Banana and chocolate is one of those timelessly good combinations, whether it be conventional ice cream sundaes or Japanese only snacks like the Tokyo Banana. Meiji’s Choco Banana (バナナチョコ) bring the two together in cute bite sized form, perfect for little children’s hands.

Chocolate coated bananas have long been a staple festival food in Japan. You’ll see them at their equivalent of the pasar malam everywhere. But when craving for the taste, you can always find the Banana Choco readily available in stores.

These used to be commonly found in mini-marts in Singapore too but they seem to be rarer these days. Thankfully, Liang Court’s Mediya has them just the same for about $1.60 a pack. Which is really cheap considering how pricey even non-imported sweets are.

Cover tears open for a secret message.

Amusingly, the chocolate and banana parts have been flipped around. There are other companies that make banana chocolates but few package their stuff as well as Meiji and each piece of Banana Choco takes the shape of a tiny banana.

Banana coated chocolates.

Just like M&Ms, munching on the tiny sugar coated chocolates are addictive. The unconventional shape and recognizable banana taste make them much more enjoyable. Those fearing an overpowering artificial taste will be glad to know that the banana flavoring and sweetness of the shell are kept in moderation, so despite being a popular children’s snack, it is loved by adults as well. Many who have tried the Banana Choco end up wanting more.

One packet's contents.

Those looking to see a more diverse Japan would be happy to know that there are a variety of attractions nearby. Be it for a relaxing nature stroll or experiencing the exhilarating rides at Fuji-Q Highland and Tokyo Disney Resort, there are a great many options for day trips that can be accessed within a couple hours travel from central Tokyo. Knowing the popularity of such sites for both tourist and Tokyoites, many companies offer special discount travel options to get there on the cheap.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Despite the name, the Tokyo Disney Resort is located at the adjacent prefecture of Chiba. It’s not too far out from Tokyo and can be accessed in about half an hour. The fastest way to Disney Resort is through the JR Keiyo Line. The train starts from Tokyo Station and takes just 15 minutes and 210 yen to get to Maihama Station where Disney Resort is located.

Disneyland is just a short walk to the right of the station. DisneySea is further away in the opposite direction. If you are visiting DisneySea and are traveling with kids you will want to take the Disney Resort Line monorail to get there. Though it is a slightly pricey 250 yen, it will give you a nice view of the parks’ grounds. You need not queue to get tickets from the monorail ticketing machine here if you have a IC Card such as the Suica.

Disney Resort is just a short distance away.

Odaiba

The large manmade island of Odaiba is located just off the south east coast of Tokyo. It’s connected to the city through the iconic Rainbow Bridge, a beautiful sight when fully lighted up at night time. This makes Odaiba a popular date spot but the island has enough of a different ambiance from Tokyo to warrant a visit by anyone. It’s also a great spot for families, with its expansive children and pet friendly malls.

Unfortunately, neither JR nor Metro travel to Odaiba. To get there, one has to take either the New Transit Yurikamome or TWR’s Rinkai Line.

I would advise taking the Yurikamome which is a light transit vehicle similar to the Singapore LRT. The Yurikamome can be accessed from Shimbashi Station. It passes straight through the Rainbow Bridge and stops at the shopping areas at Odaibakaihinkoen Station. An enjoyable and convenient experience. The journey takes 15 minutes and costs 310 yen.

The Rinkai Line is a underground subway so you forego the sights along the way. Worst yet, it also stops in the center of Odaiba, quite a walk away from the relevant areas.

Dining at Odaiba.

Yokohama

The neighboring city of Yokohama is one of the easiest to access places for those looking for a change of pace. As a classical port town, Yokohama differs from Tokyo through the heavy western influences in its culture and architecture. Popular landmarks include the historically rich port area, Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel and Yokohama Chinatown.

A number of local lines run to Yokohama. The cheapest and most direct of which is the Tokyu Toyoko Line which leaves from Shibuya Station. It goes to Yokohama in 25 minutes and costs 260 yen. It is convenient since it links with the Minato Mirai Line.

The Yokohama port area uses its own train system called the Minato Mirai Line. The Minato Mirai is very pricey considering the distance traveled and single stops start at 180 yen. Yokohama Station itself is far away (about 2 kilometers) from where you’d be visiting, so unless you’re willing to brave the distance on foot you’ll just have to pay up the 180 yen to get to Minato Mirai Station.

Traveling to Yokohama by JR is a lot pricier. A direct JR train to Yokohama costs 450 yen. Note that if you’re one of those looking to visit the Yokohama Ramen Museum, it is located at the Shin-Yokohama.

Despite being closer to Tokyo than Yokohama, there is no cheap means of travel between Tokyo and Shin-Yokohama (it’s a Shinkansen station). The cheapest and simplest way would be to get there from Yokohama Station, taking the JR Yokohama Line (160 yen). It’s cheaper than you return to Yokohama Station after to catch a Tokyu train back to Shibuya again.

There are more parts of Yokohama to explore if you have the time. If you foresee yourself taking the Minato Mirai Line any more than just between Yokohama and Minato Mirai you may want to consider purchasing a Minato Mirai Pass. For 500 yen, it gives you unlimited travel on the Minato Mirai and JR Negishi Line (unfortunately it doesn’t cover the areas between Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama). You can purchase the pass at Yokohama Station or at any of the covered stations within the Yokohama area.

Yokohama, famous for its ports, is a popular daytime destination.

Saitama

While many think of Saitama as mostly a suburb of Tokyo, and it is true that many residents do travel to Tokyo for work, Saitama has its fare share of cultural sights. Whether it be for the nearly 2,500 year old Hikawa Jinja Shrine, its many museums and parks or the Saitama Arena for a concert, getting to Saitama is easy.

The JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line piggybacks through other train lines to stop at popular stations in Tokyo, leading all the way to Omiya, Saitama’s central station. You can get onboard from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu or Osaki Station on the JR Yamanote Line. Ticket cost starts at 380 yen from Ikebukuro and the journey to Saitama takes about half an hour.

Saitama Railway Museum.

Kamakura

Just an hour south of Tokyo is Enoshima island and the coastal city of Kamakura. Popular among locals for its beaches, Kamakura is better known to tourists for its giant sitting buddha statue.

The Odakyu Electric Railway company services quite a few popular tourist destinations such as Kamakura. To help eleviate costs, a number of discount day passes which includes to and fro travel to popular sightseeing spots plus unlimited travel within the area. One such pass is the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass, which costs 1430 yen and can be purchased from the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center in Shinjuku. It gives you a round trip to Enoshima via the Limited Express train, as well as unlimited use of the local trains within the area.

Usually a single way ticket there already cost 600 yen and local travel within the Enoshima area starts at 210 yen a stop so you actually end up saving quite a bit.

In addition to the Limited Express, Odakyu operate special “Romancecars”, luxury express trains between the touristy areas that they cover. You will need to pay an extra fee to use these (600 or more yen depending on destination). I wouldn’t recommend using one, since the Enoshima Romancecar actually takes a slower route that the Limited Express.

Fuji & Hakone

I’ve already previous written a more detailed guide about Hakone and how to get there. To breeze over the key points: Odakyu offers a similar Freepass to the Kamakura one mentioned above.

Since it is a slightly further 1.5 to 2 hours away from Tokyo, many choose to stay there overnight at the various hot spring equipped ryokans. The Hakone Freepass comes only in a 2 or 3 day variety (5,000 and 5,5000 yen respectively). Like the Kamakura Freepass, it covers a round trip to Hakone from Shinjuku and all transport at Hakone. The Hakone Freepass is exclusive to foreigners visiting Japan, so you’ll need to flash a foreign passport when purchasing it from the Odakyu Sightseeing Center.

It is especially important when visiting Hakone to get the pass even if you are only planning a one day trip, and if you are staying overnight at Hakone, the value of the pass greatly increases. Odakyu owns most of the transport there and they fully expect you to purchase the pass. Ticket prices for the many individual trams, cable cars and ropeways rides are ridiculous without it.

Getting to Hakone is not expensive. But moving about there is.

Due to the approximate closeness of Fuji to Mount Fuji. Odakyu also has the Fuji-Hakone Freepass for tourists hoping to cover both places at once. It costs 7,200 yen and lasts for 3 days, giving you unlimited travel within and between the Hakone and Fuji areas. However, unlike the Hakone Freepass which provides a two way train ride between Hakone and Shinjuku, the Fuji-Hakone pass involves a circular trip where you go to Hakone by train, travel to Fuji by bus, and then back to Shinjuku by highway bus.

This pass only makes sense if you’re planning to stay a few days in Hakone and only if you’re traveling light. Getting to Fuji from Hakone is almost as long as if you were to go to Fuji directly from Tokyo. It involves having to take a bus to Gotemba first which takes 30 minutes, and the bus ride from there to the Fuji area takes another 90 or more minutes. It requires quite carefully planning to make a Fuji and Hakone round circular trip work. Needless to say, it is impossible to cover both areas in a day.

There is actually one possible work around to visiting both Hakone and Fuji, without having to stay there, so as long as you visit both within a 3 day period. That is, to purchase the Fuji-Hakone pass and visit Hakone first with the pass, and return to Tokyo with a standard ticket. Then travel to Fuji via a standard bus or train ticket, and return to Tokyo through the pass again. You’ll still end up saving quite a bit of money if you manage to pull this off carefully.

Without the Odakyu passes, traveling between Tokyo and Hakone (Hakome Yumoto Station) costs 1150 yen each way. You can get to Kawaguchiko the main station at Fuji via bus or train, but both will set you back about 2,600 yen and 2.5 hours. Since taking the train would involve a lot of transfers, bus is the better choice here. You can take one from the Keio Building at Shinjuku.

