Ohayou, Japan! (Day 3)

Mabuhey! Guess who's back? 😉 It's no other than me, myself and I. Haha. 

(c) Keshav Das Manalo

But before I start talking, I'm going to leave here the links from my previous Japan blogs:

Ohayou, Japan! (Day 1)

Ohayou, Japan! (Wizarding World of Harry Potter)

Ohayou, Japan! (Day 2)

The first part of this blog will be our first ever Don Quijote Night/Day. Haha. After spending the day in Universal Studios, the four of us (from our group) decided to go to Don Quijote at the wee of ours! We left the hotel at almost 12 midnight! Hahaha. Sobrang g! Parang hindi napagod sa buong araw! *laughs* Good thing that Don Quijote near our hotel is open for 24 hours. Also, walking distance lang siya. Ang sayaaa! Haha.

Without any further ado, let me take you back during those hours. Haha.

Elevator to Don Don Don Qui. We passed by the parking lot to get here. LOL.

A few minutes after, here we are now!

Matcha for the Matcha lovers.

Here's what it looks like inside.

RJ having a hard time which one to buy. RK problems! Haha.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: Get that Japan-flavored KitKat!

Shiseido eyelash curlers! But I'm looking for the Shu Uemura ones. Huhu.

And yep! There's a 3CE in Don Qui.

Meanwhile, here's Shav having a headache kuno with the pasabuys from work. Hirap hanapin ng make-up ng girls 'no? Haha.

Closer look! Haha. Pitta mask, Missha powder refill, etc.

Going back now to Don Qui snacks.. here are some of my Meiji faves that are actually available in Pinas. 🇵🇭

And some more snack goodies! Just scroll down for more.

Yep, Glico Man is a snack brand in Japan.

KitKat (Mint Yogurt)?! You gotta be kidding me! Haha.

And of course, these eyedrops that will complete our Don Qui shopping. Haha.

Woops! DMs spotted! Just can't see its price. Kaasar!

Then, that's it! We finished shopping at almost 3AM. And fudge talaga, kulang na lang, tumumba na kami sa antok! Hahaha. Pero laban pa rin! 💪🏽What consumed our time while in Don Qui was the tax refund process. 

Oh by the way, here's a JAPAN TIP: For tourists in Japan, it's a policy there to give their visitors a tax refund. How? As long as your total bill is 5,000 Yen, it's guaranteed that you'll get a tax refund/discount. To do it, don't forget to pass by the tax refund area inside the store after you pay at the cashier.

ANOTHER NOTE: In the tax refund areas (which is easy to find because of their huge signs in red), expect the staff to seal all the goods that you've bought in a plastic bag. And there's even a huge print in it saying - not to break the seal until you exit Japan. Also, you need to show your passport when claiming a tax refund because they'll tape and stamp your purchase receipt in there. So please, always bring your passport with you while in Japan. Same goes with visiting other countries actually, please always bring your passport with you. 

And let me just share this you.. the tax refund seal thing became a big deal to all of us! Haha. We were told that the seal that they put on your shopping bags cannot be removed unless you go out of Japan. And I, myself had strictly followed that rule because who wants to violate Japan's rules? Don't you dare. Haha. But some brave hearts from our group broke the said seal because they read online that it's completely fine! And thank goodness nothing bad happened to them. Hihi. Upon exiting Japan, you just have to leave your receipt at a Tax Refund Desk in the airport. Then, that's it! No inspection, interrogation or whatsoever. Not sure for other tourists' experience though. 

Going back.. before we headed back to our hotel, Shav and I decided to pass by Lawson to buy our breakfast food. And let me show you this picture of their Shabu-Shabu there. Wala lungs. Hehe.

MORNING OF DAY 3

DAY 3 ITINERARY:

1. Osaka Castle

2. Umeda Sky Buiding

3. head to Kyoto

Sorry for the following pictures, but let me take you to our hotel room's bathroom. Haha. It's pretty huge for a typical Japan bathroom actually.

Powder/sink area.

And there are storage below.

Bath tub.

Plus this huge shampoo, conditioner and body wash. LOOOVE!

Bathroom door.

And finally, I can say.. Ohayo gozaimasu, Osaka! (Good morning, Osaka!) 🇯🇵

Is my Nihongo correct? Haha. 🇯🇵

Anyway..

Tadaaa! Dona's favorite breakfast - Onigiri. Masarap ito, guyth. I swear!

