The Yeeppies... Cavan, Verity & Vesper: Tokyo (21 Mar 2010

Another free-and-easy trip to Japan, this time Tokyo! Would be my third trip there. Unlike our Hokkaido trip, we didn't do a fly-drive as it was not worth doing so in Tokyo. Getting around was fairly easy. We also made a 2-day trip to Hakone, which was a lovely quaint place. Should have spent more days there.

When we arrived at Narita Airport, we went to buy NEX tickets to get to Shinjuku station. When the train arrived, we promptly got up and found ourselves four seats. We settled in comfortably. Until someone came and mentioned apologetically that we have taken his seat. What? You mean the seats are assigned? We had no clue. What was revealed to us next gave us a big shock.

The car we were in was not headed for Shinjuku but another city! We had one more station's time to get ourselves (plus 2 big luggages, 1 stroller and one big backpack) across 5 cars before the train split. Either we make a mad dash when the train pulled over, or we start shifting ourselves. We decided on the latter.

We brought the kids and the stroller over first. Then Clem went back to pick up the 2 luggages. I was so worried that he couldn't make it in time and we'd be headed towards different cities. Thank God he did!

Hotels

I booked several hotels through Wotif, which was wonderful for I can see the rates going at different periods of time. If we were to book more than three days, usually there is a special rate.

The first 4 nights, we stayed at Citadines Shinjuku apartments, which was 15-20 min walk to Shinjuku station or 5 min walk to Shinjuku-Sanchome station. I liked it as it was spacious, with a kitchenette and a living area. I could cook there and there was an area for us to have our supper. There's also a park nearby which was great for a walk and pictures. If we walk down to Shinjuku station, we will pass by a lot of eateries and a Hello Kitty shop.

We stayed at different hotels as we wanted to explore different areas in Tokyo. We spent 2 nights in Asakasa Sunroute, 1 night in Hakone Suimeisou and the remaining in Sunroute Shinjuku. It was a lot of hassle carting our luggages and barang on the train. When we made the trip to Hakone, we parked our stuff at Sunroute Shinjuku and used one luggage.

Hakone

We wished we stayed longer here. There were many things to explore. By the time we reached Hakone after a 2-hour ride on the Odakyu train, it was past noon. By the time we got out it was almost 4pm and had started snowing.

Cavan was so excited, he began twirling round and round to catch the falling snowflakes while we waited for the bus at the bus stop. There was a group of Singaporean young adults there and they absolutely adored Cavan! When the bus came, there was slight trouble - Verity had fallen asleep on the stroller and we had to fold the stroller. So I carried Verity up while Clem carried the stroller and handled Cavan. Thankfully people gave up their seats to us.

Before long, the bus was stuck on the road as it tried to make its way uphill. Apparently, it was snowing so hard, vehicles kept slipping down the road. We were in limbo. I tried to understand what the driver was communicating. We were stuck on the bus for almost 2 hours. I got quite worried, whether we would be able to get back in that snow. It was past our dinner time. A kind Korean lady gave Cavan some rice crackers. Worse still, Cavan started complaining that he was feeling urgent.

Eventually I got news that the bus couldn't travel anymore. We had to get off and walk to the nearest train station which was 25 min away. Quite challenging to walk in the snow, pushing the stroller, holding the umbrella. First we had to find a toilet for Cavan and stopped by a convenience store.

Finally we got to the train station and while waiting, Clem and the kids had fun snowfighting. What a day! We so enjoyed the rest of the time in Hakone because of the snow.

Checking out the opening hours for the hot bath since we paid bath tax, must make full use!

Love this. Some mochi stuff with brown sugar syrup

Our breakfast served in room

Eating ice cream on a cold day is fun!

He, Japanese boy?

We encountered a hilarious incident. We were walking into an elevator in Takashimaya when a lady (in her late twenties) gushed over Cavan saying to her male companion "Look, Japanese boy, so cute!" She was undoubtedly a Singaporean as I recognised the accent. Then she went on to ramble about cuteness of Japanese kids, using Cavan as a reference.

I was not about to correct her, to avoid embarrassment, and to let her carry on with her adoration. Anyway, we won't see each other again.

THEN, Cavan blurted out, "Aiya, my leg veli itchy. I want to scratch!"

I didn't know how to respond. The lady's look was priceless. I didn't know who was more embarrassed - she or me.

I still laughed over that incident.

Strollers and Elevators

In Japan, they were very strict about strollers not going on the escalator. We travelled with a stroller and spent most of our time looking for an elevator. It was a major hassle! The elevators were situated at ends of buildings, sometimes another building!

Tired of walking about looking for it sometimes, Clem would carry up the stairs, with either one kid sleeping in it, with loads of winter clothes piled on.

Other times, we simply pushed the stroller up the escalator. Japanese frowned at such an act as if it were an abominable sin. We learnt to be thick-skinned. Afterall we are tourist. Certain rules do not apply to us. (Ok bad tourist)

I vowed to Clem the next time we travel, we needn't use the stroller anymore! The kids would have outgrown the stroller. At most for winter clothes, we'll lug a cabin luggage to walk around. More mobile than a stroller. Hurray!

Places

The kids had fun in Disneyland. But they feared the fireworks so they practically had their eyes and ears covered. What a waste!

Puroland is a place where girls will go gaga. Verity had fun exploring Hello Kitty's house. I couldn't resist buying the stuff too!

Inokashira Park Zoo was a nice place for kids to get close to small animals. A nice walk in the great weather!

Other usual places such as Odaiba, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya (with the 7- storey toy shop) etc. I'm starting to miss Japan already!

Supper

We had supper every night in the hotel room. It was fun to get all sorts of munchies and Japanese beverages and just chill in the hotel room. The supermarket usually slash their food prices by as much as 50% sometimes so we couldn't resist!