spent most of our time in Wonderland as this park of USJ is catered for young children. However, minimisschewy did not meet the minimum height requirement for most of the rides.

The minion buns looked cute but did not taste so good.

If you are a Harry Potter fan like us, you would be in awe upon stepping into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I reckon it looks even more mesmerizing at night.

Our second (first was in London) time having Butterbeer! YUMS!

Let’s make a butterbeer moustache and say cheeeeese! Or should we say
Wingardium Leviosa?

Even the washroom is so cool! I swear I heard Moaning Myrtle but I couldn’t find her anywhere..

Sumptious dinner at The Three Broomsticks! And spot that butterbeer again!

What an unforgettable dinner at USJ, in the nice cool weather with Hogwarts Castle as the beautiful backdrop.

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

10 Must Eat Food at Kuromon Ichiba Market

Posted on February 1, 2019 by missuschewy

If it’s your first time to Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka, there’s a high possibility that you will be overwhelmed by the wide range of food offered there. There’s sooo much to eat but insufficient stomach space to enjoy everything. In this post, we will show you the top 10 must eat food at Kuromon Ichiba Market.

1. Maguro Don

Upon entering Kuromon Ichiba Market, you will be greeted by a long queue at this stall. It is no surprise as they are renowned for their various types of maguro sushi and rice don.

Their maguro slices are thick, fresh and melt-in-the-mouth tender.

This is voted number one on their menu, the Maguro and Negitoro Don. It was really yummy and we were tempted to get another bowl but decided to save space for other food.

2. Uni (Sea Urchin)

If you are a fan of uni, this stall has different grades of uni for you to try. We decided to go for something in the middle.

The uni was so fresh and it tasted really heavenly. You can either eat it straight off the shell with a spoon, or wrap some with seaweed.

3. Unagi (Freshwater Eel)

They may look brown and dull, but will never be able to escape the eyes of someone who truly loves eating unagi.

I was surprised that the entire slab of unagi was popped into the microwave oven but was starting to be convinced when the unagi was torched and then coated with a layer of savory sweet teriyaki sauce. You can also opt to have it with a bowl of steamed Japanese rice at a small additional cost.

4. King Crab Legs and Crab Meat

As we were walking past this stall, we were naturally drawn towards the sexy pairs of gigantic king crab legs. If you don’t mind the hefty price tag, go for it!

If not, the jumbo crab meat is a pretty good alternative. Plump, juicy and oozing with sweetness, this was definitely bang for the buck.

5. Grilled Lobster

Grilled lobsters at less than SGD20 each?! Shut up and take my money!

6. Grilled Scallops with Butter Soy Sauce

Grilled scallops + butter soy sauce = HEAVEN. #nuffsaid

7. Seafood – Raw, Grilled & BBQ

What’s the best thing about having a variety of fresh seafood in front of you? You get to decide if you want to have them raw, grilled or BBQ-ed!

8. Tempura

What’s feasting without some piping hot tempura? Everything is less than SGD10! Cheap and good!

9. Grilled Fruits & Sweet Potatoes

Do you know that fruits can be grilled? Grilling gives the fruits a different taste which is slightly smoky yet fragrant at the same time. Try it to believe it!

Grilled sweet potatoes are also a popular choice, especially if you are visiting in the winter season.

10. Sashimi Platter

If you are still feeling peckish after all that, stop by Kuromon Sanpei, the biggest fish market in Kuromon, and pick a sashimi platter! There are seats indoors so you can enjoy your food with a cup of hot green tea.

Apart from sashimi platters, Kuromon Sanpei also sells sushi, seasonal products, and packaged snacks that you can buy home as souvenirs.

We hope this list of Top 10 must eat food at Kuromon Ichiba Market is helpful if you are heading to Osaka!

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Kuromon Ichiba Market
Address: 2 Chome-4-番１号 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0073, Japan
Nearest Station: Nippombashi Station
Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm
Admission Fee: Free

Namba Yasaka Shrine: Lion Head Shrine in Osaka

Posted on January 15, 2019 by missuschewy

We considered our trip to Japan in 2018 to be a very eventful one as we managed to discover many interesting places despite having been to the Land of the Rising Sun a few times before. When we were in Osaka, we paid a visit to a very photo-worthy (or should we say Insta-worthy) place, the Namba Yasaka Shrine, also known as the Lion Head Shrine.

