Oh Deer!

If there's one thing I love about Japan, it is the people. They are the kindest, most disciplined, and most respectful people I have ever met. And quite surprisingly, the deer in Nara are just as polite as the locals. As a matter of fact, these critters are far more polite than half the people you meet.

Kidding? Perhaps not.

The deer poses better than I do.

Robots. Sushi. Anime. Sakura. These are the first things that come to mind when I think of Japan.

When we booked our flight to Japan, it just happened that we took advantage of a seat sale, chanced upon a very cheap flight to Narita, and booked it right away. Plus, the timing couldn't be any more perfect for Jan’s birthday. It never occurred to us that it's going to be the most anticipated and most visited sakura season.

I got so excited when I learned about it and started reading about these famed cherry blossoms only to end up a little disappointed about the fact that these pink delicate flowers bloom for just a week. Early April is the best time to see the sakuras this year according to blooming predictions. And since we will be arriving two weeks earlier, the chances of seeing these in full bloom are slim.

On our first day, we have already seen a few budding sakuras on some streets. Even Hachiko's statue stood under the sakura trees. It wasn't that impressive, yet. But it's promising and we were hoping to see them bloom in a riot of pink hues.

So we visited two parks, Chidorigafuchi (ten-minute walk from our hotel) and Yoyogi Park, which are best known for hanami (flower viewing). Even though each park offers a charming scenery of spring, not one sakura tree has a single flower on sight yet.

We then proceeded to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, home of at least a thousand sakura trees.

Tokyo is currently my favorite city (next to Davao, of course). I'm not really huge on highly-urbanized cities. Skyscrapers and cityscapes don't fascinate me. But Tokyo offers more than the high tech toilets, electronics, Anime, and manga. It's where you get the best of modern and historical worlds at the same time.

But before anything else, let me share with you my OOTD. It is important that you do your research about the weather before traveling to make sure that your activities, itinerary, and especially your outfits match the forecast.

Here's a glimpse of my outfit for that day. An ukay-ukay coat for only P40 helped me enjoy a rather chilly day. Yes, 7°C is perfect for a stroll if you have the right clothes on.

Top: HeatTech base (thermal), thick long sleeves, winter coat (because I'm lamigin like that). Bottom: Leg warmers, pants, Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. I thought Onitsuka is popular here in Japan, turns out the cool kid shoes here are NBs. Haha

We went to Japan for Jan's birthday which is just in time for spring. And since it was only the first official day of spring when we landed, the weather was still chilly and temperatures dropped to as low as 4°C. I actually thought that I was prepared for that. I had 3 layers of clothes (base thermal, thick sweater, winter coat/jacket) and it still wasn't enough. Tagos sa buto ang lamig.

Nonetheless, we had a great time! To be honest, I can still recall almost everything that happened, but I don't think I will be able to narrate the details of our adventure. Although it's not a surprise that this trip is not well-documented, I'll let the pictures speak for it (yes, yes, lame excuse for being lazy).

(Note to self: next time, Sarah, please take a lot of photos so that you won't have a hard time looking for decent photos for the blog)

Our first agenda the night we got in Tokyo was, of course, to eat authentic ramen. After checking in at Sakura Hotel in Jimbocho, we went straight to Shibuya and took some photos of Hachiko and Shibuya crossing.

There were a lot of people around Hachiko's statue. But surprisingly, there were more locals than tourists who were just hanging around. Even though there was a flock, it wasn't really that hard to take a photo with Hachiko.

Hachiko

Shibuya crossing, which is just literally a stone's throw away from Hachiko, is indeed the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. Funny that we crossed the lanes multiple times in an attempt to take an instagrammable photo only to capture those moments I got shoved or pushed. I still wonder how my friends did it fabulously.

Shibuya Crossing

After five failed attempts, we just we walked around Shibuya and shortly found the place we've been looking for. Ichiran Ramen! Since it was still a bit early and the weather was pleasant (probably around 16°C), we decided to take a stroll and go back just in time for dinner.

I find it amazing that almost every corner, every street in Japan is simply photo-worthy.

The colorful streets of Shibuya

That was a mistake though. When we got back, the queue has reached the street. I should know. People patiently line up for a reason⁠. Ichiran Ramen, as claimed by the majority, is the best ramen in Japan.


And they were right. Absolutely right.


We tried eating like a local but we just couldn't do it right. It does take time to master the art of slurping a hot ramen. Nonetheless, it is the best we ever had.

After filling our tummies, we continued strolling around Shibuya when the temperature unexpectedly dropped to 10°C. Since I only wore a sweater and faux leather jacket (I did not bundle up when we got there), I was uncomfortably shivering. We took shelter inside the arcades to keep ourselves warm and wasted a few yen pushing our luck to these money eating machines. It was a good night. :)


Just when I thought that I won't be writing a story, here I am, telling you how our first day in Japan went. I'd like to share a lot of beautiful things about Japan. So I guess, I'll do this in parts.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'll be off to attend a stock market mentoring in an hour.

