TOKYO: Where to Find the World of Miyazaki's Spirited Away at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum

January 8, 2020



TOKYO: Where to Find the World of Miyazaki's Spirited Away
at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum

There are several places claiming to be the setting of Hayao Miyazaki's famous film Spirited Away. One of them is Jiufen in Taipei. But an interview with Hayao Miyazaki in May 2001 by Animage, a Japanese anime and entertainment magazine, finally confirmed from his own words that the world he sought to recreate in Spirited Away was a world depicted at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum.


 The transcript of the interview is shown below:



Why did you set the story in the present time?



 M: It's a world like this Edo Tokyo Tatemonoen (Edo Tokyo Museum, Building Park*) rather than our modern world. I've always been interested in the pseudo-Western-style buildings** you can find here. I feel nostalgic here, especially when I stand here alone in the evening, near closing time, and the sun is setting--tears well up in my eyes. (laughs)



 *Edo Tokyo Tatemonoen: A park with Japanese houses and shops from the Meiji and Taisho era (about 120 to 70 years ago). Miyazaki-San loves the park and often visits there. The interview took place in the park.



 **Pseudo-Western style - A style of Japanese architecture in the early Meiji era. It's a mixture of traditional Japanese design and Western design.



 I think we have forgotten the life, the buildings, and the streets we used to have not so long ago. I feel that we weren't so weak...for example, a life in that house you see there (pointing at one of the buildings in the park) was a modest one. They ate a small amount of food, enough to fit on a small table in a tiny room. Everyone thinks our problems today are the big problems we have for the first time in the world. But I think we just aren't used to them, what with the recession and all. Well, it's enough since everyone is talking about these current problems. Rather, let's cheer up (laughs). I'm making a film with such a feeling.



WHERE TO FIND THE WORLD OF SPIRITED AWAY 
AT THE EDO-TOKYO OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Below is the Layout of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum:

This is the layout of the Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum.

You can find it in the link below.

The areas I encircled are the areas/buildings that inspired the buildings in Spirited Away.
Make sure to click the photo to get the full view.



To follow the story of Spirited Away, you only need to visit the East Zone and the Center Zone:

East Zone



E3. Bar Kagiya (information) (virtual tour)


Bar Kagiya is the inspiration for the restaurant in this scene:





This is Bar Kagiya at the Museum







E6. Stationery store (information) (virtual tour)


The stationery store is the inspiration for workplace of Kamaji, the boiler-man:



This is inside of the stationery store at the Museum






E4. Public Bathhouse (information) (virtual tour)

The public bathhouse is the inspiration for this scene:


The front of the Public Bathhouse in the Museum




Inside the Bathhouse




Inside the Bathhouse at the Museum




Center Zone


C3. House of Korekiyo Takahashi (information) (virtual tour)


The House of Korekiyo Takahashi is the inspiration for this scene:









The House of Korekiyo Takahashi at the Museum


Check out the windows similar to the one in the film.






Outdoor exhibit


City train model 7500













Inside the train






How to Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online

November 21, 2019


How to Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online


Why Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online

To avoid having to line up at the travel tax counter at the airport. I traveled internationally on different days of the week and at different times. My experience at lining up at the travel tax counter is different each time. Sometimes the line is short. Sometimes, the line is very long. In airports in Manila, you line up several times, at security, at check-in, at immigration. By paying online, you avoid having to line up another time.


What You Need to Prepare:

1. An email address

2. A cellphone number
3. Your passport number
4. Your plane ticket information: ticket number or booking reference number, departure date, destination
5. Visa or Mastercard credit card

6. If you don't have a Visa or Mastercard credit card, you can pay at any Bayad Center outlet


How to Pay Philippine Travel Tax Online


1. Go to the Online Travel Tax Portal as shown below at https://traveltax.tieza.gov.ph/. Click the travel tax rate applicable to your booking, either first class or economy class. Then you will be required to create an account.



