Glico Man - Osaka Landmark

One of the famous photo spot in Dotonbori , Osaka is Glico Man neon board.
The neon board is Dotonbori landmark since its construction in 1935.

You must be thinking...eh i heard this Glico word. Well this is because it is one of famous food company from Japan. Have u heard Pocky ? Or in Malaysia the name is Rocky. (I think Indonesia and Thai also use Rocky)
I learnt about globalization in marketing class and Rocky is one of the example.A company need to fit its local market. Pocky is sound similar to offensive word in Bahasa which is why they change it to Rocky.The company logo is the running man as in Japan they call Glico man.

Pocky in Japan

Rocky in Malaysia

Rocky is certified Halal from Thailand Authorithy.

















Oh back to Dotonbori is also known as food street. I would like to try the soft crab but i think it is expensive so bye bye crab.

Dotonbori Canal

We also found this halal restaurant but we already eat dinner by that time.

Both Namba and Nippombashi station will lead you to Dotonbori street & canal . However Namba is nearer to the Glico neon board.

Osaka Ryokan , Osaka Castle and Sky Umeda Building

We want to experience a ryokan style once so we choose this hotel : Yamatoya Honten
The location is near Dotonbori and next to the Dotonbori canal.
The nearest subway will be Nippombashi Exit 2 ( From KIX transfer at Tenggachaya to subway line)
It is perfect location as it is near subway but exit 2 doesn't have elevator so we have to drag our large bag via stair.huhu

Once we check in, they gave us this chopstick as souvenir...yeay  i like free gift.

our room:

they give u free candy  and hot water

They also provide Yukata and you can try it on
In the evening ( we are out to tour Osaka)  the staff will prepare the tatami bed for u.

Every morning they will roll up the Tatami bed for you.We knew that base on the new towel and toothbrush and the table position once we are back.  (We kind of wanna tell them you can just let the tatami bed  be coz we never stay in our room) lol.

Overall it is a good experience for us.

http://www.yamatoyahonten.co.jp/eng/

First stop after check in.
Osaka Castle !
Since we are using Kansai Pass , our nearest station will be Tanimachi 4 chome station (exit 1 and 3)
Hmmm although it is the nearest but i think is 25 minutes of walking, first u need to find the osaka park , after that u can see Osaka Castle roof....well that is a motivation....breathe in..breathe out...or maybe u just need to be fit....hahaha 


http://www.osakacastle.net/english/access/index.html

the rooftop!!

the gate

yeay im finally here,you are a beauty

the gold mythical fish

 I believe the Osaka Castle Park will be so beautiful during spring with Sakura flower.

Time capsule no.1 is schedule to be open in year 6970. 5000 years after 1970

  Time capsule no. 2 was initiate in 2000 and will be open every 100 year until 6970.

Okcat with Osaka Castle

Taec the ceo with osaka castke

 Hmm so did Taec went all the way to Osaka castle by walking?  eeeey he did not take the subway. Anyway  since he is a beastly idol he may just run from the park to the castle...lol


After that , we went to see night view of Osaka at the Sky Umeda Building

With our Kansai Pass , we can get 10% discount entrance to the Floating Garden.

This image is from Wikipedia Sky Umeda

http://www.kuchu-teien.com/english/index.html

Night view

It is quite thrill to ride the escalator up there

Osaka Adventure & Halal Udon

There are many pass offer to tourist in Japan, eg. Osaka Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, JR Rail pass so which one  should we choose ?

In my opinion JR Rail pass  is suitable for anyone who want to explore all vicinity of Japan with the advantage of access to JR shinkasen (bullet train) . But if you just want to focus in one area it will not worth it.
Osaka Pass - This pass will only exclude JR  but doesn't include train to Kobe, Nara,Kyoto
Kansai thru Pass- This pass also exclude JR but include  Osaka subway ,train to Kobe , Kyoto and Nara.

First what i did was, i compare the normal ticket price to all the place i want to go in Hyperdia.
Hyperdia is a service which offers the route and the timetable of the railway and the aviation of Japan.
With simple operation, "Hyperdia" guides the optimal route and the fare from starting point to end. You can also choose to exclude JR train for the route option.

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

I also find out after i get back there are another apps - Navitime For Japan Travel  which has the same function but  another good feature which is offline search for Wifi Spot.
 http://www.navitime.co.jp/pcstorage/html/japan_travel/english/

I just add the total cost in Hyperdia and  compare the Pass price.Well after my analysis , the total cost is 7000yen in 3 days , in comparison with Kansai Thru Pass the price is only 5000 yen for 3 days and this include Nankai Line (train service from Kansai Airport to Osaka city subway + subway +Hankyu + Kobe + Kyoto Line.
 The best thing about this pass is you don't have to use it consecutively. Eg for 3 days u can use it Monday , Tuesday and last day on Friday. It also comes with discount coupon for certain tourist spot.
In my case this is the best pass for me according to place that i wanna go. We bought this pass at Travel Desk Kansai Airport.

http://www.surutto.com/tickets/kansai_thru_english.html

For Hankyu and Nankai Line there are option of Rapid Express, Limited Express & Local. Limited Express means they will stop at only few selected main station.

Kansai Airport Facility For Muslim
Kansai airport provide prayer room and you can taste Halal  udon here!(N1 -Second Floor)

I choose Warm Udon Noodle (540Y-Regular) Other option will be Normal udon/without soup udon

You can add Tempura (choice of chicken, vege,prawn)

My warm udon with vegetable tempura and green tea

JTB also provide this guidebook list of Halal restaurant which u can get it at Matta Fair / Travel Fair.

