Day 34 ~ Golden Week Holiday Day 2

Today is my second day of holiday. I and my friends have decided to have a visit to the Ueno Zoo. What so special with the zoo? Because today is Greenery Day, so most of the Zoo and park are free for entrance. But I din’t thought of it will be so much of peoples going too. The crowd is really amazing.

This is the crowd when walking to the Zoo.

 

 

The Map of the Zoo and the Ueno Park.

 

The crowd walking toward the entrance.

 

There are stall selling stuff and food.

 

This is the Ueno Zoo entrance.

 

Yeah!! Its free for only today.

 

Having lunch together.

 

Saw this monkey with long fur.

 

Elephant. The peoples visit there is more than the amount of animals.

 

 

Group of us with the fake Panda. Could not get to see the real one. So, lets take a picture with the fake one.

 

Otter.

 

It is really very tough for me to take this two pictures. So make sure you really enjoy it.

 

Crazy crowd everywhere.

Cute bear

 

Aww…the Panda is so cute.

 

 

On the way to the exit.

 

This is a must!

 

They even have a restart selling panda food. It is so cute.

 

 

Saw this while walking to Ameyoko, this people he just standing alone enjoying himself, I can’t understand what he is doing there. Here is Japan, so anythings will be very funny.

 

On the way from Ueno Zoo to Ameyoko Street.

 

Ameyoko street actually sell a lot of Chinese ingredients.

 

This is extremely expensive. Around RM165 for one of these durian.

 

Its holiday, you see the crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We came to this chinese restaurant selling 豆腐花，油炸鬼，豆奶. I miss Malaysia.

 

In Ameyoko, even kebab stall is here too.

 

I am standing at the turning point to Ameyoko street or Uechun street.

 

Chinese stall selling ingredients and chinese style sauces.

 

 

Hope you enjoy. And stay tune for the next post.

xoxo

Estelle-C

Day 33 ~ Golden Week Holiday Day 1

Starting from today 3 of May, I going to have a short holiday for 4 days. This four days holiday are Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children’s Day and Substitute Holiday. Because these four days fall on Saturday to Tuesday, so Japanese does have a full week of Holiday. 残念です…

During this fews days of holiday, I have planned day trip to fews of the tourist spot in Tokyo. So, this post will be full of my pictures. Hope you enjoy.

The first location: Tokyo Tower. Its looks just like Eiffel Tower.

 

There are staffs who lead you the way to the lift.

 

Souvenir shop

 

Famous souvenir that you must buy it in Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Banana. Its really delicious.

 

After the Tokyo Tower, the next stop is Sensoji Park, it just very near to the Tokyo Tower.

 

After all the sight-vewing, me and my friend take train to Odaiba for Gundam and Hot Spring.

 

OMG!! The huge Gundam. Cant believe my eye.

 

While we are walking to the Hot spring, we bump into this event, Oktoberfest event in JAPAN!!

 

I ordered a 300ml Erdinger which cost me about RM30.

 

This is the famous hot spring spot. Must come here if you travel to Japan. But, you have to make sure you dare to be naked in front of people in Japan. However, female and male are separated. So, no doubt.

 

When you enter in, you have to keep your shoe in the locker. Because you does not need to wear any shoes or slipper when walking around. Then, you need to line up to get a tag, the tag is come with a locker key and whenever you eat or buy something, salesperson will just scan over your tag, and you will only need to pay the total amount of spending when you leave. It is really convenient, so that you can keep every things in your locker and walk around without holding your wallet.

 

Din’t take much photo when I am too enjoying the environment and the relaxing myself in the hot spring. Information about the hot spring can be find in here.

 

Thats it. The first day of my holiday.

Stay tune for the next.

xoxo

Estelle-C

 

Day 28 ~ Life Safety Learning & Going out with friends

Everybody knows that Japan had a terrible earthquake on year 2011. I did experienced earthquake a couple of times after I came to Japan. For the study aboard students who never stay in Japan before, or haven experience earthquake and fire incident, my school is having an activities bringing us to the life safety learning centre to learn how to protect ourselves, how to escape from incident, how to help others, and learn about the important things to do when incident happened.

Along the way to the Life Safety Learning Centre at Ikebukuro 池袋, our teacher is introducing the surrounding to the students. The guys with white hair is our teacher, don’t he looks like people appeared in Anime.

