In Focus: Tokyo Disneyland

I am making this post as it is exactly a year ago when my sister and I, on a rainy and freezing day, went to one of Tokyo's premier theme parks: Disneyland.

Disneyland has been known as a magical world that fascinates people of all ages. Tokyo's Disneyland is a 115 acre amusement park that attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world.

Floral arrangement that welcomes guests

L-R: Cinderella Castle, Enchanted Tiki Room at Adventureland

L-R: From Jubilation! Parade, Pan Galactic Pizza Port at Tomorrowland

L-R: City Hall at Toontown, Russell at Adventureland

Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall at Fantasyland

Haunted Mansion at FantasyLand


One Man's Dream II - The Magic Lives On, a colorful musical show (in Japanese) at Tomorrowland
It has been closed since the March 11 earthquake in Japan but is reported to be re-opening on Friday, April 15. A good news, indeed, not only because the theme park is resuming operations but also because it means Japanese tourism maybe getting back to its feet.

Here's me hoping to catch a glimpse of this again one day soon *still praying for Japan*

Tips of the Trade: Kanin Club As Recommended Filipino Restaurant

For someone who is more into Italian, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, dining in the same Filipino restaurant four times in a month is already a feat.



Kanin Club's first branch is located at Paseo de Sta. Rosa in Laguna and although it was far for most Manila residents, others really went out of their way for a visit as the food here is so good. The owners decided to put up a branch at UP-Ayala Land Technohub - some place more accessible to us who live in the north. And just recently, another branch was opened at Ayala Triangle, which makes this branch most convenient for get together with friends.

If ever you decide to give it a try, you might want to check my top 3 dishes:


1. Sinangag na Sinigang (Php224) - recommended by many is this fried rice that is sinigang-flavored. True enough, you'd find the staple ingredients found in a sinigang and taste that sour flavor, too. A single order can be good enough for 3 persons at the least.


2. Crispy Dinuguan (Php261) - another must-try according to most people is this diniguan (or stewed pork blood). The pork being crispy is what makes this dinuguan unique.


3. Seafood Kare-Kare (Php298) - mussels, squid, and prawns in peanut sauce with bagoong on the side makes it to my list because it makes a non kare-kare fan to be otherwise. ;)

Great food at a very reasonable price, what more can you ask for?

*All images credited to my friend, Joy.

Kanin Club
Locations:Paseo De Sta.Rosa Sta. Rosa City, Laguna
Commercial Ctr., FAI Admin Bldg., Alabang Muntinlupa City
UP Ayalaland TechnoHub, Commonwealth Ave. Brgy. UP Campus Diliman Quezon CityAyala Triangle Gardens, Makati Ave., Bel-Air Makati City
Opening Hours:Daily 11:00 - 22:00

In Focus: Ay Chung Flour-Rice Noodle in Taipei

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線) is a popular noodle house because it really is home to the best Taipei noodle (more so in Rai's opinion). In here, only few chairs are available but no tables, and so most customers enjoy their noodles just by standing (we did, too)!


What this noodle house offers is a silk-like thin noodles, much like misua (麵線) that we know of, stewed with pig's intestines with bonito flakes as a predominant flavor. Chili sauce is made available for those who want their noodles to be (a little) spicy. Bowl sizes can either be a small-sized bowl which costs TWD45 or a bigger-sized bowl (good for sharing) which costs TWD60.

Location:台北市萬華區峨嵋街8-1號 No.8-1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei City
Via MRT:Ximen 西門, Exit 6
Opening Hours:Daily 11:00 - 22:30

In Focus: Contactless Smart Cards

These type of smart cards are normally of credit card size and need only to be tapped to readers for transactions. They are now proving to be convenient to carry and are easy to use.  They are often considered as electronic wallets as they can be loaded with funds which can be spent, usually, for transportation.


In Japan, ICOCA (イコカ, Ikoka) is what me and my sister  mostly used  as payment for mass transit around Osaka while PASMO (パスモ, Pasumo) around Tokyo. (top two cards from image above).

EasyCard (悠遊卡) is for Taiwan, EZ-Link is for Singapore, and Octopus (八達通) is for Hong Kong.

Among the last three cards mentioned, the Octopus card is the most versatile as it can be used not just in public transportation (i.e. buses and trains) but also in convenience stores, supermarkets, and in fast food chains.

Tips of the Trade: Getting To Ximending From Taoyuan Airport

Here's an inexpensive way to get to Ximending from Taiwan Airport:

1. As soon as you get to the main hall of the airport, head to the left side where bus ticket counters are.


2. Look for bus ticket counter 6 which is Kuo Kuang's.


3. Inform the staff that you want to buy ticket/s to Taipei Main Station. (Ticket price as of February 2011: NT$125).

4. It takes almost an hour to get to Taipei Main Station. Inside, look for the MRT area and get on the platform of Bannan Line (Blue Line) going to Yongning.


