Japan 2013: Kitty Love

Just when I thought I've been to the happiest place on earth, here comes Sanrio Puroland to provide more happiness! This seriously comes close to being the happiest place on earth. Okay, maybe the most kawaii place on earth.

I wanted to go to the park the last time we were in Japan but we ran out of time. So this time, there's no turning back. Especially since we plan on hoarding a couple of Meiji Milk Cream spreads in the grocery store nearby. Haha Daddy had to pass though since he badly needed a day off to rest his aching feet. Note: boat shoes are not walking shoes. :p

Stocking up on Meiji goodness.

First stop: grocery store at Tama Center. Nee-chan studied for a year in Chuo University as a foreign exchange student and she used to do her grocery shopping here. This is where she discovered our oh-so-favorite Meiji Milk Cream spread. It goes with absolutely everything. You can even eat it on its own! Before my Peanut Butter & Co./Cookie Butter/Biscoff spread addiction, there was Meiji Milk Cream. We bought four tubs each of milk and chocolate variety. Why only four each you ask? Well, those were the only ones remaining on the shelf that's why! Haha We also bought some chocolate and custard-filled bread (which became another favorite) and some KitKat green tea.

Welcome to the cutest place on earth!

Then we started walking towards Sanrio Puroland. I love how Kitty-chan can be seen on every street sign. Too adorable! It's like living in a fantasy town. And we haven't even gotten inside the park yet. Since Sanrio Puroland is targeted towards a younger audience, we didn't bother buying Passport Tickets and just opted for the Welcome Tickets (good for entrance and all shows).

With Pokopon

Upon entering the gates, you will immediately feel the warmth of the place. All the staff are smiling and there are characters already waiting to welcome you. We immediately went up to them to get our pictures taken. I love how Pokopon acted a bit alarmed after seeing the faux fur on my jacket. Haha He kept stroking it as if it were alive.

Sugarbunnies

Since we were still lugging our groceries around, we decided to go to the lockers first before going back for more pictures. Luckily, the characters were still there mingling with the visitors when we got back. I especially love these two - Kirousa and Shirousa. Aren't they the cutest? I wonder how the people inside manage to move around in these costumes though. How can they see?? Or are they midgets?

With Kuromi

Here we are with Kuromi before going inside the park. Who says Sanrio Puroland is only for kids and girls? Look how Karly and Ayel seemed more excited than Nee-chan and I in these photos!

Inside Sanrio Puroland

We were having so much fun already even though we're still at the lobby! Haha When we got inside, the park looked like something that came straight out of a storybook. Very Hundred Acre Wood ang feel!

We bumped into more Sanrio characters and got our pictures taken. Too bad, I missed Bad Badtz-Maru and Pandaba because I became too fascinated with the bathroom's interiors. But look how cute Jewelpet Rossa is! Another adorable chibi mascot.

Are we in Hundred Acre Wood?

Whenever I go somewhere, I always check out the bathroom. It's a weird habit, I know BUT I have my reasons. You can tell a lot about a place based on their bathrooms and nice bathrooms are always a plus. Check out their attention to detail!

Dear Daniel and Kitty-chan

Finally, we spotted the famous duo, Dear Daniel and Kitty-chan, in matching outfits! Lucky how we were the first ones there. Nauna pa sa kids e. Haha Just look at our happy faces! Daig pa meet & greet with band dudes.

Up in the treehouse.

Then we went up to the treehouse where the wishing bell is located. Yes, bell not well. You can write your wishes on pieces of paper then ring the bell as you pray for it to come true. I love how they managed to incorporate some Japanese culture into it.

Jewelpet Dokidoki Magical March

When we cam back down, we were just in time to catch the Jewelpet Dokidoki Magical March show which stars Kitty-chan, Ruby, Sapphire and Garnet. It was fun to watch but we have to get going as time is pretty limited.

Kuririn and Purin (?)

We went back to the lobby and bumped into Kuririn and I think Purin in a costume? Cute! I especially love how the place isn't crowded at all so you can stroll around and relax.

Cuteness overload!

Of course, we can't leave Sanrio Puroland without doing some omiyage-hoarding. Honestly, I ended up buying more stuff for myself than for family and friends. Oopsies. Kitty-chan, take all my money!!

Lost anime standees

Weird how we saw these anime standees on the same floor as the restaurants and omiyage shops. Lost kung lost! That didn't stop us from taking photos though.

Purikura time!

We also didn't leave Sanrio Puroland without taking souvenir photos via purikura booths. Definitely one of my favorite parts of Japanese pop culture.

Ultimate travel buddies

Before going back to Tokyo, we stopped for a quick lunch. Ayel was craving for some tamago sushi so we left him in a kaiten-zushi (or sushi-go-round) while we headed to the nearest Saizeriya. I know, we're in Japan but their family restaurants are really a must-try and we've been dying to eat at Saizeriya since day one. Personally, I'd go for the kaiten-zushi but Karly is not a fan of sushi and Saizeriya is one of our favorite family restos so all is good.

