Kyoto 2019 Part 1: Fushimi Inari, Gion & Garaku Guest Inn

Hello again blog friends! It's the last day of the year and I told myself I just have to publish one post before this year ends. This article is long overdue, I know, sorry. Huhu.  To be completely honest, writing a detailed travel guide could really be time consuming so it sometimes end up sitting in my drafts folder especially when I get distracted with other important matters. I was more active on social media these past months, but for the next year/decade, I promise I will work on more articles and also more videos!!! 

So anyway sa mga matagal ng nagaabang (sorry na talaga hehe), here's the continuation of my 10-day DIY Japan adventure last July! Finally. Haha. I've already shared with you our itinerary, tips and budget for Nagoya, so now we move on to my favorite city in Japan --- KYOTO!!! Read on to know all the reasons why...

Japan 2019 Travel Guide: 2-Day Nagoya Itinerary with Budget

Hello, hello! I'm back with another travel post! Been MIA na naman lately because of a movie I'm working on (as a stylist). Nadelay na naman tuloy my blog posts huhu. Anyway, I'm done with Taiwan, so now I'm gonna take you on an exciting 10-day backpacking adventure in the land of the rising sun-- JAPAN! I will divide my postings per city and will just share one link for all posts below for reference. A lot of you have been asking for the itinerary, budget and details, so here it is! :) Are you ready?! Let's start our journey in what they call "the most boring" (I disagree though!) yet one of the richest and key cities in Japan-- NAGOYA! Read on to know more....

Get a Taste of Everything Japanese this July at the Shangrila Mall

This month, get a taste of everything Japanese as Shangri-La Plaza commemorates the 61st annual Filipino-Japanese friendship month with a roster of exciting activities and exhibits that bring two distinct cultures together. Visited the exhibit 2 weeks ago and it made me miss Japan so much! Here are photos from that day, as well activities which happened this month! :)

Kimono exhibit on the East Wing. Love!

Japan Diaries 2016, Tokyo Day 3 & 4: Yokohama, Cup Noodle Museum, Going Home

This is the last installment of my Japan 2016 posts. I hope you had fun reading through each and every one of them, as much as I did writing them. :) We spent our last whole day in Japan at a place called Yokohama. We were supposed to go to the Ramen Museum and Cup Noodle Museum, but we ran out of time so we were only able to accomplish the latter. For 500 yen or P230 entrance fee, it was worth it!  Read more about our fun experience below...

Japan Diaries 2016, Tokyo Day 2: Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku Shopping, Shinjuku

Second to the last Japan post! Rushing this na so I can work on Taiwan which is just as exciting! :) On our 2nd day in Tokyo, we did not go very far. We explored Harajuku again (we were only able to take a quick glimpse the night before) and traveled to Shinjuku to meet up with a friend and for Ana and Sarah's Robot Show. This day is pretty chill and we spent it mostly on shopping & window shopping. Photos and stories below...

Japan Diaries 2016, Tokyo Day 1: AirBnb, Shibuya, Ginza & Harajuku

Taking a break from posting events and press releases thorough a travel post! :) Before I work on my Taiwan entries, I shall finish Tokyo first. So to recap, from Kyoto, we took a night bus going to Tokyo. We chose to ride a bus instead of the train because it is cheaper by 50% and also to save on 1-night accommodation. We also had time to spare so it was perfect. Compared to trains which only takes 4 hours, this bus ride took 9 hours. It was not a big deal though because the ride and our seats were super comfortable! We were snoozing a few minutes after our bus left the station and woke up when we were already in Shinjuku, Tokyo.  Since we were able to have a good night sleep, we had enough energy to explore the city! Here are photos from our first day...

SM GTW jumper, Stylestunner top, Skechers rubbershoes

Japan Diaries 2016, KYOTO Day 2: Fushimi Inari, Arashimaya & Night Bus to Tokyo

Hi guys!!! Took me this long to finally finish my Kyoto, Japan posts. Sorry! Got caught up with work, personal concerns and grown up hullabaloos. :( Anyway! Been getting a lot of Japan seat sale notifications! So tempting. I really, really want to go back to Kyoto, do more exploring and see more beautiful places we missed last time. Target is next year, hopefully with my family. :) For now, I shall share with you stories and photos from our last day in the beautiful city of Kyoto, as well as our long bus ride going to Tokyo. Read on...

Japan Diaries 2016, KYOTO Day 1: Tatami Experience, Kiyumizu Dera, Gion & Geishas

Hello, again! Here's another installment from my Japan Diaries. So excited to share with you our brief yet sweet & extremely memorable stay in Kyoto or Old Japan.I think it's my favorite among the 3 places we've been in. This place is filled with traditional wooden houses, magnificent gardens, quiet temples, secret passageways, & beautiful geishas. In Sarah & Ana's words, the whole place is something straight from a Murakami novel. It has so much life, rich in history and brimming with beauty. :) Without further ado, here are photos and stories from our 3rd day in Japan & our 1st night & day in Kyoto. Let's go?  

