Life Without Boundaries 逍遥自在: Tokyo trip

Tokyo or I should say Japan is full of place to spend money. You will enjoy it if you are loaded with cash. For shopaholic the branded stuff in Japan is cheaper compare to Malaysia. (Note : I just walk in to some of the shop and have a quick glance. Not thru survey). A lot of the brand is not available in Malaysia.
Those over cutie stuff from Japan Anime and Manga is all over the place. You can find them at special character shop, normal 24 hour mart etc. But all of them is made in China and wear the Japan price tag. A simple steel key chain can cost you 500-800yen. And that is RM20-RM32.
Subway in Tokyo can be a nightmare for those with lack of direction. Some busy train station that is intersection of many different train line is like a big dungeon maze. There is many different train operator in Tokyo, the common one is JR line and Tokyo Metro. And these different train operator normally means that the station for their line lies at different place within the same train station. A walk from one line to another might be 300 meter away. And to confuse you more, some line have "Rapid" or "Express" line. That means the train won't stop at certain train station. Most train have 2 direction travelling and the train is at different platform and different level. I am lost a few times waiting for the right train line but wrong direction train. Thus when you are in a station, you need to be sure which direction train you need to take or you will end up using more time to reach destination. Take note on the next few train station after your destination, that will give you hint are you on the right train or not.
Also take note, some train station go till Level 5 underground.
There is 2 common "Touch n Go" card that can be use in Japan. Suica and Pasmo. Both can be used for all the train ride in Japan. Some shop and vending machine also accept these card as payment method. You can get the card at ticket vending machine in the train station.
The pedestrian walkway is also used by bicycle rider. And there is a lot of Japanese travel around using bicycle. Thus when you walk at walkway, go straight. Do not sway to side when you see something interesting on the left or right. Some cycle the bicycle very fast.
Most Japanese is very friendly and willing to show you the way. But their English is very poor. I have get better direction shown when I ask the Police at Tokyo. The police officer English level is higher. Or maybe I am lucky. On my 2 occasion asking direction from a police, they can communicate with me using English that I can understand easily.
Even if you see English word and Chinese character, the way Japanese define these word may differ a lot. For example, I have a hard time looking for "Washroom" and "Toilet". It turn out, Japan people refer these place as "Lavatory". Another example is I can see a lot of place mark 无料. After some google and checking with the hotel concierge, what it means is "FREE" or 免费. See how big difference it is.
The road crossing is also different from Malaysia. For first few time, take note on the Japan person next to you, cross when he also crossing. Else you will need to take note as the car that is turning left at the Cross Junction, can have green light when the crossing zebra is also showing green light for pedestrian to cross road. And in some major road, the zebra crossing is not just forming a square. It allow you to cross the opposite. Example, Shibuya human train crossing. A very interesting experience. Hard to imagine how many people is crossing the road each time the light go green.
Water from pipe in Japan is safe for consuming. You do not need to buy mineral water.
The food price in Tokyo can range from "Free" till RM1000++ per meal. For free meal, just go to Isetan or some supermarket and there is booth free to try food. 2nd choice is the bento set at Isetan or those 24 hours mart. 3rd choice is Lunch time menu. Normally meal is cheaper at lunch time then other time or during dinner time. Street food is not cheap food. Most meal will cost you RM30 till RM40. And for those who wanted to try good food, go research for some Michelin restaurant. Tokyo have more Michelin Star restaurant than France or any country.
Earthquake is a normal affair in Tokyo. It happen once or more every month. But it usually not reported in news because Earthquake of magnitude 5 or below. But still you can be consider lucky if you experienced it. I did not experience any earthquake during my stay there.
Shopping can be real different experience compare to Malaysia. Most of the time I am walking in back alley or checking out the basement, 2nd or 3rd floor of a small shop lot. Most interesting and cheaper stuff is found in place like this. The shop facing the main road normally is occupy by big chain company that have loads of cash. Example, Uniqlo, Burberry, Gucci, Prada etc.
Japanese people have very strong sense of copyright. So do not enter shop like LV with a fake imitation. Some comment that the shop sales girl have right to confiscate your fake LV handbag.
Also do not try to take photo of the shop product or the people in the shop. Be polite to ask for permission if you really want to take it. You never know if the shop is protected by Yakuza etc.
One last advice is never ever take taxi in Tokyo. Unless you willing to pay RM1000 or more for a taxi ride.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Tokyo trip - Things to take note

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