After lunch, we dropped by Sumitomo bank to exchange some dollars into yen. While waiting for our turn, Nee-chan and I were chatting when another customer joined in. It turns out, she's a Pinay who's been living in Japan for several years now. She mistook us for exchange students (because she started as an exchange student there herself) and was surprised to hear us speaking in Filipino. It's nice to run into kababayans abroad and brighten their day just by talking to them.

Hachiko

When we got our yen, we traveled back to Tokyo to find Hachiko in Shibuya. I love how there's a sign as early as the train station pointing to where Hachiko is. I'm sure you're familiar with Hachiko's story but I'm still amazed how his statue became a popular meet-up point because of his display of patience and loyalty.

Welcome to Shibuya!

I'm sure you've seen the famous Shibuya intersection in movies, magazines or Instagram posts. It really is as crazy as it looks! But being in Japan, there's still a sort of order in that chaos. Order in a sense that no one really bumps into each other. Amazing.

Oh we saw some more Filipinos in Shibuya but this time, it wasn't pleasant at all. Hanggang dito ba naman may makukulit pa ring solicitors! Kalurks. At talagang kami pa nilapitan ha. Mga ateng, limited lang po dala naming cash at peso po kinikita namin, hindi yen utang na loob. For school children back in the Philippines daw. Well, I know a scam when I see one. If it's a real cause, you wouldn't pester me like you're offering me a free umbrella if you know what I mean ugh.

But I wouldn't let that ruin my day so we headed to the nearest Starbucks for our matcha fix. And to buy limited edition tumblers for omiyage. We also dropped by Loft to look for omiyage for mom but ended up buying several phone and ipod accessories as well. Too cute to resist!

Amazing view from the bathroom.

We'll be meeting up with Nee-chan's orgmates, Karl-sempai and Tintin-sempai, for dinner so we can also claim our Ghibli museum tickets which Karl-sempai was kind enough to buy for us in advance. We went back to Shinjuku and since we have a little time to spare, we checked out the nearest Uniqlo store. But not without checking out the bathroom first. Haha

We love Uniqlo!

Upon entering the store, we were surprised to see the items with prices that are almost the same as their Philippine counterpart. Only difference? The yen sign. So it's like shopping in Uniqlo PH at almost 50% off. Cheapaz!

Sweets Paradise

We got so caught up in our mini shopping spree, we lost track of time and now, we are running late for dinner. With no phones! Haha We were literally running down the street worried sick that Nee-chan's orgmates might start looking for us somewhere else (aka our hostel). After a couple minutes of searching for each other, we finally met at the lobby of Sweets Paradise - an eat-all-you can restaurant. But since we're in Japan, there's something that sets Sweets Paradise apart from your typical buffets. One group gets a whole pizza and then access to unlimited pasta dishes (which constantly varies depending on what the chef whips up), appetizers, drinks, and their wide range of sweets. As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in desserts so be ready to save room for some. Oh and you have to finish everything in just two hours. Pretty exciting eh?

THE MOST HILARIOUS/HIDEOUS PURIKURA EVER!

After dinner, we didn't feel like going home yet so we decided to walk around Shinjuku. Karl-sempai invited us to go bowling but the alley was closed when we got there so we went to the nearest arcade center instead for more purikura. We were all shocked upon getting the prints as we all looked hysterically high!!! It turns out, we went into a booth that specializes in big eyes. Darn them Japanese and their obsession with huge eyes!!! HAHA Us girls looked weird enough but the boys looked exceptionally hilarious with their doll eyes and smoky eyes. HAHAHA Too funny!! And because we couldn't stop laughing, another group of Filipinos approached us. Anu ba! Lapitin lang?? Haha I love how kababayans always look excited upon hearing us speaking Filipino. Sorry naman, forever maingay lang! This time, they were Filipinos from Guam, also on vacation. Some couldn't even speak Filipino but they could still recognize it when they hear it. Pretty cool.

No more ridiculous anime eyes!

And because our purikura turned out to be super weird, we couldn't leave the place without taking another one. This time, we selected a booth that seemed normal. Haha Oh and here's a tip: If you're a guy, never ever go into a purikura booth alone! That's a big no-no! They even have a sign for that. You see, guys are only allowed in purikura booths if they are accompanied by girls. I guess this is to prevent pervs from harassing women who are usually the patrons of purikura booths.

After our crazy purikura session, we then went to Kabukicho. Yes, inside the famous Kabukicho. We always pass by the area but we did not dare go past that arc in fear of getting tricked into going inside the host clubs. But Karl-sempai insisted we walk along the strip just for fun. The street really looked shady and is lined up with hosts ready to work for the night. So we stuck together and kept our heads low. We couldn't stop Karl-sempai from telling hilarious stories though and we couldn't refrain ourselves from cracking up either. Well, we got out unscathed and said our goodbyes a few minutes before midnight. Just in time for Karl-sempai and Tintin-sempai to catch the last trains.

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Traveling party: Daddy, Karly, Nee-chan (organizer), and Sera
Travel date: April 16, 2013 [Day 7]
Photo credits: Karl