5. A station after Taipei Main Station will be your stop: Ximen.

Tips of the Trade: Getting To Tokyo from Osaka (On A Budget)

Going to Japan is not as expensive as one might think.

For one, affordable airfare can be achieved with Cebu Pacific's promo from time to time. You just have to be keenly watchful to be able to grab those really inexpensive roundtrip tickets to Japan.

If you are like us, who decided to do both Tokyo and Osaka and were fortunate enough to get good deals from Cebu Pacific, what you'll have to concern yourself next is how to get to Tokyo from Osaka.

Since Cebu Pacific's only destination so far is Osaka, my sister and I booked online for an overnight bus ride going to Tokyo through Willer Express. We took the cheapest bus ride per person for JPY4,400 which is approximately PHP2,200. The travel time is around 8 hours and you can choose to be dropped off at Shinjuku, at Tokyo Station, or at Tokyo Disneyland. For our case, we were dropped off from Tokyo Station at around 8:30 in the morning.


Photo taken from here
Although there wasn't much of leg space inside the bus, we were still able to get as much sleep we wanted. There were no available toilet room inside the bus but it made regular toilet stops along the way wherein you can also stretch for a bit or grab some food to eat. It came with a spacious luggage trunk for large suitcases and bags. However, one passenger is limited to one large piece of luggage. The hand carry bags were allowed to be taken inside the bus as there were available overhead racks. The bus company made sure that males were seated on the first half section of the bus while the females were seated on the second half section.

Better service and facilities (i.e. with legrest, blanket, toilets) can be availed if you choose a different bus type. The most expensive one is priced at JPY9,800.

But since we were trying to cut our expenses on transportation as we can, the most standard bus type did it for us. :)

In Focus: Akashi Japanese Restaurant in Singapore

Apart from being a city in Hyogo prefecture of Japan, known for its seafood, the word Akashi (あかし) means "bright stone". It is also happens to be a restaurant found in Vivo City that is also worth checking out.

You will be served a vegetable appetizer called Edamame or steamed soybean (photo on left). However, not to be mistaken as complimentary, you are charged for this as you pay your bill.

They offer mostly set meals, wherein your food of choice gets served with either rice or salad with miso soup and slices of watermelon.

The price may not be that cheap as the budget per person is around 20SGD to 30SGD (600Php to 900Php), but the ambiance and good food make up for it... probably, not on a daily basis though...

Location:1 Harbourfront Walk #B2-07/08/09 VivoCity
Opening Hours:10:30 - 22:00

*all photos taken by raichua on July 26, 2009

Tips of the Trade: Affordable Hotel in Taipei

If you're looking for a place to stay in Taipei and is on a budget, then, Ta Shun Hotel is for you.



There are just 2 reasons on why you ought to:

1. It received high ratings and great reviews as per TripAdvisor is concerned.

2. We stayed here and those TripAdvisor reviews? We can definitely vouch for the good words other people had.

Ta Shun was great for us because a few minutes walk would take you to a nearby train station, they have friendly and knowledgeable receptionists who also have good command of the English language, they have very clean rooms with complete amenities, they have nice spa shower in the bathroom, they also have more than a 100 TV channels for you to choose from and free breakfast is included during your stay (must-try: soymilk).

If you're just about decided to reserve a room or if you have inquiries, all you have to do is email reservation@tshotel.com.tw and most likely, Ms. Connie Su would promptly reply.

In Focus: Red Bean Paste in Japan

...found in many Japanese sweets as taken in Nakamise, Asakusa (Tokyo, Japan) on April 9, 2010.


Different flavors of koshian filling for mochi.

Another variation of mochi is Daifuku (大福), also a small round rice cake.

Dango (団子) is a Japanese dumpling related to mochi. Three to four dango (also filled with red bean paste) are often served on a skewer.
Red bean paste in Japan is commonly called Anko (餡子). Its consistency differs and one common type of consistency is koshian (漉し餡). Koshian is prepared by having the red beans pass through a sieve to remove bean skins.

In Focus: Japanese Fashion During Edo Period

Garments of the Japanese during Edo period are among those featured in the Highlights of Japanese Art Exhibit at the Tokyo National Museum.



These garments were once worn by men and women alike. Kosode (小袖), or those that were characterized with narrow cuffs or small sleeve openings, gained popularity at around late 16th and early 17th century. Different techniques paved the way for more decorative pieces during mid-Edo period.

Spotted: International Chains

...found in Danshui (Taipei, Taiwan). Taken March 6, 2010.