Day 9 Tokyo (Tsukiji market, Asakusa & Sky Tree)

Had intended to bring them to Tsukiji market wholesale centre to let them take look but apparently it was closed on that day for some reason, however the normal eateries were as usual, flooded with tourists. Recently i read the news that the wholesale centre is going to shift to a new place by 2016. 

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html

As i had been Tsukiji market and Asakusa many times, so i did not take alot of photos. Well, in fact i felt like i am the tour guide instead since i brought my friends and family every time as long we were in Tokyo.

Sky Tree on other hand is like a shopping paradise with plenty of stuff to see. Finally this trip allowed me to explore more. Guys whom dislike shopping would prefer Tsukiji and Asakusa more but it is still worth the trip to Sky Tree Tower since it's the latest addition in Tokyo. Aquarium is located next to it if you are not keen on shopping.

discovered a temple near the wholesale center

inside its all lion heads

my brunch! thats ard 2500yen?

sky tree

having a short break

walking back to the apartment

thanks mum!

Day 8 Tokyo (From Hakodate to Tokyo)

Today we had to catch the airport bus and headed to the Hakodate airport. There's were few reasons why i picked Hakodate Grand Hotel. http://www.solarehotels.com/hotel/hokkaido/hakodate-grand-hotel/

1. Bigger room than usual hotels with wifi

2. Affordable than most hotels since it is not located near the tourist hotspots.

3. Bus stand to the airport is directly outside the hotel and it is the 1st pickup point going to airport 

Cons: 

1) its 15 mins away from Red Brick Warehouse, hence if its during winter or rainy season, you be shivering from the cold so its better to take tram instead. However even the tram stand is 5 mins away.

2) Alot restaurants nearby close early (9 - 10pm already closed) and opened at specific time during the day (closed by 2 or 2.30pm and open again at 6pm). Luckily lawson is just opposite the hotel!  

I am very glad that i chose this hotel as i realised even though the bus stand stated the timing of arrival of the bus, the bus will not wait for the exact time to arrive and drove off if no one is there.  Probably the early timing that we took as well 8am so the bus driver knew there will be very few person waiting (thats my assumption). 

Due to the hotel was the 1st pickup point, the bus arrived on time and as we past the later bus stops, the bus driver drove off seeing there's nobody. Its only when the bus arrived at the Hakodate JR station bus terminal then we waited there and departed at the timing the board stated.  Each person only costed 420 yen each ride, i highly recommend to take the bus to airport. Just have to be careful and waited 10-15 mins earlier at the bus stand unless its my hotel or at the bus terminal in front of Hakodate Station.

Here is the website, if you wish to know in detail:

http://www.hakotaxi.co.jp/shuttlebus/index.shtml

Pictures below were all in Tokyo

so extravagant! bet you can't guess what the shop is selling!

LV

Super long queue for  lottery. 

Tokyo tower just outside our apartment

Day 7 Hakodate

Today was the last day in Hakodate and it was freaking cold throughout the entire day. Knowing the weather condition, i had already scheduled this day to be shopping day! we went to the morning market again to have my favourite seafood breakfast while my uncle and dad tour around the area themselves. My mother and i headed to the same place that we went before. Apparently my uncle and dad are super early risers , they woke up around 6am - 7plus daily and had their breakfast while me and my mum were still sleeping soundly. Too bad... They missed the nice meal we had. 

Thereafter, we walked towards the redbrick warehouses and spent the entire afternoon shopping around.

hehehe i ordered the expensive set! thanks mum!

morning market

i was tired and made them have afternoon tea with me. 

all the tickets we took.

its Hokkaido limited edition mask! have to get it!

Day 6 Part 2 Hakodate

After leaving Goryokaku. we took the tram back with the intention of going back to the hotel first to rest and head out again. However we took the wrong tram and it went to another way instead going back to our hotel, then we continued to explore the surrounding since we alighted at another sightseeing spot. 

Hakodate was Japan's first city whose port was opened to foreign trade in 1854. Hence there were many historical buildings that were influenced by western countries.

After resting @ our hotel, we went out again and on our way, my dad and uncle decided to make a police report on my uncle loss of camera. He had lost it when we were out yesterday but assumed it was at the hotel, so when we returned, he checked and realised it was not in the room as well. I was very reluctant to accompany them to the police as 1) No idea where is the police station 2) my japanese is not good enough to converse in detail 3) Shota had called 8 taxi companies and help us reported loss of camera and none had found any camera (we highly suspected it was left in the cab). In the midst of my argument, the police station appeared right in front of us. 

In the end, we spent 1 hour in the police box, with me speaking and calling out to Shota to explain to the police the document we required  and went out without any police report in our hands. In order to claim from the travel insurance in Singapore, you need the very least police report. But according to law or police regulations, they were not allow to issue under documents unless the insurance companies contact them directly which then after they will only send it to the insurance company. So just take note this issue when you are travelling in Japan. 

We dropped the idea of ever claiming from the company.     

@ making police report

Day 6 Part 1 Hakodate

For the whole day on that particular Sunday, we brought 1 day tram pass 600yen each (you can buy directly from the driver upon boarding). Hakodate has 2 type of transportation services; bus and tram. Bus actually was closer many tourist destinations but the frequency is unpredictable. Tram is more known to tourists, being easier to spot the stations and easier to navigate around. When we alighted at Goryokaku Station, i had no idea where the fort was since all the buildings had blocked the view. However i reckon most were heading there anyway so i just followed the Japanese tourists instead. Indeed, we walked for 15 mins and saw the tower.

This year apparently Goryokaku is celebrating its 150th anniversary, hence on certain weekends at 11am and 2pm there is a special performance between new imperial army and Shogunate (foc). You can refer to this website for the dates but its available only in Japanese. http://goryokaku150.com/about/ 

To visit the top of the tower is chargeable but visiting the surrounding is free.

lunch!