Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

MY EXPERIENCE CHECKING IN WITH CEBU PACIFIC AT FUKUOKA AIRPORT

May 25, 2023

MY EXPERIENCE CHECKING IN WITH CEBU PACIFIC AT FUKUOKA AIRPORT


1. The check-in counter opens only 3 hours before the flight.

Here is the flight display showing the different opening times of the airline check-in counters.


2. Cebu Pacific staff weighs the hand-carry baggage during check-in to make sure it's within the 7kg weight limit. 

When we checked in last May 2023, they didn't weigh the small bag that you're allowed to carry in addition to the hand-carry baggage. They just weighed the handcarry baggage we brought. 




How to go from Fukuoka International Airport To Hakata Station Area Hotels

May 23, 2023

How to go from Fukuoka International Airport 
To Hakata Station Area Hotels


The best option I would recommend is to take a taxi. The airport is less than 3 km from Hakata Station area so taking a taxi is not expensive. At different times of the day, the taxi charge ranged from 1,490 yen to 2,190 yen. A normal taxi (that's how they call a regular taxi on Fukuoka as opposed to a large taxi) can fit 4 people but the trunk can only fit 2 medium sized luggage or 1 medium sized luggage plus 3 carryon size luggage.

It's easy to get a taxi at the airport even if there's a line at the taxi bay. There are several taxis plying the airport route so waiting time is not long.

MY TIP: Print your hotel address in Japanese so it's easy to communicate with the driver. Not a lot of people speak English in Fukuoka.

Other options for airport transfers, but you need to check the timetable if the bus is operating when you arrive at the airport. 

1. Fukuoka Airport limousine bus taken at Bus stop 2 at the arrival exit. It goes directly to Hakata bus terminal and further to Tenjin: 260 yen.

2. Free shuttle bus from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, and then subway from the domestic terminal to any point in the city. 













My Experience Arriving at Fukuoka Airport: Information on the Arrival Lobby and Facilities

May 22, 2023

My Experience Arriving at Fukuoka Airport:
Information on the Arrival Lobby and Facilities 

Unlike other international airports, Fukuoka Airport is not open 24 hours. The airport closes after the last flight arrives. Last flight arrives around 9pm. Airport closes after passengers from the last flight leaves the airport. 

Since the airport is not open 24 hours, the shops close earlier than the airport closing time. The foreign currency exchange counters close at 9pm and the HIS counter where you claim Klook purchases close at 630pm. Yoshinoya, the only restaurant in the arrival area, close at 8pm. 

MY TIP: If you're arriving on an evening flight like the Cebu Pacific flight from Manila that arrives at 7:30 PM, pre-purchase yen at your local bank before you leave and buy sim card at lazada because it's unlikely you'll be able to arrive at the airport on time to reach the foreign exchange counter and HIS counter during their operating hours.

Also, make sure to have the screenshot of the immigration qr code and customs qr code ready. Once you get off the plane, the Japanese airport staff will herd you so fast through immigration, you will not have enough time to look for it.

Airport WiFi is free and very easy to access and connect to.




The currency exchange counter at the arrival lobby is open until 9:00 PM. 








Yoshinoya at the arrival lobby is open until 8:00 PM

The ticket station is closed when we arrived at the arrival lobby. Our flight landed 7:30 PM

The HIS counter is closed when we arrived at the arrival lobby. Our flight landed 7:30 PM


711 and other shops are closed when we arrived at the arrival lobby. Our flight landed 7:30 PM


The door that leads to the taxi bay and bus bays

The taxi bay outside the arrival lobby. 


 



WHO CAN GET MULTIPLE ENTRY JAPAN TOURIST VISA IN THE PHILIPPINES

April 8, 2023

WHO CAN GET MULTIPLE ENTRY JAPAN TOURIST VISA IN THE PHILIPPINES 

If you can tick off any of the boxes in the form below, you can apply for a multiple entry temporary visitor visa to Japan in the Philippines. 

What are the additional requirements/documents you will need aside from the usual requirements of passport, application form, passport picture, itinerary to Japan, and birth and/or marriage certificate? 

1. Frequent traveler to Japan

- current and old passports with Japan visa and landing stamps. 