Namba Yasaka Shrine is very conveniently located within a 8-minute walk from Namba Station. As our Airbnb was also around the area, we stopped by early morning before heading to Kuromon Ichiba Market.

The Namba Yasaka Shrine is the home of the Namba’s guardian deity and is also well-known for its enormous lion head-shaped architecture, which is often seen as something different and unique from most other temples and shrines in Japan.

Inside the 12m high by 11m wide lion head is a stage where several events are held throughout the year. The lion head is believed to ward off evil spirits by swallowing them, and hence brings good luck to worshippers.

Always remember to cleanse your mouths and hands before praying at a Japanese shrine or temple.

The temple beside the lion head structure reminds me of Osaka Castle because of its white, light teal and gold colors. What do you think?

Praying for good health, safety and happiness for the entire family.

Amulets are available for purchase at the temple.

There is also a small shop that sells a variety of amulets and wooden wishing plaques.

Write your wishes on the wooden plaque and tie it up at the temple.

Every temple and shrine has its own unique wooden plaque design. Of course, the lion head is featured here at Namba Yasaka Shrine.

We also chanced upon Hello Kitty omamori and decided to get one each for Chanelle and Cayla.

If you have time to spare, do explore Namba Yasaka Shrine and immerse yourself in its beautiful architecture.

Namba Yasaka Shrine Osaka 難波八阪神社
Address: 〒556-0016 2-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City
Nearest Station: Namba Station
Opening Hours: Daily from 6am to 5pm
Admission Fee: Free

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Akiba Kart Osaka: Street Go-Karting in Japan

Posted on January 8, 2019 by missuschewy

One of the major highlights of our recent 2018 trip was being able to take a couple of hours from parenting duties (thanks to my parents for helping us with the kids at our Airbnb) to experience Street Go-Karting in Japan! It has always been misterchewy’s dream to try out this activity, and now, he has finally fulfilled it! Psst.. Check out his ear-to-ear grins in some of the photos 😉

Since we had planned to dedicate three days in Tokyo Disney Resort, we didn’t have much time in Tokyo for street go-karting and decided to experience it in Osaka instead. Upon Googling, Akiba Kart Osaka is one of the more renowned and popular street go-karting tour service providers in Namba area. Guess what, the shop is a mere 7-minute walk from Namba Station!

The hubs and I are both huge fans of the Mario Kart Nintendo game, so we purchased and brought our own Mario and Luigi costumes to Japan. Do take note that Mario Kart costumes are not available at the shop.

Fret not! There are plenty of other costumes to choose from at Akiba Kart Osaka, such as Spiderman, Hello Kitty and Pikachu. We also noticed some quirky Sushi costumes.

Before the actual briefing, we were made to watch a safety introductory video on an iPad, which is very informative and easy to comprehend.

Customers of Akiba Kart Osaka from all over the world.

Taking more photos while waiting for everyone to get settled into their costumes. We were told that there would be 10 of us joining the street go-karting tour.

What a perfect day to for street go-karting in Osaka!

A briefing was conducted before we set off.

Our guide, Isao, taking the lead. If you notice, all go-karts have its own license plate.

Just in case you are wondering, the standard driving rules and regulations apply even for street go-karting in Japan. No driving beyond the speed limits, no using of mobile phones (including taking photos) while driving, and of course, no throwing of banana skins at other drivers. It is alright to take photos after your go-kart is put to a complete stop at the red light. However, you need to be quick and able to gauge when the green light comes on, if not you will risk getting horned at.

With kids, it is like a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to experience street go-karting in Japan for misterchewy and I, so we took many photos at almost all the red lights. LOL!

We drove in a single file unless Isao signalled for us to line up in pairs when approaching the traffic lights. There was also another guide right at the back to ensure that nobody was left behind.