More on Kansai Airport (KIX) facilities :
 http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/index.asp

You can also follow JTB facebook for more info :
https://www.facebook.com/visitjapan2010

My short trip to Fukuoka~

I bought the flight ticket to Osaka  during sale. Once 2pm announce the Japan Arena tour dates,  i found out the Fukuoka stop is on the day i arrive at Osaka.Yeay It is really hard to resist knowing i will be in the same country with oppars...lol.  so i add Fukuoka in the itinerary

Japan promotes foreigner to fly within Japan especially if u flying with airlines under Oneworld. However their one way ticket cost 10,000 Y. The shinkasen fare is more expensive than airfare . The only way for me and within my budget will be Low Cost Airlines. Peach, Jetstar Japan etc are some of the low cost airline. I choose Peach as i can get return ticket to Osaka in that range and the the schedule match mine.

Once I arrive at Kansai airport , i pickup my rent wifi and put my baggage at storage service. I'm flying only with my backpack as I'm coming back the next morning. I try to locate Peach Counter,  only then i found out Peach is the only company fly via Kansai Terminal 2 and i need to ride bus to go to Terminal 2!.Thankfully, its only a short ride and the frequency is acceptable, and i have enough time.

Peach waiting area

Peach merchandise

Fukuoka

I think that is Fukuoka Tower

Fukuoka is situated at Northern shore of Kyushu Island. The airport has subway connecting to main city.

Therefore it easier for tourist and their subway is not complicated as Tokyo and Osaka.

Oh btw i also won a pass for 2PM open rehearsal therefore i rush to the main event location first before check in. I took subway to Hakata and ride bus to the Marine Messe. ( i just ask around  they said yes yes 2PM)

Marine Messe

It is a very beautiful port

Rehearsal

We need to buy 2PM Genesis album and inside the album will include 1 code series and u need to enter it in the given website which will tell you whether u win the rehearsal pass or not. Lucky me Tesh and Jae has assist me, i got in. I feel so excited knowing not everyone will get this chance.

Rehearsal sticker

My view

Besides 2PM , GOT7 performing as special guest in rehearsal... hehe they are cute. They sang Follow Me and Girls Girls Girls. 2PM rehearse 5 songs and there are  2 songs near the extended stage (my seat).

Culture shock

I have a little bit culture shock here, i know that the rules will be no photo and video but usually we still can capture some via hand phone.But none of them do that . So the photo above is the only one i captured . As a guest i have to follow and respect the host rules. It is a shock to me as it is my first time in Japan concert and i have to fight my desire to capture Khun in blue sweater.So kawaaii. hahaha. The image only store in my memory not my memory card..uhuhu. I contemplating between this thought for like 15 secs "i want to snap this/ no u should not" which in the end i decide "ah i should just focus on the rehearsal" i guess I'm really a good girl then...(perasan) !! The guys are wearing and looking so casual. I also saw Woo upcose as he standing on side of the extended stage. 

The concert

The ticketing in Japan is quite complex and it has balloting system. Besides it is all in Japanese, better if u have a Japanese friend. Tesh  know Miho,so we communicate via Line and I met Miho and friend at the venue , Miho even give me a set of Hello Kitty item~so sweet. (i have some guilt as i dont give her any except some snack) kominasai. The best thing is although we cant communicate easily (we use google trans) we finally found out we both know basic Hangul (coz of 2PM obviously). 

The concert ticket

Arigato

The Fukuoka stop is Khun stop so they are selling some limited item only for the stop eg Red towel and red beg here. Since it is long q i decide to purchase when the concert only about to start about 15 minutes ( less q) but some item already out of stock eg the Yazoo doll.(it will not fit in my backpack anyway) 

the towel is useful in next generation song as what the guys demonstrate in rehearsal..hee

Im looking forward for the solo performance and oh my its beyond expectation.

NK- u  look so handsome in that Pilot suit, n i like Mocha too.

JWY - well..... that is so genereous of u

JH- i like Hey U so much !! feel so rockish

TY - cool song and stage . Yerin voice fit perfectly.

CS- modern dance rocks!

J.k -  i have something to say...SOMETHINGGG !!! --wow your voice ,n your song awesome!

Well the goods thing bout no photo and video is most of the songs is like my first time seeing the performance n choreo !! im so overwhelm by that . I did enjoy the concert (altho i may have sit in one of the stage) hehe but i still waving the litestick like mad...lol  im weak (i dont have enough sleep from previous flight)

I really salute J-Hottest or Japanese audience because of their dicipline, they also participate in each solo song with the lightstick. Red-Khun, Yellow-Junho, Blue- Wooyoung, Green -Taec, Pink- Jun. k, Purple - Chansung.This is the moment which tempt me to take photo but i did not, yes i need to follow the rule.

It is so prettty and i like the rainbow too *all color of lightsticks.

I really enjoy the concert .

Since it is still 9pm i take a cab and went to the famous mall - Canal City Hakata. Oh, please do note that most mall close at 7pm. I just searching any restaurant which is still open. I ate seafood spaghetti at one of the restauran here. 
The mall as as in its name has canal around it.

After that i go back to my single room at Best western.I also consider this as unique coz there is no single room hotel in my country.(eg if u travel alone u still need stay in twin,double bed) I think they only have this in Japan and Korea.

 

The next day early morning, i went to airport via subway (the hotel located next to subway). Osaka here i come...again.lol