 

This is the entrance of the Life Safety Learning Centre. In this centre you can find:

1. Daily Life Safety Section
2. Event Space
3. Audio-visual Room
4. First Aid Training
5. Earthquake Simulation
6. Local Disaster Prevention Corner
7. Map Exercise Section
8. Rescue and Escape Section
9. Smoke Filled Maze
10. How to Report an Emergency
11. Fire Fighting Training

As our time is limited, we din’t get to participate in all of the section. We just able to participate in those which are the most important part.

 

All the pretties from my class.

 

Fire fighting training

 

When there is a fire which able to be put out, first, you have to shout it loud to notice others or to ask for help then follow the steps to use the fire extinguisher to put out a fire.

 

After the Fire Fighting Training, we come to this Earthquake Simulation. That kind of machine actually shake like earthquake multitude 6 or 7 for us to experience the earthquake. Amazing. Yeah, the machine.

 

 

After the training I went out with few of my classmates. We went for lunch then the games center at Ikebukuro 池袋.

This shop called Yoshinoya which is something like Matsuya. But Matsuya is much more delicious. The beef with rice called Gyudon 牛丼 is only cost me 300yen.

 

 

300yen for each games. Some may be different depend on what kind of games.

 

 

 

 

This game center have 6 or 7 floors, can’t remember. The highest 2 floors are Purikura (Machine that allow girls to take Selfie). They even have a small make up section and also the costume rent area. We try one of the machine which cost 400yen.

 

 

 

After the game section we walk around at this shopping mall called Sunshine City just opposite the Game Center. There is a shop called どんぐり共和国/ MOE Garden selling all stuff of Ghibli cartoon characters goods. Besides of this shop you can find Disney Store and Sanrio Vivitix.

 

Sorry for the late updates. Stay tune for the next post.

xoxo

Estelle-C

Day 25 ~ Welcome Party

Already the 25th days I am in Japan, and its already 9th days of class in ABK College. Today, my school having this welcome party for all of the student in ABK school. The party is held in my school’s cafeteria, and the food are ready by teacher and students who think theirs’ cooking levels are good. First, let start with our school principle’s short speech, and a non-alcoholic 乾杯 cheers. Then the party start.

 

Food is ready! Lets grab it fast….fast…..fast…….

There are korean kimchi, curry, bak ku teh and others more.

 

Pictures with classmates.

 

Performance. The last guy with the guitar is from my class. Whenever my class short break started, he will play some song, if not my class will be silent like dead.

 

Saw the two photo bomb? Both of them being like a ghost behind.

So lucky! I won prizes during the game session. I get the Hokkaido Ramen when I participated in a game, and I won 5 packets of Japan Curry Paste during the Bingo game. I share the Japan Curry Pastes to my friends who cook, sharing is caring.

 

Lastly, Me and some of my friends end our day with drinking session. We went to the conbini (convenient store) and grab a beer and snacks. Everybody one beer, and everybody enjoyed.

xoxo

Estelle-C

 

Day 20 ~ Meeting up with cousin and friends

My cousin travel to Japan since 11 of April, and only get to meet him up when he going to leave Japan. So happy to relatives here in Japan, when is my parents turn to meet up? Haha….  My cousin is from UK, and today is his last day in Japan. So I meet him up and bring him walk around in Tokyo tourist spot. Both us took the train and meet with each other at the famous Hachiko statue which is just in front of the Shibuya train station. This is actually my first time to Shibuya. Pictures with the Hachiko statue! Hachiko is a dog, and this Hachiko statue is to remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner which continued for many years after his owner’s death. Japanese make this story into a touching movie, try to watch the movie then you will know more. 

My cousin wanted to experience the most busiest junction in Shibuya. We took pictures standing in the centre of the junction when the light goes green. It’s amazing. The people crossing here is never stop, everyday, every time be the same.

After that, I bring my cousin to have lunch at 松屋 Matsuya.

After our lunch, my cousin said he want to go to Kiddy land and also look for Japanese who dress up nice to take pictures with them. I bring him to Harajuku where the Kiddy land located at, and walk around at the Omotesando and Takeshita street.

 

Because today I have to meet up with my friends too. Therefore, I have to leave my cousin half way and meet up with friends at Shibuya. We planned to shopping, so Shibuya will be the best choice where they have every of the brand here just like Pavilion. In Pavilion KL, we do shopping by walking from shop to shop, but in Shibuya we do shopping by walking from building to building. Haha…

Forever 21 here in Japan is the cheapest and good quality compare with H&M. Forever 21 here in Shibuya have total of 7 floor. The first 6 floor are all women, PARADISE!!!! Uniqlo here is the best too.  But Japanese brand in 109 Shibuya are much more expensive, if you are plan to change into Japanese fashion, 109 Shibuya is the best choice. You can get very kawaii stuff and fashion inside.

