“Journey to Japan”
Sun.Star Davao, April 20, 2013
I
will never forget my first ever overseas trip with the family. We went to Japan and I was eleven then. Tokyo
Disneyland just opened the year before, and to be able to visit a Disney theme
park was an absolute childhood wish that came true. It was such a magical time!
In
1999, I went back to Japan again as a delegate of the Filipino Youth
Invitational Program sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
My
ten-day trip included visits to the Diet (Congress), Tokyo University (particularly
their Department of Philippines Studies where I was pleasantly surprised that Japanese
students learned our language, history, songs and dances), Japan International
Cooperation Agency, among others. And, to top it all, I even had the chance to participate
in a 3-day homestay program with a hospitable Japanese foster family in
Yokohama.
Early
this summer, I had the fantastic opportunity to explore Japan once more. This
time around, with my husband, kids, cousins and in-laws, we went to Osaka,
Nara, Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo.
Here
are some of the must-go and must-do activities for families in the ‘Land of the
Rising Sun’!
Universal
Studios Japan
Celebrating
its 12th year, Universal Studios Japan is the legendary
entertainment company’s first studio theme park outside of the United States.
It combines the most popular rides
and shows from Universal’s Hollywood and Florida Movie Studio Theme Parks,
along with all new attractions designed specifically for Japan. The park’s
areas include Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Amity Village,
Waterworld and Universal Wonderland featuring Snoopy Studios, Hello Kitty
Fashion Avenue and Sesame Street Fun World.
I am usually such a thrill-seeker
when it comes to rides but since I was with my daughters, I found myself in
Universal Wonderland most of the time. Young kids will definitely adore the vibrant
and child-friendly attractions with the well-loved Peanuts, Hello Kitty and
Sesame Street gang.
If you plan to visit Universal
Studios during the peak season; in our case, spring break, immediately get to the
top three rides that you are willing to queue up for as the waiting time for
famous rides could take two to three hours (not kidding!). During the extra
hour or two, walk around the theme park for pictures and for shopping at the myriad
of souvenir shops.
Sakura in spring
We were fortunate that our weeklong trip
coincided with the Sakura (cherry blossom) season which only lasts for one to
two weeks per area once a year.
Seeing the lovely cherry blossoms’
different varieties and colors brought big smiles to our faces. We couldn’t
resist taking photos whenever we had the chance. With snacks in tow, we joined
the locals in their hanami, which is the centuries-old practice of picnicking
under a blooming sakura tree.
When scheduling a vacation in
Japan, the perfect time would certainly be during the Sakura season.
Nara Deer Park
On
our way to Todaiji Temple, we passed by the Nara Deer Park, which is home to
thousands of tamed roaming deer. In the Shinto religion, the deer is perceived to
be messengers of the gods. And, in Nara, they are a symbol of the city and, a
designated natural treasure.
I had some bread in my bag to feed
the deer. But, the deer must have sensed it was inside for they began to nibble
gently on my bag and clothes. I went on a
semi-panic mode at one point when a herd began jostling for the bread in my
hands. But, it was a fun experience nevertheless for the whole family. Deer
crackers are being sold at the park for a minimal fee.
Ancient
Kyoto
Have
you watched the movie, “Memoirs of a Geisha”? The award-winning film was set in
the beautiful ancient city of Kyoto. To get to Kyoto from Osaka, we took the very
efficient Japanese bullet train. With speeds up to of 220 km/hour and just 60-second
in-between stops, it was an amazing experience in itself.
Kyoto used to be Japan’s capital
and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868. Most temples, shrines and
structures were maintained to this day.
During the last war, its deep historical significance and cultural
connection with its people spared it from bombs and air raids.
Walking around Kyoto is like being
transported back in time. Picturesque and breath-taking, it still continues to
inspire awe and admiration. It was
actually my third time to see the Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple) but I still
treasured my visit. I loved that the shop owners were generously giving food
samples to tourists (much like in Macau). Strolling along lush gardens, we even
saw several Japanese ladies dressed and made up as “geishas”.
Snow at Mt. Fuji
One
of the most anticipated parts of our trip was driving up the snow-capped Mt.
Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. Originally, we were supposed to go all the
way up to the top-most station (5th station) but as the weather
condition was not ideal, we only reached the 4th station.
The
clouds did not give us a clear view of the magnificent mountain. But, this did
not dampen our spirits as the kids were actually more excited to see and play in
the snow which covered the scattered parts of the station. Snowball fight!
In the afternoon, we proceeded to
Hakone where we enjoyed the ropeway ride to Owakudani Hell Valley and took a
scenic cruise on Lake Ashi.
Tokyo DisneySea
For
our tour, we chose Tokyo DisneySea over Tokyo Disneyland as the former is the
only Disney resort of its kind in the world.
Tokyo DisneySea, as its name
implies, has exciting sea-themed adventures and entertainment which include the
Mediterranean Harbor, The American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River
Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Island.
Get a fast pass for the
attractions and shows as the queues during peak season, just like in Universal
Studios, are kilometric. Even the lines for food stations like popcorn, drinks,
churros, turkey leg, etc. are a mile long. However, despite the crowd and the
inclement weather (which dipped to a freezing 6 degrees Celsius), the Japanese
discipline and patience, especially when it comes to queues, still held strong
and true!
Japanese comfort food
When traveling, I always emphasize
to my kids to have an adventurous appetite for local dishes, and refrain from
sticking to their ‘usual’ choices. Gladly, in Japan, trying their cuisine was
not a problem as my family and I love Japanese food. Shabu shabu, sushi, yakiniku,
yakitori, among others, were familiar and much appreciated dishes.
After
shopping at Shimsaibashi Namba in Osaka, our tour guide, whom we affectionately
call “J”, recommended that we have dinner at her favorite ramen house. It was a
low-ceiling, tight but cozy 15-seater restaurant with students and yuppies savoring
their food. We ordered the house favorite, Happy Noodles, which was a huge bowl
of ramen, melt-in-your-mouth roast pork and soothing broth. True to its name,
the comfort dish did not disappoint. We were H-A-P-P-Y!
In
Osaka, we also tried the flavorful takoyaki balls, a ball-shaped Japanese snack
in wheat-flour batter, and filled with minced octopus, tempura bits, pickled
ginger and green onion.
More
than souvenir shopping, we truly immersed ourselves in the experience of
gorging on authentic Japanese street food and snacks such as okonomiyaki
(savory pancake with different ingredients), ningoyaki (bite-size sponge cake)
and kakigori (flavored shaved ice) at Nakamise Shopping Street in Tokyo.
And, if you’re wondering what ‘pasalubong’
would be a hit with friends and family, you’ll never go wrong with the
kid-tested Kit Kat which comes in unique flavors such as Wasabi, Matcha-Green
Tea, Strawberry Cheesecake, Rum Raisin, Cherry Blossom, Brown Sugar Syrup, Hot
Japanese Chili, Edamame Soybean, among others. Oishi!
E-mail the author at
mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com
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