A Homey Capsule Hotel: Nagoya Wasabi Guesthouse

I stayed in this capsule hotel for three nights this February. As I've already read a lot of horror reviews about capsule hotels, I was surprised to find out that this guest house is opposite all of those stories. Nagoya Wasabi Guesthouse is not only very clean and quiet, it is also very homey. 

The lobby of the hotel is very welcoming. There are card games and board games on display that you can play with friends. There are also free post cards that you can get or you send to your friends or family back home. You can also purchase a stamp from the concierge to send your postcards. How convenient! The guest house is also renting out yukatas for Y1000 per night. 

And because my first night in their hotel is on Valentine's day, my friends and I were given Valentine's Day cookies as a welcome gift.

Hotel lobby

Free Valentine's Day treat

The guest house has five floors. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th are mixed dormitories while the 5th one is exclusively for female. We chose the exclusive floor. The room is surprisingly very quiet. I am happy that I got to stay there with really decent and quiet travelers who didn't make any kind of noise to disturb the others. The shared toilet and shower room are also very clean. There is a personnel assigned to clean it everyday. I bumped into the cleaning lady one morning. Your "room" which is the capsule might be small but don't estimate its convenience. It has all the amenities you need: safe box to put your belongings, a TV which can be converted to a PC (ahuh!), and a warm futon to comfort me during the night.

This capsule hotel is only 7 minutes away from Nagoya station. The location is not only very convenient , it also very cheap. One night costs around Y2,200.

Tochigi in Winter: Kinugawa Onsen

Kinugawa in Tochigi Prefecture is a place famous for onsen resorts. Being only two and a half hours away from Tokyo by train, it is a convenient place to spend a day or two. You can check the different discounted passes that Tobu Railways offers such as the two-day nikko pass, which allows you to travel back and forth Tokyo via Tobu Railways for a discounted fare; Kinugawa Theme Park Pass, which includes a round trip train fare from Asakusa to Tobu Nikko or Kinugawa Onsen Station and entrance tickets to either or both Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square; and the All Nikko Pass, which allows you four days of unlimited train and bus travels around the area.

After my friend went back to Tokyo, I decided to stay in Nikko for one more night. I booked a tatami room in Hotel New Ohruri. The building looked quite old but the room was clean and complete with amenities. Plus, it has a great view of the Kinugawa River. All 154 rooms (I think) are facing the river so every guest has the opportunity to enjoy the view. From my room on the 7th floor, I could see the snowy mountains and the crystal blue waters below.

View of the hotel from the bridge.

The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Kinugawa Onsen Station. It is not very difficult to find. After exiting the station, turn left and go straight ahead until you reach an intersection with a stoplight. You will see a gasoline station on your right. Turn right in this intersection and walk down the road. You will see a large bridge over the Kinugawa River. The hotel is on the left side. You can see it beautifully perched on an elevated side of the mountain.

View from my window

My room only costs around Y7,600 per night. It is a traditional tatami room that is good for 3 people. If you are traveling with friends, it will be a lot cheaper because you can split the bill. The room costs include buffet dinner and breakfast and free use of the rotenburo (open hair hot bath) and the large bath (indoor bath).

Upon check-in, there was already hot water boiling in my thermos so I decided to rest, relax and take a sip of my hot green tea. The hotel also gave me a piece of manju to match my green tea. The room also had an old fridge, a small television and a vault where you can put your valuables although theft is very rare in Japan. And as expected from a Japanese hotel, the room was very clean. There were slippers at the door that you can use as you enter the tatami room. Do not walk around the room wearing your shoes because they would ruin the tatami floors.

welcome drinks and manju

traditional japanese tatami room

Buffet dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 at the mess hall on the 4th floor of the building. As soon as I saw the food, I realized that there was not so much selection to choose from so I decided to get a lot of each kind - sashimi, breaded chicken, salad. There were also different kinds of beverages to choose from like red and white wine, of course beer, and also an assortment of fruit juices. I sat on a vacant table closest to the buffet table. However, as soon as I put down my tray, a staff, who, surprisingly, is from a Southeast Asian country like me, came to me and asked my room number. She told me that there was a table assigned for me so got up and followed her. As soon as I reach my rserved table, hoorah, I was surprised to find a nabe pot and a salmon plateb waiting for me! My full name was even posted on a wooden stand on top of the table!

