How to get from Tokyo to Osaka: Shinkansen Experience

For those of you thinking of the most efficient way to get to Osaka, you've come to the right place! Why waste 1 hour of waiting time at the airport when you can just take a train to Osaka hassle free. But its not just any train you're taking, its the Shinkansen. 

What is the Shinkansen?

The Shinkansen is a high speed railway line that is operated by four Japan Railway group companies. Their high speed/bullet trains can reach a maximum speed of 240 - 320 km/h! Shinkansen literally means new trunk line. Lines between Tokyo and Osaka are actually very very popular, so much so that they have up to 13 trains per hour running to and fro! 

Sleek and sexy Shinkansen

How to check train times and fares?

Train times and fares can be checked on Hyperdia.com. The Shinkansen in Tokyo leaves from Tokyo Station, and arrives at Shin-Osaka station (for Osaka). The average price of these one way tickets are 8000 to 9000 yen (yes it's not cheap). There are also different types of seats on the Shinkansens, Green seats (10,480 yen), Reversed seats (8750yen or 5500 yen during low seasons), and unreserved seats (4870 yen). A way to differentiate these seats is easy: 

green seats = first class

reserved seats = allocated numbered seats

unreserved seats = first come first serve seats

You will also realize that there are two different types of Shinkansens listed on Hyperdia, Shinkansen Nozomi and Hikari. Well you can see that the Hikari has a longer travel time by about 30 minutes, but the Hikari has 2 times more unreserved seats than the Nozomi. So if you're stretching your buck going for the unreserved seats, maybe you would opt for the Hikari trains. 

Where can I buy Shinkansen tickets?

You can buy Shinkansen tickets from any of the major Japan Intercity stations, so if you're leaving from Tokyo, that'd be Tokyo station. It's very difficult to purchase the tickets online unless you can read Japanese, but purchasing it over the counter is just as efficient. If you're worried that the tickets may be sold out, it doesn't hurt to go a few days earlier to pick up your tickets over the counter or from the vending machines. Remember, they have a high frequency of trains in an hour!

Nice comfy reserved seats

Hope this post helps you maneuver your way around Japan, because I'm pretty sure it would be the same getting to other cities in Japan as well. Good Luck! 

Where to eat in Tokyo for cheaps!

I always believe that you've only really eaten the food of a country when you actually eat what the locals do. That means it not always the fancy "recommended, must eat" places that burn a hole in your wallet. Since the price of food is expensive in Tokyo, its simply the best thing to just follow the trails left behind by the locals.

1. Departmental / Convenience stores

Because of their busy lifestyles, the Japanese hop to departmental stores like Isetan, Takasimaya, 7-11s and Lawson on the way home and grab some fresh, affordable Japanese delicacies. And they have a mega wide variety of it! 

2. Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji market is probably a place you've already planned to go on your list. You've also probably heard that there are plenty of stalls serving fresh seafood there. If you want fresh, quality seafood, its worth every penny here and I might just add that you may not be able to find it anywhere cheaper in Tokyo. The price of their rice bowls topped with fresh seafood can range from 800 to 3000 yen.

Butter scallop, 500 yen

Tsukiji Market is just above Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a five minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line. The closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where you can walk to the market in about 15 minutes.

3. Ameyoko Market

Ameyoko Market is probably my favourite place every in Tokyo, because its not only where you can find mouth watering street food, but also shop for snacks, clothes and accessories. Most of the food found here can be easily under 1000 yen.

Takoyaki, 400 yen

The Ameyoko shopping street runs from Ueno to Okachimachi Station along the train tracks of the JR Yamanote Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line. It can also be accessed in a short walk from Ueno-Okachimachi Station along the Oedo Subway Line.

Tokyo DisneySea Experience

Tokyo DisneySea is one of its kind in the world. Of course there is Disneyland, but Disneyland you can find in many locations across the world (and you wouldn't want to come to Japan for it, trust me). It's because of the crowds. We made a bad mistake coming when schools in Japan were having their holidays. The place was swamped! But this was, the only DisneySea in the world. 

We arrived at 10 am and only left at about 9 pm. Some rides had 3 hour long waiting times. In one day, we managed to conquer 5 rides: Tower of Terror, Storm Rider, Temple of the Crystal Skull, Journey to the center of the earth and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. All the 5 rides I went for was worth the wait. The area encompassing DisneySea is huge! Requiring 5 to 10 minutes of walk time in between parks, though there is a view to enjoy.

Fancy a gondola ride?

What I found funny about DisneySea is its fastpass system. A visitor doesn't have to pay extra to obtain it, they just have to run to these fastpass stands outside the attraction and scan their tickets in order to receive an allocated time to enter. There is a limited number of tickets given out at a certain time. For me, being a newbie in theme park strategies, I didn't manage to get any fastpasses, so I queued up along with the crowd. It ticked me off because more priority was given to these fastpass holders, when I paid the same amount as them to enter the park. Normally, they would give a ratio of 2:2 to fastpass and no fastpass holders to enter at one time, but DisneySea did a very bad job at this.

