Photo Diary: Universal Studios Japan

 Osaka, Japan
A day spent in the picturesque town of Universal Studios Japan - what could be any better? I have not actually been to USS before, so this was definitely an eye-opener for me. The Second-Hand Rose was by far my favourite shop signboard in the entire theme park, and I couldn't resist inserting a photo of it. I gather that making frequent visits to amusement parks must be an integral part of Japanese culture, because both DisneySea and USJ had these amazing popcorn buckets (you got that right, that ingenious little Sesame Street hot-air balloon is actually a popcorn bucket) that you could bring back every trip, so that you could just refill the popcorn and not have to pay for the additional paper bucket (which makes it a pretty environmentally-friendly device too). I'd originally thought that few would buy these pricey buckets, but it was so common to see people of all ages, toting these popcorn buckets in all shapes and colours. Even my sister succumbed to the temptation of carrying one around.  
Dinner on this day was settled by ourselves, since my family opted not to partake in the Hokkaido crab feast that the tour guide offered to arrange for the tour group. We trawled the streets around our hotel after the shops had closed (eateries stay open way later than normal shops), and chanced upon a Mister Donut, where we bought and stuffed ourselves silly with the sweet pastries. What made the day even better was discovering a Mister Donut x Mos Burger collaboration, which had me in an absolute frenzy. Unfortunately, the burger, though delicious, did not photograph well, which leaves me the task of describing it instead - think fluffy cream puff pastry instead of normal hamburger buns, encasing a patty made of a disc of almond-studded chocolate, topped off with preserved peaches and berries that are surrounded with a wall of strawberry cream and drizzled with sweet berry sauce. You're welcome.  xx 

Photo Diary: Osaka

 Osaka, Japan

In the midst of preparing for my final exams this semester (which sort of explains my absence again, but is not really an excuse), I thought I would take a short break to go through some of my old backdated Japan photos. I needed a break-- we all do. 

There's nothing quite like a double chocolate coffee jelly frappucino at a rest stop to perk you up for a day trip around Osaka. I'm not even normally a fan of matcha, but in Japan, somehow, anything goes, and I eagerly pounce on every matcha food item I can get my hands on, though I barely take more than a few bites before relegating it to my sister, who likes matcha more than I do. And I'm not so sure why Singapore has not adopted that adorable kindergarten school uniform yet? 

On this particular day, I also had the first-time experience of sitting on a bullet train. And it's always nice to see little bits of your home country overseas. Also, sushi, anyone? I'm craving it right now. I thought I would abstain from all sushi when I got back from Japan, but it turns out to be the exact opposite. I crave sushi even more intensely now, if that's even possible.

Shopping at Shinsaibashi was delightful and awkward at the same time -- delightful because there were just so many shops, and awkward because there was simply not enough time to visit them all, and my family ended up being the last to arrive at the restaurant for dinner. As a matter of fact, we were most often last during this trip; I'm sure our punctuality was not helped by the fact that we had two teenage females who were eager to visit every single shop in the shopping district. And it was overwhelming. This post is ended off with a photo I randomly snapped of the bustling Shinsaibashi -- I'll be back. 

xx

Photo Diary: Tokyo DisneySea

I don't think I will ever be too old for amusement parks. Perhaps it was the whole atmosphere of the place, or the excitement of being in another country, or the fact that Disney is not available in Singapore (the nearest one is at least a 4 hour flight away in another country), but it felt like this was the happiest day of the entire Japan trip. It was picturesque. Just look at the view from one of the bridges I stood on in the last photo. But the most amazing thing might have been the fact that almost everybody, regardless of age or gender, had Disney paraphernalia perched on their heads, necks, or slung around their bodies-- be it Duffy slingbags, keychains, or the iconic Mickey and Minnie ears. It was a sight to behold-- a nice one. And of course, Japan might be the only place in which people visit theme parks in six-inch (no less) stiletto heels.

I was clamouring not to leave DisneySea, but my feet and stomach (and the tour guide) said otherwise. Strolling through the streets beside our hotel in the late evening yielded results. Behold, the largest takoyaki I have ever seen in my entire life. Yes, that was one takoyaki in the box. Dinner was one of the best curries I'd ever eaten, complete with a chicken cutlet and large strips of cheese, and quite possibly the best service I've ever gotten in an eatery. It was a good day. Nothing like a good amusement park to make me feel like a child all over again.

xx

Photo Diary: Tokyo 2014

So... Japan. Think majestic temples with glorious artwork upon the ceiling if one deigns to crane one's neck toward the sky to peer at the intricate paintings etched above one's head. Think cold metal wrought into the shape of the fabled dragon, through which a stream of steady cold water pours like a never-ending spring of life. Think bustling streets, thick telephone wires (I seem to have an obsession with photographing them, they're such a rarity in Singapore), and theme parks where I danced around like an overgrown child eager to reclaim her childhood in squeezy rides in small trains meant for someone a decade younger than I am. Upon the single boat ride in the entire journey, I was practically bouncing in my seat to spot the various flying creatures soaring across the sky, gliding with their magnificent wings outstretched, diving low across the water, or drying their glorious plumage upon a small island.

And then a three storey-or so boutique, where I picked up my first ever real leather baby, thanks to the wonderful parents who decided to generously indulge my shopaholic fantasies. I am blessed.

xx