Both Hakone and Fuji can be reached in 2-3 hours.

Nikko

Nikko to the north of Tokyo is another mountainous region for those looking to get away from the city. Like Hakone, it has its fare share of nature, ryokans, hot springs, that sort of thing. It is not as extensive as Hakone though and the main sights there are concentrated within a couple of areas, making Nikko a more feasible day trip.

Travel between Tokyo and Nikko is by Tobu Railway. The train there leaves from Asakusa Station and takes about an hour and half to get to the Tobu Nikko Station. A one way trip usually costs 1,320 yen but Tobu also offer their own discount passes for Nikko.

The two main passes are the World Heritage Pass (3,600 yen) and the All Nikko Pass (4,400 yen). Both are similar in that they include the two way trip between Asakusa and Nikko, as well as free use of the local buses within Nikko but are quite different otherwise.

Local buses around Nikko aren’t a big deal if you are only visiting the shrines here. In fact they can be reached on foot from Tobu Nikko Station. So to sweeten the deal, the World Heritage Pass adds free admission to a few popular shrines in the area. It is worth it only if you intend to visit all the shrines, but even then savings are minimal. I wouldn’t recommend it.

The All Nikko Pass on the other hand, forgoes the free temple admissions to include unlimited use of mountain buses. With this, you’ll be able to visit Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, the other key attractions at Nikko, or go as far as the adjacent hot springs town of Yumoto Osen. Without a pass, a single bus ride up the mountain would cost between 1,100 to 1,650 yen. It’s a no brainer to get this pass if you’re visiting Nikko from Tokyo. To sweeten the deal, it is even valid for 4 days.

Nikko in the north is a more feasible day trip.

It’s been a while since Ono Erena has reappeared under the entertainment news radar, however it was only last month that the former AKB48 member finally announced that she would be making her solo debut soon. Her first single, titled “Erepyon” (えれぴょん) after her nickname, has been confirmed for release on 13th June 2012.

Formerly part of OhtaPro, Erepyon has since switched over to the LesPro agency and the single will be published by Warner Music Japan. It should be noted that Ono is credited for writing the song herself. Sound-wise, it’s a typical J-Pop song backed by heavy guitar riffs stereotypical of solo idols and wouldn’t be out of place as an ani-song. It is being used as the theme song for the ongoing drama Legal High which stars Aragaki Yui.

The video for Erepyon is mostly Japanese idol affair, with kirakira glittery dance scenes juxtaposed against whimsical story scenes of Erepyon being a boxer. There is little to fault as fans of Erena will be no doubt pleased simply to see her return but there is not much new ground to praise either.

Ono Erena.

Ono Erena graduated from AKB48 back in September 2010, stating overseas studies as her reason. She had been one of the founding members of Team K, joining the group as one of its youngest members at the age of 12. And while her popularity was already starting to recline when she graduated, she remained one of the group’s more popular members and a staple senbatsu, one of the group’s chosen faces.

aka Erepyon.

However, despite being supposedly away, Ono was subsequently spotted at concerts and around Japan in the company of a young man, much to the delight of tabloids.

Ono eventually returned to the media spotlight last year when she opened a new blog in July. Strangely, it was shut down soon after. But reopened again in October 2011. She explained that it was her initial plan to study in London but had changed her mind, stating her desire to remain in the entertainment industry as the reason, with the dream of becoming an actress.

Ono Erena had previous appeared in a small number of movies, including a starring role in the controversial film Sankaku during the time of her graduation.

Promotional images for her solo debut.

Now 19, Ono is now ripe for a serious solo venture into the entertainment scene. And while she brings with her a certain following from her previous involvement in AKB48, only time will tell if she will succeed.

While Ono Erena is no longer directly involved with the massive idol conglomerate, the release of Erepyon will follow a similar pattern of having too many versions. Covers below.

Limited A Cover.

Limited B Cover.

Limited C Cover.

Regular Cover.

Lawson Exclusive Cover.

After the somewhat disappointing Kibou Sanmyaku, Watarirouka Hashiritai finally returns again this month with another addictive single. The first of the year, Shounen yo Uso wo Tsuke! (少年よ 嘘をつけ！) is the group’s 4th single since taking on the Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 name and 10th overall.

Like their previous single, Shounen yo Uso wo Tsuke! is a tie in with Crayon Shin-chan, replacing Kibou Sanmyaku as the theme song for the cartoon. It is most notable however for being the first Watarirouka release without its leader, Hirajima Natsuki left the group in January when both her and AKB48 fellow member Yonezawa Rumi’s private Twitter account photographs lead to a scandal.

While Hirajima continues to be part of the OgiPro agency that manages Watarirouka Hashiritai, she has left both AKB48 and Watarirouka, suspending all activities with the groups. Instead, fellow OgiPro artist Urano Kazumi, who is also a former AKB48 and SDN48 member takes her place in the single. Urano, who more often goes by the nickname Cindy, joins the youthful group despite being 27 this year. She makes for an amusing addition to the Watarirouka Hashiritai team, even if it is only temporary.

It’s been a while since this song first debut with the new lineup at AKB48′s Super Saitama Arena concert in March but the single will finally arrive on 30th May 2012. In anticipation of its release, the music video for Shounen yo Uso wo Tsuke! began airing last week. You can see a preview at the official Warota YouTube Channel.

Like their other singles, Shounen yo Uso wo Tsuke! is a catchy tune, mostly due to a strong memorable chorus. But while the stye remains the same, Watarirouka’s sound seems to have changed a bit with this new single.

This is likely the result of member Nakagawa Haruka having to undergo surgery for her vocal cord nodules in February (altering her voice) and the new dynamic introduced by the substitution of Hirajima with Urano. Without Nakagawa and Hirajima’s low voices to act as a contrast, and with Iwasa Misaki being self conscious of her usual voice, Watarirouka has never sounded preppier.

Type A Cover.

Currently, Ota Aika would appear to be the only one inside attempting a deeper voice but her role in the single is minor. Instead, the majority of the lyrics are being fielded by Watanabe Mayu, even more so than the usual Warota norm.

Visually as well, there is an uncanny amount of Mayu even by Watarirouka standards. All of the video’s story scenes, or half of the total video features Watanabe interacting with a little boy who rescues her in the premise. This is an especially strong push for Watanabe, who has bearly come off from the success of her recent single Synchro Tokimeki.

Type B Cover.

Overall, Watarirouka loses a bit of familiarity in its sound but Shounen yo Uso wo Tsuke! is still a great single that will revive some of the Watarirouka flair. Being a fan myself, me and many others are no doubt are looking forward to it hitting stores later in the month. I’ll keep my hopes up for the B-sides as well since Watarirouka singles tend to have a good track record with coupling songs.

Type C Cover.

Few people would disagree that Japan has the most sophisticated transport network in the world and no where is it more complicated than in Tokyo. With 30 different operators, 882 stations and 102 different rail lines just in the city alone, it’s no surprise that many first time visitors are overwhelmed by the train system in Tokyo. Even the locals get confused. But with a little bit of homework, traveling on Tokyo’s trains can be every bit as convenient and enjoyable as they were made to be.

Traveling by train in Tokyo is convenient, but can also be complicated, even to locals.

While it dabs upon some of the other companies, this guide focuses mostly on the two main players in Tokyo’s train network; the privately run JR East and the government owned subways.

For tourists, it is often possible to reach 90% of popular sights around Tokyo through just JR alone (if there is a nearby station) it is also the cheaper of the two. However, this is only true if you’re staying somewhere central. Otherwise, the Tokyo Metro can sometimes provide a more direct route toward your destination that can save you some time. Do take note of that when choosing an accommodation that it would be best to have at least a JR, Metro or both companies’ stations nearby.

JR, Metro & Toei

At the most basic level, you’ll need to be able to at least identify the 3 different carriers. It’ll help save a lot of trouble later on.

Tokyo's JR East Network. For reference only. Expand for larger.

JR East

Japan Railways is the simplest, since it can be easily identified by its JR logo. For JR East, the company color is green and so is its most used train line, the Yamanote Loop (and stations along the loop) but it has different colors to represent each of its different lines.

JR trains run on land and thus almost all of their stations are outdoors. Personally, it’s a lot more enjoyable to travel by JR since you’d be able to see the sights along the way. The disadvantage is that you tend to require more transfers if you want to get anywhere efficiently with JR. But again, it is a lot easier to make transfers when traveling with JR East as many lines run parallel or meet at many points.

JR Station signage.

Tokyo Metro
Apart from being the front image of Tokyo’s subways, Tokyo Metro is better known for its active PR campaigns and silly public service messages. Since a public image change in 2004, it is now easily identified by a blue and white M logo. Individual lines are marked by a colored ring, with the first letter of the line name inside. For example, the Tokyo Metro Ginza line is marked by an orange ring with the letter G within.

As a subway, the Tokyo Metro runs underground, sometimes as far as 10 stories down. This comes with the benefit of lines being laid out sometimes more efficiently allowing you to get from far ends of Tokyo quicker. There is also at least one touristy destination, Asakusa, that has a Metro station but no JR equivalent.

Metro stations can be identified from the blue M logo or colored rings for individual lines.

The main disadvantage of traveling by Tokyo Metro (and Toei) is the higher ticket prices. Expect to pay 30-40 yen more per trip when buying individual tickets. This can be gotten around with some special passes (see below).

Otherwise the only other disadvantage is that transferring trains on the Metro is a more complicated affair, there is less redundancy so lines meet only at specific stations.

Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway Map. Again for reference only. Expand for larger.