Japan Diaries 2016, Osaka Day 2: Nara Deer Park, Todaiji Temple & Train to Kyoto

I am trying to eliminate my travel posts bit by bit! So happy I get to do it now as I am currently in my parent's house in Marikina, and since it's probinsya-ish and I really have nowhere to go, I'm just stuck inside the house working on backlogs. Yey! So here's my 3rd Japan post! Wish we could have stayed longer in Osaka. There are still so much sights to see and places to explore. Well, at least more reasons to go back right? Stories and photos below from our 2nd & last day in Osaka, our trip to Nara and our journey to Kyoto. :)

Japan Diaries 2016, Osaka Day 1: Dotonbori, Namba, Shinsaibashi & Osaka Castle Park

Okay, so after planning everything, getting our visas, buying extra baggage allowances, it was finally time for our flight! Since I got caught up with work a couple of weeks before leaving, I was not able to work on our itinerary. So not me huhu. Thank God, Ana took control and we used her sister's itinerary from their trip before. It was such a huge help! Sarah and I also suggested some places we wanted to add to our list as the days went by. So without further ado, here are photos from our first day in Japan, starting in OSAKA!

Japan Diaries 2016: P49,000 7-day Budget, Pre-Planning & Travel Tips

Finally! My first Japan post! As per tradition, will first blog about how this whole trip came into fruition, as well as some important tips about planning, packing and cutting down costs. After all, I am a self proclaimed budget traveler! Will try my best to go into details in the hopes of helping out some of you who wants to visit the land of the rising sun with a limited amount of budget. So, how was I able to book our plane fares & accommodations for just more or less P13,800 each? And how was I able to spend just P25,000 for 8 days? Read on...

The tatlong bibe + Glico Man in Osaka

The Best Ramen in Town: IPPUDO

I am not a huge fan of noodles. Or goto. But that's another story. Haha. Whenever my matakaw sister would invite me to eat Ramen (she's obsessed with it), I always, always come up with an excuse to not go. Haha. But I think, I might have already changed my mind after last night! My friends from Bridges and also Yabu (hi Denise & Erika!) invited me to the exclusive, private tasting event of the world famous ramen place IPPUDO, SM Megamall Fashion Hall and I went home a convert. It's actually life changing for me. Haha. Here are photos!

Ooh, love the exterior! Legiiit. It's like you're really going inside a secret ramen place. Hihi.

Founded in 1985 by Shigemi Kawahara, the internationally-renowned Ramen King, IPPUDO PH is the newest addition to other global stores in places such as New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, Malaysia and Thailand. Backed up by a huge following around the world, recognitions from the top dogs in the culinary industry, and boasting of acclaims such as earning Yelp 2010 Best Restaurant in the USA, Zagat, Ippudo has definitely raised the standards of Philippine ramen culture.

 Chose the most spicy among the 3--- Karaka-Men! 

 Appetizers!

 How to enjoy Ramen :)

Here are some of the appetizers / side-dishes I was able to try...

 Pork Bun

This is just delicious. I ate it separately though. Pork was cooked just right (sweet and salty, perfect combi!) and the bun is my fave! I could eat 10 of these in one sitting.

 GomaQ 

This one I finished! I love how cucumbers refreshes one's palette. Love the combination of sweetness, saltiness and spiciness. 

Curry Cheese Harumaki

My fave! If you love curry puff, you'll love this. It's crunchy and it's cooked to perfection. Loveeeee.

Dashimaki Tamago with Mentaiko

In short, egg roll. It's perfect with the dip. Dip tasted like mayo. I like.

Now here's my ramen!!!

 heaven in a bowl...

 Karakamen

Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth served with thin wavy noodles, pork belly & spring onions. The special spicy minced meat, miso paste & fragrant garlic oil, add a kick to the senses.

 In short, masarap sha sobra!!!! Once you pop, you can't stop levels. Hehe.

 Here are some of the dishes I wasn't able to try, but I'm certain would rock your world too...

 Shiromaru Motoaji

Original tonkotsu broth served with ultra thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, kukurage & spring onions. Classic Hakata-style ramen. 

Akamaru Shinaji

Original tonkotsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste & fragrant garlic oil. Served with thin noodles, pork belly, kukurage & spring onions. A refined modern style ramen.

 Bakuretsu Tofu

 Black Sesame Ice Cream - wish I was able to taste this! Next time!:)

Crispy Corn 

 Eel rice in Stone Pot

 Green Tea Ice Cream - another one on my list!

 Hakata Meshi

 Ippudo Salad - look yummy and healthy!

 Soy Panna Cotta

 Tepan Tonkotsu Spicy Rice

 Tonkotsu Garlic Rice

Tori Karaage

Agadeshi Tofu

 Ippudo's redient chef, Chef Doi, in action!

 May problema at si Sarah oh. Haha!

 Bloggers in action

 we just had to follow him inside the kitchen. haha!

 food coma

The clingies with Yabu girls Denise & Erika!:)

Go treat yourself to a hearty bowl with your friends and family! I promise, you will love the food, the place, ambiance and their world class service. :) IPPUDO opens on Sept. 10 so go early to avoid the long line! See you there! :)

Behind this culinary introduction is the Standard Hospitality Group under the leadership of John Concepcion. With years of experience in the food industry, Concepcion and SHG are set to continue to pamper Filipinos and their love for hearty, quality dining in the Philippines.

For more information, please visit IPPUDO PH’s website at www.ippudoph.com or Like them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/IppudoPH and Instagram/Twitter @ippudoph #ippudoph.