Japan Oddities

This is a guest entry from none other than my Mr. R (Right!)

Enjoy folks!

Two Japanese oddities that totally make sense

1. Faucets on toilet bowls

Having heard of Japan's high-tech electronic toilet bowls with built-in bidets and heating, I came prepared. Anyway, my toilet bowl at home has a built-in bidet, although not electronically controlled. What did surprise me was the toilet bowls with faucets that run water into the tanks.

From our first accommodation (Guest House Wasabi)

Really odd. That is, until I realized that it allows you to use the water twice. You could wet your hands using that faucet then proceed to the sink to soap up and rinse. Meanwhile, the water that you used to wet your hands is stored for the next time someone uses the flush. In that way, the water is recycled instantly. Instant water savings, and given the water-energy nexus, energy savings as well. Sugoi!

2. Condensed milk in toothpaste tube

Not strictly a Japanese oddity as a quick Google search returns results from other countries, but I saw this first in Japan.

Picture from Google - but this is the same brand that Chabs (our host in Yokohama) had

Condensed milk is thick (viscous) so it makes sense to put it into a tube and squeeze it out as needed. Then you just put the cap back on. Convenient and clean. This stands in stark contrast to how we do it in the Philippines: our condensed milk comes in tin cans. We punch a hole then wait as the milk pours out very slowly. Inconvenient and messy.

Japan: Akihabara [Day1]

We went to the airport at 3am, MNL time, flew at 5am. Then arrived at 10am, NRT time.
I was directed to www.hyperdia.com by Chabs. And from there I started my itinerary. It's really helpful when you are in the country where the train maps are as daunting as these:

Japan: Fuji Q Highlands [Day 4]

I'm writing notes while waiting for an almost 2.5 hours of queuing. I like all the thrills that Fuji Q is offering. I'm not too fond of the queues though.

We came here as early as 9 am. At Kawaguchiko Station Inn where we were billeted for two nights, 7am, we had a hearty Japanese breakfast fit for a King. Or a Princess if you don't mind. Haha. I checked the operating hours of the amusement partk and found we have enough time to check the Kawaguchiko Lake on day time. We went there the night before but all we saw were twinkling lights.

This morning, we got to see the Kachikachi ropeway. I asked R if he wants to try it and he said no. I did not mind. Wasn't too fond of the cable car either.

Then at around 9am, we hopped on the train going to Fuji Q. Fare is JPY 170 one way. Then entrance is around 1,400 JPY but we bought the free pass (i.e. ride all you can) for 5,200 JPY each.

Japanese Visa for Filipinos

Requirements for Japan Visa Application:

1	Philippine Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
2	Application form
3	picture Specs: 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background
4	Birth Certificate of applicant
5	Marriage Contract (if the applicant is married)
6	Daily Schedule in Japan (TAIZAI NITTEIHYO ）
7	(if visiting friend) Documents or photos etc. to prove relationship
8	Invitation Letter from Guarantor in Japan
9	Bank Certificate
10	Income Tax Return (Form 2316) original and photocopy

I submitted my documents to an accredited agency - Reli Travel and Tours - located at 5/f SM Megamall. Beside Foot for the Gods.

The cost is PhP 1,200. This is just the travel agency fee. Japanese visa does not cost a cent for Filipinos. But they also do not allow direct application. So you're pretty much left with no choice.

Just Always Pray At Night. Version Gazillion

For the umpteenth time, I'm revising my itinerary. Just a teeny bit. It now looks like this:

Day 1. Fly in. Tokyo. Akihabara, Odaiba
Day 2. Hitachi Seaside Park. Ibaraki
Day 3. Kawaguchiko. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. Ice Lava Cave, Wind Cave, Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Flower Garden
Day 4.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Q
Day 5.  Kawaguchiko - Nikko
Day 6. Nikko. Kegon Waterfalls. Shinkyo Bridge
Day 7. Hakone. Odawara Castle,  Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Shrine
Day 8. Disney Sea
Day 9. Fujioka
Day 10. Fly back to Manila

For my final (Read: What actually transpired) itinerary: click here.

Just Always Pray at Night

JAPAN!!!
After endless nights of planning for months end (I may have made at least 10 itineraries! And read more blogs than I could ever remember!), here's my final plan for the whole 9-day trip.

Day 1. Fly in. Tokyo. Akihabara, Odaiba

   [Stay at Guest House Wasabi. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 2. Hakone. Odawara Castle,  Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Shrine

   [Stay at Guest House Wasabi. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 3. Kawaguchiko. Ice Lava Cave, Wind Cave, Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Flower Garden

   [Stay at Kawaguchiko Station Inn. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 4.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Q

   [Stay at Kawaguchiko Station Inn. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 5.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. 

   [Stay at Nikkosan Backpackers Inn. JPY 3,000/night]

Day 6. Nikko. Kegon Waterfalls. Shinkyo Bridge

   [Stay with Chabs. JPY 0/night]

Day 7. Kamakura

   [Stay at Retrometro Backpackers. JPY 2,600/night] 

Day 8. Disney Sea

   [Stay at Retrometro Backpackers. JPY 2,600/night]

Day 9. Fujioka

   [Stay at Retrometro Backpackers. JPY 2,600/night]

Day 10. Fly back to Manila

For my final (Read: What actually transpired) itinerary: click here.

Kanchanaburi Thailand

For our second day, we booked our tour with Tong.

Highlight was elephant bathing - well, more like, elephant tossing.