It was such an exhilarating experience being able to try out street go-karting along the busy streets of Osaka! Since all of us were in costumes, we attracted quite a bit of attention from passersby who stopped to wave at us and also took photos of us. Of course, we were sporting enough to wave back and pose for photos too!

It is also very memorable for misterchewy and I as the weather was quite cold then, and we were kinda freezing our butts off as we drove along the streets. However, being able to enjoy the view of Osaka city while street go-karting in our costumes also gave us that adrenaline rush we will never forget.

We had a stopover at Osaka Castle, where we took a short break for some photos. Are you able to identify all the characters?

Time to head back to Akiba Kart Osaka shop at Namba!

We are very lucky that Isao kept taking photos for us at every chance whenever we stopped at the red lights.

Passing by Namba Station while making our way back.

Important point to take note of: In order to be able to participate in street go-karting in Japan, Singaporean drivers MUST apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention. Without presenting your IDP, you will be denied riding the go-kart, even if you have paid for your reservation online. We applied for ours at the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS). IDP online application processing and delivery via local courier will take 7 working days, while IDP can be collected on the spot within an hour for walk-in application.

For walk-in application, do remember to bring along your NRIC and Singapore Driving License. Applicant’s picture will be taken on-site at no extra charge. The fee for IDP application is $20 and is valid for one year from date of issue.

For more information and reservation for street go-karting in Osaka, visit Akiba Kart Osaka. The Osaka Castle Park Tour is about 2 hours long and costs ‎JPY¥9000 (SGD$112) per person. There is a discount if you post a review on Facebook. If you have always been thinking of trying street go-karting in Japan, hesitate no more! Sign up now with Akiba Kart Osaka!

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel: Where to stay near Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea

Posted on December 27, 2018 by missuschewy

“Where to stay near Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea?”

Trust me, I get this question from sooo many of you that I am providing a dedicated blog post on Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, our choice of accommodation in Tokyo Disney Resort. This post will definitely be useful to you to a great extent if at least one of these points are applicable to you:

You are travelling with children.
You want to stay as close to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea as possible.
You are on a mid-range budget and Disney hotels are out of the question.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel is a Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotel

If you want to make the best out of your trip and wonder where to stay near Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, we strongly recommend that you stay on property. It minimises all the hassle and travelling time, so that you get to do more and see more in the Disney parks. You can find a list of hotels on the Tokyo Disney Resort website that are categorised into Disney Hotels (Deluxe/Value), Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels, Tokyo Disney Resort Partner Hotels and Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotels. This should give you a rough idea on where to stay near Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. Only the Disney Hotels and Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels are located within the grounds of Tokyo Disney Resort. Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel is one of the relatively affordable official hotels which you definitely should consider!

Besides the Disney hotels, Vacation Packages are also available for booking if you choose to stay at one of the official hotels. The Vacation Package includes a host of premiums such as fast passes and unlimited free drinks, etc which we will touch on later. We picked up our Vacation Package at the Tokyo Disney Resort Ticket Center at Ikspiari, the shopping and dining complex located in front of JR Maihama Station. PRO TIP: Check in directly at the Tokyo Disney Resort Welcome Center next to JR Maihama Station and leave all your luggages at the hotel service counter. Your luggages will be delivered to your hotel free of charge. With that, you can save time and head straight into Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea!

To get to Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel, take the Disney Resort Line monorail from the Resort Gateway Station adjacent to JR Maihama Station and get off at the second stop, Bayside Station.

From Bayside Station, it is only a 1-minute walk to Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel. The hotel also offers complimentary shuttle bus service from Bayside Station, as well as complimentary shuttle bus service to and from JR Maihama Station.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel is just opposite Bayside Station

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Hotel Bay Standard Room

I’m sure we are all aware that hotels in Japan are generally on the smaller side which can be quite uncomfortable if you are travelling with family members and have a few pieces of luggages. Our Standard Room at Sheraton Grande Hotel Bay is extremely spacious and also luxurious. The overall interior design is somewhat lacking but we really find that the space makes up for it. PRO TIP: Don’t forget to request for child amenities such as bed guardrail, step stool, kids toilet seat, kids nightwear, tooth brush, slippers and towels.