- current and old passports with G7 country visa and arrival stamps

- savings account bank statements or certificate of deposit issued within 3 months of the date of application. Travel agencies recommend having a 7 digit deposit amount in said bank account. Printouts of certificate of deposit issued by digital banks are accepted
  
- for the spouse of the frequent traveler applying together with the frequent traveler: marriage certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the frequent traveler, you need to submit the frequent traveler's documents proving frequent travel to Japan) 

for the child of the frequent traveler applying together with the frequent traveler: birth certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the frequent traveler, you need to submit the frequent traveler's documents proving frequent travel to Japan)

2. A regular employee by ONE of the following enterprises and his/her spouse or child

- certificate of employment: must include applicant’s position, period of employment, monthly (or annual) income, certifier’s name and contact information.

for the spouse of the employee applying together with the employee: marriage certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the employee, you need to submit the employee's certificate of employment)

for the child of the employee applying together with the employee: birth certificate issued within 3 months from date of application. (if spouse applies separately from the employee, you need to submit the employee's certificate of employment) 

3. A cultural or intellectual figure and his/her spouse or child
-  only the people listed below are eligible. 
-  You must submit documents and certificates proving you're such a person. A lawyer can submit an IBP ID. A full-time professor can submit a certificate from the university. An accountant can submit a PRC ID.

MY TIP: You don't have to check only one of the boxes. Check as many boxes as applicable to you to increase your chance of getting a visa. 

The request for multiple entry temporary visitor visa form is available here: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

For complete information on how to apply for a multiple entry temporary visitor visa, see here: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

OSAKA: My Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Yamazaki Distillery

January 31, 2023



OSAKA: My Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Yamazaki Distillery

WHEN TO BOOK

Book Yamazaki distillery tour at least 2 months in advance, when reservation opens to ensure you get your desired date. The tour is always fully booked. For example, if you're going to the distillery in May, they open reservations at 8:00 AM on March 1. For the best chance to get your desired date, especially a weekend date, reserve on the 1st day of the month when reservations open.

Suntory Yamazaki distillery tour reservations: CLICK HERE

PRICE of the distillery tour: 1000 yen per person

My tip: If the Yamazaki distillery tour is fully booked and you want to taste the rare Yamazaki whisky, like the 25 year old Yamazaki, make reservations at the Whisky Museum instead. Entrance is free. You only pay for the tasting fee of the whisky you wish to taste.

Suntory Yamazaki whisky museum reservations: CLICK HERE

PRICE: FREE entrance, but you pay for the drinks you taste.


WHAT TIME TO CHOOSE

We chose the 12:20 PM slot so there will be time to travel to the facility without waking up too early and time to have lunch before starting the tour with tasting. You need a full stomach for proper tasting, so you won't get drunk easily.


HOW TO GET THERE

Use google maps. Arrive at Yamazaki or Oyamazaki Station. Walk 950 meters to 1km to the entrance of the Yamazaki Distillery



WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE DISTILLERY TOUR

1. You tour the facility where they actually make the whisky and where they store to age it. You get to see the different areas of production, from mashing to fermentation to distillation

2. After the tour, there is free tasting where you get to taste both the unblended and blended whisky.

3. They teach you how to make a highball.

4. You have an option to do paid tasting for hard to find. 


MY ITINERARY

8:30 AM
Leave the hotel

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Travel by train to Yamazaki from Nipponbashi station to Oyamazaki station

Weekend

Weekday

11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Sandwich lunch at Daily convenience store, beside JR Yamazaki station


12:20 PM - 1:40 PM
Yamazaki distillery tour













Mashing




 
Fermentation 



Distillation 



Aging in oak barrels 





FREE TASTING














Highball


1:40 PM - 2:30 PM
Tasting room, paid tasting




























3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Travel by train from Oyamazaki station to Nippombashi station

TOKYO: Nanaya Aoyama in Shibuya has the Best Matcha Gelato in Matcha No. 7

January 7, 2023


TOKYO: Nanaya Aoyama in Shibuya has the Best Matcha Gelato in Matcha No. 7

Matcha in my mind tonight! In all my travels where I try find the best matcha ice cream in town, Nanaya Aoyama in Shibuya, Tokyo still remains the best. Nanaya Aoyama has matcha levels 1-7. Of course, I got matcha no. 7. I wasn't disappointed. Its the full-bodied, intense matcha flavor that I like. We visited the gelato shop in 2018. As Google maps will show, it's still open. So, for matcha lovers who are visiting Tokyo. Make sure to visit Nanaya Aoyama. It's a one-of-a-kind matcha gelato shop.



Nanaya Aoyama
+81 3-6427-9008

 
My matcha No. 7 gelato


Matcha No. 1 to Matcha No. 7


Matcha No. 2, 5, 7


This is the 2018 price list. 
The current price is 620 yen for matcha no. 7 
and 400 yen for others. 



Google maps photo showing photos uploaded 8 days ago.