Toei Subway
While the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation is not as major a player in public transport, it is mentioned here primarily due to its affiliation with Tokyo Metro and to avoid some possible frustration.

Both the Tokyo Metro and Toei are government run subways. Take note that while the two companies do collaborate in part and share some common train stations, it is important to note that the two are very much separate entities. Further confusion arises from the fact that Toei labels its lines in an identical way and worst yet, both Toei and Metro show train maps with both companies’ lines together.

However, know that should you ever transfer between Tokyo Metro and Toei lines you will be charged for both. You will be alerted to a Toei transfer by another ticketing gate inside the subway. The price is slightly subsidized if you had come from a Metro line, but still a lot more than if you were to take a single carrier. Transport by Toei, in general is also more expensive than even Tokyo Metro.

Toei Subway can be identified by its fan icon (usually green). Both Toei and Metro also use a blue and white train logo to denote subways. Toei runs just 4 lines: Asakusa (Rose, A), Mito (Blue, I), Shinjuku (Leaf Green, S) and Oedo (Ruby, E). Avoid whenever possible.

Toei Stations have a fan sign.

IC Cards

IC Cards are prepaid smart cards that can be used to pay for your fare. If you’re from Singapore, you should be pretty familiar with using one already. Up until 2009, Singapore’s EZ-Link cards were identical to those used in Japan.

While it is theoretically possible to purchased paper tickets to travel, having to do so is infinitely more complicated and troublesome. Without one you’d need to calculate the exact fares for each trip and purchase extra tickets every time you transfer. As such, it is pretty much necessary that you get one as soon as you step down into Japan. In the previous transport guide, I mentioned an amazing Narita Express and Smart Card bundle that foreign tourists are able to purchase at Narita Airport.

Both JR and Metro have their own different IC Cards. JR East using “Suica” which is a Japanese pun on so many levels while the Tokyo subways have the “PASMO”.

The cost for Suica is 2,000 yen and contains a 1,500 yen value and 500 yen deposit. PASMO has a 500 yen deposit too but a minimum value of 1,000 yen. You can refund any remaining value and your deposit at the ticketing machines at any of the respective companies’ stations.

Suica. An indispensable tool while in Tokyo.

These days, both cards can be used interchangeably within Tokyo. Still, I’d recommend getting the Suica over the PASMO if you are traveling outside of Tokyo as well as it can be used on JR lines nationwide. Chances are if you’re traveling to say Osaka in Kansai, you’d still need to get their local equivalent (the ICOCA) to travel on non-JR networks but it’s always good to have a backup. Further good news is that starting next year, you will be able to use the Suica outside of Tokyo on non-JR lines too.

Other than on transport, the card is also accepted as a form of payment at all convenience stores and some departmental stores around the region, being interchangeable with 7-Eleven’s nanaco for example. So you don’t have to be too worried about having too much money in your card. In fact, I would recommend paying for stuff through an IC Card as much as possible, since dealing with Japanese coins is especially irritating.

Tickets and IC cards can be purchased at these machines.

For both Suica and PASMO, there is the option of purchasing a special registered version instead. They can be purchased in the same way through normal ticketing machines but you will be prompted to enter some personal identification information (your Name/Birthdate/Gender). Enter your name here as it appears on your Passport.

Should you lose a registered Suica or PASMO, you can get them replaced (for 500 yen or 210 yen respectively) and still get back your original card’s balance. Pretty neat.

Special Passes

Almost all railway companies around Japan offer a variety of different discount tickets for commuters, the most basic of which are 1-day unlimited travel passes (often called Free Tickets or Free Passes) that allow you to take as many trains from any particular network as many times as you wish in a single day. These are especially useful especially for tourists who tend to hit up a whole bunch of different destinations each day.

For JR, this is called the Tokunai Pass and costs 730 yen. It covers all JR buses and trains in the 23 wards of central Tokyo. Due to the already low price of JR tickets, a Tokunai Pass isn’t always a must get. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to make at least 4 trips in a day to make it worthwhile. Though this isn’t that difficult if you’re touring.

If you had preplanned the day’s activities or foresee yourself doing a lot of shopping or station hopping, then it might be a good idea to purchase one in the morning before you make your first trip.

Both Metro and JR companies offer one day unlimited travel passes.

For Metro, there are 1-day and 2-day Open Tickets which cost 600 yen and 980 yen respectively. Considering how much Tokyo Metro tickets usually cost, these are a godsend. If your hotel happens to be located on a convenient Metro Station, get one. Just 3 rides is all it takes to make a 1-day ticket worthwhile. You might end up spending even less than if you traveled by JR if you keep to just Metro lines with a 1-day pass. And with a 2-day pass, you will just need to take a 2-way trip each day to cover the cost.

Both of these tickets will allow you to save quite a bit of money in the long run, and with proper use Tokyo’s transport which is thought of as being expensive ends up being cheaper even than if you were to make the same number of trips in Singapore.

Tokyo Metro also offers a combination pass with Toei Subway, that allows for unlimited travel on both companies’ trains. But given the high price of 1,000 yen, I wouldn’t recommend getting one. If you find yourself spending enough on transport to make the pass worthwhile, you are most probably doing something wrong.

In the end, don’t feel compelled that you have to stick to either carrier just to save few yen. You’ll lose much of the convenience and bring about unnecessary worry. But if you happen to know that you’ll be doing a lot of bouncing between stations or just want the luxury of not having to walk even for nearby destinations, both the JR and Metro day passes will suit you well.

Traveling By Train

Planning Your Journey

There is no stressing the importance of planning a train ride before you get on board. You can generally figure out what trains to take if you have an idea of where it is located geographically, but for new visitors it is best to plan ahead to save any future hassle.

Unfortunately, not even Google Maps does a good job of understanding Tokyo’s transport system. It is still useful to find out where places are located but the most recommended transport tool is instead Hyperdia. Key in any two stations and it will churn out the routes and trains to take.

Routes are organized by total cost and time taken, so it doesn’t necessarily always give you the smartest means of transport but it will make sure you get to your destination and on time, since it factors in train timings accurately even. It is up to you to make the best decision. Hyperdia is available in English and Japanese, since not even Tokyoites can claim to be familiar with all of the transport in Tokyo.

If you happen to have data connection in Japan, keep in bookmarked.

Some important things to pay attention to when taking down your itinerary is to not only take note of the stations but also the train lines that you will be using since there is often more than one line at each station. With that, it’s as easy as just finding the correct track for your route.

Just one of the many train networks in Tokyo.

Chances are though, you might not have an 3G connection in Japan. And it wouldn’t be very fun if you had a static plan for each day of your trip. In such cases, my advise is to have your route planned out at the station before passing through the gantry. You can’t rely on stations having a route map inside the station and many trains only show the stops for the route they are traveling on.

Still, not all stations have maps of other operators, so you won’t be able to plan out transfers between different companies easily.

Track numbers are labeled by number at each station and identified by color throughout.

It is only expected that each line runs in two directions, so make sure the train is headed in the right direction. You’d think that they’d just be at opposite sides, but because of the interconnected nature, trains on the same line traveling in opposite directions can sometimes be a few tracks away. The same can be said when transferring between trains, every station is different so keep a look out for signs.

Signs show the adjacent stops at each station.

Thankfully, signage at each track clearly show all the essential information. At JR Stations, these small little diagrams that can be found on the track’s pillars are precious. They show the stops that the trains on that track run through, as well as how long it takes.

Train maps on each platform show the exact time taken for the journey.

Train stations in Tokyo usually have an LED sign board that show you the direction the train is headed as well as the exact timing for the train. If you’re supposed to take the 7:30 train, be sure to take the 7:30 train and not the 7:29 or 7:31 train. At peak hours, the interval between trains can be as short as 90 seconds but if a train in Japan is said to come at a certain time, you can be sure it will be there on the dot, aligned perfectly to the tracks (else someone will be in trouble).

The reason why this is a concern, is because it is not uncommon for different trains to use the same platform in Japan.

Some platforms have different trains running on the same tracks.

When traveling on local lines, the most encountered alternate train on the same platform are “Rapid” (Kaisoku) trains.

These are identical to normal local trains (Futsu) but skip alternate stops to save time. If your destination is one of the missed stations, be sure not to board a Rapid train. Often, Rapid trains use a different color than normal trains. There is also usually a small sign on the train and the LED signboards along the boarding platform will also indicate if a train is Rapid. In the previous photographs, trains on the same track of the Chuo-Sobu (one of the most frequented) lines are colored Yellow and Orange for local and rapid trains respectively.

On certain tracks, there may also be “Express”, or “Limited Express” trains. These are trains that skip even more stations. As covered in the previous article, Limited Express trains are actually the faster of the two as they stop at a more “limited” number of stations.

Getting To The Destination

When transferring between trains or leaving the station for your destination, simply heading to the nearest exit is a great way to get lost.

This is especially true for expansive stations like Shinjuku where your track is just one of many dozen, or better yet the 200 different exits to choose from. As such getting out the correct exit is top priority. The wrong one could be quite a distance away and completely throw off your bearing.

Exiting through the correct exit is of top importance.

Thankfully, signs throughout the station will point you in the right direction.

Boarding platforms can have multiple exits too and it is especially important to pay attention to them when making transfers. Signs located along, beside or above an exit show the correct exit to take for transfers. There is often no way around this except to take the correct one. The sign above points passengers to the exit for those transferring to the Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi Line.

Exits are either labeled by direction or numbered when there are simply too many.

Usually, exits are labeled by direction (e.g. North Exit, South Exit) but when they are simply too many, they will be numbered instead. Every train station in central Tokyo should have a map of the station, as well as of the surrounding area beside the control station. JR Stations may also have boards on the platforms itself that show the correct exit to take for a list of nearby landmarks.

