In the Philippines, we are made aware of how "expensive" matcha-flavored KitKat bars are - one regular sized two-sticks cost around Php28.00, while the pack of 12 minis cost as much as Php300.00++. In short, purchasing one becomes a luxury because you do not want to shell out so much money for a matcha bar which will be gone in a few bites. I was only able to enjoy these sweet treats whenever someone comes home from Japan for a trip or to have a vacation here in the Philippines.

During my sojourn in Tokyo and Yokohama, I have been to numerous convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores, souvenir shops among others and have been a witness to different prices of KitKat Matcha. I have contained myself from purchasing big quantities because I believe the ones that I see are still quite expensive. Even the famous Don Quixote (or popularly abbreviated as "donki"), which is a famous discount chain store in Japan, did not offer me the cheapest KitKat Matcha as the price played its digits from JPY200.00 ~ JPY 280.00 (tax exclusive). Comparing its price here in the Philippines, it is already quite a deal already. However, if you are someone who wants to do a KitKat Matcha-rathon, I suggest you go straight to Takeshita St. near Harajuku Station (JR Line) and Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku' station (Tokyo Metro).

I forgot the actual name of the shop but it looks like a drug store which is quite near to the Daiso 100-yen shop. The outside of the store immediately features their sale of KitKat Matcha (as well as the original flavor) with options if you want it chilled or not. The price is a whopping JPY 181.00 (and it is already tax-inclusive!). The best thing about this shop is that it is a Tax-Free shop if ever your bill would reach at least JPY 5,000.00 tax-exclusive (and more discounts if you spend more!). Just a precaution though - if you buy those KitKat Matcha at a tax-free rate, you won't be able to consume them as long as you are in Japan as a general rule for their tax-free. But, who cares? You don't really want to eat those in Japan because you can buy some for yourself at a tax-inclusive rate which still won't hurt much your wallet. 

The next time you go on a "Harajuku" style shopping free before departing for your home country, do not forget to purchase a KitKat Matcha as your "pasalubong" or souvenir treats for your family and friends in your home country. Considering how expensive it is, you can just tell them it's expensive and they won't ask for more! (just kidding) Always remember - save as much as possible when in Tokyo since you will rarely see a "very cheap" price of a food. While we are at it, I suggest you also purchase the Bourbon Alfort Chocolate Biscuit! It's very cheap (I forgot the price, but I can attest that it is a really cheap treat) and it's a wonderful delicious snack at the same time. I am now regretting that I bought more KitKat Matcha compared to these chocolate snacks.

Most tourists in Japan are concentrated in the Tokyo area as evidenced by various cultures and colors present in many attractions. My first destination in my first ever travel to Japan was in Yokohama together with my family. Truth be told, there was no much concentration of foreign tourists in Yokohama which makes me wonder because I can attest that Yokohama is an equally beautiful place easily accessible by the train system.

Most people go to the Cup Noodles Museum when they go to Yokohama, which I failed to do so because I prioritized going to the Yokohama Chinatown to get a taste of their all-you-can-eat (tabehoudai). Going back, our first destination was going to Yokohama Port and Minatomirai because of a "Pokemon" event that we saw on some advertisements. My cousin and his wife had a car so we did not have any problem going to Minatomirai. In case you will be traveling thru train, I suggest you use the Tokyu Toyoko line that continues to travel as a local train to Motomachi Chukagai (most of them coming from the Fukutoshin line and if you are traveling from Tokyo perhaps from Shibuya Station) and you can drop off at Minatomirai station.

The Yokohama Port was a refreshing place to be at. Even our skins were pressed against the scorching summer heat, the breeze from the sea was lovely and we did enjoy our strolling there. The view is breathtaking and it was a nice escape from the sun. After which, we went to the Red Brick Warehouse to discover various restaurants and souvenir shops making us want to eat already. The Red Brick Warehouse is very fascinating and it houses various restaurants and cafes if you need your well-deserved rest-and-relaxation.

At the back (or at the side, or near the Red Brick Warehouse - I'm totally bad with directions), we witnessed a Pikachu event on-going and it was one of those cutest-thing-ever that you will want to witness. Afterall, there are a lot of life-size dancing pikachu with various dresses and would make you want to hug them and take them home. I was lucky enough to have a picture with a Pikachu with combination of people being people (I mean, photobombers hehe).

We were tired after and wanted to have an airconditioner in our presence, which prompted us to go Yokohama LaLaport (which is better than the LaLaport in Toyosu because... this one is much livelier). I was able to see dancing Pikachu all-over again and I am ready to declare Yokohama as a pikachu-friendly tourist attraction. Unless you are shopping or you want to take a break by eating, you will not find any other attraction inside LaLaport because basically, it's a shopping mall similar to what we have in the Philippines.