We got a very beautiful sea-facing view.

Galleria Cafe features an All Day Menu (11am to 12 midnight) and all of us had the same thing for supper – Pork Rib Ramen (￥2000). The soy sauce flavored chinese soup was especially comforting after an entire day of being exposed to cold weather. The noodles were thin and springy, while the deep fried pork cutlet was tender and juicy.

As mentioned earlier, there are shuttle buses to get around Tokyo Disney Resort. If you would like to venture outside of your hotel for supper, take the shuttle bus.

If you love visiting Japanese supermarkets, you will be glad to know that Seijo Ishii offers a wide range of items, including fresh foods, imported wines, cheese, and also various home made deli products and desserts.

Breakfast Buffet is also available at Galleria Cafe from 7am to 10am. The range is pretty extensive and food is quite up to standard. We didn’t manage to try every single food item as we were in a rush to get into the Disney parks.

Alternatively, you can choose to have breakfast at Japanese Restaurant Asuka. Breakfast is from 7am to 10am. Do note that it is not buffet style.

Japanese breakfast set at Asuka Japanese Restaurant

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel offers station delivery service at a fee as shown in the picture above. This is especially useful if you are planning to visit Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea upon checking out as you can simply take the monorail straight to the Tokyo Disney Resort Welcome Center at JR Maihama Station to collect your luggages, instead of making another trip back to the hotel. The fee is applicable for transporting of luggages from the hotel to the station. Transporting of luggages from the station to the hotel is free of charge.

If you are willing to splurge a little more, we highly recommend booking a Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation Package. There are two types of Vacation Packages – “Standard Plan” and “Enjoy Lots of Attractions“. The main difference is that the “Enjoy Lots of Attractions” package is more expensive than the “Standard Plan” but it really depends on your priorities and interests. If you would like to secure a show viewing ticket in Disneyland or DisneySea, go for the “Standard Plan” and if conquering as many rides as possible is your goal, the “Enjoy Lots of Attractions” includes more fast passes.

We wanted something which can cover a bit of everything, which includes trying out various rides and also being able to watch one of the show performances, hence we went ahead with the Standard Plan.

The Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation Package – Standard Plan includes:

5 fast passes per pax (can be used on all FP rides except for “Toy Story Mania!” and “Nemo & Friends SeaRider” at Tokyo DisneySea)
1 show viewing ticket per pax
1 original goods voucher per pax
1 ticket holder voucher per pax
1 free drink voucher per pax
1 original popcorn bucket voucher per room
Disney Resort Line 3-Day Pass
Hotel breakfast after the first night

We hope this post is useful in helping you decide where to stay near Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea 🙂 Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

What to Do & Eat in Asakusa

Posted on December 12, 2018 by missuschewy

If you are thinking of what to do and eat in Asakusa, and only have a few hours to spare, this post covers what you should not miss in this traditional district of Tokyo.

We recommend visiting Tokyo’s oldest and most iconic temple, the Sensoji Temple, also popularly known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. Our family makes it a point to pay homage to the Buddha at Sensoji Temple every time we visit Tokyo. It certainly feels very reassuring to be blessed by the Buddha from a temple with immense significance.

Visitors enter Sensoji Temple through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with a gigantic lantern hanging in the middle. This is a highly popular photo spot among tourists visiting Sensoji Temple.

Right outside Sensoji Temple is an entire street of shops known as Nakamise Shopping Street.

Over there, you can find all sorts of souvenirs and bric-a-brac.

There are also plenty of snacks that you can munch on while strolling along Nakamise.

At the end of Nakamise Shopping Street, you will find another giant lantern.

A mere 3-minute walk from Nakamise Shopping Street, you really ought to stop by Namiki Yabusoba for lunch. This famous soba restaurant in Asakusa boasts more than 100 years of history and sees a long queue during lunch and dinner times.

Namiki Yabusoba’s buckwheat noodles are handmade from 100% buckwheat flour milled on the same day, giving it that clean taste and earthy flavor. When eaten together with the rich and flavorful dipping sauce, the zaru soba is refreshing and satisfying.