DisneySea Fastpass. Source: tdrexplorer.com

Fastpass Kiosks. Source: towersecrets.com

DisneySea is an experience, and if you're planning on going to other themeparks, this one well prepares you for it. 

Ps. Food in DisneySea is expensive. You can bring your own food in the park as long as you eat it in designated areas. There are lockers outside you can rent to store your belongings. 

Tokyo DisneySea

1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031, Japan

Hours: 10 am to 10 pm

JR Station: Maihama Station 

Getting Around Japan via Metro

Tokyo, possibly one of the most fascinating and bizarre cities in the world! It is also the largest metropolitan area in the world where space is limited, thus you can expect to be literally rubbing shoulders with many, many people here. When I first starting planning my trip in Tokyo and Osaka I knew that is was going to be a challenge. Mainly because the subway map looked like this:

But don't worry, I'm here to help you figure it out. The first thing you must know is that Tokyo trains are made up of many operators. Example, JR Line, Private Railways, Metro (coloured) lines, and Toei (coloured) lines. 

Unless you're planning on travelling to the outskirts of the city, you can totally ignore JR and Private Railway lines, because not only are those more expensive, I was told that they were more frequently used by the locals somehow, thus where heavy crowds will be especially during peak hours. With that said, you have just crossed out the thick and thin black lines of the map! That leaves you with this:

The Tokyo Metro and Toei lines are operated by the government, and although they do not have as many stations as the Private and JR lines, they will still be able to get you around Tokyo with extreme efficiency. So here's the smartest thing to do, get a tourist Tokyo Subway Ticket that looks like this: 

You can only get it Tokyo Airports, and is only sold to tourists on presentation of their passports. Some travel agencies and Bic Camera outlets provide them as well. The price of these tickets are:

Tokyo Subway 1-Day Ticket – Adult: 800 yen, Child: 400 yen

Tokyo Subway 2-Day Ticket – Adult: 1,200 yen, Child: 600 yen

Tokyo Subway 3-Day Ticket – Adult: 1,500 yen, Child: 750 yen

Talk about a steal! The average price of a single ticket going just one station away is 170 yen, so you can do the math. You can plan and calculate the costs of your journeys here. Every station has a unique Line symbol (alphabet) and station number. For example, G16, G17, G18. It's circled with a colour that represents the subway line, making it easy to find your station. You can read this for a clearer picture. To top it off, all of Tokyo's metro stations have free WiFi, so in case you get lost, just hop off at any station and google it!

I love Montmarte

Not long ago I was asked what was the best place I've been to in Paris. I stunned at the question, thinking, everything was amazing really. But to name one? Then it came to me, hands down, Montmarte. I'm not sure what kind of tourist I am, but I do know that I tend to find myself often lurking around the corners of markets and street food. 

To get to Montmarte, you can take the metro directly to its heart via Abbesses metro station. But if you want a gradual introduction into this amazing area, stop at metro Blance (Moulin Rouge) or metro Anvers, where you can make your way into Montmarte. The way to see Montmarte is to get lost in it. That is exactly what I did. But if you don't want to be lost for long, just look up for a giant church known as the Sacre-Coeur Basilica that sits on top of a hill in Montmarte. You shouldn't be lost for long after you've found it. But of course, a map works too. Before I began my journey to Montmarte, the guys were telling me that it's the red light district of Paris, now that just made it even more thrilling. On the bottom of the hill is Boulevard de Clichy, lined with sex shops, bars and kebab stalls.

Done with the getting there part, what does Montmarte have to offer? Well for starters, I could tell you a little about the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. The Basilica is based on roman architecture and was built in 1875 but took over 40 years to complete. It is said that during WW2, 13 bombs landed on the church, but resulting in no casualties, which lent a special status among the local people. Did I mention? There's also an amazing view of Paris! Entry to the Basilica is free, but you can pay a small sum to climb to the top of its tower for a better view. 

La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre

35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France

Taking the advice of one of the locals, we went behind the church on a lookout for the painter's square. But what is actually called is Place du Tertre. Legend has it that it is the place where 20th century art used to roam. Parisians keep the legend alive by filling the streets with portrait sketchers, watercolor works and caricaturists. They are, really really good artists, but it does cost a hefty amount to get a piece of artwork from this place. Ultimately, I walked around being reminded of the lost generation of artists who have lived and worked in these narrow streets before such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Vlamenck...just to name a few. 

Place du Tertre, 75018 Paris, France

*Sigh* How I yearn to go back. Do me a favour, don't ever, ever, miss this place, the next time you're headed to Paris.

