Purple Haze: Tokyo Sakura Drift

After waking up at 6:15am Japanese time in the morning, had a heavy breakfast of continental buffet and then headed to a temple called Asakusa Kannon or The Sensoji Temple of Tokyo. The place isn't very big but when we got in it looked like fun (yeah, I know it's a place of worship but wait till you see what I have to say).

The tourguide informed, the Japanese way of praying for something was to "throw" some money into a large "money colleting bin", clap the hands three times and then make the wishes. Once the wish was mentioned they will proceed to do something else which was either to hit a bell somewhere and/or do something else. I forgot, sorry.

Instead, my brother Daz and I proceded to "play" at the fortune telling corner to find out what our "luck" was overall. We needed to donate 100 yen first, followed by a rigorous shaking of this cylindrical box and a piece of "chopstick" like wood will indicate your luck. Both Daz and I then based on the number provided looked for the little drawer that carries a "statement" of what our lucks were like. This was what I got. I thought it was funny.

Due to the lack of time, we only visited the main shrine and we were off to visit the stalls - shopping! Was very eager to look for souveniers and gifts. And they were relatively cheap. Lots of cute stuff.

Most importantly, Daz found what he was looking for. Check this out.

On the other hand, I was looking for a handmade handbag but I was a bit hesitant due to the price tag. Mind you, bargaining of price is not the norm in Japan.

We also met this shopkeeper who sells really delicious deep fried delicacies, filled with either red bean, green beans, peanut paste and others. Tastes super good. And you can't get his stuff anywhere around Japan except here!

After a short time of shopping, the group proceeded to the Starhill of Tokyo City - Ginza. Walked around the area but found nothing that interest us. Branded goods aplenty but we were not here to do that sort of shopping.

We then had Thai buffet for lunch and food was not bad at all. Today we had to be separated. Daz and I sat with this couple, Uncle Sunny and Auntie Shirley. Let's just say we had quite a nice lunch with them. Both Daz and I were surprised that the beef noodle soup was excellent! And to think only Vietnam came up with the best beef noodles.

After a hearty lunch, we were on our way to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - Cherry Blossom Party! This was the garden that new Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe went recently.

This was the super duper best part of coming to Japan. Enjoyed the pictures?. The petals from the sakuras literally rained on us whenever the wind blowed. And the ground was filled with petals. So beautiful! If we had the opportunity to just sit there and watch the world go by under the sakura trees I think I would surely cry. To actually gaze and appreciate the magnificence of His creations coming into place. It was so intense! If I could go to Japan again I will again go during sakura season.

Unfortunately, due to lack of time, the group was only allowed to hang around the same area. If you look at the map of the garden below there were dozens more of gardens to see.

Next, we were on the bus again headed for Mount Fuji area. It started to get cold. It seems that in spring the weather will still be a bit on the cold side. Sometimes it would get hot also and then suddenly the temperature would drop.

Upon arrival, we were greeted at the door by a typical inn keeper. We were given our keys and voila! We were going to stay in tatami room! How cool is that?! And what's more, this inn has an onsen - hot springs pool! This place was called Mifujien.

We proceeded to have dinner typical Japanese style - on the floor with make shift tables and mats to sit on. Great experience. It's nothing like sitting on the ones created in Japanese restaurants in Malaysia. This IS the real thang! Our tatami room upstairs even faces the Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji. Unfortunately the weather was bad and it was already dark. So the picture below was taken the next day.

Right after dinner, we rested. Curiosity was overwhelming us as both Mum and I were all and ready to try out onsen. However, we must be butt-naked to go in. Yes, you heard it - butt-naked.

Went with Auntie Shirley and a younger girl named Kah Wai, we headed to the onsen area and we had to remove all clothing and/or jewellery even before entering the pool area. Once inside (already butt-naked), we had to wash up or bathe first. Once were were quite clean then we slowly lowered ourselves into the (very hot just boiled) water. The Japanese lady just kept smiling at us. Must have thought we were amusing to her because of the way we behaved. At least she spoke a bit of English and got to know we were foreigners on a holiday and having our first Japanese hot springs dip.
Though I was thick-skinned (in the face only), the water was so hot that I felt it burning on the skin of my back. Oh my Gudgees! Took me quite some time to get used to it and then fully submerge myself (except my head! I would have been boiled monkey soup!).

It was great. Though a little weird because for the first time in my life I had to "parade" myself in front of strangers and my mum. Now that I think about it, it was more embarrassing to face my mum then the strangers. Weird. So so weird. Too weird. I feel a little traumatised.

Went back to the heated tatami room and slept throughout the night like a pig, even though we were literally sleeping on the floor. Of course, were were provided with futons or rolled up mattresses. The best experience so far. Today was the most interesting and enjoyable day!

Little Makan:
While on the way up to Mt. Fuji area, we stopped by at a rest zone for toilet break and snacks shopping/ hot drink. I found and bought the below.

Japanese snack. A mixed nuts and Japanese tidbit pack. Tasted quite nice. Not too small not too big portion. Can't get this in KL.

ChocoBaby. A small box of tiny mint sized milk chocolates. Very cute packaging. Sometimes on the sides of each chocolate is a coloured star or something. Sweet. You can get this in KL Jusco supermarket.

Meiji Fran. I have no idea what it says. It just reminds me of Pokky (or Rocky in KL) that's why I grabbed it. Tasted it and it doesn't taste anything like Pokky. More like a darker chocolate with a mixture of something else (I want Pokky). Fran can be found at Jusco supermarkets KL.

Farney:
At the rest zone I also found this in the ladies toilet.

Wow. Wouldn't this be useful in our Malaysian toilets? Beats the jam and the incredulous search of Western style toilet or Japanese style toilet in our cramped washroom eh?