TSUKIJI MARKET FOOD TRIP (JAPAN 2020)

It was the day of our flight and normally we would just stay in the hotel to relax and make last minute preparations before going to the airport.

BUT NOOOOOH. This is JAPAN. We don't want to waste hours or even minutes of this beautiful country by just "waiting."

While my sister was planning for our "last hurrah" she thought of having tea-making classes, or costume "Kimono" wearing. I for one, suggested the team lab museum thing because it's in everyone's feed.

All were fine activities for us but then, our time was limited and we have to consider the distance. As for the team lab museum, after looking at the details, the thought of just going somewhere that doesn't really promote the true and old culture of Japan just didn't appeal to us. Good thing too that we were able to confirm with the Yub's brother (who was able to go before) that it was indeed MEH. So we all went back to the "drawing board" to decide where to go.

In the end, we all realized that we were in Japan not just for the sights but also to savor their food.

And where should we go that would give us a one-of-a-kind experience in tasting the "essence" of Japan?

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET!!!!!!!!!

Let's see what we could eat today!!!!!!!

TSUKIJI SUSHI-SEN AGAIN (JAPAN TRIP 2020)

When we decided to go to TSUKIJI MARKET during our Japan trip last year, our main goal was to eat sushi. LOTS OF IT.

Because really, why would you go to TSUKIJI MARKET if not to enjoy their ultra fresh seafood right???

The thought of eating sushi at the prime place in Japan all made us SO excited. And when we saw this hole in a wall restaurant, it just made us MORE excited-ER. Ha ha ha ha!

Heck, we didn't eat breakfast just for this!!!!

After our meal, we were all deliriously happy. There is truly something about having this Japanese delicacy at one of the best places in Tokyo!

After all, it is not called TSUKIJI FISH MARKET for nothing.

And we're so glad to make an acquaintance (again) with SUSHI SEN!!!

YIHIII!!! We're in SUSHI-SEN!!!!

LOCAL UDON RESTAURANT MT FUJI

When we were in JAPAN last 2019, the weather was soooo cold that we're always game to get a big bowl of hot noodles.

Luckily that during our trip to Mount Fuji, we saw this udon restaurant (don't care if it's a tourist trap) that satisfied us to the maximum!!!!

ENTER!!!

(Sorry but I really can't figure out the name. Ha ha ha ha!)

MORIICHI REVOLVING SUSHI, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

Ever since we set food on JAPAN, we were all super excited for  this one thing:

TO HAVE SUSHI.

Of course, we're also very excited to have Ramen, to go to DISNEYLAND, and to do some cultural sight-seeing, but we cannot be in JAPAN and NOT have sushi right?

I mean it's just going to be appetizingly sacrilegious!!!!

So that we did and to be honest, we have the little Androse to be thankful for.

He has been bugging the whole family to have sushi and although we're really planning to schedule a mealtime for that, we faked indifference to having any sort of raw fish.

Yep. Because that's just how we are in the family. Ha ha ha ha! If you're pikon, super talo ka.

For one outing though, my Mommers was especially impressed at how Andrei helped her out (SEE HERE) that amidst our jokes how we didn't want to have to do ANYTHING with the popular Japanese delicacy, she declared that we will have sushi for our next meal.

Auughhh.... Mommy is such a party pooper!!!

So Andrei rejoiced and got very excited. When we asked my Kuya where we should go for some good old quality sushi, he only had one thing on his mind....

MORIICHI SUSHI!!!!

IKINARI STEAK, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

One of the things that I pleaded for Kuya Jon to include in our itinerary is THIS:

IKINARI STEAK!!!

Because how can you not?

Fatty slabs of tender meat on a sizzling plate complete with sides at an affordable price -- you would be crazy not to!

And I'm sooooo thankful that my hungry fam agrees with me!

AT IKINARI STEAK!!!!!

YOSHINOYA, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

While planning our trip to JAPAN 2019, we were plotting many places to go for touring and eating.

Never in my wildest dreams would YOSHINOYA be one of our favorites!

We have YOSHINOYA in Manila but Kuya Jon and Ate Jit said that it's so different in JAPAN ("It tastes much better!"). They should know because a YOSHINOYA branch was situated near their hotel before, and it's the same one our family were staying in that 2019.

So okay! I remember loving YOSHINOYA before (especially that it's one of Daddy's favorites) but the quality in some Manila branches have gone downhill that we have never returned for so many years.