 

Saw this antique car along the road nearby Shibuya 109.

Night view of Shibuya. You see, the people crossing.

 

Stay tune for the next post about my school welcome party.

xoxo

Estelle-C

Day 18 ~ Karaoke

Yeah!! Is Friday. Lets go for Karaoke. My classmates planned for Karaoke session after class today. We have our lunch together then Karaoke until at night. In Japan, they have this called 飲み放題 mean you can drink what ever you want between the certain session. If you go for 3 hours is without drink for free. 3-8pm and 11-5am is 飲み放題. And we start singing from 3-8pm with free drink. The price for the Drink all you can Karaoke session is for 900 yen, around RM30. Isn’t it worth it? Let me introduce my friend from different country to you. Haha…

 

Left: From Korean. Center: Malaysia. Right: Taiwan

 

Left: From Indonesia. Right: From Malaysia

 

Left: From Hong Kong. Right: From China

 

Both from Thailand

 

Stay tune for the next post about meeting up my cousin and friends.

xoxo

Estelle-C

Day 17 ~ ごみを拾い Activities in school

Today, my School having another activity called ごみを拾い, means pick up rubbish activity. Haha… I have participated after having my lunch. Actually I and my friends have late for the activity. Thought of not joining already, but in the half way of leaving school back to dorm, we met the group of the teacher and student picking up rubbish. Haha… Then the teacher asked us to join them even though the activity is going to end. So, we joined.

I din’t even pick up rubbish as a volunteer in Malaysia, and now I am joining this activity in Japan. This sound so funny. In Japan, this wonderful country, it is so clean everywhere. But then, my school still planning for this kind of event. This can show how Japanese people be so responsible. During the activity, I hardly find rubbish to pick up. Haha… Is not tired at all. Can you imagine if you doing this in Malaysia?

After the activity, teacher provides tea and snacks for us. So kind……

Flowers in Japan are so beautiful.

 

Stay tune for the next post about Karaoke in Japan.

xoxo

Estelle-C

Day 15 ~ Flea market for new students & Korean dinner

Today there is an event held in my school called Flea Market for new students. In this event, peoples bring their unused stuff and sell it here in the event. These peoples are students, staff of my school or outsider. They sell a lot of things ranging from books, essential things, kitchen things, toys, shirts, jackets, and many more. I did not get anythings from the event. Just to look around. Maybe when I have finish study my course in Japan, I will sell of my stuff in this kind of event.

The event is not really big, but customers are a lot.

After the event, I went out with Jason for dinner with another three Korean. One of the Korean are my classmate. And they decided to bring me and Jason to the Korean town in Japan. This Korean town in located at Shin-okubo Station using JR Yamanote Line. Along of the street, there are a lot a lot of korean cosmetics and skincare shop. Besides that, specially to those who are fans of korean idol, here sell a lot of korean idols’ merchandises like photos, poster, CD and many more.

We have our dinner in this korean restaurant.

FOOD!!!!!!!

Pictures with 3 of the Koreans. But seem like 4. Haha….Jason looks like Korean too.

 

Stay tune with the next post about another event held by my school too.

xoxo

Estelle-C

 

Day 14 ~ First day of the Class

After the placement test, every of the student allocated to different class. I end up being in the highest class, which mean is the most difficult class. My class start from 9am until 1230pm afternoon from Monday to Friday every week. Sometimes there are activities after the class, it’s either compulsory or not compulsory. Total of three lecturer handling my class. Monday and Wednesday is Mr Kameyama, Tuesday and Thursday is Ms. Mukai, and lastly Ms. Morikawa for Friday.

