Cheap Places to Eat in Japan

August 10, 2018

Cheap Places to Eat in Japan


If you're on a strict budget, it will not be difficult to find cheap places to eat meals in Japan. 711 stores are everywhere. You can easily find fast food gyudon restaurants like Matsuya and Yoshinoya anywhere. You can get delicious meals for as low as 290 yen at Matsuya. You can live off 711 the whole duration of your stay because of the variety of delicious meals and desserts you can find in their stores. 

To give you an idea of prices and what kind of meals are available, here are some photos:

711

These photos were taken in Osaka.



From 119 to 165 yen (Note: Click the photo to see the whole picture)


365 to 491 yen (Click the photo to see the whole picture)

112 to 425 yen (Note: Click the photo to see the whole picture)

Sandwiches at 213 to 276 yen (Note: Click the photo to see the whole picture)

DESSERTS






MATSUYA


These photos were taken in Osaka.


Gyumeshi Beef on Rice (Regular: 290 yen)

Sausage and Egg Set Meal (400 yen)


Push button machine where you order

Inside Matsuya


YOSHINOYA

These photos were taken at Narita airport branch.


Beef bowl with toppings of green onion (Medium 520 yen)

Grilled Beef Rid in Cheese Bowl (Medium 680 yen)




All About the CLUB MANILA LOUNGE at NAIA Terminal 1

August 6, 2018


All About the CLUB MANILA LOUNGE 
at NAIA Terminal 1

The Club Manila Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1 is a pay lounge, which means you can enter this lounge for a fee. But if you are a holder of certain credit cards (like the American Express Platinum Card, the Unionbank Platinum credit card and the BDO Diamond Rewards), you can enter it for FREE. 

The American Express Platinum credit card allows you to to bring a companion for free and to avail of lounge use for unlimited number of times. The BDO diamond rewards card also allows you to bring a companion for free, but is limiting lounge access to up 6 times in a calendar year. 

Fee for entry (if you are NOT a holder of the cards mentioned above):

750 pesos


Where it is located and how to get there: 

After immigration and security check, and before Starbucks 

Immediately after security check, you can see Starbucks from afar.
The stairs going to Club Manila lounge is on the left, before Starbucks.




The stairs going to the lounge.
There is an elevator you can use on the left side of the stairs.


This is on top of the stairs on the left side.
This is where the elevator is located.
You can also access the Club Manila massage services here.


The right side on top of the stairs leads to Club Manila lounge.


Hours of Operation:

24 hours, 7 days a week



Procedure for Entry:


1. Present your qualified credit card and your boarding pass to the counter in front, or pay the fee if you don't have a qualified credit card.


2. Sign the logbook.


3. Then you are allowed to enter the lounge.

Inside the lounge


As you can see there are plenty of chairs and tables to choose from.


What You Will Find in the Lounge

FREE FOOD

It's breakfast so there's scrambled egg and sausage.
My brother said that at dinnertime they serve rice and a viand.
Other food: nachos, bread, cup noodle soup, kropek with vinegar, bread

Scrambled egg (really good!)
Spicy sausage

Nachos
Bread with marmalade and strawberry jam

Creamy corn soup (I also like the corn soup)
Crackers with vinegar

Cheese Sandwich
Salad
Nachos

Seasonal fruits

Cereal


FREE DRINKS

Brewed coffee

Beer
Wine

Softdrinks
Sparkling water
Juice
Bottled water


FREE WIFI 


WiFi Speed



CLEAN SHOWER AND TOILET

There is only one shower each in both the male and female bathrooms.




There are 2 toilets in both the male and female bathrooms.


MY TIP: 

Make sure to arrive at the airport AT LEAST THREE (3) hours before your flight to be able to use this lounge. One (1) hour is spent checking-in and going through immigration, an hour and a half (1 1/2) to eat at the lounge and the remaining 30 minutes is for boarding.


CONTACT NUMBER: (+63) 877-1109 (loc. 3021)

CHECK OUT UPDATED PHOTOS AS OF MARCH 2020 HERE


TOKYO: Where to Find The Best Matcha Ice Cream Within Your Budget

August 5, 2018

TOKYO: Where to Find The Best Matcha Ice Cream Within Your Budget


The best matcha ice cream for me is one that delivers full-bodied matcha flavor in every bite. I found two that's worth the trouble of finding.

711 Premium Ice Cream Bar
(203 yen)

If you want cheap but good quality matcha ice cream, buy this premium bar. You can find it at almost all 711 stores because the ice cream brand is 711. Both the ice cream and the coating has matcha in it so it delivers full bodied matcha flavor in every bite.

Where to find it: 

At the ice cream bar section of any 711 store.

Operating hours of 711: 24 hours




Both the coating and the ice cream has matcha in it.



Tea and Spoon Nanaya Aoyama Gelato
(370-700 yen)

If there is one matcha gelato that is worth finding, this is it. You can choose how much matcha you want in your gelato by choosing level 1 - level 7 of matcha intensity in your gelato. For the matcha lover, the level 7 matcha gelato is guaranteed to satisfy all the matcha cravings you'll ever have. 

Where to find it:

If you're visiting Shibuya, this is the best time to find this. Check out this link for location: https://goo.gl/maps/qwUnmtBN9eN2

Operating hours of Tea and Spoon: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays)


The front of the store

Above: Price list
Below: The different gelato flavors available in the store

The price of 1 scoop of matcha gelato number 7 is 570 yen.
The price of 1 scoop of all other flavors is  370 yen.

If you want 2 scoops of gelato, and 1 scoop includes number 7, the price is 650 yen
If you want 2 scoops of gelato, without number 7, the price is 470 yen.





Matcha gelato numbers 5, 6 and 7


Matcha gelato number 7 is described as Italian gelato with powdered green tea

A closer look at matcha gelato number 7. Yum!!!

Click the photo to see the full panoramic view