Showing posts with label Blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

George Clooney - Kirin Beer Commercial in Japan

This commercial is adorable, I saw it while visiting Japan March 2014.

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCkI323J9K4&w=560&h=315]

The video in this post are not mine, but was uploaded from Lost in Translation


Enhanced by Zemanta

Narita Airport to Tokyo - Ride the Narita Express at a Discounted Rate

http://instagram.com/p/mhtoTMmWIb/

Narita Express (N'EX) is fast and convenient way to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo without too much hassle.  The N'EX takes only 53 minutes and requires you to purchase the tickets the day of your travel.  I have read somewhere that you can purchase your ticket a day before. After standing in the long line for an hour, we found out that you can not purchase your tickets a day in advanced.  You must purchase tickets for N'EX the day of traveling. We were fortunate to purchase the limited edition Suica card and N'EX special.  JR East Rails is not currently offering that limited edition Suica Card and N'EX deal, that deal expired March 31, 2014.

Currently and till the end of 2014, there is a discount for gaijin (foreigner) travelers. From Narita Airport Terminal 1 and 2 to Tokyo's major train station in the metropolitan area, including Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama without the hassle of transferring.  Adult fare is ¥1500 (one way) for children (6-11) ¥750 yen (one way).  Your guaranteed a seat. Your seat reclines back so you can relax, all seats are equipped with a large tray.  For your convenience there are large spaces overhead for your luggages and if thats not large enough not to fret, at the end of each car there is a section for storing your large suitcases.  Theres also a dial lock so you can set and safely lock your suitcases.

[caption id="attachment_2913" align="aligncenter" width="300"]seats recline seats recline[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2914" align="aligncenter" width="300"]box01_10 Large suitcase storage area with lock[/caption]

In the train are restrooms and even a baby changing station.  Each car has an overhead monitor in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.  Theres even an attendant that comes through the train selling drinks and snacks.  For more information on where to purchase your N'EX tickets please refer to the JR East Japan Railway. 

We found the N'EX to be fast, convenient and affordable way to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport.

 

http://instagram.com/p/mjHwlUGWLq/

 

 


Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, April 7, 2014

ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Narita Airport - Hotel Review

 

[caption id="attachment_2767" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Our Gianormous room Our gianormous room at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel, Narita Airport Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

After arriving at Narita Airport, we were exhausted.  We stayed at ANA Crowne Plaze Hotel .  It was the largest hotel we stayed at during our trip.  In Japan when booking a hotel room, you will be charged per person per room.  Typically, American hotels charge by the room.  Japan usually has a limit on how many adults can stay in a room, commonly it is 2 adults per room (up to 2 children, ages can vary for each hotel).  This made booking a hotel for my family a little difficult.  I needed a room that accommodated 3 "adults"  (my son is 18) that was near impossible, not to mention prices jumped up tremendously if a hotel offered a room for 3 adults.  So we ended up with this gianormous room with three gianormous beds.  We only needed 2 beds.  But rules were rules.

Getting to the hotel from Narita Airport was a cinch.  Just hop on their complementary airport to hotel shuttle, about a 10 minute ride.  We waited at bus post 16 at Narita Airport Terminal 1.  There is also a bus pick up at Narita Airport Terminal 2, bus post 25.  Be sure to check the hotel for the times of hotel pickup and location for pick up. Schedules and pick up spots can often change.  We asked the airport information counter for the hotel bus pick up information.  Currently this is the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita Hotel  bus pick up schedule.

[caption id="attachment_2768" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Hotel Bus ANA Crowne Plaza  Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com Hotel Bus ANA Crowne Plaza
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

Inside the hotel there is a convenient store, offering several sandwiches, onigiri, salads, curry dishes, many different drinks and snacks.

[caption id="attachment_2773" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Convenient store inside ANA Crowne Hotel Narita picture source: ionasiatrend.com Convenient store inside ANA Crowne Hotel Narita
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2774" align="aligncenter" width="306"]IMG_0354 So cheap, but still so delicious! Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2776" align="aligncenter" width="312"]IMG_0356 Even fresh fruits Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

Hotel Restaurants

Ceres
Location: First floor
Serves: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Restaurant Cafe

Saifu Sky Dining
Location: 17th floor
Serves: Dinner
Japanese and French fusion

Narita
Location: 17th floor
Serves: Dinner
Teppanyaki

 

We ate at the Ceres located on the first floor.

[caption id="attachment_2777" align="aligncenter" width="303"]IMG_0366 My son had a burger at the Ceres restaurant. No rice came with the meal, you would have to order it separately. Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2778" align="aligncenter" width="314"]I had the salmon at Ceres Restaurant Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com I had the salmon at Ceres
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

During your stay you can enjoy and energize yourself in their fully equipped health club, take a few laps in the indoor pool, treat yourself to an invigorating spa treatment or simply enjoy a traditional japanese massage.  With their complimentary shuttle service to Narita Town you can explore the famous Narita-san Shinsoji Temple and beautiful pagodas.

Their double glazed windows make plane spotters enjoy the sky activity at Narita Airport without the noise.

Standard Internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
Wireless Internet are available in Rooms
There is a fee for Non Members but everyone can enjoy
free internet in the lobby

Thinking of getting married?  Here at the hotel they offer wedding coordinators and photography too.  Check out there site.

You can have a banquet or your next meeting right here too.  Check out there site.

Enjoy the complementary toiletries included in your the room everyday. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hair band, shower cap, Q-tips, disposable razors and shaving cream.