In my class, lecturer conduct of a lot of communication and disccusion. Monday to Thursday syllabus will be like below:

• Lecturer play the radio with dialogue of two person, and we have to follow after and say it. After few time of listen and practicing. We have to do a role play of using the same dialogue and speak with the person sitting beside you.
• Lecturer will throw out a topic. We are separate into group and draw a mind map about the topic given. After giving out a lot of idea for the mind map, we have to introduce our mind map to others group. IN JAPANESE!!
• Lecturer will play the radio again, but this time with a whole paragraph of story. Students have to listen and try to understand. After playing for two times, lecturer will give us the photocopy of the paragraph and learn the grammar that used in the paragraph.
• Reading, lecturer gave us a book and we have to read and understand it. This book is all about articles from different authors. Sometimes lecturer uses magazine instead of the book. So, students won’t be boring.
• Kanji, kanji is Chinese wording in Japanese language. We have to learn it for two days once. And we have dictation after learning every chapter of the Kanji.

Friday syllabuses are all the above and one more: Lecturer will play the radio with a paragraph of NEWS. After listening the news, students have to answer the question given from lecturer. This part is the most difficult for me. Because, there are still a lot of words that I haven learned comes out in the news with difficult grammar. I CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT FOR 100%. OMG… But, is ok. Later on, lecturer gives us the photocopy of the whole paragraph of the news.

Homework for everyday:

• Have to find information about a topic which given from lecturer. For examples of the topic: Prime minister, Japan whaling and others more difficult. On the next day, student have to use the information to tell about for 1 minutes to your friends. Lastly, there will be a student presenting in front of the class by luck drawing.
• Have to write a paragraph of three sentences about a topic which given from lecturer also. For examples of the topic: spring, favourite pets, street and others more. On the next day, student have to tell what you have write about to your friends next seat.
• Kanji. Learn it before class. I am lucky that I learn mandarin before, so at least I know how to write. But still need to memorise the pronunciation in Japanese of the Kanji. Can you imagine how difficult it will be for student from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand and Malaysia who never learn Mandarin before.

My class, now is totally different from the class that I learn Japanese in Malaysia. It is no more teaching in word by word, grammar by grammar, sentence by sentence anymore. Lecturer in my class speaking like normal Japanese and you have to catch up fast to understand.

There are 25 students of us from Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and China.

My classroom have a nice view.

 

My class look very small right. Haha…. My seat is at the center of the center row. Luckily, because I am facing front to the whiteboard. Others student who sit at the side row, the whiteboard are at the side. So, after 4 hours of lecturer their neck will be very pain.

These are my classmates.

 

 

Stay tune for the next post about activities in my school.

xoxo

Estelle-C

Day 13 ~ Meeting up with my cousin’s cousin

My cousin’s cousin is a Malaysian mix Japanese. We know each other since we are young but seldom keep in touch while because my cousin’s cousin is in Japan. My cousin’s cousin name is called Kazuma. Since Chinese new year of this year, I met with Kazuma again in Malaysia. And he brought his friend along from Japan to celebrate CNY together. Then, we exchanged contact number in order for me to contact them when I am in Japan.

And today, finally, we really did meet up with each other again in Japan. After I have got my phone in Japan, I contacted them again for meet up. I took the train alone to meet up with them at the train station. Then they bring me to a very high-class fine dining restaurant for dinner.

This Japanese restaurant called Japanese Restaurant Ginza Nichigekka which located at Ginza Tokyo.

This is the address of the restaurant.

ZOE Ginza 6F, 3-3-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061

The atmosphere of the restaurant is so good. The environment is very nice too.

FOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!

Salad

This is the original Wasabi.

Tofu eat with wasabi, salt, or seaweed.

Beef. This is so good

Next, followed by sashimi.

We ordered this Japanese Sake.

This is Kenji, the one who I said earlier that Kazuma brought him to Malaysia early of this year. Awkward face of him. Haha… took this picture unintentionally.

This is Kazuma.

 

 

Desserts. Can’t end my dinner without dessert.

We ordered three different kind of dessert.

This is the best.

After you have your sweet dessert, match with the Maccha (green tea) is the best combination.

Three of us. So happy to meet them up in Japan.

Both of them actually travel far away from their home to Ginza to meet up. Kazuma took about 2 hour to reach Ginza. I hope next time we have more meet up. So that, I could communicate in Japanese with them. I think I have to improve my photography skills with my new camera. Haha… some of the pictures are out of focus. Anyone willing to teach me how to take very near things and really focus on it. Did you realise that I din’t really introduce the food I have eat. This is because I forget to record all the name of the dish. And somehow, Japanese food are very difficult to describe. You can eat everything on the plate, including flowers, Erm….and others that I don’t know what is that.

 

The night view of the Ginza Tokyo. That is a popular shopping mall called Marui.

Stay tune for the next post about my first class in school.

xoxo

Estelle-C