Bantog Backpackers

Monday, June 17, 2024

What is so special about going to Tokyo Disneysea?

There are few Disneylands in the world... Hongkong, Shanghai, Paris, Florida, Tokyo, California but there is only one Disney Sea. With a super tight budget, we only have to choose one (and we're seven too!), so definitely its Disney Sea.

We went really early on a Thursday, a regular day. We were already at the resort by 830am. From Asakusa we traveled via train in an hour and 10 minutes. From Asakusa we get to Asakusa Line and get off at Takaracho. Transfered to another train (Keiyo Line) and get off at Urayasu. And from there we walked for 1.4 kilometers.

Tokyo Disneysea is exactly located at Uruyasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Yes Tokyo Disneysea nor Disneyland is not located in Tokyo but in Chiba.

From Rome2rio

We got our tickets from Klook and it is so easy to enter with the QR codes in our phone. Download the Tokyo Disneysea app so you will know the waiting time for each ride/show.

I've read in some blogs that you can bring minimal food inside Disneysea especially for us who are always on a budget. We were able to bring fourteen onigiri which are priced 140 to 170 yen each (Php 50-60), and some breads but in the end we were still hungry. We bought these chicken for 600 yen each (Php 220). There are two picnic areas with tables and chairs in Disneysea but guests are requested not to bring meals nor drinks inside the theme park.

Attractions in Tokyo Disneysea:

1. Mediterranean Harbor

Fortress Exploration

DisneySea transit steamer line

Venetian Gondolas

Soaring Fantastic Light

2. Mysterious Island

Journey to the center of the earth

20,000 Leagues under the Sea

3. Mermaid Lagoon

Flounder's Flying Fish Coaster

Scuttles' Scooters

Mermaid Lagoon Theater

Ariel's Greeting Grotto

Jumpin Jellyfish

Blowfish balloon race

The whirlpool

Ariel's playground

4. Arabian Coast

Caravan carousel

Jasmine's flying carpets

Sinbad's storybook voyage

The magic lamp theather

5. Lost River Delta

Indiana Jones Adventure

Raging spirits

Mickey and friends greeting trails

6. Post discovery

Aquatopia

Disneysea electric railway

Nemo and friends searider

7. American Waterfront

Toy story mania

Tower of terror

Disneysea electric railway

Turtle talk

S.S. Columbia

Big city vehicles

Big band beat

Disneysea transit steamer line

Me friend Duffy

We were from the theme park from 0830H to 2030H but still we were not able to finish all the rides because of the long lines.

extremely tired but happy =)

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Asakusa became our second home for our nine (9) days stay in Tokyo. We were accommodated at Sakura Hostel which is only two (2) minutes walk away from the well-known Senso-ji Temple.

place your predictions here if you drew a bad fortune

Senso-ji also known as Asakusa Kanon temple, is dedicated to bodhisattva. It is Tokyo's oldest and grandest temple, and one of most significant. There are lots of picturesque areas and opportunities. You can also get your fortune told. We arrived here in January 1, and to celebrate New Year in Japan is so festive, especially when visiting a temple.

Senso-ji temple is also near Nakamise Shopping Street where you can enjoy lots of Japanese street food and souvenir. Entrance to Senso-ji temple is free.

When visiting Tokyo and you are on a budget, always search for Saizeriya, an Italian cuisine family restaurant.. We ate in Saizeriya branches in Asakusa, Odaiba, Shinjuku, and Urayasu. They have 1.553 branches all over Japan. Food here is superb in taste and so affordable. Also it is open from 10am to 12 midnight.

random photo in Asakusa

New Year celebration in Sakura Hostel

Places to visit in Asakusa are:

1. Hozomon

2. Tokyo Skytree

3. Nakamise Shopping street

4. Asakusa oldest theme park, Hanayashiki

5. Thermal Spas, Akebono-yu

6. Dembo-in Temple garden

7. Kaminarimondori Shopping street

8. Engei Hall

9. Kappabashi

10. Ride a rickshaw

Shibuya is popularly known as the beating heart of Tokyo. It is also the center for youth culture, fashion and shopping experience. Shibuya is located in the southwestern part of Tokyo and is accessible thru walking, by train or by bus.

The famous Shibuya crossing is located in front of the Shibuya station Hachiko exit. In its busiest hours, a total of 1000 to 2000 people are crossing this scramble every two minutes. This spot is often used in movies like the "Fast and the Furious, Tokyo Drift", "Resident Evil, Afterlife", "Jumper", "The Amazing Race" - to name a few.

To get here, take the JR Yamanote Line. Also you can be here by taking JR Saikyo, Tokyo Metro Ginza, Tokyu Toyoko, Hanzomon, and Fukutoshin lines.

Visiting Shibuya will not be complete without taking a photo with Hachiko. Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog, came to Tokyo with his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno. Hachiko with his owner will always go to station every morning and return every afternoon everytime his owner will come back from work. Then one day the professor did not show up because of hemorrhage. It faithfully waited for his owner for more than nine (9) years until its death. Hachiko taught us loyalty, patience and persistence and Japan kept him alive by means of this bronze statue.

commuting in Tokyo

Things to do in Shibuya:

1. Shibuya scramble

2. Hachiko statue

3. Takeshita Street

4. Meiji Shrine

5. Ebisu Garden Place

6. Shibuya Sky

7. Yebisu Beer Museum

8. Takashimaya Times Square

9. Togo and Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine

10. Parco

Shinjuku is one of the twenty three (23) wards of Tokyo. Shinjuku is popular for its entertainment, shopping and nightlife district.

It is also renowned for their towering skyscrapers located at the central Tokyo.

Shinjuku is also known as the world's busiest and largest train station. You can get here thru JR Yamanote line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line, Toei Oedo line. It is the most connected at readily accessible areas in Tokyo. It also has more than 100 exits.

The Godzilla head is Shinjuku's landmark and a tourist attraction in Kabukicho. It can be easily found as it is towering in over Toho Cinema. His eyes also lights up in blue color. The godzilla structure is just a head and a claw but it can be seen better and up close if you will check in at Hotel Gracery or be a customer at the 8th floor cafe Cafeterasse Bonjour.

Places to visit/Things to do in Shinjuku:

Kabukicho - the largest red light district
Go Karting
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
Go see free art in Nishi Shinjuku
Hanazono shrine
Don Quijote
Shinjuku Central Park
Toho Cinema Godzilla
Isetan Shinjuku Store
Golden Gai
Kagurazaka
Hanazono Shrine

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Akihabara is known as the epicenter of Japanese otaku goods. A destination for anime, manga, and video games fans. But prior to that, Akihabara was previously famous for cheaper electronics and its original name is "Denki-gai" or Electric town.

You can get to Akihabara through Metro's Hibiya line, JR Yamanote Line, Sobu Line, and Keihin-Tohoku Line. We stayed in Asakusa and by commuting, you'll be there in 20 minutes. We always get to Akihabara by walking, ahahah! It is exactly 3.9 kilometers from our hostel, Sakura Hostel. We went here twice, one is daytime and the next visit is night time, both fabulous!