Hopefully we'll become a convert once we get a taste again in JAPAN!

In the end, you know what? Nope! I am still hesitant to go to YOSHINOYA Manila.

Read on and see why!

YOSHINOYA!!!!

WHAT WE ATE IN TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

We're in JAPAN and besides the sights, the weather, and family togetherness, we're also here for one thing...

TO EAT!!!!

Japanese food is one of the family's favorite cuisines so saying that we're excited about it is an understatement. That's why we're all really looking forward to savor our favorites in its homeland.

Sharing with you the bites that we had in TOKYO, JAPAN. Restaurants will be featured in separate blogs.

Enjoyyyyyy! I know we did! Ha ha ha ha ha!

LET'S EAT OUR WAY IN JAPAN!!!!!!

SOTETSU FRESA INN (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

For our JAPAN trip last 2019, my siblings planned everything. So the only thing that the boys and I were expected to do was SHOW UP.

One of the trip essentials that they took care of was the hotel. I wasn't asked for suggestions (not that I have any.. he he he) so I trusted them with choosing for the group (Mommy is treating us anyway).

Kuya Jon and Ate Jit went for SOTETSU FRESA INN, the hotel they stayed in during their last vacation in JAPAN. They showed me pictures and it looked nice and clean. Great thing too was that the hotel was in a nice and safe area that's near the train station so we don't need to walk miles just to get somewhere.

So yep! SOTETSU FRESA INN it is. Let's hope that it will be a suitable temporary home during our 5 day stay in JAPAN!  

SOTETSU FRESA INN!

ICHIRAN, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

I don't care that it has been commercialized, triviliazed, or "touristized," (he he he he), but when you're in JAPAN, you should have a meal in ICHIRAN!

Hey, you deserve to have at least one bowl of their piping hot delicious rich ramen in your lifetime right?

Never mind that almost EVERYONE in the world has been there and posted about their experience in social media. You may think it lessened its value by being so popular but it shouldn't bother you because it didn't affect the taste. You still need to go there. Hip or not, it's the food that you're going for anyway.

And THAT was exactly how I felt about it.

That's why for our JAPAN 2019 trip, I asked my Mommy if we could go to ICHIRAN. The only ICHIRAN that I've been to was in Hong Kong and I would really like to try it in its motherland JAPAN.

I wanted to eat in ICHIRAN so much that I offered to pay!!!

HALA!

Oh well! It was so worth it. I'm sure the others felt the same (yun lang takas sila sa bayad). Ha ha ha ha ha! Kidding! I really don't mind paying as long as I get to eat my favorite ICHIRAN! I'm so glad that I was able to share this experience again with my boys, and most especially, my Mommers!

And that's the truth. :)

ICHIRAN!!!!!!!

OUR ANA AIRLINES FLIGHT TO JAPAN

Last December when my Mommy treated us to a JAPAN TRIP for her birthday, we're happy that instead of the usual budget airlines I would always opt for in Asian flights, she chose ANA AIRLINES!

I haven't tried ANA AIRLINES before but my Kuya rides it everytime he goes to JAPAN. He would constantly rave about it and this made us (especially my little bunsoy Andrei) more excited for our trip.

How was it? Let's just say that we never wanted our flight to end. Ha ha ha ha ha! We felt that we're going to the US tuloy!

Yep! I think it's going to be ANA AIRLINES for us from now on!

ANA AIRLINES!

WHAT WE ATE IN TOKYO DISNEYLAND (JAPAN 2019)

When we went to TOKYO DISNEYLAND, we were all so excited to go on the rides, see the sights, and take loads of pictures. Now who would have thought that the last thing on our minds was doing our usual favorite thing?

EATING!!!!! Seems impossible right???

But yeah, when you're in the wonderful land of DISNEY, eating may not be the ultimo priority. To be honest, I even considered it as a disturbance especially that theme park food is known to be very expensive.

Still, we indulged in what TOKYO DISNEYLAND had to offer that day -- since we're already there, it doesn't make sense to deprive ourselves. If we saw something interesting, we went for it (besides, we have to sustain ourselves while having the time of our lives in TOKYO DISNEYLAND). We do need the strength after all to line up and enjoy their rides.

Check out the food we ate in TOKYO DISNEYLAND! I don't know if it's just because we're in Japan (who are known for their high quality dishes) or that we're just super hungry, but the food added to our ultimo enjoyment.

