I still can’t believe I went to Japan earlier this month! Everything in Japan felt so magical and very high technology. I still remember the first time I saw their toilet (with so many buttons) and felt so mesmerized by it.

Day 1: 1^st of August 2018

First thing first. Since I’m going to move from one town to another during my stay in Japan, my friends and I decided to buy the JR Pass. It is a card that allows you to travel anywhere you want as long as it covered by the pass. We bought the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass in a travel agent in Jakarta for about IDR 3.320.000. The JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass covers the upper side of Japan, which was in my travel itinerary. It is quite expensive but since you can use it for a week and to any place you want at any time, I think it is worth it. The office for activation of the pass can be found at Terminal 2 level B1. The activation will require your passport and reservation from the agent/place you book the pass.

After that, we went on a 10 (ten) hours train trip to Sapporo. We arrived around 9PM and we went straight to our apartment. The apartment is small but more than enough for the three of us. I don’t have any pictures of the apartment, but if you this is the link to the apartment’s page on booking.com.

Day 2: 2^nd of August 2018

On second day, we were planning to go to Furano to see the lavender field at Tomita Farm. However when we arrived at the station, we didn’t realize that our JR Pass didn’t cover the train to Furano. So we have to buy another ticket to get there and it cost each person around 4000 yen. It is super expensive I know, but once we get to the Tomita Farm, oh my gosh it was all worth every penny! The view of the flowers at Tomita Farm was amazing! Even though some of the flowers already wither, it was still so beautiful. I will write another post about this place later.

After seeing the lavender, we went back to Sapporo to get some late lunch which was the famous Hokkaido Santouka Ramen. And oh my god, there were no words to describe it unless YUMMY! I will also write another post about all the food that I tried while I was in Japan later. After that we went to the Sapporo Beer Museum to see the history of the Sapporo Beer.

Day 3: 3^rd of August 2018

The next day we move to other town called Noboribetsu. This town is famous for their Jigokudani (Hell Valley) which creates a sulfuric hot springs that we are looking forward to try. That is why we decided to stay for a night at the town’s onsen. But before we go to the onsen, we decided to check out this marine park that located just 5 minutes walk from the station, the Noboribetsu Marine Park.

The park cost us about 2500 yen. The park is a small park that contain a few marine animals that been trained. It has this Seaworld feeling but much smaller and somehow feels so cute.

Later that afternoon, we checked in to our onsen, the Mori No Yu Sanseikan. Onsen is a traditional Japanese hot springs bathing facilities that has traditional inns. They also provide you with dinner and breakfast on the next day. Since the onsen is located far high from the city, we spent the rest of the afternoon on the onsen.


Day 4: 4^th of August 2018

After checking out from the onsen, we went on another train ride to Aomori city. Since we’re going to move to another city again later that night, we drop our luggage at the train station and it cost us around 1000 yen for each box that fit for 3 small luggage like ours.

Aomori is the first city that held a matsuri that we visited. On this city, they have Nebuta Matsuri. Nebuta refers to the float which carried through the center of the city while locals dance along with a unique costume and chanting “Rassera”. It was the best festival I have ever been to! I love how the enthusiasm of the locals made me feel alive, happy and excited at the same time. They also have Nebuta Museum (filled with previous year floats) and Nebuta House Warasse (a place where they put the floats before the parade begin) for you to check out before the parade begin. The parade usually begin at 7 in the evening and the parade route was circling the city main street. Even though the parade begins at 7PM, the locals already put their mat on the street in the morning, so they can have the best place to see the parade. For more info about Nebuta Matsuri, please click here.

Fun fact about this trip. We didn’t get any accommodation in Aomori, so we have to move to the other city at the end of the day. Before even the parade finish, we rush ourselves to the train station since the last train was at 9PM. Luckily we made it. We stay the night at Ninohe city, a small town that very quiet at night. When we arrived there were no public transportation at all, probably because it was already 10PM. So we decided to walk our way to the Ninohe Park Hotel for about 1,5 KM while it was raining. Even though at that time I was a bit pissed because I felt so tired, to rethink about it, it was one of a lifetime experience. If you didn't get any accomodations in Aomori and planning to stay at Ninohe like we did, here is the link to the hotel.

Day 5: 5^th of August 2018

We move out from Ninohe to Sendai by train. After that we went to our hostel, Nine Hours Sendai. I personally love this place cause the capsule hotel was so cute! Other than the capsule looks comfy and nice, they gave you toiletries and pajamas for your stay. Like how cute is that? The locker area was spacious and they got a lot of bathroom so you don’t have to wait too long to take a shower. This is a new experience for me, so I was a bit ‘norak’ by the hotel and stuffs. But seriously, it was exceeded my expectations. Don't believe me? Check out their website here.

On the afternoon, we stroll around the city while making our way to the festival area. We stopped by at the local library, The Sendai Mediatheque. The building was build out of glass, the library was very neatly organized and at there are also an open hall for local artist to display their artworks.

Later on, we walk to the festival area which located near the river to watch the opening of the Tanabata Matsuri that celebrated with a fireworks festival. Tanabata Matsuri celebrates the meeting of Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. We were lucky enough to be seated on a closed road that really close to the main fireworks area and met a few locals that happily share their mat with us.

Day 6: 6^th of August 2018

Then the next day, we stroll around the shopping arcade where the ornament placed. The ornament was very gorgeous! From what I observe, all of the shops in the shopping arcade must participate in the festival. That is why they put their ornaments with specific theme similar to their shops. For more info about the Tanabata Festival, please check out this link.

We stayed in do C Ebisu in Tokyo. This was also a capsule hotel but with a surprising twist. They got a sauna inside! Like how amazing is that, doing a sauna after a long day strolling around the town. However one thing that I hate about this place is that their locker room is very small. After we checked in, we spent the rest of the day by strolling around Tokyo and of course eating here there and everywhere.

Day 7: 7^th of August 2018

We spent our last day in Japan with looking for gifts and other stuffs that people asked us to buy. We went to Harajuku, Shibuya and also Shinjuku where we accidentally met a fellow Indonesian who happens to be the sales at some store there. On this day, we also eat a lot of heavenly food. Starting from Dominique Ansel Bakery (I literally almost die when I finally could eat there), Shozo Coffee, Yoshinoya and the famous Gindaco Takoyaki. All the details will be spilled on the next posts.

Day 8: 8^th of August 2018

We woke up very early in the morning since our flight was changed from 11 AM to 8.30-ish in the morning. We woke around 3 AM, went to the train station because the bus to the airport located at different area from the hotel. A little note from me, the train station open at 4.30 AM. Don’t make the same mistake like I did, where I waited almost an hour in front of the station while the weather was pretty chilly and very windy.

From Ebisu Station we went to Osaki Station and walk our way to the bus stop near the train station. The bus cost us around 1200 yen for a single trip to the airport. You can find the detailed information about the bus on their website here.

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My trip to Japan was unforgettable! I’m really glad that I had the chance to see and experience the local/traditional side of Japan on this trip. There are still a lot things to see in Japan and I definitely will go again anytime soon.


Anybody want to come along?

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