Jumat, 08 November 2019

Reasons to Stay Around Asakusa (or not)


On my previous visits to Tokyo, I stayed around Shin-Okubo/Shinjuku area. This time, I stayed in Asakusa for a different vibe. So, is it recommended to stay in Asakusa? And what to do around this area? Find out more here.


So, why did I pick Asakusa? One of my friend has visited Tokyo before, but one of the area that she hasn't had the chance to visit is Asakusa, and the other friend is a Japan first timer. I consider Asakusa one of the must visit place in Tokyo especially its famous landmark Sensō-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street. And if you have Tokyo Skytree on your list, staying in Asakusa might be a good option.


Our accommodation was this place called Hotel 3000 Jyuraku. Actually Hotel 3000 Jyuraku was more a hostel than a hotel. I booked a triple  room which was shown in the booking site as a small room with a bunk bed and another mattress on the floor with ensuite bathroom, but as we arrived, they upgraded our room to a three bunk beds. So we got 6 beds in total, though the room was still small, but luckily we got more space to spread our luggages and belongings. 


The facilities was quite standard, but I must say that they did extra miles in their service. The building got no elevator, and they took the initiative to bring our suitcases to the room which was on the second floor. I've been staying in several hostels in Japan, and recalled that most of the time I took my own luggage over or down the stairs which was quite a hassle. The night before we checked out they also asked and noted our check out time to help us bring our suitcases down. Thumbs up!

Sensō-ji Temple is one of the ultimate reason you should stay in Asakusa. The temple and its surroundings is one of the main thing that creates a traditional and older Tokyo vibe.


Another reason to stay (or visit) around Asakusa is to experience a Jinrikisha (rickshaw) tour. 


You surely cannot miss Nakamise Shopping Street while being in Asakusa, to hunt for souvenirs or maybe just to have a bite of those tempting local delights. 


The street stretches from Kaminarimon to Sensoji Temple as you could see from the picture below.



Across Karinomon, you could find Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center where you could take some great shots from its rooftop (which I did).


Tokyo Skytree could easily be spotted from Asakusa area wether day or night. That tall tower in the picture below, yes that's Tokyo Skytree which I spotted from Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. It takes around 20 minutes on foot from Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center to Tokyo Skytree which could be a good afternoon activity if you stay around Asakusa while enjoying the view of Sumida River.


One of my consideration in choosing accommodation in Japan is: Wether the place is close to Don Quijote or not. Yes, you just can't leave Don Quijote out of your must visit place in any part of Japan. Don Quijote is my favorite place to buy souvenirs, snacks, and everything else in Japan. I think I love Donki too much, but hey, who doesn't? 

And since they got Donki in Asakusa which is within short walking distance from our stay, I'm more than good.


Another part of my Asakusa itinerary was Fuglen. Fuglen, originated from Norway is one of the most famous coffee shop in Tokyo. I've been wanting to visit Fuglen since my previous visit but just skipped it in the end. So I was excited to find out that they had opened another branch in Asakusa. Fuglen Asakusa is located in the same building with 9 Hours - a capsule hotel chain with several branches in Japan. I've stayed in 9h Shinjuku-North before which was my first capsule hotel experience.  


Visiting Fuglen might also be in your Asakusa itinerary if you love coffee or maybe just because you love the shop's atmosphere.


The downside of staying in Asakusa is - it is not that close to other popular areas in Tokyo like Shinjuku or Shibuya which is connected by JR Yamanote Line. So if you buy JR Pass you need to take another line like Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Toei Asakusa Subway line to/from Asakusa which is not covered by the pass.

Overall I think Asakusa worth a two or three nights stay - before you move to another part of Tokyo. At the end, you need to arrange your itinerary first, then you can look for the best accommodation that compliment your itinerary.


Questions or anything else? Feel free to leave a message.

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JAPAN TRIP SERIES 2019
Otaru: The Serene and Charming City of Hokkaido
Furano-Biei Day Trip: Farm Tomita, Shikisai No Oka, Blue Pond
Sapporo: The Food Journal
Sapporo: The Vibrant City of Hokkaido (And Where to Stay)
Falling in Love with Yokohama's Charm
Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo
Reasons to Stay Around Asakusa (or not)
My Third Japan Trip - The Intro

JAPAN TRIP SERIES 2017
Konnichiwa! I'm back!
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Preparation and Cost
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Back to Dotonbori
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Fall Foliage at Minoo Park and Quick Visit to Kuromon Market
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Autumn in Kyoto
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: A Day In Takayama
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: November Snow at Shirakawa-Go


JAPAN TRIP SERIES 2015
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Lokasi: Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Kamis, 31 Oktober 2019

My Third Japan Trip - The Intro

Farm Tomita, Furano


I think I haven't finished writing about my 2017 Japan trip yet, and I went to Japan for the third time already. Well, I hope this time I will write more diligently *finger crossed*. Before I sort out on what to write, let me do the intro upon this trip.