2. Create an account by filling up the form below.  One account is needed for each passenger. Then click SUBMIT.




3. Then go to your email and click the activation email sent by tieza to activate your account.

4. Sign in to your account at https://traveltax.tieza.gov.ph/

4. After signing in, select the applicable travel tax based on your booking class





5. Confirm details below, then click PAY NOW.




6. Select your payment method.




7. I chose to pay using my credit card. This is what appeared after making my choice. Click CHECKOUT.



8. After clicking CHECKOUT, input your credit card information.




9. My credit card is enrolled at VERIFIED BY VISA feature so it asks for a one-time password before  completing the transaction.

10. After supplying my one-time password, I'm redirected to the merchant and an acknowledgement that payment is successful appears


THIS IS THE SMS OR TEXT I RECEIVED 
IN MY CELLPHONE:



THIS IS THE EMAIL I RECEIVED:




MAKE SURE TO PRINT THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT EMAIL. YOU NEED TO SUBMIT IT AT THE CHECK-IN COUNTER.



NEW YORK FOOD TRIP: My Guide to Dining at Peter Luger Steakhouse, est. 1887

August 28, 2019




NEW YORK FOOD TRIP: 
My Guide to Dining at Peter Luger Steakhouse, est. 1887


WHY DINE AT PETER LUGER

1. For the steak, of course.


Dry aged USDA Prime Beef
This is called "steak for 3" according to the menu.


2. More than the steak, the restaurant is part of New York history.

Peter Luger is one of the oldest steakhouse in New York and still thriving. In fact, it's still so famous that it's difficult to get a table if you walk in without reservation. Peter Luger was established in 1887.



MY TIPS

1. Reserve online. Do not walk in.

There's little chance of getting a seat if you walk in. As you can see in the photo below, the restaurant has a very long wait list.

Reserve at https://peterluger.com/




2. When to reserve online

I noticed it's harder to get a slot if you're only 2 in your group. More slots are available if you're more than 2. At the same time, you can't make a reservation for more than 2 people if only two are coming just to get a slot, because they charge 40 USD per person for no shows.

So, if you're only 2 in your group, and desire to book on a weekend peak time, you have a better chance of getting a slot if you make a reservation at least 3 weeks before your intended date. Reservations open 6 weeks before.



3. What time to reserve

We chose the 12:45 PM slot so we'll have the option to choose the lunch special and Luger burger if we desire. Both are available only till 3:45 PM.


4. Make sure to cancel the day before if you're not coming.


You guarantee your reservation with your credit card. No shows will incur a 40 usd fee per person. You can cancel your reservation 24 hours before without charge.


5. Bring cash. They do not accept credit card for payment.


6. What to order and how much.

We are a party of 6 and when we dined we over-ordered the steak.


Steak

If you're a party of 6, only order the steak for 4. In our case, we ordered two "steak for 3". You can see how large it is from the photo below. Friends recommend that to get the most out of the steak in terms of flavor, you should at least order 600 grams of steak.


We ordered 2 "steak for 3" Dry aged USDA Prime Beef
One is cooked medium rare. The other is cooked medium.


The size of one "Steak for 3"









Checkout this post on how it is cooked and how it is served to better appreciate your meal: The Porterhouse at Peter Luger Steakhouse 



Appetizer


Luger's sizzling bacon, extra thick, 3 slices



Salad


Iceberg Wedge Salad, Chopped Tomato, Bacon, Crumbled Blue Cheese
with Blue Cheese Dressing




Complimentary bread basket



Peter Luger Sauce
It's a sweet sauce we didn't put on our steak.





At the end of the meal, they give you Peter Luger chocolate coins.












MENU OF PETER LUGER















NEW YORK FOOD TRIP: All About Brooklyn Bagel

August 27, 2019





NEW YORK FOOD TRIP: All About Brooklyn Bagel


Everyone says you can't leave New York without trying the New York bagel. The New York bagel is considered the signature foodstuff in New York. So the first thing we did when we arrived in New York was to check out Brooklyn Bagel. 



