Japan 2024 - Shinjuku (Day 18 of 21)

***This post is a recount of the trip after I returned to Singapore from the trip.***

Link to day 18's video: https://youtu.be/AabRRIqWODs

This day is the most significant day of my Japan trip, as I purchased the most expensive instrument in my arsenal, both past and present. But we'll get to that in a moment. Day started with me walking out to the streets in drizzly weather. Shiok.

Took train to Shinjuku and got right down to some shopping. Bought a keychain for myself and a Pokemon toy for my brother at some random mall near Shinjuku station. Then I walked over to the largest music store in the area, Ishibashi Shinjuku.

Got the opening timing wrong and had to wait one whole hour for it to open. Thankfully there was a Starbucks directly opposite so I just bought a coffee and waited. When the guitar shop opened at 11am, I went right to the Gibson Les Paul section.

I do not have pictures or videos about my visit inside the guitar section because I was busy trying out two distinct Gibson Les Pauls. Basically I already settled on the model, and it's just the colour I'm stuck at. Then it was the credit cards that refused to go through until YouTrip made it. And then I walked out of there one hour later with a brand new guitar.

Crazy mad lad. I can't believe I actually bought a guitar in Japan! I headed right back to my hostel to put the guitar down, if not cannot continue with my day. And here's where the big space of the capsule hotel came into play. The guitar case literally is a perfect fit for the space beyond my pillow. Shiok.

Honestly had no idea how long I sat in the hostel just looking at my guitar. Stomach growled and I knew 300 years have passed. I headed back out to the streets to get this super amazing curry bread from 7-eleven. Yesterday accidentally purchased this bread and wow!!!

Then took train again to this place called Shibuya. Sister recommended some yakiniku there so I headed over to check it out. Sadly, everywhere was fully booked when I reached that prefecture. Oh wells, the crowd was insane anyway. I couldn't wait to leave that place.

It was tonight I knew I had to settle all my purchases. So I went over to some department store called BIC Camera and just impulse bought every toy I set my eyes upon since the beginning of this trip. Spending money very shiok eh.

After I was done, I headed right back to the hostel. Very glad with everything I did today!

When I reached the hostel, I took a very long time to plan how to pack my things into my available bags to hand carry back to SG. Like, this is really a lot of stuff that I didn't have at the start of this trip. Don't ask me how I managed to bring all this back as a backpacker.

And here's the photo of how big the space was, and how well the guitar case fitted into my "room". I would totally stay here again!

Click <<< to return to Day 17 or >>> to move forward to Day 19.

Japan 2024 - Omiya (Day 17 of 21)

***This post is a recount of the trip after I returned to Singapore from the trip.***

Link to day 17's video: https://youtu.be/zO5lHGEGrcw

Today was a day I legit felt super bored and just wanted to go home already. Maybe I really enjoy being with Yi Lin over the past few days that now I really don't wanna be in Japan alone any further. It was today I contemplated buying an early flight ticket home but the prices kinda too crazy.

So I dragged myself out to this other railway museum near Omiya station. This railway museum was actually quite large too, but my energy was drained already and I had no interest in anything other than to take some photos of myself to keep as memories.

Found a random quiet corner near the far end of the museum and just sat there for a good hour. Don't know what prompted me to leave but I guess I got so bored of sitting around.

Took more pictures of the place before I left. Took train to this station called Akihabara, which is a street known for the insane amount of Pokemon cards. I guess it was finally time to buy some Pokemon cards.

Crazy crowded on the 2nd day of 2025. I headed for the nearest Nakau from Akihabara station to fill my stomach. It was today that I discovered how nice their curry udon is, and with that, these 2 flavours of rice and noodle became my staple for the remainder of the trip.

Walked around and bought nothing, surprisingly. I don't really know the Japanese card market so I'm wary of buying anything that I don't personally like. Just spent the day chilling and enjoy the sights and sounds of Tokyo.

Made plans to look for an instrument to buy back at this moment in time! Went back to the hostel to sleep early cause my body is taking quite a while to heal from the shagness.

Click <<< to return to Day 16 or >>> to move forward to Day 18.

Japan 2024 - Arakawa (Day 16 of 21)

***This post is a recount of the trip after I returned to Singapore from the trip.***

Link to day 16's video: https://youtu.be/-yRakQ0BhTk

Hello 2025! It's time to break records in this new year! Left the hostel as soon as I woke up. Time to head to the biggest city in Japan, Tokyo!

Actually the original plan was to carry my bag and follow Yi Lin around for like half a day as she travel to Nara. But she decided not to leave Kyoto on 1st January. So I just made a beeline for the Shinkansen. $125 fly just to take train to Tokyo.

Bought some beer for myself before boarding the fastest train in Japan, Nozomi. I'm actually kinda sad that I'm alone again. Spending 2 days with someone is actually quite refreshing, and Yi Lin is a nice person to be around. Ok disclaimer here ah, she actually looks better in real life. The unglam photos you see here is just my way of journalling. She's actually very pretty one so don't judge a blogpost by its cover. Kthxbye.

The train ride was nice. Really loved the stability of the service. Sadly I sat on the wrong side and didn't have the view of Mount Fuji. But okay la, just a mountain. I've climbed enough mountains this trip already. Reached Tokyo in under 2 hours.

The sad thing is, the hostel die die don't allow me to check in early and even chased me out. So I had no choice but to walk around with my backpack to look for food. Nothing is open on the first day of 2025 except this Chinese restaurant. Ok lor, eat there lor.

The noodles were so good that I ordered a 2nd serving. Handmade noodles just hits different. With a full stomach, I walked around in random directions until it was time to check in! This hostel is the best hostel this trip. There was so much space that I think two people can sleep in this one capsule room. Crazy!

I went straight to doing my laundry. So many dirty clothes to wash. But then again, this will be my final wash of the trip so there's that.

Went out to stock up on food and drinks while I waited for the laundry to finish washing and drying. Good life! Not sure why it became dark so fast. Maybe cause the further north I travel, the lesser the daylight hours.

It was actually freezing cold on this night. For some random reason, I chose to find a Nakau branch in slippers and shorts. GG. Absolute regret but was already outside.

And yes!!! Nakau!!! Same chilli oil fried chicken rice and some duck udon again! Wah just seeing this picture makes me yearn for some udon again! :(

Walked back to the hostel to have an early night since I'm all alone again and have no schedule to stick to anymore! Chilled on a bridge that overlooked the red, green and blue Shinkansens. What a vibe!

Click <<< to return to Day 15 or >>> to move forward to Day 17.