JAPAN: My List of Best Matcha Souvenirs

JAPAN: My List of Best Matcha Souvenirs
to Bring Home

For me, these are the best matcha flavored souvenirs to bring home because of its rich matcha flavor compared to other brands. These items are usually available at Don Quijote.

KitKat Dark Matcha

Make sure to get the dark green packaging. The other matcha kitkat is light green. The best one with fuller flavored matcha is the one in dark green packaging as shown below.

Photo courtesy of Japan mania shop

Meiji Rich Matcha Biscuits

Bourbon Alfort Mini Chocolate

Pejoy Dark Matcha Biscuit Sticks

Make sure to get the Pejoy matcha with the dark green cover. In the photo below, it's the one in front, not the one at the back. The match flavor is so much different.  

Tsujiri Matcha Latte

I bought this at a Lawson convenience store

Cafe Latory Matcha Latte

I bought this at a Lawson convenience store.

Cheap Places to Eat in Japan

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

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