If you prefer something hot especially when visiting in winter, there is also a choice of hot soba soup with fish cakes.

I’m really glad I decided to try something different – the Yamakake soba, which is cold soba covered in a sauce combination of grated yam seasoned with dipping sauce. Give it a good stir so that the noodles are evenly coated in sauce. I loved that it was slimy and slippery, on top of being yummy.

If you visiting Tokyo on a tight schedule and still wish to spend some time in Asakusa, we hope this post on what to do and eat in Asakusa will inspire you.

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Takamaru Sengyoten: Izakaya with Fresh Sashimi at Affordable Prices

Posted on December 7, 2018 by missuschewy

No trip to Japan is ever complete without indulging in some sashimi! Well, unless you don’t take raw food. Most of us think of Tsukiji Fish Market as THE place for best sashimi in Tokyo since it is not just a fish market, but the biggest one in the capital of The Land of the Rising Sun. However, if you are not so keen to travel all the way to Tsukiji Fish Market just for a sashimi meal, Takamaru Sengyoten in Shinjuku is your best bet! Their seafood is purchased directly from Tsukiji fish auction, as well as from fishermen in various parts of Japan.

There are a handful of Takamaru Sengyoten chains scattered in Shinjuku. As you can see, this chain was packed that night so we were asked to visit the next one which is just down the street.

We visited Takamaru Sengyoten No. 2 and this particular store was also crowded. See that empty table near the entrance? That was our spot.

Many locals flock to Takamaru Sengyoten for its thickly sliced fresh sashimi which is also priced very reasonably. One thing about izakayas is that patrons smoke freely even indoors and there is nothing you can do about it. We felt very uncomfortable as there was a guy sitting right next to our table and he was smoking throughout his entire meal. I counted five sticks. If you are pregnant, or have children travelling with you, this may be a huge concern.

English menu is available for tourists.

We were really in the mood for sashimi, so we were game enough to order the Big Super Special Sashimi Assortment at ‎JP‎¥4980 (SGD$60.20). When the sashimi was served to us, we were initially a little taken aback by the food presentation as we were expecting something more refined. Alas, we forgot that we were dining in an izakaya. Lol. I suppose the fish head was included as a testament to the freshness of the sashimi served at Takamaru Sengyoten.

Apart from the more common salmon and tuna, we truly enjoyed the uni, scallops, ark shell, mackerel, yellowtail, plus some other fish that we weren’t able to identify.

For the kids who can’t eat anything raw, the Fried Rice with Crab Meat JP‎¥1280 (SGD$15.50) was definitely very tantalising to their taste buds.

We also had some Tempura Assortment JP‎¥1580 (SGD$19.20) to share. Fresh seafood such as fish, squid and other vegetables were lightly battered and deep fried.

Takamaru Sengyoten’s dons are also highly recommended, such as this Una Toro Don JP‎¥1280 (SGD$15.50) which includes slices of unagi and minced tuna.

Total damage was about SGD$170. All of us agreed that it was money well spent at Takamaru Sengyoten. We also had 6 to 7 glasses of beer at JP‎¥300 (SGD$3.60) each.

If are in Shinjuku, be sure to drop by any of the Takamaru Sengyoten chains for a mind-blowing sashimi meal!

Going to Japan soon? Follow our updates on our Japan 2018 trip or read our popular Japan trip itinerary!

Takamaru Sengyoten
Address: 7-15-13 Nishishinjuku Shinjuku Tokyo
Tel: 03-5937-5969 (Takes reservations)
Opening Hours:
Daily
11am – 11pm (Last order)

missuschewy

Singapore Lifestyle and Travel Blog

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Takamaru Sengyoten: Izakaya with Fresh Sashimi at Affordable Prices

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1. Maguro Don

2. Uni (Sea Urchin)

3. Unagi (Freshwater Eel)

4. King Crab Legs and Crab Meat

5. Grilled Lobster

6. Grilled Scallops with Butter Soy Sauce

7. Seafood – Raw, Grilled & BBQ

8. Tempura

9. Grilled Fruits & Sweet Potatoes

10. Sashimi Platter

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