Smartphone traveller

My smartphone helps me a lot when i travel. Ofcourse now smarphone has become our pc,alarm, camera and organizer. Additional function when u travel are :

1. Google map - gps
2. Google translator
3. Your report to family /friends - via instagram, FB, Twitter , Kakao, Whatsapp (at least they know u are alive)
3. Relevant Apps  - Tourist language / Subway Map / Train info for transfer and fare / Qiblat compass for Muslim.

I'm using Samsung note 3 ( no, they don't pay me) but i really like this feature- Increase Touch Sensitivity
At last i don't need to open my glove when i need to capture or browse something.
Great  function during winter travel.

Usually we only copy word to translate in google translate. But how about thru image?.. I try out google translate by image. Berguna untuk terjemah kandungan makanan untuk muslim. It is easy...but the setback it might not works on all words. But it is quite useful eg if you have nut allergy u need to check for ingredients / and for Muslim and vegetarian - to check on soy emulsifier,shortening
1.Capture and choose to translate

 2.U can also use image store in your media  for translation. The photo button is on the right side

and repeat  highlighting words that u want to translate.

quite useful....

Universal Studio Japan Osaka

Yeay unleash your inner child...its usj day ! We purchase normal train ticket to USJ (the kansai pass is only valid for 3 days and today we are going to JR stations which is not cover in the pass). The nearest train station is JR Universal City.
No wifi today as we only rent it for 4 days and i  mail it back  at Lawson Universal City. You can also return it at airport should u utilize it till day of departure.
Same as in Disneyland they also has colorful train full of cartoon character.

We bought the entrance ticket in advance in Malaysia to avoid q and to save some money (from forex). You can buy it at Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) rep in your country.

Once we arrived at USJ....its raining ... if we have another day we will extend this but from the weather forecast it will be raining for the whole week at Osaka. We have been travel to Kobe ,Kyoto , Wakayama it is all sky clear there. Well ,  time to use the umbrella ..ella...ela..

Universal Globe!

Although it is raining and on weekday , there are still large crowd from the local. Universal really know how to makes money lor.. they sell Elmo/ Snoopy ponchos and umbrella for the visitors.
I bought Elmo headband and the staff said "Kawaaii" lol im so happy but once each staff  said Kawaii ...hmm maybe part of their script lol








Remember to check the info and show time once u arrived. During our visit the park close at 5pm.
Since i have been to Universal Studio Singapore ( USS) im just gonna skip whatever i've watch and try at USS . They still open the rides altho it is raining but its ok im gonna skip that too..
We went to 
-Sesame Street 4d. Elmo speaking in Japanese is so kawaii.
- Jaws - the waiting line is 30 minutes but it is worth it.
- No halal restaurant here but we did try at Jaws area they have seafood base restaurant and we drink coffee and sup kerang. nak makan benda goreng tp tetiba ragu2 sebab tak semua pakai minyak sayur. Maggi pun bawak jugak, kalu aritu jumpa tempat air panas sure epic makan maggi di USJ tp sebab dah jumpa sup dulukan, takdela nak carik.
U can bring your own food tho. They don't check your bag.
-Backdraft - expect a lot of heat..it is so suitable during this cold and rainy days.hehe
-Hello Kitty ribbon collection - U can take photo with Hello Kitty. You can purchase the photo  if u want. The staff talk to me in Japanese - ok "wakarimasen".... she LOL so hard and change to English. She just need my name in order for Hello Kitty to  greet me later......sebab masing2 tak sempat keluar kamera, dah kena paw ngan hello kitty kena beli sebab gambar tu cantik.uhuhu
 other than that we just stroll in the park with our wet socks...uhuhu

Air tenang jangan disangka tiada Jaws

I want to visit studio 14 too but ,USJ just ended the Hologram showcase (one week before i arrive Japan). They collaborate with SM entertainment.

TVXQ at studio 14

I also went to Back to the future because 2PM was there. ..eheh
U know Marty rides Delorean right ? Not my day ,Delorean already back to future... apparently the Delorean display will only available in certain day...cehhh.

Untuk muslim , takde prayer room tapi boleh solat dekat baby centre near entrance dan kawasan sesame street (selepas Hello Kitty). Muat untuk seorang sebilik  untuk solat.Untuk lelaki kenala mintak kebenaran kut sebab ini bilik menyusu anak sebenarnya.















Available food :Snoopy bun with custard filling , Snoopy red bean cake and soup.