Note that maps in Japan are almost always oriented by facing so it can be confusing sometimes, even when you know where you’re going. It’s handy to have a compass on hand just in case. Thankfully, Smartphones should have one built in. Though I have had trouble with the accuracy of the iPhone’s.

When meeting someone at a station in Japan, be sure to determine not only the time and station, but also which of the many exits you’d be waiting at.

There will be a detailed map at each station of the surrounding area.

End

If all else fails, do not be shy about asking for help. Popular stations have counters dedicated just for this with staff that are happy to help. You can also ask the ticketing conductors at every other station, and though they might not be as friendly about it, are obliged to help too.

The Japanese are usually rather forgiving if you make it clear that you are a tourist and can refund wrongly purchased tickets, or Smart Card credit should you enter the wrong terminal. In the end, do not be afraid to get lost or to make mistakes. It is surely part of the fun when traveling for the first time.

Share with us your tips and experiences for traveling in Tokyo!

Kokura Station isn’t the only place getting a brand new landmark. Back in Tokyo, quite a number of new buildings have been popping up this past week thanks to a certain company. Following the public opening of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku on the 18th April, Tokyu Corporation has just launched a new commercial tower right beside Shibuya Station.

The new Shibuya Hikarie is notable for being 182.5 meters tall, towering over all of the other shopping buildings in Shibuya and being far more suited for Shinjuku. Connected to Shibuya Station through an overpass from its east exit, the Hikarie takes the site of the former Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo Culture Hall). In addition to a mall and offices, Hikarie’s houses a gallery space as well as the new Hikarie Hall and Tokyu Orb Theater that replace the Bunka Kaikan.

Shibuya Hikarie Concept.

Construction of the new building had been going on since 2010. Tokyu already own and run many of the buildings around Shibuya Station. With the Hikarie, they are hoping to in their own words “take over” the streets of Shibuya and transform it to reach out to a broader audience. Typically the place for younger crowds, the Shibuya Hikarie will specialize in high-end shopping, dining, culture and entertainment that caters to a more sophisticated audience or more specifically, older career women.

The Hikarie also touts itself as a futuristic beacon of new concepts with its name literally translating as “To Light”. The building makes use of environmentally friendly lighting and cooling systems. Tokyu’s new department store which occupies the first 5 floors of the building is called ShinQs. The mall is split up into abstractly themed areas rather than specific purposes and every floor has an open concept feel similar to what you’d find only in the desserts section in the basement.

Restrooms have being branded “Switch Rooms” and come equipped with surprises. A special members only women’s Switch Room on the 5th floor provides luxuries such as an oxygen bar, message chairs and cellphone charging docks. Refrigerated lockers allow you to keep your groceries fresh, while continuing shopping. Digital signage that run throughout the mall (including these Switch Rooms) are equipped to broadcast information like weather information.

Needless to say, there were great crowds waited outside the Hikarie’s doorstep when it opened on the 26th of April. For more information, check out the official web page (Japanese only).

Photo by Yanazawa-san.

Last Friday, Aru Aru City (あるあるCity) Fukuoka’s very own otaku-themed mall opened its doors to the public. Located just beside Kokura Station, the main railway station in Kitakyushu, Aru Aru City has declared itself Japan’s largest sub-culture building. It exclusively hosts a great many shops dedicated to anime, manga, games, idol, comedy and other sub-culture entertainment.

Developed as part of a renovation of Kokura Station, Aru Aru City was scheduled to open in March last year but completion of the project had been delayed. Some of the key tenants of the building have yet to move in but the 7 floor building is already home to many new and existing otaku names, including well known Akihabara and  Nakano Broadway franchises like Mandarake, Gamers and Animate.

Aru Aru City opens!

After shopping, there is the new Animax Musix Cafe where patrons can enjoy the viewing of anime and ani-song broadcasts between meals as well as Media Cafe Popeye, touted as Kitakyushu’s largest internet cafe.

When completed in August, the hallmark attraction at Aru Aru City seems to be the Kitakyushu Manga Museum which will take up the 6th floor of the building. The 7th floor feature the Aru Aru YY Theater for live performances by idols and comedians. Notably, the theater will be used to broadcast a new television show title Aru Aru YY Terebi, that will feature members of AKB48 Fukuoka based sister group HKT48.

Kitakyushu Manga Museum.

Aru Aru City aims to distinguish itself and help promote otaku culture by holding at least 100 related events a year. It has also provided the business infrastructure to help grow such niche ventures within the city of Fukuoka.

This is just a guess, but had Aru Aru City opened on time last year, it does seem like Hakata48 would had been Kokura48 or AruAru48 instead. For more information, check out the official Aru Aru City website.

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Tokyo city is notorious among foreigners for having one of the most complex transport systems in the world. But even before we step into Tokyo proper and begin worrying about railways, subways and shinkansen, just getting from Narita Airport in the adjacent prefecture of Chiba to Tokyo can be a confusing venture for first time travelers, especially with the plethora of options available.

Before the nearer Haneda Airport was opened up for international travel late in 2010, Narita Airport would had been the only gateway for those coming to Tokyo. These days, it still remains the busiest airport in Japan thanks to its existing infrastructure, despite being 60 kilometers away.

This is just the first part of a duo of guides hoping to introduce some basic aspects of Tokyo’s transport systems. I’ve decided to split it up into more manageable bites to make it easier on both readers and myself alike.

This first part is particularly meant as an overview for first time visitors, or those looking for an alternate way to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo. We present an overview of the some of the smart transport options used by tourists and locals alike based on personal experiences.

Outside Narita Airport.

I Want Convenience

Limousine Bus
Cost: 3,000 yen
Time: 120+ minutes
+ Comfort
+ Stops directly at Hotels
- Possibly Most Expensive
- Slowest

Not quite a train, but I’ll write a bit about it anyways. The first option that is presented to you when stepping out of arrival are the various bus services in Narita, the biggest of which is the Airport Limousine Bus. Located at a counter immediately across the entrance and with actual buses stopping just outside, booking a Limousine Bus couldn’t be more convenient.

But the convenience doesn’t stop there. The Limousine Bus’s biggest plus is that it operates a great number of services to take you directly to major hotels all around Tokyo. And with so many hotels all around, even if you’re hotel is not on the list, chances are there might be one located a street or two from where you are staying.

Limousine Buses are large coach buses with comfortable heated seats and on board toilets. Add this to the fact that your luggage is taken care off by the staff and you have perhaps the most convenient transport option available.

Unfortunately, there is really no single perfect means of transport from Narita to Tokyo. Each featured in this guide have their own plus and minuses (though we’ve already filtered through those too ridiculous to consider). Limousine Buses come with some flaws, as they are the slowest and possibly most expensive option on this list.

Single trips on a Limousine Bus cost 3,000 yen. The most expensive choice here, though if it takes you directly to your hotel, may end up slightly cheaper than somewhere with multiple transfers.

Limousine Bus.

As a special discount to foreigners, you can get a Limousine and Metro Pass combination for 3,100 yen which includes a 1-day Metro Pass when purchasing your ticket at the airport. There is also a two way pass for 6,000 yen, with a 2-day Metro Pass.

Metro Passes a.k.a. Tokyo Metro 1-Day Open Tickets usually cost 710 yen when purchased on their own. So if you really do have a use for them, then this essentially cuts bus prices to about 2,390 yen. Still, expensive. Try not to factor this too much into your decision. As depending on hotel location and with the exception of one or two places, it may be completely possible to travel around Tokyo without ever using the Tokyo Metro Subway.

Note that even if you haven’t purchased a Limousine Bus ticket at the airport, you can get a return ticket at the hotel lobby of any serviced destination (otherwise, you’d need to visit the main center in Shinjuku).

The biggest issue with taking a Limousine Bus though is how long it takes. Even before factoring in traffic conditions, it will take approximately 2 hours to get to anywhere in Tokyo by the buses. Throw in a traffic jam somewhere and this can drag longer.

This is not to say that the journey isn’t pleasant, with Limousine Buses having some of the most comfortable heated seats ever (I almost always fall asleep immediately when taking the Limousine Buses) and also many more interesting sights along the way than if you were to take the train.

Overall, if you’re staying at a hotel serviced by Limousine Buses the convenience may outweigh the costs. This is particularly true for those traveling with heavy luggage and children. Just be sure that you can afford the long traveling times.

A nice tour through Tokyo streets.

I Want Speed

Keisei Skyliner
Cost: 2,400 yen
Time: 40 minutes
+ Possibly Fastest
- Expensive
- Stops at Nippori / Ueno Stations
- 20-40 Minute Interval

Perhaps through extensive marketing or because its name just clicks, the Keisei Skyliner remains the default option for most tourists arriving in Japan. That is not to say that it isn’t a bad choice as the Skyliner is perhaps the fastest means of traveling from Narita Airport to Tokyo in general.

The Keisei Stations are located right in the basement of Narita Airport. Getting there is simple. However, due to the variety of transport options available, purchasing the right tickets and getting on board the correct train can be confusing for local travelers, much less first time visitors. There is no good solution to this, except to pay attention to signs and muster up the courage to ask for assistance if genuinely lost. The alternative, getting onboard the wrong train can be disastrous.

Keisei has always operated the most used train routes from Narita to Tokyo. And since 2010, the Keisei Skyliner had undergone a facelift to ensure that it stays in the lead. The new Skyliner boasts that it takes commuters from Narita Airport to Tokyo in just 36 minutes.

Keisei Skyliner.

While this is true, the data is slightly twisted for stats. The 36 minute timing is from Airport Terminal 2, up to Nippori in northern Tokyo, which is kind of like boasting that the MRT can take you from Singapore Airport to Tanah Merah in just 10 minutes.

