To the place I beloooong! West Virginia, Mountain Mamaaaa! Take Me Home, Country Roooooads 😂🤗

Sorry, I really just have to put this one out there! No, I did not head out to the wild, wild west, instead I actually went somewhere provincial in Japan for our 2nd day.

As if there's not plenty of things to do in the city proper of Tokyo, we still decided to head out for a tour going to the country side ⛩👏.


Since both my cousins have been to Tokyo previously, they wanted to try something different from shopping and all city activities, hence the plan for the Mt. Fuji trip arised. While we were warming up on our first night in Tokyo, we booked this trip via KKDay for Php 2,530 or around $ 50.

You can check out the tour HERE

Just a disclaimer, to manage your expectation, this trip won't really take you to the foot of Mt. Fuji, instead they'll take you to Lake Kawaguchi which is opposite Mt. Fuji. But don't fret, it is still worth the trip 👏




Given that this trip will definitely use up 1 full day, the meet-up time is at 8:20 A.M. sharp at Tokyu Plaza in Ginza station. Once you arrive, you'll be greeted by the KKDay group leader, where she'll usher you to the coaster which can hold up to 15 people comfortably. Take note, the coaster doesn't have their own wifi, so it's best that you have your own with you 👏

Bought some sneakers for Php 1,700 only!

Dainty goodies from Cath Kidston

Really tempted to buy this one, after knowing that this lucky bag holds 2 bags, 3 wallets, and a couple of trinkets!!!!

Gave me an idea to buy a pair of plain white sneaks then draw a 'Saint Laurent' on it 👌

I've been here last year, and it's nice to see familiar stores, and new additions. However it's also sad to find out they have replaced the Disney Store with something new 🤔 Oh well, Que Sera Sera I suppose? But on the plus side, they added a Shake Shack here, so yey!

Probably tourists thought this is some sort of wishing pond or something 🤔🤗😂🤷‍♀️

Best thing in the world!

*cue theme song of The Tale of Princess Kaguya*

Our 2nd stop is Oshino Hakkai, which has these wonderful ponds, and lots of stores that sell quirky souvenirs, trinkets, food, and amazing peach frizz tea! We weren't able to fully explore the place because we were only given an hour to walk around, and given that there's a lot of people during our stay, we weren't able to take much photos (believe me, this place alone is worth 500 photos!).

This place made me feel as if I am in one of those Ghibli movies, running after evil, and stumbling upon a magical gnome. What's good about this place is they have a substantially big toilet facilities, so despite having a lot of visitors there are no long lines before you get to pee peacefully.

Testing out the live focus feature of Galaxy A30 with my barcode bangs 🙃🙃🙃

Our last stop is at lake Kawaguchi, where we get to have a majestic view of Mt. Fuji. I am so thankful that the weather that day is perfect, not so sunny, not so cloudy, it's perfect! We get to see Mt. Fuji without anything that could cover it. Aside from Mt. Fuji, Japan's countryside is a marvel to look at! It really feels as if you're in a movie!

By around 7 P.M. we have arrived back to Ginza, and basically ogle at all the expensive stuff I can't buy 🤷‍♀️😂 Hahaha!


I really enjoyed this trip! While we were travelling to these amazing places, I can't help but feel overwhelmed and immensely grateful for the people I am with during this trip, and of course to God for answering my prayers! These things, I only wished for before, but with faith and hardwork, God granted it 😍 Really couldn't ask for more.

Cheers to more travels in the future!

Love Always,
Nicole

I know, ang waley, but I got to put it here because I am in Japan once again! Currently I am in Tokyo, at 3 in the morning, trying to count how many sleep I'll get if I wake up early for our Mt. Fuji trip 🙃

So, while I wait for sleep to knock my consciousness down, I shall blog about what a loooong day today has been.






Our flight was at 2 P.M., but because I got a slight trauma of being stuck in immigration line for an hour during our January trip to Hong Kong, I opted to go earlier-by earlier, I was dropped off by my boyfriend, Ken, at 10 P.M. in NAIA Terminal 3. Fortunately, there aren't that much travellers that day, so going through immigration was a breeze.

After thorough checkings and filling up of forms, my cousin, Lot, whisked me away to the airport lounge to have some champagne and mini sandwiches. But given that I am really a 5 year old trapped inside an adult's body, I got ice cream, Arroz Caldo,and a Coke instead- I had 2 ice creams! 👏👏👏

Our flight duration was around 4 hours, and because of Japan being 1 hour ahead of us from The Philippines (and basically in all aspects), we got there at 7:00 P.M. Since I am travelling with 2nd cousins from the States, we weren't able to leave the airport immediately, because some had to rent a wifi device first, and some had to queue to convert their USDs for JPYs-and the lines are preeeeetty long.


So while waiting for them, I decided to head over the EasyGo counter in Narita Airport Terminal 2 (at the 2nd floor), to get my simcard and my 3-day unlimited subway ticket (not applicable to JR Yamanote line tho. Sad.) that I purchased off from Klook. Surprisingly, I was greeted with a free counter because there weren't a lot of people getting their Klook-purchased stuff at that time.

Just a quick sidenote, this Tokyo Subway pass is a lifesaver! Although you won't be able to us it in JR lines, you'll still be able to save yourself some $$$. They give you a map along with this card, so you can check out which lines to take to get to your destination.



In my previous trip to Tokyo, we landed in Haneda that's why I have no idea how to go to Tokyo proper coming from Narita airport. Good thing my cousinis a frequent visitor here, so she was able to herd us like Bo Peep.

Coming from Narita airport one can opt to take a bus, exclusive hotel transfer, or trains. If you choose the train option (coz u poor like us), you buy a ticket for the Skyliner train that goes to different parts of Tokyo. Given that we chose to stop at the Nippori Ueno station, and from there hop into the line leading to Shinjuku, we paid ¥1,240+ for the Skyliner one-way ticket to Ueno. From Ueno to Shinjuku, that's when you whip out your pasmo. Not sure how much our trip cost me, since I have already loaded up my Pasmo with ¥2,000 🤷‍♀️ (⬅️ Gangstaaaa), but pretty sure it wasn't that much because it's pretty close from Ueno.


What I love about staying in Shinjuku is that no matter how late it is already, your surroundings is still as loud as it is at 6 P.M.! We were able to roam around (after settling our stuff at the hotel) at around 1 A.M. already, and yet there are still people partying-on a monday night!!!

Not sure ano pinaglalaban ko dito.

That's pretty much it for the first day! Since we arrived late at night, not much has happened-but pretty sure great things are up ahead, because JAPAAAAAAN!