Oh the next attraction in USJ will be Harry Potter ! Not sure whether it is separate entrance or included in USJ but is almost complete now. We can see Hogwarts from far.Should i go to USJ again? OTL

Hogwarts

 Souvenirs available :

My favorite: coz this is the cheapest souvenir only 100 yen !!

We also received USJ pen by filling survey  and snoopy sticker at the entrance. Im gonna miss u Hello Kitty. Btwi do hope in future USJ will provide free wifi...lol

After exit , we went to Hard Rock Cafe just outside USJ to check out any exclusive HRC merchandise

From JR Universal City  we went to JR Osakako station (only few stations) to view Kaiyukan Aquarium architecture. Tempozan ferris wheel is also located here but it was close for renovation during our visit. The aquarium itself is the largest aquarium in the world.We stop by at souvenir shop on our way to Kaiyukan buying fridge magnet and stuff. Its our last night in Japan,.We went to Kansai airport early morning and save some fare to kansai by buying Kanku Chitoku card ( a card combine with subway interchange with Nankai line at Namba). Bye Japan

its already dark at 7pm when  we arrive there so my photo doesnt do the building beauty any  justice  so i just borrow wiki photo hehehe

Kyoto Day Tour

My original plan was to visit Nijo Castle and visit Kyoto Mosque. We take Hankyu train from Namba. It is our last day using Kansai Thru Pass (3 days) . However my sis lost hers and as stated in the guide book no replacement for lost card....so we have to buy a normal ticket for her.
You need to buy ticket from the machine provided. You can just press English and follow the instruction for JR, Subway Line. However for Hankyu..nope no English but we figure out as we ask the local to show us during our visit to Kobe. You just need to refer the romaji table-usually next to kanji located up to the ceiling and check how much is the fare. Eg Arashiyama - 490 yen  . Just insert your money (eg500 yen)and 2,3 buttons will blink  which allow u to choose 200/ 490 so u choose the same fare 490. The machine will give u ticket and balance if necessary.

Q to ride Hankyu train to Kyoto

While sitting in the train i realise that this Hankyu line has its own stop at Arashiyama.I read before this place is stunning beautiful.Change plan,  we are heading to Arashiyama , with one transfer . I have checked it has the same fare -490 yen from our original stop .(for my sis who doesn't have pass)

Once i arrived at the station we can see Rent -A- Cycle store... ok not sure what happened but we decide to rent the bicycle. It is 400 yen for 2 hours.
Caution : Riding bicycle is a skill. if u never ride one, u cant learn it in few minutes....Err don't u watch Full House???
Its been LOOONG time since i ride one. First try , i cant balance my body...uhuhu..second try success!!! Back to school days....

Imagine this view in Spring and autumn......

the only tree with flower...i think it is plum tree

Arashiyama is definitely for nature lover.
We cycle our way to the bamboo forest. The bicycle shop  will give you a map and u can also follow the sign provided along the way. Anyway the Bamboo Forest is near to JR station than Hankyu station ( advantage for JR pass holder)

You can also ride this rickshaw in Arashiyama

Next- we need food. Planning  to go to  Rose cafe in Kyoto which is next to the mosque. However the station that we went is far from the restaurant Wrong info and the person is sure fit...lol.  We take a cab .the metre is still 550 yen when we arrive at the cafe. Some taxi start with 660 yen. For a group of 4 it is cheaper to take taxi than ride a train especially for 1 -2 stations distance. For example train fare is 200 yen X 4 pax = 800  when u ride a taxi total 1 car is 550 yen or 660 yen only.

We walk along imperial park before we take taxi

Rose cafe building

its halal!! i eat burger here

the mosque is not actually a mosque and doesn't have minaret. The actual name is Islamic Cultural centre(just next to rose cafe building and follow the small sign) . You can buy halal goods and  pray here. We were welcome by our muslim brother from Indonesia. He show us the prayer room.













He also guide us the nearest station . From Islamic Cultural Center we across a bridge and walk along until we see the station entrance /exit. The station near "Kyoto Mosque" and Rose cafe is Keihan  Jingu Marutamachi station

crossing the bridge and turn right to get to Keihan railway

Our next stop is Gion. It is famous for classic Japan building and if you go at night u might see real Geisha

After that we went to Inari shrine for sightseeing.

We went back to Osaka but since it 7pm most people just back from their office  and i dont get any seat. You  need to q in advance to secure a seat.