Buffet dinner with a surprise nabe pot and salmon plate!

Upon check-in, I reserved the rotenburo at 10pm. You can reserve it at the front desk on the 5th floor where you will also get and return the key before and after using it. You can use the open bath for 30 minutes to your heart's delight. When I first entered the rotenburo, I was a little scared because I was all alone and I was afraid that someone might come in by mistake or whatever. But I was immediately relaxed the moment I dipped in the hot bath. You could see the stars in the sky and spot some familiar constellations like the orion.

After my quick yet relaxing dip in the bath, I went back to my room and watched some Japanese TV shows. I chanced upon SMAPXSMAP and Busaiku at Fuji TV.

I thought that the futon would be quite cold but, I was suprised that it was actually warm. As soon as I slipped in between the sheets, I drifted to Never Never Land. I woke up at around 8am the following morning. I heard the announcement that breakfast is only served until 8:30am so I hurried down the mess hall. Again, the selection of food was not a lot but having miso soup in the morning is more than enough for me - the warm miso soup tasted even better in a cold winter morning.

Breakfast by the river.

After breakfast, I decided to go for a quick shower and a dip at the large bath. There were no people in the bath anymore so I didn't have to be embarrassed about stripping naked in front of other people. The bath was clean and it had a good supply of beauty products like shampoo and conditioner, facial wash, facial cream for peeling, moisturizer, and a lot of other stuff I couldn't read the labels of. After a relaxing bath, I hurried to my room and checked out a few minutes before 9:30am.

I would recommend this hotel to people who want to relax and find solitude for a day or two away from the hustles and bustles of Tokyo. If you are an adventurous young traveler who wants to meet other young travelers, this is not a place for you since most of the people staying here are grandmas and grandpas. This is actually one of the reasons why I like the place - is very quiet and laid back. It's like a haven far from the city where no one knows you and you know no one as well. The selection of food is not very wide, some food are even quite cold (probably because food easily turns cold in winter and they don't really heat it ever so often) but the nabe is quite a good surprise! If you are after the rotenburo and the large bath, this place is a convenient place to be.

Cafe La Boheme in Yokohama

Cafe La Boheme is a restaurant chain in Japan that offers Italian food - pasta, pizza and good wine. This branch of Cafe La Boheme is situated right outside the exit of the Motomachi-Chukugai station in the Minato Mirai Line. 

Even upon entering the restaurant, the ambiance is quite cozy. The setting appears pretty upscale at first look - brick walls, hanging chandeliers and dim lights. There's even a playlist of soothing music playing in the background. However, despite the very regal interior, the prices of the food are very affordable. A plate of pasta costs around Y700-1200 yen, while a platter of pizza costs Y1200 yen. The serving of the pasta is good enough for one person but the pizza is quite small. The four slices of pizza are only good for two people. Four people can share the pizza, like what we did, but each person can only taste a very small portion of it.

The staff are also very friendly. This chef even gave me a peace sign when he saw me taking a picture of the kitchen (too bad I didn't get to catch that adorable peace sign that he made). Some of the dining staff are also foreigners so they can speak fluent English that makes ordering very convenient. The only hassle that we encountered is the extremely long waiting time. We had to wait for around twenty to thirty minutes (or maybe more) before our food is served!

There is also a very good selection of wine that you can choose from if you want a soothing beverage to pair with what you ordered.

I ordered a plate of Genovese worth Y800 yen (i think). The pasta, though very oily, tastes very good. The taste of the herbs are so strong in your palette.