2,400 yen is a fair price to pay considering that you get reserved seats on a train zipping to Tokyo in such little time. You’ll want to add 5 minutes to the time though, since in truth, appart from China Airlines and JAL, Terminal 2 mostly operates domestic flights.

The biggest issue you will want to consider here when taking the Skyliner or any Keisei train for that matter, is that the Skyliner terminus is in Ueno. The two main stops that you’ll be dropping off at are either Nippori or Keisei Ueno, both are in the north of Tokyo.

As the name suggests, the Keisei Ueno station is a separate Keisei-only station that is a short distance on foot from the JR Ueno Station. So if you’re staying anywhere other than Ueno, I’d recommend getting off first at Nippori Station which is shared with train lines from other companies, such as the convenient JR Yamanote Line. Thanks to this, you’d be able to take a train to most central areas in Tokyo from Nippori. Note, that you will need to pay the separate ticket cost of this, usually 130 yen or more.

Another thing to consider is that Skyliner trains operate at a 20 or 40 minute interval (depending on the time of the day). So unless your flight happens to coincide nicely, chances are you’re going to spend a lot of time waiting for that train to arrive anyways.

Personally, unless you are in a great hurry where a few minutes would affect an important business meeting (or are desperately trying to catch a plane), high speed transportation like the Skyliner is hardly necessary. If you are in a hurry though, I would recommend making sure that the next train is scheduled to arrive soon before purchasing your Skyliner ticket, if not, you may want to consider the Narita Express as a better option.

Note, do not mistake Keisei City Liner trains for the Skyliner. I’ve seen bloggers humorously mix up the two. They run from the same stations but at the opposite track. It doesn’t help that the City Liner uses phased out Skyliner trains. Basically, City Liners are older luxury trains that now run on the normal local train tracks. They cost 1,920 yen and have reserved seats, but since they’re running on the same tracks as the Keisei Limited Express so the journey takes much longer.

Spacious Skyliner seats.

JR Narita Express (NEX)
Cost: 2,940 +/- yen
Time: 50 minutes
+ Stops at Many Central Stations
+ Fast
+ Free with JR Rail Pass
+ 1,500 yen for Foreigners!
- Expensive (But, See Above)

The newest travel option from Narita to Tokyo, the Narita Express has been operating for a while now but had more recently been upgraded to match the level of comfort and speed of the Skyliner. It is a special Limited Express train operated by the Japan Railway (JR) Company.

Unlike the Skyliner, the Narita Express stops directly at Tokyo Station as well as a number of other ideal stations like Shibuya, Shinjuku, all the way until Yokohama. It takes 53 minutes to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station by NEX and Narita Express trains operate at a 30 minute interval. This means that it is not only more convenient, but also possibly faster than the Skyliner in some cases.

The Narita Express excels at comfort. Seats in the Narita Express tend to be more luxurious than the Skyliner. Like in JR Shinkasen, there are even special “Green Car” seats for those with deep pockets (1,500 yen more). Since it is operated by the JR Company, the Narita Express offers easy transfer between the NEX trains and Shinkansen at Tokyo Station.

The Narita Express.

To Tokyo Station, the NEX costs 2,940 yen. Ticket to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shinagawa cost 3,110 yen. The prices actually fluctuate slightly based on the time of the year.

While the basic tickets for NEX might seem kind of pricey when compared to the other choices on this list, there are actually some secrets that make the Narita Express the best option on this list for the majority readers. Pay attention here.

Being a JR Train, the Narita Express is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. So if you’re carrying one and intend to activate it on day one, the decision is already made for you.

For everyone else, take note, that there is actually a special discount offered to foreigners only available at Narita Airport. This special promotion lets you purchase a Narita Express-Suica Package for only 1,500 yen more than what a Suica would usually cost.

To get this discount, you will need to visit the JR East Travel Service Center at Narita Airport and present your passport. For 3,500 yen, you will get a 1,500 yen Suica IC Card with another 500 yen refundable deposit, as well as a NEX ticket for only 1,500 yen. If you’re visiting Tokyo, a Suica is something that you will need to get anyways and this offer will let you get a NEX ticket for half the price!

Except for a few fringe cases, the Narita Express is a very good fit for those who want the best balance of speed, affordability and convenience.

Lush interior.

I Want Affordability

Keisei Limited Express
Cost: 1000 yen
Time: 80 minutes
+ Cheapest Option
- Slow
- Stops at Nippori Station / Ueno Station
- Free Seating

At just 1,000 yen, the Keisei Limited Express is the cheapest option on this list. It is the most popular choice among locals and those running on a tight budget.

In addition to the Skyliner, the Keisei Electric Railway company also own the normal railway lines between Narita and Tokyo. The Limited Express trains are express trains that run on these local lines. It may be slightly confusing at first, but word “Limited” from Limited Express trains in Japan comes from the fact that they skip certain stops and are thus faster than regular “Express” trains.

If you’re living in any of the residential areas between Narita and Tokyo, then the Keisei Limited Express would be the default means of travel there. Like the Skyliner, the Limited Express stop at Nippori and eventually terminate at Keisei Ueno, giving it all the same benefits or rather disadvantages of the Skyliner.

Keisei Cityliner.

However, if you’re staying near Ueno (as we did in our past two trips), the fact that it stops here becomes a rare plus point for the Limited Express. For example, in our past two trips, we stayed at a hotel in Uguisudani (one stop away from Ueno). It wouldn’t had made sense to take the NEX down to Tokyo and backtrack, since it would had taken the same amount of time (and a few hundred yen more).

One thing to take note about the Keisei Limited Express, is that like all local trains, seats are not reserved and during rush hours, you may have difficulty finding a seat. This can be a hassle if your carrying heavy luggage. However, in practice, I’ve never had trouble getting a seat on the train, except in one case but there would had been seats then too if not for a family of discourteous tourists taking up an entire row to themselves.

Typical train interior.

While it only covers the Kanto Region and northern Japan, this is a significant discount since a single Shinkansen ride would cost you upwards of 16,000 yen. For more information, check out the JR East Pass Special page.

The invent of the internet has changed the way we live our lives considerably. It has also affected the way we travel. And while travel related websites have been around since the dawn of the World Wide Web, statistically the biggest changes have been in the past couple of years. Internet travel sites have finally overtaken traditional travel agents, with more people planning and booking their holidays online than anywhere else.

Japanese search company Goo recently presented the results of a survey they conducted, compiling the thoughts of what people felt were their most visited types of sites for holiday planning. The results are a good indication of what are the top online innovations to have made planning a holiday a less daunting task.

1. Map Sites
At least in Japan, the biggest number of people survey have voted Map Sites, particularly Google Maps as the most indispensable online tool for planning a holiday. I wouldn’t disagree. The ability to look up any place on earth at a whim or even step through in first person on Google Street View is truly invaluable.

2. Search Engines
For most, Search Engines, or rather Google has become the gateway to the rest of the internet. Making sense of the internet, the search engine helps us sort through a treasure trove of resources on the internet. Be it the means to book your holiday or a site like Supermerlion, through which people can discover travel ideas and new things to love.

3. News Sites
Online News Sites provide readers with up to date information on the region allowing travelers to better plan the timing of their trip. This is especially true when looking at disaster prone areas. In some cases, those curious in a particular country might follow its news, further propagating their interest in the destination.

4. Weather Report Sites
Savvy travelers will know that considering the weather of your destination ahead of time is one of the most important things to do. At the most basic level, knowing the weather forecast will let you prepare the right clothes but also it’ll help you plan an itinerary better and minimize any possible hiccups. Yahoo! Weather still remains the most used source for weather information.

5. Travel Review Portals
Most holiday planners turn to travel review sites for introduction to their destination these days. Many incorporate hotel and flight bookings, as well as charting applications to provide a one stop place to plan your itinerary. While rarely the cheapest option, it provides a convenience that makes them the most profitable source. Popular examples include the Lonely Planet forums and TripAdvisor, possibly Asia’s most popular travel review site.

6. Credit Card Sites
When it comes to genuine offers, it takes major entities like Credit Card companies to offer the best promotions. Many credit cards have tie in with airline companies to provide either a miles program or some other sort of conversion of loyalty points. There’s always the occasional discount offers that might net you tickets for slightly less than their usual price.

7. Airline Company Sites
More often than not, the best Airplane deals can be found from the source. With Airline companies providing their own booking systems, you’ll get the most updated prices direct from their official web pages and the added benefit of being able to check-in online or change your seats at any time.

8. Social Networks
The popularity of Social Networks has changed the way people travel and seek travel more so than any other online presence in the shortest period of time. It is only second nature for most to shove travel photos down their timeline these days in an attempt to make others jealous. In fact, more than 59% of travelers have been found to post status updates about their holiday on Facebook. While not easily quantifiable, this envy is definitely something benefiting the travel industry.

9. Hotel Search Sites
Dedicated hotel pages rank low on the list, which is not unexpected. While all of the tools to plan one’s holiday is widely available, many still do not have the time to sort through all the best options manually. Instead, as statistics show most prefer to opt for the convenience of all in one tools like Expedia or Orbitz (the two market leaders), even if it means paying slightly more.

10. Travel Agents Sites
Enforcing the idea that holiday planning is now an independent task, the online presence for Travel Agents such as JTB or HIS rank at the bottom of this list.

Survey results by Goo. Statistics courtesy of Mashable and Lab42.