[caption id="attachment_2780" align="aligncenter" width="305"]IMG_0344 Complimentary toiletries Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

For more information on the hotel amenities, please check the hotel's website here.

I've traveled to Tokyo several times, all of which after I landed, I would continue onward to Tokyo.  Despite the fact that Tokyo is about 35 miles from Narita Airport, it could take a few hours by public transportation.  So, this time I figured I wanted to relax and not stress on how to get to my hotel somewheres in Tokyo before dark.

How I Rated The Hotel

ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel was nice, nothing fancy.  I would give it 4 stars. The hotel was clean and the bed was amazingly comfortable, our room was huge.  Amenities are good, my only complaint was the fact we were forced to rent a 3 bed bedroom when we needed only 2 beds.  Each bed is large enough for 2 adults.  My husband and I shared a bed of course and my son used the other bed.  But, as I mentioned…. rules are rules, but its ridiculous the hotel used the fact 1 adult per bed just to charge more money.  We all had a great nights sleep and were up early to start our day heading towards Tokyo.  We would stay here again.

 

[caption id="attachment_2809" align="aligncenter" width="361"]full size bed big enough for my husband and I Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com Full size bed big enough for my husband and I
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2813" align="aligncenter" width="377"]IMG_0365 Theres even a wedding coordinator and photography on site Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2812" align="aligncenter" width="375"]IMG_0348 You can also purchase handkerchief, underwear, undershirts, socks, boxers and even business dress shirts at the convenience store[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2811" align="aligncenter" width="365"]IMG_0347 Some more miscellaneous items at the convenience store Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2810" align="aligncenter" width="373"]IMG_0333 You can see how big this room really was, theres one more bed and the hallway that I didn't get in this shot Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2769" align="aligncenter" width="300"]ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Narita Photo Source: David Keisling ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Narita Lobby Photo Source: David Keisling[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2779" align="aligncenter" width="300"]This was posted in the room, yikes! Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com This was posted in the room, yikes!
Photo Source: ionasiatrend.com[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, February 27, 2014

2NE1's Album "Crush" Sweeping Music Charts

2NE1_1393406629_af_org

The all girl group 2NE1, released their new album "Crush" on February 27, 2014 online only.  In a record time "Crush" was sweeping the music charts, and has achieved an all-kill status.  (ALL KILL : adj.; term used to refer to a song that has managed to reach the #1 spot on the 7 major music site daily charts in Korea simultaneously according to kpop dictionary).  Although, 2NE1's track “Come Back Home,” made a clean sweep on 10 real-time online music charts including: Melon, Bugs, Mnet, Naver Music, Daum Music, Olleh, Cyworld Music, Soribada, Monkey3 and Genie.  The other eight tracks on the album are not too far behind, most are already on the top ten charts.  March 7, "Crush" will be released offline, following 2NE1's first two concerts "All or Nothing" World Tour which begins March 1 and 2 in Seoul Korea.  

Their music video has not been released yet, but you can hear their all-kill song "Crush" from kpopMar Tube Hot

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OODTt2kahI0&w=560&h=315]

2ne1-minzy-crush-image 2ne1-dara-crush-image 2ne1-bom-crush-image 2ne1-CL-crush-image





 














Enhanced by Zemanta

Lamborghini's in Japan

OMG! This is badass check out these awesome Lamborghini's in Japan.  Although I have to say, Im quite impressed with Steve's Japanese...

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1_vVjYwJKQ&w=560&h=315]

The video in my post are not mine, please check out Steve's POV and all of his other cool videos here.

You can also follow him at:

www.YouTube.com/Steevie333

www.Facebook.com/StevesPOV

www.Twitter.com/StevesPOV

www.Instagram.com/StevesPOV
Enhanced by Zemanta

Hinamatsuri Japanese Girls Day Festival

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="350"](お雛様) A picture of some Hina dolls for hinamat... (お雛様) A picture of some Hina dolls for hinamatsuri with a lamp. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

March 3rd is Girl's Day also known as Hinamatsuri or even Momo no Sekku (Peach Day).  Some may wonder why peaches are part of this tradition.  A little interesting history of this event is that before the 19th century Japan followed the Lunar calendar, which during this religious event peach blossoms were in bloom, around early April.  Today Japan follows the Gregorian calendar, so peaches are no longer in bloom during the Hinamatsuri festival, but are still symbolic of the festival.  Momo no Sekku during the latter half of the Edo period had evolved into the festival we know today.  A day to celebrate and wish for happiness and health for the young women in their families.

Hinamatsuri is an ancient Japanese custom called hina-nagashi.  It was once believed that dolls possessed the power to contain evil sprits.  During the hina-nagashi, dolls where made with straws and are set afloat down a river to the sea, taking with it troubles or bad spirits.  The origins can be traced back to China.

The custom of displaying beautiful dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, and attendants, in traditional court dress began during the Heian period (794-1185). Today, families with young girls start displaying their dolls in February, to celebrate the well-being and happiness for them in the future. They arrange these traditional dolls in Heian court attire on a five or seven-tiered platform covered with red carpet. These dolls are immediately put away after the festival, a superstition says that if the dolls are on display past March 4, your daughter will marry late in life.

Honolulu, HI

Shirokiya 

San Jose, CA

Japantown

Los Angeles, CA

Japanese American Cultural and Community Center

Philadelphia, PA

Sakura Pavilion



Enhanced by Zemanta