Budget Trip to Tokyo Japan for 7 Days @ $1400 SGD/pax Part 1

I always thought that it is expensive to go to Japan. Many people said that it is expensive to go to Japan. Air tickets, food and things are expensive in Japan. One day, my friend messaged and asked if I would like to go to Tokyo, Japan to see plum blossom. We never chat for months and she just asked me to go Japan with her and I just agreed without hesitation. 

We planned to go on a budget trip. However, people usually think that budget trip means you have to take budget airlines, stay in hostel, eat cheap food, no shopping and itineraries. However, i find that my budget trip is consider luxurious. You will know why after i share my trip details. 😆

We realized that air tickets were usually cheaper if we fly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Therefore, we decided to go on Wed and come back on next Tue.

After we took our leave, I started browsing for cheapest air ticket with less stopover and cheapest accommodation. Surprisingly, i found that Philippines airlines 2-way tickets to Narita International airport and back to Singapore are so cheap. Although, there was a 2 hr 55 mins stopover at Manila International Airport, it was still cheaper than other budget airlines such as Tiger airways, AirAsia and Jetstar. It include in-flight meals, entertainment and 23kg check-in baggage. Guess how much is it? It was $360.40 SGD only!!!

Next, I went to Airbnb to search for accommodation. I found this attic house which is very cozy and cute. The owner provide pocket WiFi so you will have internet whereever you go. The owner replied promptly and she would send you a document on how to go to her house from Narita International Airport, how to get the key to her apartment, how to operate the heater/air-condition and  washing machine and the password to the pocket WiFi around 10 days before check-in, . She sent a very detailed instruction on how to go to her apartment. It cost $364 SGD for 7D6N, which is $182 SGD/ person. 

I planned my itinerary using visitacity. It has an mobile apps which will assist you to navigate around in Japan. The apps also able to plan the itinerary for you but you are still able to modify the itineraries based on your plan. You would have to sign up an account so the itineraries will be synchronized across all platforms. 

The mobile apps icon

Home Page

After user clicked on "Tokyo" button

After user clicked on "IN 1 to 6 DAYS" and "6 Days guides" button, it will list different plans such as top attractions itinerary, family itinerary and etc.

It will show list of the itineraries for the day after user clicked on "See plan" button.

It will display transport cost, travel time and how to get there with their public transport after user clicked on, "Go" button. However, this require user to download "Tokyo Metro Subway" mobile apps to work (Refer to 1st Image). 

It will show the attraction's opening and closing time when user clicked on clock icon.

Details of the itinerary

Unfortunately, you have to use the desktop to increase the number of days of your trip and add in your hotel and flight details. That's why I recommend users to register an account so data will be synchronized across all platforms. 

After I have planned my daily activities, I calculated the transport fee based on the transport fee given from "visit a city" mobile apps and compared it with the 7 days Tokyo Metro Pass which cost 3800 Yen. There is no 7 days Tokyo Metro Pass so you have to buy 2 X 3 days Tokyo Metro Pass and 1 X 1 day Tokyo Metro Pass where there will be 1 day (0.5 day travelling from Singapore to apartment and 0.5 day travelling from apartment to Singapore) that I will not be utilizing the pass fully. Tokyo Metro Pass also can only be bought at certain places. 

The 7 days JR Ordinary Pass cost 29, 110 Yen which is more expensive than the total transport expenses. Therefore, we did not purchase either of the pass. 

**Do note that if you buy Tokyo Metro Pass, you still have to pay for JR train ride if you transfer train from Tokyo Metro line and vice-versa. For example, if you would like to go to Shinjuku from Ginza, you have to take Marunouchi Line (Tokyo Metro Line) to Shinjuku-Sanchome and change to Yamonote Line (JR East) to Shinjuku. 

I shall share about my trip and cost breakdown of each day in next post. Stay tune. :D

Farewell Lunch with Boss

I was quite shock to know that my previous company is going to close down. I knew about it last week so we are having our farewell lunch at Prive in NUS. This news spoil my holiday mood a little because i was going to Genting with my family last Sunday.  It was first time in Prive NUS. It is a fine dinner restaurant. 

It has a small loaf of bread to ease your hunger for a while

Genting Day 1

Wake up in the morning, feel the light heating (there is no light, it was 6am) ZZZ. On coach gg to Genting. It was very calm at every stops, no rushing. We got free 2 night stay in First world Hotel from RWS for my mum's birthday. Everyone faster sign up as RWS member. Haha!

We bought our coach tickets from WTS at super low price and Gold coach too. Our coach is damn nice. It got adjustable leg rest, back and feet stand. It is massage chair and etc.

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After we cleared from the custom, the first stop is at Yong Peng. I ate my mee soto as usual coz i think that was the only delicious and filling food. The aunty gave lots of shredded chicken breast. Then i faster rushed to buy 5 kaya balls coz the next stop will be in 2.5 hours time and just for us to go to the toilet so just in case i will get hungry later.

The best thingy about given free stay by RWS is that you don't have to wait very long for your queue. We waited for 10 mins and we got our key. We check-in then went to Hainan Restaurant for lunch as usual. I sound like i am regular in Genting. LOL

 Although the food in Hainan restaurant is  expensive, the food is delicious especially their curry chicken and hainan chicken rice. However, there will be discount if you are Genting memeber.

Then we went shopping till dinner time since the themepark is closed. We had Marybrown for dinner as my dad is craving for it. LOL

 

Goat Year Mehhhh

We went to casino. This is the first time that i tried playing jackpot. My mum and I was like mountain turtle. We was wondering what slot card are they talking about and tried inserting every Genting card in till a staff came to assist us. Then i went to create a slot card and play jackpot. Hehe.

This is the slot card.

Ohmmm money money money ohmmm money ohmmm

PPP Laser Clinic

This is the 5th time that i have did micro-laser and around 30 sessions of Laser & light cleaning system (LLCS) at PPP laser clinics. It is just 5 minutes of dry cleaning your face and you will feel that you face is clean and smooth. There is also no downtime so you can do it again an hour later. 

The difference between micro-laser and LLCS is that

Lor Mee at Bukit Merah Hawker

Lor Mee

Fish soup (images taken from http://ieatandeat.com/)

The fish soup stall (images taken from http://ieatandeat.com/)

My mum asked me to accompany her to Bukit Merah because she needs to settle something over there. The immediate food that came to my mind is the fish soup. Can you imagine i think of food and eat only? Haha!

Supper with colleagues at Choa Chu Kang Park

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My colleagues and I left office late today because we were discussing something with our boss. Our boss dropped us at Choa Chu Kang and one of my colleagues said that he was hungry. Then i remember that there is a Malay restaurant in Choa Chu Kang Park and i told my colleagues about it. Since we all have not try it before, let's go and try. 

Tastiest & cheap bakery in Bukit Batok

Tiramisu

Tiramisu and raspberry cheesecake

There are many bakeries at Bukit Batok St 11 but why do i said that this bakery at blk 152 is the best?