Wohooo!!!!! 

We're in DISNEYLAND!!!!!

TOKYO DISNEYLAND (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

I don't care if I'm already 30 years old (tee hee), I would ALWAYS go to DISNEYLAND whenever I have a chance.

And our JAPAN 2019 was no exception.

The great part too is that my boys agree! Yay! Great minds think alike talaga!

While planning for the trip, my sister and kuya discussed how they would go for the places the Mommy would like (museums, parks, ramen restaurants, etc) since the trip was for her anyway. I then asked permission if it's ok for the boys and I to not join them for one day because we would really like to go to the popular DISNEYLAND SEA in Tokyo. My siblings said that it's manageable and when we told my Mom, she said the best thing: She wants to join us in DISNEYLAND!

Wohooooooo!

Turns out, she hasn't been to DISNEYLAND (in our US trips I was only able to go with her to Universal Studios), and wanted to go there with us.  Yayyyy! Now this would make our trip there more memorable!

While looking at their website though I read reviews that DISNEYLAND SEA could get SO crowded and rides were more for thrill-seekers. However, DISNEYLAND SEA is exclusive to Japan only and it would be a shame to miss it.

We all agreed that the comfort of Mommy is more important. Good thing too that when checking the rides and attractions, we saw that they featured the classics (Snow White, Peter Pan, merry go round, etc) that we were all familiar with. TOKYO DISNEYLAND is a much better fit for us!

Besides, my family could always go back for DISNEY SEA, and with the Yub!

So with that...

WOHOOO! WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!! 

And we're back to the happiest place on earth... In JAPAN!

OUR FIRST MEAL IN TOKYO (JAPAN 2019)

We just arrived in JAPAN and naturally the first thing we wanted to do besides resting and unpacking is this:

EATING!!!

Well we're not in JAPAN for our health. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Besides the sights, we are definitely in the Land of the Orient to get loads of Japanese foods in our bellies. That's why we're excited to have our first real taste of authentic Japanese food for that trip.

And the first order of the day???

RAMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2019 (PART THREE)

It was our last day in JAPAN and though I'm the type who would rather stay in the hotel or go to the airport way early to prepare for our flight, I agreed to go out with the family.

Yup! Japan is just THAT awesome that you should explore it all you can!!!!!!!

It's our last day!!!!!!!!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2019 (PART TWO)

Part two of our 2019 Japan trip had more "happenings" because my kapatids planned on more places to go. The great thing about our 5 day stay though is that we didn't jam all the sights that we could handle because we didn't want to get Mommy tired -- we just took our time and rested when needed. The result? We always had our beauty rest before every tour and looked great in pictures!!!!

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

Like what I mentioned in the previous blog, I really had SO MUCH FUN in our Japan trip that I swear, I still had dreams of being back. My sister chose places that captured the essence of old Japanese culture instead of the flashy modern spots that's more like cheap tourist attractions. Kaya, wow, it was really super awesome. Even if we only went to parks, palaces, volcanoes, etc etc., I appreciated more the natural beauty of Japan!

The only (super slight) downer in our trip is that the Yub wasn't able to join us since he had work. Too bad because I was counting on him to handle our bags and taking care of the nitty gritty (he he he he). It's okay -- in his place I've got two very dependable little guys who assisted their Mommy and took care of all the heavy lifting (they know that I had a bad back).

I'm so happy that with our Japan trip I was also able to see more of how my two little guys were growing up to be fine gentlemen.  It was truly a memorable 5 days with the boys and my family.

Thank you so much Mommy for planning this and treating us.

Now let the sharing begin!!!!!!

JAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR JAPAN TRIP 2019 (PART ONE)

THE YAPPY BUNCH already went to Korea last 2019 so we didn't make any plans to go somewhere far. For budget reasons, we only wanted to have one out of the country trip a year -- so we are definitely staying put for awhile.

HOWEVER...

My Mommers have always wanted to go to Japan, but since Daddy is so busy with the family business, she didn't make any plans and just preferred to stay at his side.

For her 75th birthday last year though, the Mommers wished to go to Japan with the family. It was supposed to be just her treat with the apos but then her loving son and daughters joined in (sons-in-law were invited but can't join due to work). The Mommers said the Japan trip will not only be her blow-out to us for turning 75 but it will also be our birthday gifts for the year as well (ha ha ha ha ha... even if she gave us gifts naman).