The serving of the roasted chicken is so big that it can be shared by two people.


We also ordered a plate of fruity desserts, which might have taken a century before it arrived, but it was worth the wait.

Because of Cafe La Boheme's relaxing ambiance, it is a good place for people who want to talk and catch-up. It is quiet with just a soft music in the background, the food is good but very affordable and the staff are nice, though the service is a little slow. It's a good place that is worth the money you pay for.

A Peek Inside Japan’s Center of Power: The National Diet Building

The facade of the National Diet Building

            Who would have thought that this Greco-Roman-inspired cream-colored building in Chiyoda City, Tokyo is Japan’s highest organ of state power? The Japanese, despite their faithful adherence to their traditional culture and strong claim to homogeneity, have embraced the influences of the West during the Meiji Period (1968-1912). This piece of architecture, which was designed in 1918 but was finally finished in 1927 is a reflection of this change. The compound occupies 103,001 square meters of land while the building has a total floor area of 53,466 square meters.

The Two Houses

            This building houses the Upper House and the Lower House of the National Diet. The House of Councillors has 242 members, 96 of whom are elected by proportional representation system and 146 from 47 prefectural constituencies, who have a term of office of six and three years. In contrast, the House of Representatives is composed of 480 members, 180 of whom are elected under the proportional representation system and 300 from single-seat constituencies, who have a term of office of four years.

Functions of the National Diet

            The National Diet, according to the Constitution of Japan, which was enacted in 1947, shall be “the sole law-making organ of the State” (Article 41). It can draft and pass laws, decide on the national budget, approve treaties made with other countries, choose a Prime Minister and amend the constitution. It can also conduct investigation regarding matters of significance for the country.     

The National Diet Building

            The materials used to build the Diet building mostly come from Japan like the pearls from Okinawa and the marble from Shizuoka. The only important material are the glass used in the ceilings and the windows which came from abroad. Inside the building are several interesting spots that are worthy of seeing because of their capacity to instigate awe from their spectators. The following information came from the official pamphlet handed to visitors of the building.

            Central Entrance. The Bronze doors of the Central Entrance are opened only for His Majesty the Emperor on the day of the Opening Ceremony, for State Guests on official visits, and for newly-elected members of the Diet on the first day of the Diet session following their election.

            Members’ Entrance and Attendance Board. At the Members’ Entrance stood a board where the members press their name-buttons to indicate they are present.

Central Hall. This lies directly under the central tower. The ceiling and windows are made of stained glass and the marble floor is accented with a beautiful mosaic. Three bronze statues of notable men who contributed to the founding of the parliamentary system in Japan are placed in the three corners of the hall. These three men are Ito Hirobumi, Okuma Shigenobu and Itagaki Taisuke. It can be observed that the fourth pedestal on one corner is vacant. It is left that way to remind the people that Japan will give birth to more notable statesmen in the future. The floor area of the hall is 267.65 square meters and the ceiling is 32.62 meters high.

Chamber of the House of Councillors. This is one of the most important rooms in the whole building because this serves as the venue for the plenary sessions. At the center of room stand the podium and the seat of the president of the House of Coucillors that face the 460 seats of members arranged in a semi-circle. Above this seat is the throne of His Majesty the Emperor, which he uses whenever he attends the Opening Ceremony of the Diet.

There are also two rows on both sides of the president’s seat. The first row is allotted for the Ministers of State, the first seat is for the Prime Minister, and the second row is for the secretariat of the House of Councillors. The ceiling is adorned by Arabesque-patterned stained glass. The chamber is 32 meters long and 23 meters wide, while the ceiling is 13 meters high. There is also a public gallery for citizens and press people to observe the plenary sessions.