This time I spent 10 nights in Japan. My main interest on this trip was to visit Hokkaido, but I started the trip revisiting the forever busy Tokyo. Thank God I flew to Sapporo just a few days before the Hagibis typhoon, so I was safe and sound in Hokkaido when the typhoon came.



View from Asakusa Tourist Information Center

I stayed around Shinjuku in my previous visits, and this time, I chose to stay around Asakusa for a different vibe. And yes, I will write about staying around this area later.

Yokohama

When planning upon this trip, I thought about a few day trip options from Tokyo and finally chose Yokohama as one of the day trip destination. No regret because I did fall in love with this city!

Starbucks Reserve Roastery - Meguro, Tokyo

One of the place I visited in Tokyo that I think worth writing about is this Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Meguro which happened to be the largest Starbucks Reserve in the world for now.

Hakone

Other than Yokohama, I also visited Hakone as a day trip from Tokyo.

Susukino, Sapporo

From Tokyo, I flew to Sapporo by plane. It's funny that my friends who are with me in this trip thought that Sapporo is a village. Apparently it's not. It's a big city with neon lights and big shopping malls my dear friends. And from Sapporo I did some day trips to some of the other cities in Hokkaido.

Shikisai No Oka, Biei

 Some of the cities I visited were: Furano, Biei, Otaru, Toya, and I spent a night in Hakodate.

Otaru Canal, Otaru 


Lake Toya
Hakodate

I will write in details later. Soon, I hope. But lemme ask you guys some questions:
Should I write about preparation and cost again? 
What do you guys want to know about, and which place do you think is more interesting to write about first?

*brb

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JAPAN TRIP SERIES 2019
Otaru: The Serene and Charming City of Hokkaido
Furano-Biei Day Trip: Farm Tomita, Shikisai No Oka, Blue Pond
Sapporo: The Food Journal
Sapporo: The Vibrant City of Hokkaido (And Where to Stay)
Falling in Love with Yokohama's Charm
Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo
Reasons to Stay Around Asakusa (or not)
My Third Japan Trip - The Intro

JAPAN TRIP SERIES 2017
Konnichiwa! I'm back!
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Preparation and Cost
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Back to Dotonbori
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Fall Foliage at Minoo Park and Quick Visit to Kuromon Market
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: Autumn in Kyoto
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: A Day In Takayama
JAPAN AUTUMN TRIP 2017: November Snow at Shirakawa-Go


JAPAN TRIP SERIES 2015
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Jumat, 07 Juni 2019

Air Conditioned Floating Market in Bangkok ? SOOKSIAM Got You Covered!


Pardon me for my lack of posts, and thank you to those who's still waiting for my posts by DM or dropping comments. I'm still here guys, just lacking the will to write these past few years, and also lacking the interest to explore this city food scene and write reviews about it. So well, rather than having so much excuses, I'll just post anything I feel like posting. 

So I went to Bangkok last month and I feel like this place worth to write.  Since the weather was so hot and humid on my last visit, well 2 years ago I also visited this city around this time but I do not remember Bangkok being this hot 37°C-38°C average daily, event 35°C on the evening, it was such a hassle to visit Bangkok's outdoor scene like temples, markets, and else. So I found this perfect place to visit when you are craving for traditional food and also street food without having to battle the heat.

This place is called SOOKSIAM, located in the latest mall addition, ICONSIAM. I've been wanting to visit ICONSIAM itself since last year when it was just opened, simply because it got many of my favorite brands covered. I went right to the restroom after arriving at this mall, and just the restroom decoration itself awed me. This might be the most gorgeous restroom I've ever seen or not.


SOOKSIAM offers wide varieties of food and beverages, from traditional Thai food to fruits, street food, packaged snacks, in such reasonable price. How can I not love this place when it got so many affordable tempting food in a convenient and well decorated ambience.


What's also special about this place is the floating market. Well, it's not a real floating market and you don't get to ride a boat here. But the food vendors are really in a boat. You don't get the same experience elsewhere.


You can get a bowl of Fishballs Noodle for THB 60, it might be around THB 50 at other market. Not so much differences though.


Who's into Thai local fruits? Well you'll have a party here.


I don't know what's the name of this dish in Thai, but it is similar to Lo Mai Gai - glutinous rice with pork sausage, salted egg yolk, and mushroom on top of it, wrapped up in lotus leaf. THB 60 for this dish, and yes it's good!

There are so many other kind of food you could find here.


The famous Thai tea brand Cha Tra Mue also has a stall here, and I wouldn't miss a chance to enjoy my favorite cup of Thai tea here.


ICONSIAM is easily accessible by taxi, Grab, or free shuttle boat. You could alight at Saphan Taksin BTS Station and walk to Sathorn Pier then hop into the free shuttle boat to ICONSIAM. I read that there's also free shuttle bus available from Krung Thonburi BTS Station.

I went here by Grab, and went to Asiatique after by free shuttle boat - hop into the free shuttle boat to Sathorn Pier, alight there, and hop into the free shuttle boat to Asiatique (the queue will be next to each other).

So, see you from another part of Bangkok (or maybe other city).



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