I grabbed a packet of this Niginigi Osushiyasan Gummy (にぎにぎおすしやさんグミ) from a candy shop in Ueno but have recently found it in Singapore at Liang Court’s Mediya Supermart. To those unaware, it may look like Meiji’s feeble attempt to cash in on the virality of Kracie’s DIY Sushi Candy. But the truth is, this sweet predates Kracie’s version by by at least 5 years.

Each packet of this sweets costs 60 yen. In Singapore, you can get them for about SGD$1.60 a packet. Unlike the other sushi candies, this one comes neatly pre-molded and you’ll only need to slap on the pieces together and it’s ready to serve.

Niginigi Osushiyasan Gumi.

Instructions for making the sushi candy.

There are a total of 14 pieces of gummy candy inside, which are supposed to make 7 pieces of sushi. They come in the shape of meguro (tuna), akagai (clam), ikura (salmon roe), ebi (shrimp), ika (squid), tako (octopus), tamago (egg) and the appropriate amount of “rice”.

Each packet's contents.

Sticky.

Considering that you don’t have to mess around with the ingredients yourself, Niginigi Osushiyasan is immediately more appetizing than any of the other sweets I have shown so far. It’s also proper gummy, rather than the weird mixes.

Meiji is known for its line of naturally flavored gummy candy and the ones used here is identical in taste. Which is a good thing, since those are really quite addictive. The rice pieces are actually peach gummy, while the colored pieces are orange and cherry flavored.

Example.

Full packet result.

The pieces are far smaller and fewer than what we usually get from Meiji’s Kaju Gummies though. And it does seem like a deceptive ploy to get us pop them in as pairs. The contents are very much in-line with the low price though so there shouldn’t be any hindrance to trying out Niginigi Osushiyasan at least once.

During out last visit, I was pleasantly surprised by both the extensiveness of Ueno Zoo. It was a trip not regretted as it turned out the popular attraction was home to the greatest number of animals in Japan, including many rare and exotic species, some of which I had never even heard of.

To be honest, prior to this day, I had not visited any zoos apart from Singapore’s famous Zoological Gardens. This was mostly due to warnings from family members living overseas that the local parks are never as impressive as the ones in Singapore.

So while I had passed by many zoos in Japan on a number of occasions I had never quite entered any of them. The decision to visit the zoo this morning was the result of having spent too many days within the shopping districts of Tokyo.

Zoo is split up into different segments.

Ueno Zoo takes up the western most section of Ueno Park. In terms of just pure ground space, the zoo is just slightly more than half the size of the Singapore Zoo. Like the rest of Ueno Park, the land was originally the estate of the imperial family but was gifted to the state when the Showa Emperor married.

Draw points of Ueno Zoo include its convenience given that it is located just 5 minutes from Ueno Station and the low entry price of just 600 yen (approximately SGD$10) for adults. Students studying in Tokyo and children 12 years or under enter completely free. This makes it a great and viable weekend hangout for families, which made up most of the park’s visitors.

Click for full image.

Of the many animals on display, there are no more popular than Giant Pandas. One of the few places in the world where you’d get to see the endangered species, there are two on display right at the front of Ueno Zoo. There was a long (but fast moving) queue to catch a glimpse of the creatures.

Long queue for the park's stars.

Because pandas are from China.

Both giant pandas were asleep.

Unfortunately, both pandas were happily sleeping this morning. It was lovely weather to sleep in, so I wouldn’t blame them.

Giant panda.

On a related note, Singapore will be getting its very own pair of Pandas later this year at River Safari, its upcoming 4th zoo.

Sleepy.

Vultures.

Used their bodies as a pillow.

Right at the entrance, we see a pretty wide range of birds of prey like owls, eagles and even vultures. Ueno Zoo boasts over 2600 animals and 460 species. For comparison’s sake, the Singapore Zoo hosts 2530 animals of 315 species.

Up close with all the animals.

This is important because while Ueno Zoo does have a lot more variety, it comes at the expense of some of the animals having to live in isolation. Fitting all those animals into half the space also comes with certain sacrifice, though it isn’t as bad as the first point.

Gorilla den.

Patriarch.

In fact, each of the animals get a rather spacious enclosure of their own. It is a little depressing to see some of the animals having to live alone in such a large den, but the opposite of having smaller dens would had been worst.

Clean habitats.

Really large seal.

From observation, each habitat was meticulously kept. For example, so while the ocean loving animals in Singapore Zoo has to live in murky waters, all of the enclosures, like the seals’ pictured, are kept pristine.

Lonely polar bear.

Pacing around.

To pack that many animals in the limited park grounds, each of the enclosures have to be closer to one another. The pedestrian paths are not as wide, giving the zoo the appearance of being smaller than it really is. But this comes with the side effect of not having to walk far between sights.

Pretty large enclosure.

Posing for cameras.

Habitats are not distanced from visitors either and you can get a lot more up close with the animals at Ueno Zoo. While more dangerous animals like lions  or bears would have to be separated by a large a moat in the Singapore Zoo, the only thing separating us from the animals here in most cases was just a glass fence.

Also solitary.

Elephant.

Due to a traffic road, the zoo is split up into two halves, which are a short walk away from each other via a pedestrian bridge. The second half of Ueno Zoo is located just beside the Shinobazu Pond which surrounds Bentendo Temple. This part is actually a children’s zoo where kids can play and directly interact with farm animals.

Second half.

Petting farm.

While there are fences here, they are more to keep humans out of the enclosures rather than the animals in. All of the goat, sheep, chickens, duck and other domesticated animals are free to roam about the area.

Basking in the sun.

Free to roam around. But most chose just to hang out here.

Visitors are encouraged to interact with the animals with brushes, or help clean up their litter. Others ran around the park in an attempt to catch some chickens. Since it was a winter, most of the animals decided to laze around a rock structure which was in direct sunlight.

The billy goat was locked away.

Names of the animals.

Just like at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the animals around the zoo have all been named with some given descriptions of their personality traits. The accessibility of Ueno Zoo makes it possible for children or park goers to build up a sort of relationship with some of the animals.

Just farm animals.

Felt a little bad for them.

Kind of sad.

Burrows.

Bunnies.

Hanging around the trees.

Closer look.

Unlike the first half of the zoo which had many lonesome creatures, lots of the small mammals, farm animals and flightless birds were packed into each enclosure on this side of the park. In most cases there were still ample space though.

A few penguin enclosures in the open.

Lots of penguins.

Vibrant plume.

Ton of flamingos.

Unlike the other pens.

Odd looking bird.

A couple of mountain goats duking it out.

Prairie dogs.

The second part of the park also hosts many other larger animals that we’ve come to expect of zoos. Sadly, like in the earlier parts, these pens held either solitary animals or were sparsely populated. Thankfully, all of the animals looked lively, though they were made to endure the cold winter weather. Many paced up and down their enclosures to keep warm.

Sad zebra.

Pygmy hippos.

Regular sized one.

Popular.

Lonely rhino.

There are other sub-sections of the park which showcase themed specimens. For example, the World of Darkness contained all of the zoo’s nocturnal animals, while the vivarium held an extensive collection of slimy creatures.

Photogenic meerkat.

Bats.

Some of the less dangerous animals are kept within arms reach and without any barriers and though I’m not sure anyone would want to risk a bite to touch them, it allows for visitors to observe these animals up close.

Getting up close.

No barriers.

Arms reach.

Amphibians and reptiles.

All sorts of scaly things.

Overall, our visit to Ueno Zoo was thoroughly enjoyable and had we more time, we could had certainly spent more than the morning there. The opportunity to view and interact with the vast variety of animals at Ueno Zoo is well worth the cheap ticket price.

If you love animals and have at least a couple of hours to spare in Tokyo, I would definitely recommend plotting Ueno Zoo on your itinerary, especially when traveling with young ones.

You’ve probably heard about Bijin Tokei (美人時計), Japan’s Beautiful Girls Clock. It started as a simple website back in 2009 which involved getting women around Japan to hold up a marker board with the time written on it. Their onsite javascript would refresh every minute with a picture of another attractive young lady showing the time.

It’s not so surprising that the project turned out to be a hit and so successful was the concept that bijintokei inc was formed the following year. The site spinned off a Google Widget and evolved into a powerful marketing tool with various product tie ins. Around the same time, the company also caught onto the emerging popularity of smartphones to deliver a mobile and tablet version as applications.

While the first application versions mimicked the website, the developers must had soon realized that having a clock on devices which default boot screen already had one wasn’t the most useful of things. As a result, one newer mobile version of the Japanese Bijin Tokei (the English one has not been updated in years) actually omits the time to show the local weather forecast instead. It has been thus rebranded as Bijin Tenki (美人天気 / Beautiful Girls Weather).

More of a weather application.

The basic Japanese version Bijin Tenki is available for the iOS and Android platforms for free. The app is instead monetized through bonus content in the form of themed expansions. Recently, iDOL Street has collaborated with bijintokei inc to churn out SUPER☆GiRLS and Cheeky Parade modes. Available for 350 yen each, both versions feature exclusive images of the various members from either group.

Unfortunately, Bijin Tokei has lost most of its charm from its portable shift. For starters, photos no longer load asynchronously. Instead, you choose your place of residence and are given a random series of static pictures depicting the local weather for the next few days. Since this is a Japanese application, only the data for Japan’s prefectures are offered.

A refresh button is offered, but there is little motivation to press it, as doing so will simple reload the application with another random set of photographs.

Available for iOS and Android.

The original Bijin Tokei boasts an impressive, ever growing collection of photographs with each girl showing one moment in time. It’d be too much of a hassle to retake pictures of the members each day with the updated weather (for every single prefecture), so it only makes sense that the information is added in after taking the pictures.