When we went to Japan last March, it was transitioning from winter to spring. That means, we were able to experience both snow and sakura season at the same time.

You see, even though the season was leaning toward spring, a deep-rooted fascination for snow has definitely gotten my mind fixed to experience snow by any possible means. Well, you must understand that this utmost desire to see snow is coming from someone who has spent an entire life in a tropical country and has never seen one. This Japan trip—that happens once in a blue moon⁠—was my chance.

Honestly, there would have been a lot of snow resorts outside Tokyo. However, 4 days is not enough to explore the city alone. So we planned to have our first snow experience somewhere in Kansai since we will be spending more time in Osaka. Also, it is a lot cheaper.

My heart had been broken terribly when the owl carrying my Hogwarts acceptance letter lost its way (must have been held up in Customs 😂). I thought I would die a squib (no offense to squibs). But here I am, saved from eternal despair. For those who are still waiting for that letter, here is your salvation.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWoHP) will get you completely swept up in magic. I was and I cannot get enough of it! The moment we started walking into the woods with the familiar music playing in the background, nostalgia washed over me and I knew we were no longer in Universal Studios.

We first stumbled upon the Weasley's Ford Anglia (also known by the muggles as the flying car) crashed into a tree inside the Forbidden Forest. I gave a muffled shriek when I saw this—one I do not usually do, not even to celebrity idols nor a flying cockroach I come face-to-face with (I kid you not).

I giggled, squeezed Jan's arms repeatedly, and unintentionally acted like an asshole. I didn't notice there was a queue and I just jumped right in front of the car for photos only to realize my unforgivable action when people in line gave me those serious, unbelieving glare. I could only hope nobody took a photo of me and labeled me as such on social media. I am deeply sorry, folks.


I almost went crazy. More so when I entered Hogsmeade. From the cobblestone paths to the aged buildings capped with snow to the magical items and creatures aplenty, everything felt so real.

Hogsmeade

Plus, the weather could not get any better. 14°C with a hint of sun was just right for a magical stroll.

I introduced my world to this muggle.

It is so hard to get a decent photo. Haha

I am really not surprise that this place is teeming with wizards and muggles alike (this was not even a weekend). And it was fun to see a lot of them dressed in robes with scarves carrying the colors of their respective houses. If I had the money, I would have gotten myself a robe (¥ 14000) and a Slytherin scarf (¥ 4800). But alas! All I can afford is a mug of Butterbeer.

Excited!

They have cold and hot versions. I got the cold one for ¥ 1150.

I walked around after chugging this utterly delicious butterscotch-y, caramel-ish but disappointingly non-alcoholic beer (haha). Every shop has everything you see in the movies coming to life. Chocolate frogs. Nimbus 2000. Mandragoras. Pumpkin juice. Name it. You could easily get lost in wonder even without the spells and enchantments. I am pretty sure this is not the first time one would begin questioning reality.

Am I really in Japan?

The picture's moving, by the way.

Nope. Definitely not.


And what's a wizard without a wand? Let a wand choose you at Ollivanders. A magical wand (because there are regulars too) will get you to learn a few basic spells. Even Snape approves those foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. So swish and flick away.

Magical wands for ¥ 4900. Regular wands for ¥ 4500.

And remember, it's levi-oh-sa. Not levio-sar!


Of course, the fun does not end there. One cannot complete the magical journey without entering the Hogwarts Castle. Inside, you will discover the secrets kept within the walls and know what charms have been casted on people who walked out of the castle totally blown away.

But be warned. To enter the Great Hall, you must pass a test. And I am not talking about the O.W.L. here as Hermione would have loved.


There will be a test of patience for the queue can last as long as a Quidditch match with blind Seekers. Kidding! But you get the drift. Dementors could also be swarming around, draining all the happiness and energy in you. In our case, the temperature dropped to 10°C, it drizzled, and the wind was hostile while we were falling in line outside the castle for more than 2 hours. I bet, summers are worse.

But no matter, entering the castle takes you on a wild ride to a Forbidden Journey and it makes everything worth it.

Simply put, IT IS UNDENIABLY THE BESTEST RIDE EVER!

So I suggest, go there early and head straight to the WWoHP to avoid long lines, fill your tummies first (I tell you, hunger is a worse enemy than Voldemort), and bring anything to entertain you with.


As with any theme park that we truly enjoyed, this isn't well documented for we failed to take a lot of photos (the best view of the castle and the black lake is at the back of the Three Broomsticks 😉). But I would say that I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time I was inside the WWoHP. It is indeed a magical place where both Potterheads (waves hand frantically) and muggles will certainly enjoy. It felt so incredible to be there.

If given the chance to apparate back to the wizarding world, I would definitely still be that high-spirited, 33-year old child who happily, excitedly, and proudly walked the magical walls of Hogwarts the first time.

I do not think I will ever outgrow Harry Potter. It is, and will always, be part of my life.

Travel date: March 2019. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located inside Universal Studios Japan. Entrance fee to USJ is P4163 (peak season), booked via Klook.