Before I went home to the Philippines, I went back to Minatomirai because I wanted to try the Cosmoworld but it was a Thursday and I was not informed that it was closed on a Thursday. I was saddened because I lost my chance to at least try a Japanese amusement park and to have a romantic date with myself considering all those lights and all. But I had a chance to try the Japanese onsen (hot spring) in front of Comosworld which was very much enjoyable and de-stressing, but I paid JPY 2,800.00 for that one (my aunt told me that she knows a good onsen for only JPY 600.00). I had no regrets, though, because the place was really relaxing and all the amenities that you need are present. It was like a VIP treatment for me.

 

Before we went home, I was introduced to a second-hand shop, a place where you can buy and sell second-hand items. It was a really nice place because some items do not look like they are second-hand at all! It was a place I wish I could be my shopping haven if ever I will be living in the Japan in the future (fingers crossed). Shoes, bags, appliances, gadgets, and even furniture are on sale and they are in great condition. I really wanted the white boots but when I tried it on, my feat screamed with pain and blisters started to form immediately (just kidding, but is half-meant).

Ironically, I have been only to Yokohama twice (well, I was living in Yokohama for the 15 days of my stay in Japan; to be more specific, to tourist attractions) and concentrated my solo adventures to Tokyo. Should I visit Japan again in the future (which I will), I'll visit Yokohama again and try to cover much more places to expose its beauty.

(Photo Credit: JR East. You can also download an updated pdf version here)

When I was planning for my itinerary for Japan, I was already taken aback with their confusing train system because of its many lines, colors, as well as intersections (for train transfers). I didn't know how to use their train map especially when the map itself is quite big with all those words appearing in small fonts. As a Filipino, we are not really reliant on our train systems - I mean, major destinations are not usually accessible by train all the time. And if they are, the train system that we have right now is marked with inefficiency because of delays, long queues, as well as lack of trains (this might change in the future, I hope). On the other hand, I was fascinated with the train system of Japan wherein almost major destinations are accessible using the train with combination of short walks (exercise!). And yes, Japanese trains are always on time and if delays happen, they announce it on the train itself using the monitors and state the reason for being delayed. Basically, you are given the time-frame of when will your train arrive and the time you'll arrive on your target station. And yes, it's not an estimation but the actual time travel.

When I used the train system of Tokyo (or Kanto), I was quite nervous at first because I didn't know much Japanese and I do not know the codes on the train system or something relevant to that. The good thing is, the train stations (eki) are tourist-friendly where there are many directions for transfer of lines (they even tell you the distance in meters) as well as popular tourist attractions and the appropriate train station exits. There are many signage, information maps, and exit guides in all train stations (as well as outside the stations themselves). If lost, there is always the help of free wifi in Japan where you have to download the Japan Connected-free Wifi app (which are also applicable to various places with free wifi, especially convenience stores like 7-11, Family Mart, etc).

When buying tickets, it is suggested to purchase a Pasmo or Suica card, available at ticket machines in major train stations. You can also use this to purchase from various vending machines (though not all). This is very convenient because you do not have to worry about the fare you have to pay - and there are always fare adjustment machines which will be of great help if ever your IC card does not have any balance anymore. The best thing about this is that you can use this on many lines and subways. While I was taken aback of how confusing their train system is at the beginning, you'll be nonplussed about the train fares which are equally expensive compared to our train fares in the Philippines.

My accommodation in Japan was in my aunt's house in Yokohama in Kohoku ward, which was quite far from various tourist destinations. I had to use the Yokohama Municipal Subway from Takata Station to Hiyoshi Station (¥210.00 or roughly ₱94.00, which is just two stations apart), then transfer to Tōkyū Tōyoko, going from Hiyoshi Station to Shibuya Station (¥220.00 or roughly ₱99.00). Then from Shibuya Station, navigating to other train stations will prove to be expensive and I spent an average of ¥1500 ~ ¥2000 yen daily just for transportation alone. It was a late occurence to me that there exists what we call a Tokyo Subway Ticket for Tourists (further details can be viewed here). I purchased the 72-hour pass which can be used for Tokyo Metro and Oedo Subway Lines unlimited. This is useful especially when you want to visit multiple places in a day without hurting your wallet too much. I suggest you download the app (details here) because this will show you on how to go to your desired train station including the transfers you need to do. I have heavily used this in all of my travels and I might get lost without this application.

Always remember the importance of the train code (in letters; example: H for Hibiya Line) and its corresponding number. This is pretty much your guide in remembering the station number of where you are headed to and it's easier to memorize compared to the names itself (and in due time, you'll memorize both). In addition, you should be knowledgeable as well with the tagging of same trains when it comes to the speed of your travel.

If you are a traveler and has no plans of buying the JR Pass (which is quite expensive!), I suggest you buy the Tokyo subway Ticket instead because a 72-hour pass is just for ¥1500.00. Plus, there are Tourst Information Centers available in the train stations should you need assistance if you speak English but you do not speak Japanese (Nihongo). Also, I suggest that you visit Tokyo and other places in Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc) on separate visits because I stayed for fifteen (15) days in the Kanto Region and yet it was not enough for me to visit various attractions I wanted to visit.