Lately I have been totally addicted to Bubble Tea, also called Pearl Tea.
The 1st time I tried I hated it because I like to eat... or drink, but certainly not both at the same time. With the pearl tea, as you try to swallow tea, some tapioca pearls come with... Here comes a moment of panic when you wonder "should I chew? Not chew? Should I spit? Not spit?"
But then you try again once, and suddenly you find interesting to be able to have a little thing to chew and eat as you're enjoying iced tea.
What is also important is how you like it. My favorite :
  • Milk Black Tea : ZhenZhu NaiCha
  • Medium
  • Ice : Bing De
  • Half Sugar : Ban Tang
  • "Pearls" and not "Boba" which are the biggest one you usually get (this one I don't know yet how to say in Chinese :-))
Try it but be careful!! ADDICTIVE CONTENT
Day 9 : Kamakura

As we were so found of Tokyo we decided to go to Kamakura on Sunday. We took a train, like half of the population of Tokyo it seemed. Then we asked a WONDERFUL lady at the Information desk what we should do and she directed towards the Daibutsu. Some good pictures but I have to say that after Myanmar, Buddha won't be any attraction to me anymore and for the next 20 years.

Then, we walk towards the Hase-Dera. On your way just before reaching the temple, have a look at the little shop selling 2nd hand Kimonos. All prices and all qualities and a lot of nice gifts to do.

Day 10 : Rest in Tokyo

Our last day strolling in Tokyo and in the parks such as the Imperial Palace one which one finally open.

We were just waiting for our bus we were taking at 11PM to Nagoya to take our plane the next morning.
Day 7 : Arriving in Tokyo...

Hating the bus... Bad day!

We 1st went to our hostel to leave our bags : Tokyo Backpackers. This might be the cheapest in Tokyo but we have to say this is a dodgy area. Curiously enough, more during the day than at night; But still being 5 girls we were not feeling THAT comfortable coming back at night.

So for our 1st day we just went to Ginza to see the luxury shops 'impressive if you're interested by the way). We also went to Shibuya, THE place we wre looking for, the one we see in movies.

Then quite diner and back to the hotel... So happy to sleep!!

Day 8 : Fish Market
Early morning : wake-up at 7 to be at the fish market before 8:30.

Actually it took us 45 minutes to stroll in the market. We had missed the Tuna auction unfortunately because it was even earlier. If you feel like getting up VERY early you definitly should go though, or so I heard.

Then still a little bit tired, we started queuing at what looked like the most famous sushi restaurant. It was the biggest queue in the street and the longest (1h30) but god knows why we stayed until the end, got our sushis, paid a fortune and still were so happy with it. So worth all that. I kept the name : Dai wa zu si.

Little walk then to the Imperial Palace : Closed. It is actually almost entirely closed to visitors, you can just see some gardens, which were exceptionally closed that day.

So lucky we went back to stroll the city, shopping etc. and had the Tea Ceremony in the Okura Hotel near the Dutch Ambassy. 1000Y for 1 hour, not impressive really but we were still happy to see it. I suppose there are some better ones elsewhere as everybody seems to be amazed by the tea ceremony. Nevertheless I kept seeing this Hotel recommended in different guide books.

Then at night some of us went out, and as Tokyoïtes do, they slept in a Mo's Burger as the taxis are so expensive. So they could wait until 5:30 AM or so that the subway starts again.

Day 5 : Hiroshima
8:40 AM : We take the bus from Kyoto to Hiroshima at Kyoto train Station (5500Y). Another one of these rides where we do a break every hours and were you really start to think you'll never get there.

We arrive in Hiroshima Station and start walking towards our hostel (well really we just started walking and didn't really if that was the direction for our hostel but anyway...). We got there (J-Hopers Backpackers Hostel, 2500Y for a dormitory room, very clean and nice) and just left our bags. The guy who welcomed us was actually French and it was a nice little break to be able to speak French there.

We then walked towards the peace park which is just a 10 minute walk. We visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park. It is I think THE thing to do in Hiroshima. This is unfortunately why this city is famous for and it really is an experience to be on its ground and try to understand and learn its history.

Then we had diner and wine in a very good Italian place west end of Hondori.

Day 6 : Miya-jima

We checked the tides (very important if you want to see some water under the Torii). Then you get in the #2 tram up until the end when you get to the ferry station and onto th island. We had a particularly awful weather that day. I have to say that from the beginning we were all wearing our ONLY sweater and all scarves we could get because April in Japan is definitly very different from April in Taipei.

We walked on the island trying not to notice the rain too much. We didn't visit the Itsukushima-Jinja because we found the entry fee a little bit expensive and we preferred walking on the island to see the 5-storied Pagoda and sight from up the hill. We arrived on the island around 9 AM which was a very good idea because the Japanese tourists arrived a little bit later.

The sky then opened on us!!!! Very heavy rain, run to the ferry. We had forgotten our dear guide book in a shop so we had to go back and suddenly... Blue sky and fantastic sun!!!!

We were off the island around 2PM.

Then we had to take our night bus Hiroshima - Tokyo (12000Y approx. for 12h) the worst ride ever!!! As we were 5 we had the 5 seats at the rear of the bus. On the engine, no A/C. My feet double vollume in 2 hours. Totally unbearable : TAKE THE TRAIN!

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