Monday, February 21, 2011

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. :)

Monday, June 7, 2010

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.

Akashi

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.

Edamame Sushi Platter

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

Steak Teriyaki Seafood-Itame


Sake Nanami Set and Ebi Tempura

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

Monday, May 31, 2010

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.

Ta Shun Hotel Facade

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).

Ta Shun Hotel Room Ta Shun Hotel Comlimentary

Ta Shun Hotel Single Room 01 Ta Shun Hotel Single Room 02
Ta Shun Hotel Double Room 01 Ta Shun Hotel Control Board

Ta Shun Hotel Bathroom 05 Ta Shun Hotel Bathroom 04

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.