Have long heard about Japanese efficiency and etiquette but finally got to experience it first hand when Isabel and I took a trip up north to Japan in August before our last semester. We spent 12 days covering four cities -- Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. The JR Pass was definitely put to good use but if we had spent a longer time there, we would've been able to visit a few more cities with it. Nonetheless, both our travel styles are somewhat similar: we don't want to rush and we can skip some of those tourist-populated areas. 

It took us almost an entire day to get from Narita Airport to our ryokan in Hakone because we had to take several transfers -- from trains to trams and back to trains again. Then there was the steep uphill climb before we finally reached their doorstep. 

We stayed one night in Hakone and splurged a bit more because it was my first time in a ryokan. Traditional dinner and breakfast were provided and there were indoor hot springs that we could visit right outside our room. It was rather cold at night so we dipped in the one outdoors for awhile before my heart started racing (that's when I knew I should get out of the heated water). It was a unique experience, and of course definitely a level up for our friendship ;) 

Bel and I bought the Hakone day pass which allowed us to visit many attractions as well as take public transport without additional charges. It was definitely very convenient to move around.

We took the cruise ride across Lake Ashi but could not see Mount Fuji because of the thick fog, booooooo

The torii gate in front of Hakone Shrine (behind the scenes: a long line of tourists like us waiting to take photos just like that)

We made our way to Kyoto via the Japan Rail after spending a day exploring Hakone. The rain was ruthless as we dragged our luggage along the bumpy trail towards the train station lol it was quite a sight. We were a little worried because there were reports of the typhoon hitting this side of Japan from Kyushu and the JR ride didn't help with the constant updates on the current bad weather. But alas, it seemed like the typhoon skipped Kyoto because when we arrived, the weather was pleasant and sunny -- three cheers to the Vitamin D!!

We climbed to the peak of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and walked through several thousands of shrines and that took us about 2 hours++ to get back down. Along the way there were several shrines that we visited. It was REALLY crowded at the foot of Mount Inari -- all the tourists jostling to get an uninterrupted picture at the stack of torii gates. Tip: just walk a little further up and you'll realise most of them slowly give up and go back down hahahaha. There's the Yotsutsuji Intersection halfway up the mountain with a very... concrete-y view of Kyoto. Not amazing, but a good respite from the hike nonetheless.

Kyoto was once Japan's imperial capital and the Gion area is my absolute favourite!! The streets are lined with traditional machiya houses that I read in the Memoirs of a Geisha when I was a kid so walking in Gion brought back all the memories. We stayed in a capsule hotel in Kyoto so Bel and I had a bit of alone time for a couple of nights when we retreated into our capsules hahahaha. 

We visited the famed Arashiyama and strolled through the bamboo forest before the crowd swarmed in because we were early-risers ;) 

What is a visit to a Japanese city without a trip to the food market!

Osaka was definitely different from the quaint architecture we saw in Kyoto. To be honest, Osaka was the least interesting because we didn't visit Universal Studios (I have an issue with exploring theme parks on a short trip because I'd rather be sightseeing) or Nara Park (because we've long heard of the cockiness of the deers there hahahahaha). Nonetheless, the weather was great (it was actually quite sweltering but I loved it) and we managed to spend some time exploring Osaka Castle.

Asking for directions all the time but the Japanese were always so ready to help despite the language barrier :')

Google Maps really helped us out a lot when it came to finding food -- located a small hole-in-the-wall that sold home-made ramen -slurps-

And of course, our finally stop: TOKYO!! Was excited because yay city lights shibuya crossing more tourists more people that can perhaps speak English and fooooooooood.

Visited a couple of shrines including Meiji Shrine (above) and Yasukuni Shrine (where we were not allowed to take pictures). Have long heard about the Yasukuni Shrine controversy where the shrine commemorates Japan's war "heroes" (thank you Professor Hiro in SOCG222 Nation-Building in Asia for educating me) and to actually feel the solemn atmosphere in person was exceptional. 

We were also plagued with heavy rain and thunderstorm when we got to Tokyo therefore had to buy a couple of raincoats (which I promised I would use in Singapore but damn I really couldn't wrap myself in all that plastic whenever it rains here).

Explored Omotesando Hills and found Bel's coffee beans (that caffeine-addict!!)

The Shibuya Crossing -- perhaps it looks better at night... 

Both of us came to a consensus that Sensō-ji is our favourite temple

Yet again, Google Maps led us to a small shop that barbecued unagi right in front of our eyes, yum

We read on how we could watch the tuna auction at Tsukiji Fish Market if we started queueing early enough and therefore gave it shot because our Airbnb was a short 5 minutes walk away. Only 120 visitors are allowed to view it every day. 

We were in the queue as early as 2am and finally got a bib and a seat (on the ground) at around 3.30 in the morning. It was a very special experience and although I probably wouldn't do it again, I would recommend everyone to try it once! It's interesting to watch the sale of tuna over the ringing of bells and a lot, a lot of shouting (in Japanese of course).

Just because we were in Japan, we took a couple of purikura (we call them neoprints here rmb that hahahahaha)

MORE. SHOPPING.

MORE. FOOD.

Here is a compilation of some of the things we had in Japan. Everything captured was definitely more than satisfactory -- Japan is definitely a food haven! And for Bel and I who always promise one another that the diet "starts when we go back to Singapore",  we agreed that we would share everything in Japan and we did hahahahaha. That worked out pretty well didn't it?

And with that, our 12-day trip to Japan came to a close. You can say it was our "almost-grad trip" because we had one more semester together before graduating unofficially. Obviously our friendship has achieved greater heights *coughs-nakidzzz-cough* hahahahaha and I'm very glad we took this trip together. Only five years ago we were freshies talking about our dye-jobs at the MPH in the admin building before being whisked off to Sarimbun (ew nightmares) for FTB and a few months later that we joined Sailing together. I wish I'm able to put better into words how thankful I am for this friendship and how much we've grown together over the years :') Love you Bella.

Ok, sayonara Japan!!!!!!