Nicocosity: Tokyo

Perhaps one of the most bittersweet time during our trip, our last day in Tokyo 😔 To be honest me and Ken did not make any plans for this day, except for the fact that we'll be meeting my childhood friend in Shinjuku for a dinner that night.

After checking out from our hostel, &And Hostel Minamisenju were nice enough to let us park our luggage while we spend the day out and about in Tokyo. Thanks for that &And Hostel ♡ YUDABEST!

I miss you and the nearby Santouku and Lawson ♡

Since it's our last day in Tokyo, we decided to do some last minute sight seeing of famous places you can only see in Tokyo, and one of them is...

... where you'll see this:

Sure, I have had a photo with Hachiko before already:

But whatever, I am a sucker for touristy stuff!

IDK But I look like homeless here 🤷

After grabbing some lunch at a nearby Matsuya,

Ken's gout started acting up which prompted him to go back to the hostel to rest ~~ayaw nya mag Starbucks that time, ewan ko din baket.~~ As for me, I proceed on running around Shibuya looking for some shoes in Esperanza...

Lo and behold, they're on sale for ￥ 3000! But sadly, I got such huge feet, they don't have my size anymore! I have read a lot of amazing reviews about this brand, and how comfy they are- yes, even in heels form! *sigh* bawi nalang next visit... ayiiiiiieeee, babalik!

Aside from Esperanza, I also checked out some shops in Shibuya 101 to see if I could shop for some clothes that are also work-appropriate. Unfortunately clothes are SOOOOO expensive here, and so tiny! HAHAHAH! I think those cute skirts I saw in a store would only fit one thigh 🙃

After checking out shops, I decided to head over somewhere else instead and wander for 20 minutes before I go to my 2nd destination.

Such Fab, much WOW!

After just going with the flow of the people in Shibuya, admiring Japanese women in their chicest outfits, mindlessly walking around not caring where I'll end up, I take a one last look at Shibuya and vowed to come back as soon as I could, before heading to Sekaido in Shinjuku.

Photo taken during my visit in 2018, got lazy to take a photo last Feb hahahuhuhu.

Just a recap, Sekaido is art heaven in Tokyo (Yup, in Tokyo, not in whole of Japan, because there's also art heaven in Fukuoka! You can check it HERE). Here you can buy whatever art materials your heart desires, for more details on what can you expect when you visit this store, check out my post HERE! Did some last minute shopping, particularly for my side hustle, Nicoco's Pasabuys, but I also managed to nab a new set of watercolors that are discounted ✌ Will probably do a blogpost about it ~~pag sinipag.~~

After throwing some of my yens at Sekaido, I decided to head back to the hostel and meet with Ken. At 7 P.M. we have a dinner with my childhood friend, Nico in Shinjuku, so we better gather our stuff, and bid goodbye to &And Hostel Minamisenju.

I just remember during my alone time in Shibuya and Shinjuku, I didn't have internet access and depend solely on my shitty memory. I know, too bold and foolish of me, but hey I have come back here in Manila to tell the tale! Hahahah! The key is to camp at the nearest Lawson or 7Eleven and connect to the wifi hahahaha! Or do it as I did by bringing a Tokyo Metro Map with me at all times, just in case my memory failed me. Ayiiie.

200 meters away from the hostel and 100 meters away from the station it started to rain, HARD! HAHAHA! We were soaking wet by the time we reached the station, and what's worse it was 8° Celsius that time!

To distract myself from the impending hypothermia (OA HAHAHAHA), I focus on praising myself for a job well done on my nails hahahah! While I was at Shibuya 101 earlier that day I actually decided to paint my nails using the testers of nail polishes in Innisfree 🍃 HAHAHA! I know, ang squammy lang.

IDK but at that time there was a small rally in Shinjuku station 🤷

What I miss the most about Japan is the convenience of travelling anywhere in that country. Despite 2 over-packed luggages in tow, we did not feel hassled because it's simple easy to go to one place to another. We had 2 train rides from Minamisenju to Shinjuku and it took us less than 30 minutes! Oh, Philippines, when are you going to keep up?

Prior to arriving here in Shinjuku, me and my friend Nico were chatting on where is the best place to meet and have dinner. At first we were thinking of Sushi, however the one that he prefers is a bit of a stretch away from Shinjuku station, and at that time as much as possible we opt somewhere near Shinjuku station so it's easier for us to go to the bus station and board for Kyoto. After a couple of suggestions, from Ichiran, Santouka, and even Famima hahaha, we ended up with Katsukura in Takashimaya, which is a stone's throw away from Shinjuku Station, and Hilton Shinjuku (where Nico is staying).