Few minutes after our chikahan and all, we decided to take a picture with these Japanese Kimonos that came free to USE in our hotel. MISSING CAMS! 😞

NOTE: FREE TO USE ONLY. Haha. You cannot take it home unless you'll buy it. 😊

And later that morning, it's packing time already. 😢 It's time to leave Osaka by night time.

Big shoutout to Osaka Ebisu Hotel for allowing us to extend our check-out time for 500 Yen per hour and for allowing us to leave our luggages at the lobby, as we maximize our time in Osaka.

By the way, the check-out time in Japan is super early! 10AM is their check-out time, while their check-in time is typically around 3-4PM. What the heck, right? Haha.

Since we extended time, we were able to stay at our room hotel until 12PM. So, yayyy!

While most from our group went to Don Quijote after they've prepared for the day. The lazy ones - Shav and I were the last ones to head out. We checked out and had our lunch along Denden Town.

Shav did a little research since we're looking for a vegan restaurant. And guess what we chose? It's no other than:

I know that we have this back home but I just want to know the difference, alright? Haha.

They'll give you an order slip which you can place in a container below.

So that the server can confirm what orders you'll be getting.

Meanwhile, here's Shav crying because his order was humongous! Hahaha.

FUDGE. This is good for 2-3 pax already! Hahaha.

If you want to know whether Shav has finished his food or not. Well, HE WASN'T ABLE TO! Hahaha! I even helped him consume it but we were hopeless! Sasabog na tiyan namin, hindi pa rin namin ubos! HAHAHA. Walangya.. check pa more sa 500 grams in Japanese words na rice pala ang ibig sabihin, hindi ulam. Nak ng teteng! 🤣🤣🤣 

Then after full-ing our tummies, we've headed back to our hotel.

Our meeting place was at McDo Shinsekai and pardon me, I just had to take a photo of this cute Coca Cola drink. Hihi.

Passing by Shinsekai as we head to the train station.

That thing I have with pigeons. Hehe.

OFF TO OSAKA CASTLE. 🏯

Excited to hop on this vintage-looking train. 😬

Upon going out the Osaka Castle train station, look what welcomed us: different tree colors. Oh, the beauty of Autumn! Hihi. 😍

Since ang hilig ko magpapicture, kinuha nila akong model for the day. Haha. No choice sila sakin eh. Bahaha.

Ayos muna ng buhok. LOL.

Back to back pose with RJ.

Then sakit tiyan pose. Pak! Hahaha.

Pictorial sesh starts now..

END.

Char! Meron pa.. 

Hello from the not-so-ready us! 😅

After taking some photos with the Autumn leaves, we reminded ourselves that we only have limited time and that we have to go to Osaka Castle already. Haha.

These were our sightings as we walk to Osaka Castle:

Tapos, ayun na nga.. nag-pictorial na naman kami. Hahaha.

TRIO. My college loves/blockmates and work BFFs. 💕 Amazing, right?

Trio II. Hehe. 💕

Cutiepies! 😍

After that yet another pictorial session, we decided to take this multicab going inside Osaka Castle because it was pretty far and it's uphill. Eh lolo and lolas na kami, so doon na tayo sa hindi kami mapapagod kahit may bayad. Hahaha.

It's 200 Yen per person and it was roughly a 5-7 minute ride. Hahaha.

And we're at the Osaka Castle premises now! Hihi.

Oh wow! Samurai!

As we walked more, we finally saw the famous Osaka Castle. Yey!

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
(c) Wikipedia

Kuya Shavo and his beautiful Japanese jacket. 😍 Arbor! Arbor! Haha.

Yours truly.

I would like to thank Klook for our swift Osaka Castle journey (train rides and entrance). Hehe. Ambassador ka, ghourl? LOL.

After entering the Osaka Castle, we passed by its museum where photos and videos aren't allowed. That's why I'm sorry if I cannot share what I saw there.

Meanwhile, here's a bird's eye view of Osaka. We're at the highest level of Osaka Castle by the way, where pictures and videos are finally allowed. Hehe.

Other side of the Osaka Castle vicinity.

Upon leaving Osaka Castle, I decided to get myself/my dad a Samurai Gachapon which was made by Bandai. Yay! And it costs 400 Yen. And I was so glad being able to get the best design though. Thanks to Pallera sisters for suggesting which one is the best Gachapon machine. Hehe. 💕

Here's what I've got! Hihi.