What puzzles me the most is that while the weather shown certainly needs to be processed in somehow, the developers have opted to do this manually. In Bijin Tenki, the weather data is literally “shopped” onto each photograph (and all its variations) every few days.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to dynamically insert it into the images and would have saved users a lengthy loading time and the need to have a constant internet connection. At first I attributed this as a decision on the developers so that they would be able to constantly serve banner advertisements to their users and to artificially inflate their impressions. But as it turned out, those could be disabled.

Not made for newer displays.

Opting to do it dynamically would had also saved the developers a lot of manpower and bandwidth. In this test, I found myself having to wait for 10 seconds to refresh the images and up to 30 seconds just to start up, which makes Bijin Tokei essentially useless as a proper weather/clock application.

Looking past the fact that many of the photos aren’t taken very well to begin with, a final qualm would at be how poor a quality the images served are. Despite the long loading times, the images have not been optimized for retina or high density displays and look bad even at phone size. The same low resolution images are served to tablets and needless to say, look terrible.

At this point I find it very probably that the reason why we don’t see Bijin Tenki on the English application store is due to it being unable to pass Apple of America’s strict publishing checks or the developer’s own technical ineffectiveness. Not recommended.

With the popularity of McDonald’s McFlurry ice cream, it’s funny that no one else has thought of bringing that concept to the home. But with this new Takara Tomy’s product called Okashina Maze Maze Essel Super Cup (おかしなまぜまぜ エッセルスーパーカップ) coming out soon, everyone will be able to easily make their own DIY ice cream flavors.

Okashina Maze Maze which translates to something like “Strange Mix Mix” is a product to be used with Meiji’s line of Essel Super Cup ice creams. Unveiled today, Okashina Maze Maze will be available in stores at the end of April and will cost 1,260 yen.

Each machine attaches perfectly to the top of a cup of ice cream. The user can throw in their choice of ingredients into the top and rotate the handle to crush and blend it into their own mix of ice cream.

Okashina Mazemaze.

For use with Meiji's Essel Super Cup.

Make your own DIY ice cream flavors!

Meiji has demonstrated the use of the machine with some of their snacks and the results look to be good. Who knows what interesting types of ice cream can be made. It’ll be fun to try out some original combinations of our own. What crazy flavors can you think of?

Images by IT Media.

If I were to recommend just one temple or shrine to visit in Japan, it would be Nara’s Todaiji. As the head temple of the region, Todaiji makes for the Japanese equivalent of the Vatican and quite possible the single most impressive place of worship in Japan.

Overview

Translated as the Great Eastern Temple, Todaiji was founded in 728 and is one of Japan’s oldest temples. In its original incarnation, Todaiji could had been easily considered one of the greatest wonders of its time. Sadly, the original temple and many of its structures had been lost by natural disasters over the years.

However, the current rebuilt Todaiji still dates back to 1709, making it one of the oldest surviving temples in Japan. Despite being smaller than the original, the main Daibutsuden building of Todaiji is actually the largest wooden building in the world and also houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan.

Visiting Todaiji

Todaiji occupies a huge temple grounds in the former capital city of Nara. It is surrounded by Nara Park, which contains a number of other significant temples. It is said that the Japanese emperor at the time had to relocate the capital in fear of the growing influence of the temples in Nara.

Todaiji is 2.5 kilometers and approximately 30 to 40 minutes from Nara Station on foot. There are clear signs pointing you in the right direction all the way. While a rather lengthy walk, there are enough interesting sights along the way to be enjoyable.

View Larger Map

At Todaiji

Apart from its cultural value, Nara is also better known among travelers for the great many free roaming deer. We’ve previously highlighted the Nara Deer in an article of their own but I’ve included some pictures for reference.

Perhaps due to the cracker stands outside the temple, the largest concentration of deer in Nara call Todaiji home. Most of them hang around on the outside. The deer seem to have evolved to be rather intelligent at Nara and they know better than to disturb the gift shops here. Tourists are free game though.

Many a deer.

Harassing visitors.

Cute but dangerous.

Most of the deer are nice enough to keep out of the main temple grounds.

There is a donation box outside and you’ll be able to sneak a peek at the Daibutsuden through the gate but to get into Todaiji proper you’ll need to purchase a ticket. Think of it as a donation. The entrance can be found at the far left end of the gate (just beside the park’s toilet).

Entry to the main temple grounds costs 500 yen.

Majestic temple.

Also the largest wooden building in the world.

Even from a distance, Todaiji’s Daibutsuden is dwarfing. Moving in closer, the discolored, dust coated building clearly shows its age. However, this lends itself to Todaiji’s charm and it felt like we were genuinely experiencing a piece of living history.

The temple's age shows.

The size of the hall makes Todaiji feel a lot more open than other temples. It is perhaps for this reason that photography is not prohibited inside the Daibutsuden. Though the same signs that say that it is alright plead for visitors not to use any flash.

Immediately at the front of the hall you’ll find the 15 meter tall bronze statue of the Vairocana Buddha. For reference, the average height of one floor in a building is 3 meters, so you can imagine how huge it is. It is larger than even Kamakura’s popular statue that stands at 11 meters.

It houses the largest bronze Buddha.

Aged interior.

Smaller Kanon statue beside.

Immediately beside you’ll find a slightly smaller statue of Kanon. There are a number of other objects inside the temple, some of which were preserved from the original. There is also a model of the original Todaiji temple, with a comparison to the current version.

As customary of all Japanese temples, you’ll also find a stall selling Japanese Charms and other souvenir goods. Proceeds go toward the upkeep and preservation of the temple so it’s always nice to show one’s support.

Other statues and remnants of the old temple are stored inside.

For a more detailed first hand look at Todaiji, check out the previous photo tour of Nara here.

Images by Wilson.

Over this weekend, local toy designer and manufacturer Play Imaginative is holding a launch event for the new series of Disney’s Mini Figure World featuring popular characters from the later studio’s many animations. We donned out best clothes from Disneyland and dropped by Suntec City Mall where the Disney Mini Figure World Launch Event is being held.

We’ve seen Play Imaginative a number of times at popular exhibitions like the Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention and have their own permanent store at the youth-centric *SCAPE building in Orchard Road Singapore. This time they’re presenting a new line of figures and other Walt Disney exclusives.

Last Mile Atrium at Suntec City Mall (just outside Carrefour).

Most immediately eye catching is this giant Mickey Mouse x Pinocchio at the front of the event space. Surprisingly, the 70cm tall fiber glass figure is actually available for pre-order here.

70cm Mickey Mouse x Pinocchio statue.

All 25 of the Mini Figure World figures are on display. On close inspection, each is well made and will be loved by collectors. The alternate vintage Mickey in his classic black and white colors is a limited collectors item exclusive to the event only.

Mini Figure World.

Pretty well made.

25 different designs.

On sale here.

All of the other figures were available for sale on the spot. Also for sale were toys from the Mickey Mouse Vinyl Art series that Play Imaginative launched last year.

Also available here.

While not for sale, various custom Vinyl Art Mickeys were displayed here today. We’ve last seen these at STGCC 2011 and were rather intrigued by them. The collection of custom Mickeys have grown quite a bit since then.

Showcase of custom Mickey Mouse Vinyl Art Figures.

One of the many interesting ones.

More than 100 of these custom figures are being showcased. The figures were customized by artists from all around the world. Most were quite nicely done and the show of creativity made for a rather interesting display. As a world renown icon, the custom Mickeys managed to attract the attention of many passersby, who stopped to take a detailed look and snap up some photographs.

Yan's fave.

Personal fave.

Like others, we spent quite a lengthy time looking through the various customized models. It even inspired Yan enough to grab a blank Mickey of his own. Hopefully we’ll get to see his attempt soon!

Ridiculously well crafted Walt Disney Micky.

Since making the Senbatsu Election in 2010, Sashihara Rino has been going places. Now one of the group’s most recognizable faces, Sashihara jumped some of the tightest 10 spots last year to come in at an amazing #9 and now appears in her own weekly variety show among other accomplishments. Next month, Sashihara will be able to add another achievement under her belt with the release of her first ever solo music single, Soredemo Sukidayo (それでも好きだよ).

The video for Soredemo Sukidayo has already started airing on Japanese television. A preview can be seen online at the official avex YouTube Channel. The record label will be releasing Sashihara’s debut single only on May 2 but as expected of avex, promotions for Soredemo Sukidayo have begun rather early.

It is clear that Sashi’s producers know what she is loved for as all her best qualities are highlighted in the video. Within, Sashi is looked at from a number of angles: as an idol, as a wota and as a normal person.

Marketing stunts aside, Sashihara Rino found immense popularity over the past couple of years due to her down to earth, underdog image which in some ways make her the very personification of the AKB48 idea.

Type A.

This is enforced in Soredemo Sukidayo’s promo video where we see three different facets of Sashihara’s character. In the first two, we see Sashihara Rino living a rather lost, unemployed life back in her hometown of Oita and as a normal school student, where she is shown to be awkward in relationships. Both of these play on Sashi’s normalcy and as a “heta” (unskillful) character, a running gag that has been used to sum up the Sashihara concept.

Type B.

But the strongest part of the video is in how the drama segments are juxtaposed with scenes of her being an idol, in a glittery style reminiscent of 80s and 90s Japanese idols (Matsura Aya comes to mind). This is especially amusing, since it is a well known fact that Sashihara is an idol otaku herself and there is a little tongue-in-cheek humor in her emulation.

Type C.

With some knowledge of the many faces of Sashihara Rino in mind, it is difficult, even for non-fan such as myself not to find her portrayal in the video endearing. While the style of music may not appeal to everyone, its catchy tune and clear hook, make Soredemo Sukidayo a clear winner. And if I were to offer my own opinion, would even go so far as to consider it the best release to have come out of the 48 family so far this year.