Why Paris' Tourist Attractions Can Never Be Overrated

Dancing by the Louvre. Source: Karen Wan

Perhaps you have been to London or any other major tourist-y country before going to Paris, and you're probably thinking, I've seen the most famous landmarks in the world, what makes the Eiffel Tower, The Notre Dame or the Arc de Triomphe any different? Wouldn't it be overrated, just like all the others? 

The answer, for me at least, is no. And not ever for me, I suppose. With some rational reasoning and a little history lesson added to this post, I hope you would find my judgment a little more valid.

1. Eiffel Tower

Oh look! A big piece of iron slapped in the middle of Champ de Mars! You're not alone when you think that, because the Eiffel Tower was criticized even way back then when Gustave Eiffel (thus the name Eiffel Tower) designed and built it. It was built in 1889, but it was not meant to be permanent, setting it to be demolished in 1909. But on that year because of its architectural advantages, they used it as a radio antenna instead, deciding not to bring it down after all. Also something you probably didn't know is that during WW2, the french was so bad assed that they cut the lift cables on the Eiffel Tower so that Hitler had to climb the stairs if he wanted to reach the top. There are 30 replicas of the Eiffel Tower in the world, but why settle for those when the real deal is right here.

2. Arc de Triomphe

After winning against the Russo-Austrian army in 1805, Napoleon told his soldiers "You will return home through archs of triumph". Thus, Arc de Triomphe! But get this, the arc was only completed years after Napoleon's death. The names of 128 battles fought by the French Republic and Napoleon between 1792 and 1814 are engraved on the walls. An unknown soldier lay buried under Arc de Triomphe in 1920, representing the 1500 000 French soldiers who died during WW1. 

3. Notre Dame 

The construction of Notre Dame started in 1163 and continued for another 200 years! But during the French Revolution, it was badly damaged and restoration work did not begin until 1844. Notre Dame is significant because of its place as a shrine that preserve the Crown of Thorns, said to have been forced upon the head of Jesus before his crucifixion (if you know your bible). If you've watched the Hunchback of Notre Dame, the big bell that Quasimodo rings is actually named "Emmanuel" and weighs over 28,000 pounds.

4. The Louvre

Not just another Museum, but THE museum. A few hours in this landmark is not enough, because there are levels and levels of history to explore. But that's just what you should expect, because you're standing on history itself. During the reign of Philip II (first person officially to be known as the King of France), the Louvre started out as a fortress designed o prevent invasions from the north. Probably the most famous painting in the Louvre, the Mona Lisa, wasn't always on display there, instead, it was placed in Versailles before being moved to the Louvre after the fall of the monarchy.

Talk about history overload. But truthfully, the only way we willingly learn about history is through our travels isn't it? Happy travelling!

Paris: 3 Must Eat Sweets

1. Macarons

There seems to be a macaron war in Paris, between Pierre Herme and Laduree. Both can be found on Champ Elysees. You cant miss Laduree's dainty pastel green shop, but Pierre Herme is inside a building called Avenue Montaigne. The cost per macaron is around 2.10€. Which is better? Well it really depends on your personal taste. I find that macarons from Pierre Herme has a more rustic appearance, and its filling portion is much more than Lauduree's which can sometimes overpower the crunch/chewy texture of the biscuit. Taste wise, both is great. Laduree also has a branch in CDG airport, in case you're looking for sweet treats to buy on the way home. 

2. Ice cream

The best ice cream I've ever eaten. EVER. A must go is Berthillon. All the reviews are true, Berthillon's ice cream is simply exquisite! Creamy, velvety, intense flavour, perfect for a summer's day but I'd eat it even in winter. At 4€ for a 2 scopps cone, it costs around the same back home for Haagen-Daz or Baskin Robbins. There are several Berthillon outlets in Paris, but the one I went to was near Notre Dame, you can find the address here. Another great ice cream discovery is in Montmarte, a shop called Tutti Sensi. It was by a struck of luck that we discovered this place, mainly because we were hungry and decided to give this random shop a go. But it was devine! We had mint chocolate chip that was so amazing that it drew me to a conclusion that all ice creams in Paris may just be the best.

 3. Pastry & Crepes

Fancy a eclair? Strolling past the streets of Madeleine we stumbled upon Maison Du Chocolat, in awe of their pretty pretty chocolates, macarons and pastries. YUM. We couldnt't resist, so we tried their eclairs. A whopping 5€ for a single eclair, ouch. But no bite was left unsavoured. Street snacks at Paris' finest goes to crepes. This stall does not have a particular name or address, but it's located along the green park road to champ elysees. The stall looks like this. I highly recommend getting fromage (cheese) and nutella. A crepe can costs around 2€-5€, depending on the filling you choose.