Emperor’s Room. One of the most beautiful rooms in the building. This room is made with the best materials – most expensive, most beautiful and with the highest quality. This is the holding room of his Majesty the Emperor whenever he attends the Opening Ceremony. This is also where he receives the President and Vice President of the House of Councillors and the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives. There is also a grand staircase that leads to the Emperor’s Room in the third floor from the Central Hall. This Central Staircase is only used by His Majesty the Emperor.

There are also other rooms in the building such as the Office and Reception Room of the President of the House of Councillors, and several Committee Rooms for various committee hearings.

            The National Diet is open for visitors from Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. There is also a free guided tour around the building that is worth joining. Visitors can enter the Visitors Gate at the Annex of the House of Councillors. To view the displays at the House of Councillors Vistors' Lobby, please see this post Political Memorabilia at the National Diet.

            There are also interesting souvenirs that you can purchase at the stall at the exit of the Diet. There are keychains, notebooks, folders, calendars, fans, pens, ID laces and a special biscuit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's face.

Cosmo Clock 21

 

     The Cosmo Clock 21 or more popularly known in Japan as Minato Mirai 21 is found in Yokohama, Japan and is known as the world's biggest clock. It stands about 112.5 meters high (369 feet). When it was first constructed in 1989, it only stood 107.5 meters (363 feet) high but it was set in a higher base in 1999. 

     The Cosmo Clock is part of the small yet strategically situated Cosmo World Amusement Park. If you ride the ferris wheel, you have a 360degree view of Yokohama. You can caught a glimpse of the Yokohama Bay Bridge and the Osanbashi Pier in the distance and the famous Hyatt Hotel right across it. To get there, take a train to Minato Mirai station. It will only take about an hour from the center of Tokyo.

      This is also an ever present background in the scenes of the drama Tatta Hitotsu no Koi starring Kamenashi Kazuya and Haruka Ayase. 

     

The Kamakura Daibutsu

 

     The Kamakura Daibutsu is found at the Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. This bronze statue of Amida was built in 1252 during the Kamakura Period and stands about 13.5 meters (43.8 feet). What is more interesting is that visitors can actually go inside this large statue for only Y20 and view its intricate interiors. According to the information guide inside the statue, because of its immense size, the statue had to be molded in thirty different stages. It says that the lattice patterns inside the statue indicate that a large number of molds were placed on top of each in several layers. To put the different casts together, a method known as irakuri was conducted.

    To get there, take a train to Kamakura Station. It only takes about an hour from Tokyo Station (costs about Y890) to reach this. Outside the station, there are English speaking volunteers whom you can ask for directions. They will give you a map too. They advised us which streets to take to get to the Kotoku-in Temple, which took us about an hour and a half walk, not because it is that far, but because it is lined with really interesting shops and restaurants that showcase the rich history and culture of Kamakura. It is just too hard to resist not getting into those shops! Here's the interesting souvenir I got. To enter the Kotoku-in Temple, it only costs Y200.

    

Koku-koen

The Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park is a 50-hectare park where Japan' first airfield was established in 1911. At present, this airfield was already converted to a memorial park where people can go watch the cherry blossoms in spring or build a snowman in winter. The old runway can still be recognized until now.

Adjacent to the park is the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum that not only hosts some historical planes that were preserved for decades, but also tells the history of aviation in Japan. Within the vicinity of the park, just across the museum, is the public library. Surprisingly, the library has some books in English.

Across this beautiful pond and pagoda is a traditional tea house where (if fortunate to grab a good seat near the window) this beautiful and relaxing view can be observed. It takes only an 8-minute walk from the Koku-Koen station of the Seibu Shinjuku Line to reach this hidden paradise.

A Walk in the Clouds

This is the view from my window when I was on the plane on my way to Tokyo last Septwmber 9, 2014, one day after my 26th birthday. God beautifully sculpted the clouds to welcome me as I pass by towards the land of my new beginning. 

Hello 2014!

 

          "Happy 2014!" says the Tokyo Tower. Cheers to a new year ahead of us!