Type D.

Not coincidentally, Soredemo Sukidayo is being used as the theme song for Sashihara’s first drama, Muse no Kagami. The midnight drama began airing earlier this year.

In typical fashion, Soredemo Sukidayo will be released a number of different versions. There are a total of 4 different coupling songs randomly spread out over 3 CD+DVD versions and a CD only theater version containing all songs. Also, in addition to the single and its music video, each CD+DVD edition will contain one of three different Sashihara Rino “Virtual Date” video collections.

While the 90s brought us some of the most talented artists to have tread this earth, over the past decade, the Visual Kei scene had not recovered from the eventual hiatus of the many great bands.

Newer Visual Kei artists tend to sacrifice the talent of groups like Malice Mizer, Luna Sea and of course, the legendary X Japan for sheer showmanship. But one new group to have transcended this barrier is the band known as Versailles Philharmonic Quintet.

The magic of Versailles come from how they shun punk or glam rock themes for a more romantic style sometimes akin to symphonic metal. Versailles refers to its style as a concept of “absolute beauty and extreme aestheticism”. Dueling guitars are a significant trademark of their music which in their words “sound like rose vines grown riot over an agitated rhythm”.

Versailles’s symphonic style is only accentuated by the aesthetic outfits the band dons. The rococo inspired costumes have already seen a collaboration with Baby, The Stars Shine Bright sub-label Alice and the Pirates. The costumes lend themselves nicely to the iconism of the group too, with members generally wearing color coded outfits suggesting their “identity” in Versailles.

The members carry this Castlevania-like theme and personas into all of their productions, including an amusing mini-comedy/drama that they starred in last year called Onegai Kanaete Versailles. The theme song for the drama Philia, is an nice example of Versailles signature style.

Versailles was the creation of Kamijo and Hizaki, veterans from the visual kei scene. After half a year of gathering talents, the group was formally announced on 29th March 2007 and included a total of 5 members, Kamijo (vocals), Hizaki (guitar), Jasmine You (bassist), Teru (guitar) and Yuki (drums).

Straight from their first release “The Revenant Choir”, Versailles enjoyed excellent reviews and publicity from the media. Interestingly, the group turned down all local indie companies to sign up with CLJ Records, the German label that also houses acts like alice nine and the GazettE. A smart move considering the popularity of visual kei in Europe. As a result, Versailles indie releases saw strong launches in both Japan and Europe, where it has unsurprisingly garnered a strong following.

Since 2009 though, Versailles has had major releases through Warner Music Japan. Overall, the band releases few singles, instead focusing on completed albums and tours worldwide.

In late 2009, just months after they managed to sign to the major record label and while in the midst of recording their new album, Versailles announced that bassist Jasmine You would be suspending all activities due to poor health. This was followed a few days later by a sudden announcement on their official website that he passed away that morning.

The reason for his passing was not revealed. Aide from Kamijo and Hizaki, You had played the most integral role in the group’s formation and fans were shocked and grieved by the news.

The following year, after serving as a replacement on their world tour, Masashi was officially adopted as the group’s new bassist. The deceased You would be considered by the group as an “eternal member”.

Kamijo.

Hizaki.

Teru.

Yuki.

Masashi.

This year, as part of the 5th year anniversary of their first live, Versailles will be performing at the Ebisu Liquid Room on the 23rd and 24th of June together with a number of invited guests. Moi dix Mois will be making an appearance even.

Versailles will also be delivering their latest single Rhapsody of the Darkness, the first in more than a year, as a digital release later this month on the 25th of April.

More information about the group at the official web site of Versailles.

Mention Dotonbori to any foreigner and the image of Osaka’s famous Glico Man neon sign and giant mechanical crabs come to mind. But to locals, it is best known for its offering of nighttime entertainment. In either case, the streets of Dotonbori come alive each night to make for an interesting visit.

Dotonbori has its roots as an entertainment town all the way since the 17th century, when it housed a great concentration of Kabuki and puppet theaters for Osakans. But as times changed, it shifted toward less innocent forms of entertainment.

I’d love to say that this canal town also being home to carnal pleasures, but the nastiest of Osaka lies further south in Nishinari-ku’s Tobita Shinchi. Instead, you’ll find a great number of clubs, bars and kyabakura in Dotonbori, making it sort of Osaka’s equivalent of Shinjuku Kabukicho.

Possibly Osaka's most famous street.

Also one of the few places with an active night life.

As with any place in the world with an active night life, Dotonbori is also home to numerous eateries that open till late. The signs from these shops have become quite symbolic of the town, especially the giant mechanical billboard above each branch of Kani Doraku, a famous restaurant specializing in Hokkaido crabs. The giant crab has become just one of the many elements of tourist culture in Osaka. It is possible that Kani Doraku’s popularity inspired many of the other shops to adopt similarly outrageous signage of their own.

Walking along Dotonbori.

Ridiculous signage.

More extravagant displays.

Yakiniku Restaurant.

Another iconic character of Dotonbori is Kuidaore Taro. The robotic clown used to play outside of a sukiyaki restaurant here, but with the closure of the establishment, Kuidaore Taro is now exhibited on the first floor of the new Nakaza Kuidaore Building instead. Also on the first floor of Nakaza Kuidaore are a number of souvenir shops, selling exclusive omiyage.

Outside the Nakaza Kuidaore Building, which sells all manner of touristy stuff.

At Dotonbori Bridge.

At the northern end of the street, the Dotonbori Bridge connects to the adjacent Shinsaibashi, another lively popular shopping district in Osaka. Perhaps what makes Dotonbori so unsettling is that all of the host and hostess activity are concentrated on this one bridge.

Tons hostesses and many more hosts.

It doesn’t help that it is next to impossible to avoid Dotonbori Bashi if you’re coming here, since it is also adjacent to where the famous Glico Man sign is. Thankfully, compared to the touters in other Asian cities, Japan’s are pretty mild (and most avoid foreigners anyway).

To those who are open to it,  Dotonbori-bashi can be an interesting sight. And while activity here is mostly limited to host clubs and kyabakura. The availability of plentiful Love Hotels here suggest that there is more to meets the eye.

Glico man.

It looks like this year’s cherry blossoms are scheduled to start blooming today, with a full bloom anticipated by the 7th of April. The You can check out the yearly forecast by Japan National Tourism Organization provides a pretty accurate forecast of each year. Now is as good a time to look back at some previously unpublished photographs of Ueno Park in Spring.

As the largest park in Tokyo, Ueno Park is home to approximately 1,000 Sakura trees. This, coupled with the fact that entry is free makes it Tokyo’s most popular Hanami spot. Interestingly, the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park also consistently bloom earlier than most other places in Tokyo, though the ones at Koishikawa Korakuen still seem to blossom sooner.

The drizzle was of little consequence to these visitors.

The main path that passes through the park is lined with Sakura trees on both sides. Unfortunately, Hanami dates have been moving progressively later each year, such that even on the last days of March, the Sakura here had yet to fully bloom. Still, we had our lack of research to blame as this was considered an early year as far as the blossoms were concerned. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo these days for Hanami, a good time to come would only be the 2nd week of April.

Long stretch of trees.

Still not in full bloom.

Yet, both this and the rains typical of this time of the year did not deter the many who had come to Ueno Park for a visit. In fact, the park is large enough and contains enough notable landmarks to be worthy of a visit any time of the year. There is the Ueno Zoo and a good number of museums.

For those with tight wallets, the flora as well as the parks many temples and shrines (which are free for entry) still make for a nice morning trip. In keeping with the Spring theme, this article mostly focuses on just the Cherry Blossoms though.

Some mats in preparation of Hanami.

Lots of litter and even some homeless people left behind.

Admittedly, we had mistaken plum trees for cherry blossoms the first time we saw them in Koganei Park. This was to the amusement of one of the other visitors there, who pointed out to us that those were indeed plum trees.

The plum trees tend to have a richer hue than cherry blossoms in general, but even then it is still confusing to immediately tell the difference between the two, as there are also pale plum trees and more richly colored sakura trees. It doesn’t help that almost all the parks and gardens in Japan plant a combination of the two.

Fluffy.

Just beginning to sprout.

The most reliable way to tell the difference between the two is actually to look at how the flowers grow. Plum blossoms tend to grow out of stalks directly from branches and are spread out individually. Cherry blossoms on the other hand grow out from stalks further segregated by sub-branches, which the flowers are clumped together on.

That and the fact that plums blossom from late February to March (the Plum Festival is held from February 20 to March 31). While Sakura blossom only at the end of March or start of April. A observation of the state at which the tree is in (budding, blossoming or wilting) at any time period should also give you an idea of what tree it is.

Shrouded in flowers.

Like at every event, festival food stands had been set up outside of all the temples and shrines at this time. The Hanami season is an especially suitable time to enjoy the festival offerings, since most would be simply here to enjoy the atmosphere at a leisurely pace. The most number of stalls are saturated on the bridge to Bentendo Temple.

More stalls outside Bentendo.

Find these at every festival.

At the extreme North West of the park, you’ll find Bentendo temple within a ring of 3 ponds. There are more Japanese cherry trees around the circumference of the ponds here. And despite being surrounded by the city streets, a quiet corner, safe from the crowds seen in the rest of the park. Personally, this is one of the nicest parts of Ueno Park that is not to be missed.

Check out the rest of the photos by Wilson below.

Around the outer edge of the pond.

Gloomy weather today though.

But beautiful nonetheless.

Some of the park's "wildlife".

Resting along the edge.

Strangely all the birds here aren't afraid of people.

Wide view of the ponds.

Just chilling.

Photos by Wilson.