WHY CHOOSE BROOKLYN BAGEL

1. IT COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.


Brooklyn Bagel was recommended to us by my daughter's colleagues at work and has been mentioned in several articles such as the ones below:

NYC's Finest Bagels Mapped
18 Best Bagels in New York City - Best NYC Bagel Shops in 2019

The Absolute Best Bagel Shops in NYC 
The 15 Best Bagels in New York City

2. IT'S VERY NEAR THE NEW YORKER HOTEL.


Since it's near the New Yorker hotel where we are staying, it fits our itinerary to try out this place.


 Brooklyn Bagel: 286 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001, USA
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri: 6:30AM - 4:30PM
Sat-Sun: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM



It's 930 AM when we arrived and there's still a line.


HOW TO ORDER:

1. ORDER JUST A BAGEL (SEE THE FLAVORS BELOW), EITHER IN MINI OR REGULAR SIZE, OR


CLICK PHOTO TO SEE FULL IMAGE


2. ORDER A BAGEL WITH SPREAD (SEE CHOICE OF SPREAD BELOW), OR

CLICK PHOTO TO SEE FULL IMAGE


3. ORDER A BAGEL WITH FILLING (SEE CHOICE OF FILLING BELOW), OR


CLICK PHOTO TO SEE FULL IMAGE


3. ORDER THEIR SIGNATURE BREAKFAST WRAPS OR SANDWICH (IF YOU DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR SANDWICH)

CLICK PHOTO TO SEE FULL IMAGE



We ordered a plain bagel without any spread
and their signature sandwich called Highline Club. 


Highline Club:
Plain bagel with oven roasted turkey, bacon, romaine, tomato and mayo 

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES: Meals on Los Angeles to Manila Flights

August 21, 2019

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES: Meals on Los Angeles to Manila Flights



LOS ANGELES TO MANILA, PR 113





HOT MEAL (First meal served 1.5 hours after takeoff)

Bread roll and butter
Coleslaw salad with bacon
Pork estofado: Stewed pork slices in spiced tomato sauce
Served with peas, carrots, steamed rice
Vanilla pudding in cup

Bread roll and butter
Coleslaw salad with bacon
Chicken barbecue: Roasted chicken thigh in smoky barbecue sauce
Served with mixed vegetables and bacon mashed potato
Vanilla pudding in cup


MID-FLIGHT SNACK (Meal served half-way through the 14 hour flight, or 7 hours after takeoff)

Turkey and bacon sandwich with mozarella cheese
Chocolate chip cookie




HOT MEAL (Served 2 hours before landing)


Bread roll and butter
Seasonal fresh fruit slices (Melon)
Prawns in chili garlic sauce: stir fried prawns in Thai style spiced garlic sauce
Served with kailan, black mushroom and pad thai noodles

Bread roll and butter
Seasonal fresh fruit slices (Melon)
Beef lasagna: Pasta layers filled with ground beef, bechamel and tomato sauce
Topped with shaved parmesan cheese




ALCOHOLIC AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SERVED DURING THE FLIGHT



CATHAY PACIFIC: Meals on Manila to Hong Kong Flights

CATHAY PACIFIC: Meals on Manila to Hong Kong Flights



MANILA TO HONG KONG, CX 906


Chicken Fajita Wrap
Oatmeal cookie
Bottled water

CATHAY PACIFIC: Meals on Hong Kong to New York Flights

CATHAY PACIFIC: Meals on Hong Kong to New York Flights

HONG KONG TO NEW YORK, CX 846









DINNER
Vegetable salad with beef pastrami
Bread and butter
Traditional salt baked chicken with steamed jasmine rice
Movenpick ice cream, chocolate, tea, coffee 


Vegetable salad with beef pastrami
Bread and butter 
Pan-fried fish, green beans, carrot, new potato, and tomato lemon myrtle sauce 

Movenpick ice cream, chocolate, tea, coffee 


BREAKFAST
Omelette, bacon, pork sausage, potatoes and oven-dried tomatoes
Bread and butter, tea, coffee