Let's just say I am currently missing that glorious pork cutlet meal with unlimited shredded cabbage and rice paired with a cheeky pint of Highball 🙁 I was expecting food in Katsukura will be expensive, given that it's inside the swanky mall that is Takashimaya, but in fairness the price is reasonable. I think for my whole meal + the drink I spent around ￥ 2,500, which is a good deal given that usually food in restaurants in swanky malls tend to be pricier. Also, their staff are really nice 👌

Sorry ladies, unfortunately may jowa nya sya hahaha!

I reeeeeally enjoyed our last day in Tokyo, because I was able to walk around on my own, shop, eat good food, people-watch, and spent it with great company 😼 Oh I'm definitely looking forward to going back hopefully next year! I have yet to conquer Tokyo Disneyland, Golden Gai, and basically all the locations in my favorite Japanese TV Shows, Tokyo Girl, and Followers 💓

And now we'll proceed on the Kyoto/ Osaka blogs 😉

LOVE ALWAYS,

NICOLE 🤍♡

P.S.

Look at how he struggled on inflating the inflatable neck pillow 🙃

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Yep, been starting a couple of blogs asking if things are worth it, because of that dreadful existential problem of whether life is still worth living ... Ayyyy!

My kind of poetry <3

But enough of that philosophical talk, let's get down to business and answer: TeamLab Borderless, Is it Worth Visiting?

Let's start:

Like majority of our activities we got our tickets off of Klook HERE. Klook sold tickets for around Php 1,500+ each (prices are currently not available right now huhu). You can also opt to buy it via it's website, though I think they have the same price anyway, so I suppose it's better to opt for Klook instead given that you can earn points off it, or you can wait for discount coupons before purchasing it!

Oppps 404 Error

Prior to our trip to Japan we had a mini dilemma regarding our schedule - mainly because I just found out that Studio Ghibli museum is actually closed on Tuesdays, and lo and behold our original sched for that was Tuesday. so every thing was changed. Good thing TeamLab Borderless is opened almost everyday, so it's pretty flexible to just book it on a whim.

Also it's very convenient that you don't need to have physical tickets. Once you have confirmed your payment for the ticket via Klook, they'll send you a QR code that will serve as your ticket. You just have to swipe it to the barrier, et voila, you're in!

Given that we came from Minamisenju, which is a bit northeast part of Tokyo, we took like 2 different trains to go to Odaiba, which is on the south part. Imagine it like this: If you're from the Philippines, Minamisenju is like being in Zabarte, Novaliches while Odaiba is MOA-Come to think of it, it is like MOA. I read somewhere that Odaiba is a reclaimed land, pretty much like MOA they dumped rocks and Earth in that patch of water(?) to create a mini-city.

We're tourists, we have to do touristy stupid stuff like this

But unlike the scenario I gave awhile ago, going from Minamisenju to Odaiba took use less than 30 minutes, since their trains are very efficient and (almost) never get late. Regarding how much our fare was going there with 2 train changes, I think the fare costs roughly ￥500-600 one way, but since we have availed the 72-hour unlimited train pass, we did not pay a single yen.

And yep, you go down to Tokyo Teleport Station. Man! Japan lives in 3020!

Once we arrived at the Tokyo Teleport Station, we had like a 5 minute worth of confusion on where is the way to the TeamLab Borderless, because at that time Google maps decided not to be our friends at that time. For a moment while I let Ken figure out how are we going to get in, I can't help but notice how the whole place looks similar to Marinoa City in Fukuoka, because it's in the seaside and there's a huge ass ferris wheel hahaha! After observing a couple of people heading towards this huge garage-like place brimming with Toyota cars, we gave in and followed them, lo and behold we have finally arrived at the TeamLab Borderless!

We arrived there at around 9:00 AM, because I got scared that the queue to the entrance will be soooo long! I have seen a couple of vlogs that documents how LOOOOOONG the lines tend to be, like one of my fave youtubers vid HERE, and it scared me that's why I pestered Ken that we must go early to avoid the influx of human beings. But surprise surprise! There are no lines when we got there, however it does look like that once we get inside there will be a lot people enjoying the museum.

Tiis tiis kayo sa blurred photo ko ahhahaha!

Like I said, once you have swiped the Q.R. code they'll make you stay for a minute or two at the lobby for a quick orientation of do's and don't s inside. Once done, the first part you'll see is..

FOREST OF FLOWERS

Umm Jowa?

Hiyesss Auteur

This is the very first part of the museum, and from there you get to see entry ways to other parts and exhibition. Basically this is a very trippy exhibit where flowers are projected in walls, and you're also surrounded by mirrors, so be aware because you might end up walking towards a mirror.

Universe of Water Particles on a Rock Where People Gather

This part of the museum looks like a waterfall where there's big ramp/stage that you can stand/sit at. Just be careful though, maybe out of excitement you'll end up slipping and tumbling down HAHAHA!