Sayonara, Osaka Castle! Until we meet again.

But before we finally leave, group picture muna.

Here's the eleven of us, the people that made my Japan experience such a fun one! 💕

Osaka Castle's wall of defense.

Then.. we out, Osaka Castle!

So let the walking begins! Haha. We passed by a park until we reached the train that will take us to Umeda Sky Building.

Mask out because it was freezing cold!

Autumn leaf for a dear friend of mine. Hi, Katukayo Donna Luz! Hihi.

Then we decided to take a break from walking and have a cup of Starbucks for a while.

Japan's Christmas drink.

Then I just stayed outside eating my Onigiri because pulubi mode. Haha.

Fast forward to our train ride.. hello, Osaka Station!

And hello, Umeda Sky Building in a few.

BAD NEWS: When we we're about to go up the famous Umeda Sky Walk with our Klook Osaka Amazing Pass, we were told that we cannot enter anymore since it was 7PM already when we arrived. What a bummer! But! But! There's still hope - we can still go up but we just have to dine in one of the restaurants downstairs to claim an "Umeda Sky Building After 6 Pass". Yeah, right. Talk about business. But this is better than not being able to go up Umeda Sky Building at all. 

The pass costs 1,000 Yen by the way and it is per person. Meaning, the meal that we should eat per person should reach 1,000 Yen (drinks included).

We couldn't decide where to eat. That's why we decided to just go here:

Yup! Coco Ichibanya again! Haha. But I like it! 😬

After having our sumptuous dinner, we are finally on our way up the Umeda Sky Building. Super yey!

Love locks. Hehe.

The beautiful Umeda Sky Escalator.

Then it's time to go back to our Osaka hotel for we're bound to Kyoto the same night.

Oh hello there again, Shinsekai!

Then.. goodbye for now, Shinsekai! (Bilis? Hello, goodbye agad? LOL.) Hope to see you again! 

Just like that, Team Japan is heading to Kyoto now.

Yung heat pack kong naging Lumpiang Shanghai na. Hahaha.

Ola from me and Cams! 😬

After more than an hour of train ride.. Ohayou, Kyoto!

A 1 degree temperature welcomed us. Haha.

Tapos, pucha.. hindi kami makalabas ng Kyoto train station! Hindi na pala pwede yung Osaka Amazing Pass namin. What to do? What to do? We asked a train staff about it and we were told to ask assistance from this machine below.

Like, really? Well, Dona.. you're in Japan. So just do what they say and believe with their technology! Haha.

From this booth, a staff has appeared on screen and he assisted us all the way. Huge thanks to JM for being our spokesperson for the whole day! Alam naming dumugo na ilong at tenga mo. 😅 Kaya, salute! Job well done! 🙌🏼

With some twists and turns (from being told that we can only exit in Osaka -> hence.. we should go back there -> to finally being allowed to just pay our supposed-to-be train fare).. Kamusta naman yung pinapabalik kami ng Osaka diba? PAGOD NA PAGOD NA KAMI, BESH! ANU NA! Haha.

And after settling our train bill. Charot. 😉At last! We were able to exit and made it to our Kyoto hotel - M's Inn which is a self-service hotel, meaning - no receptionist is present to assist you. Whew!

As we reached the hotel, here's what welcomed us: 

A digitally locked entrance door.

But worry not, the entrance door passcode has been sent to us prior our check-in date.

Our room passcodes were e-mailed to us ahead of time where 7 of us had a problem with, because kulang-kulang yung nasend sa amin. Damn. We just wanted to rest! That's all. Huhu. Bakit may pagsubok pa? Hahaha. Thank, God that a hotel staff has appeared when I almost gave up! Kamote.  

FINALLY! AFTER THE KAGULO. WE ARE AT OUR HOTEL ROOM NOW! HOHOHO.

And I'm leaving you now with this delicious snack that you should try while in Japan.

Thanks, roomie Con for the recommendation! 💕

JAPAN DAY 3 EXPENSES:

(in Philippine Peso)

2,500.00 - Don Quijote

75.00 (estimate)- Onigiri

898.00 (promo price) - Osaka Amazing Pass

700.00 - Coco Ichibanya lunch

400.00 - Gachapon

500.00 - Coco Ichibanya dinner

118.00 (estimate) - Kyoto train

5,191.00 - TOTAL

And here my blog ends. Standby for our Day 4 happenings, alright?

Thanks for reading! 💚

See ya,

Dona