So yay... It will be our first time in Japan with the Mommy and kids! I'm sure it's going to be an epic vacation!

You know what? It was! Yung tipong, I still dream about it up to now. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

:)

We're in JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUSHI SEN (TSUKIJI MARKET)

I was reviewing our Japan trip last year, oohing and aaahing at some of the pictures when I realized that I totally skipped the sushi restaurant we ate near Tsukiji Market.

SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!! That is like going to Universal Studios and forgetting to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!!!

And as they say in social media, "Pics or it didn't happen!"

Now I'm not really a pushover at proving myself (since nobody believes me anyway), but the foodie in me would be really sorry if I don't mark down this sushi lunch we had in the place where we should have it.

So here's our unforgettable meal at SUSHI SEN near TSUKIJI MARKET. Definitely a must-visit when you're in Japan!!!

The glorious sushi at SUSHI SEN!

When we were in TSUKIJI MARKET, JAPAN last year, we really planned to eat sushi there.

KRACIE EDIBLE JAPANESE TOYS (SUSHI)

It's part two of our KRACIE EDIBLE JAPANESE TOYS series and the little lords will be doing the.... SUSHI EDITION!

Dan... dan.... dan!!!

We bought our supply from KTG friend TALES FROM THE TUMMY and my boys have been so addicted ever since. Andrei first did the DONUT which was a lot of fun. He also enjoyed sharing and eating it afterwards.

Up next is Mati with the KRACIE SUSHI and he was super raring to start. This particular edible toy was a bit harder to make but my little lord was able to manage.  I could sense that no matter how complicated it may seem, my Mati will really try his best to finish it. Not because he is just a hard worker but more on he loves sushi so much that he was so willing to try another variety of it. He he he he he he!

See how food could properly motivate us all? Now if there's only a dish to promote World Peace.

I, thank you!

KRACIE EDIBLE JAPANESE TOY in SUSHI!

My Master Mati eagerly opened it and took out the foil pack!

HOTEL KEIHAN TENMABASHI (OSAKA, JAPAN TRIP 2015)

Alas, the time has come.

FINALLY, my last blog post for our Japan trip 2015!!!

I hope you didn't get tired from my ultra detailed account of our stay. It's just that since this blog is more of a journal for me, I wanted every memory, good or bad, to be included so that I won't forget any minuscule detail.

Which comes to my last entry that is DEFINITELY not the least as it involves our hotel in our last night in Osaka, Japan. Who would have thought that our crummiest stay provided the most unforgettable memories for us?

With this, I was so proud that THE YAPPY BUNCH once again proved that it doesn't matter if the place is dingy or classy. We would definitely STILL find enjoyment and fun as long as we do it together.

Oh please do read on. I still get chuckles every time I remember it. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

HOTEL KEIHAN TENMABASHI!

We arrived in HOTEL KEIHAN TENMABASHI late at night after a long trip from Tokyo.

My husband thought that since we will just be sleeping in the hotel, we would be getting something lower than the rates of our other accommodations. 

Checking in!

I thought, even if the hotel was not as modern as HOTEL RELIEF and TOKYU STAY, the place still looked squeaky clean and fine. 

FOOD STALLS IN KYOTO (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

I remember that when we went to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in JAPAN with the kiddies, my brothers and sisters went to have a food trip in Osaka instead. They had such a great time filling themselves with Osaka's street foods that when we returned they cannot stop talking about it.

Hmp! They even got the breath to prove their point too!

Tee hee!!!! Just kidding!

Anyway, I got so jealous of their grubbing escapade that when I saw the stalls upon stalls of street food during our trip to the INARI SHRINE in KYOTO, I immediately went for it even if I was still full from our Ramen Breakfast.

And wow, when you do get a chance, PLEASE try out the street food of Japan!!! It may not be posh nor visually stimulating like in other Japanese restaurants, but all the food tasted oh-so-great! And THAT'S what matters right?

Plus, the food is superkaduper cheap too!

Believe me, you'll be so happy stuffing yourselves with the chomps in Kyoto that you wouldn't mind having barbecue breath!

Ha ha ha ha! Like us!!!!!

Hmmm... I should have given a very big HHEEEELOOOOO to my sister when I saw her.

So. There. 

INARI SHRINE in KYOTO!!!!

When you get to the shrine, look the left and you'll see a street where it's filled with stalls selling street food!!!