Graffiti Nature

HAHAHAHHAHAHAH great photog skills by moi

Then after a couple of turns, TADAAAAH, you're now off to the Athletics Park, where one of the exhibits you'll see is the Graffiti Nature. There are a bunch of things you can do here, like you can color some templates of animals, Ken did a lizard while I colored a butterfly, then after that you fall in line for the scanner corner. After a couple of minutes, you'll see your masterpiece projected on the floors and even on the walls! It's quite trippy, because when they project your artwork it doesn't appear like it's just floating, they really make it animate like how the animals do in real life!

As I have mentioned, given that Graffiti Nature is in the Athletics Park, the terrain is not flat, very uneven actually, that's why it's a no-no to wear heels here, you might trip and that's going to be a bummer for you.

Also, another fun thing you can try out is the slide! When I tried it out there are no other people in it, that's why I was the only one merrily sliding away hahaha!

Umm just brighten your monitor so you can see me hahaha!

Weightless Forest of Resonating Light

Or as I'd like to call the Ball Room he he he.

Now we are in the 2nd best place to snap away IG-Worthy photos! Basically this room is filled with hot air balloon-like balls with ever changing lights. There are no drastic activities here like in the Graffiti Nature, but you can go boing-boing yourself on every ball you pass by hahaha!

I wiped this ball with disinfectant before going boing boing crazy hahahah!

Weightless Forest of Resonating Light

My pusit going to the o-pusit side. Mehehe corny bye.

This is pretty much like Graffiti Nature, only it's theme geared toward the sea and aquatic life. When you enter this room you'll feel as if you're in Ocean Park hahaha! Like in the Graffiti Nature, you can plop down in one of the seats with lots of crayons, then color whatever aquatic animal you'd like to bring life to.

Forest of Resonating Lamps

The prettiest room in the museum in my opinion! Wonder how they managed to make the room seem endless and infinite? Answer: Two-Way Mirror/Glass. Among the exhibits in the museum, this and the Crystal World (which we weren't able to go to because of the CRAZY LOOOOONG LINES) are the most breathtaking!

Now, now, just to clarify this exhibit also has a looong line, and around 20 minute waiting line for a 1-2minute experience inside this room/exhibit, I think this is to ensure that there are only limited number of people per batch. Does waiting 20 minutes for this exhibit justifies how amazing the exhibit is? YES, YES IT DOES! Being inside this seemingly infinite fantastical abyss of wonder will make you feel as if you are Rapunzel during that romantic heart melting scene in Tangled ❤

Before we end this with a final verdict, just some quick Do's and Don'ts:

DO:

💓 Bring a camera. DUH.

💓 Wear white. I think it looks cute when the flowers and graphics are clearly projected to your body without any dark colors or pesky prints on it.

💓 Expect lines. If you're lucky like us who didn't have to queue to the entrance, then yey! But do expect that there are a number of exhibits where you have to fall in line for 5-20 minutes to try it out.

💓 Wear comfy clothes! TeamLab Borderless is an interactive museum, and there are parts of it where you can jump, slide, and even try swinging in ravines made of lighted strings! I don't think this is the right place for a tube top and leather miniskirt though.

💓 Be mindful. I'm saying this not because you might get pick-pocketed here or what, but more of be mindful of the people around you, especially children. This place is literally like a futuristic playground, and there are a bunch of kids running around and having fun like you, so make sure to have fun without accidentally hitting them with your bag or your langy arm.

💓 Have fun! Gh0000rl, Php 1,500+ ticket dito! i-enjoy mo ito bakluhhh

DON'T:

💔 Go late. Be early as much as you can, because believe me you'll end up spending 3-4 hours getting lost inside this technological chasm of a museum.

💔 Don't skip a meal when you go here. There are no food places inside this museum (except for the EnTea, which I don't think will be THAT filling for the tummy), and if ever you get really hungry and want to go out already, you can no longer go back in.

💔 Don't bring food! They allow drinks, as long as it's sealed and you can drink in hallways where there are not intricate piece that you might end up spilling some liquid on.

💔 Don't wear heels. Really, just don't.

TeamLab Borderless is that kind of place you won't be able to see anywhere, in fact it's actually included in a lot of To-Go-To lists of various travel blogs and vlogs, and I get it now why this is so. This place is a perfect destination if you want an escape from normalcy and want to be fascinated visually- oh and get to take killer photos without the need of so much manipulations. Also this museum is perfectly nestled inside a very high-tech city that perfectly complements it (I mean hello, you can see a HUGE GUNDAM a couple of steps away!), so even after feasting your eyes with all the technological wonders the geniuses behind TeamLab used with light and sounds you can go visit a ton more cool places within Odaiba!

So the question is, am I recommending this for people who are going to Tokyo in the future? Def ♥

And hope you get to have your 'Tangled' moment

Love Always,
Nicole ❤

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