Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Best Budget Hotel in Tokyo Japan: Hotel 3000 Jyuraku in Asakusa

Was supposed to traverse the snowy Shirakawa-go in Nagoya, but due to heavy snowstorm forecast in the region, opted to divert the winter trip to Tokyo, Haneda instead. I had to pay my previous Nagoya Airbnb cancellation charges, so I cannot splurge on a Tokyo hotel accommodation anymore. 


After nights of researching budget hotel reviews, I chanced upon Hotel 3000 Jyuraku in Asakusa. I have high praises for this hotel! First, an airport limousine bus stop is just 3-5 minutes away. Second, it is easily accessible to everywhere in Central Tokyo within minutes on the Ginza subway line.


After arriving at Haneda International Passenger Terminal 2F, line up for the Visitor Information Center to buy a 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket. Price is JPY 1500. This includes unlimited ride to all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. 



Download the Tokyo Subway Navigation App on your phone for easy peasy directions without the need for wifi. posted below is the Tokyo Subway Map.


Buy a Keikyu Train Ticket direct from the airport to Asakusa Line A18/G19 ( JPY 620 ) No transfers. Fuss-free. However, this train is not included in the unlimited metro 72-hour pass. It may seem scary at first because unlike the Tokyo metro, this type of train doesn't have english lighted buttons on the overhead panels which tells you in which station you are. Just look at the signs at each subway station stop. Alight at Asakusa A18/G19 transfer to Ginza line 1 station away to Tamaramachi. 

Find exit 3. The hotel is a 5-7 minutes leisure walk. You will pass by Yoshinoya, Mr Donut, a Saray Kebab kiosk and a grocery mart will be on your left. When you see Denny's and 7-11 on your right, turn left to the alleyway. 


I originally booked for a triple room with ensuite bathroom. Price is approx P3,900/night. To our surprise, the hotel keeper generously upgraded us to a quad room with 4 bunk beds, giving us ample space to move around. Arigato gozaimasu! Wifi connection is superb. We had to turn off the aircon because it was a chilly 2-3 degree celcius scenario. 


We were given towels and slippers. An ensuite bath tub for calm, peaceful warm soaks. Best deal rather than sharing bathrooms in capsule hotels.

There is a shared lounge space and front desk available 24 hours. Surprisingly, there is free hot and cold beverage dispenser. There is laundromat and dryer for a minimal fee. There is a vendo machine and free use of bicycles.



Nearby on foot, is the famous Sensoji temple in Asakusa. Ladies clad in Kimonos are usual in the area since there are lots of rentals in the vicinity.



This special matcha soft serve ice cream is to die for!


I think I just died and went straight to green tea heaven upon entering this yummy Japanese Maccha Sweets store!




Another nearby attraction from the hotel, is Don Quixote! A 4- storey building of nothing but pure bliss! All the souvenirs you can think of! Snacks, chocolates, groceries, toiletries, makeup, skincare, mens clothing, cosplay costumes. kiddie stuffs, gadgets, electronics, bicycle stuffs and even high-end designer bags and watches. 


An aisle of Matcha goodies to with me back home!


We got hold of 4 boxes of  Nissin Seafood Cup Noodles. Each box contains 20pcs and costs JPY2500++ (roughly P1,250) or P63 each. What a steal!


Don Quixote is famous to tourists because they offer tax free shopping. Just proceed to 2nd floor cashier to avail this service. Bring your passport, of course. They will give your refunds in an instant!


Within the neighborhood is the sumptuous Yoshinoya for beef and salmon bowls as well as the tasty unagi meal. 




The equally delicious Tenya Tempura Tendon is also a walking distance. Have your fill of delicious Tempura. Prices starts at JPY500.



I couldn't have chosen a better hotel than this. We instantly fell in love with this very affordable hotel right smack at Asakusa with all the tourist attractions and almost everything else we could ever need. Staff's are sooo friendly and polite and would bow and bid us good day or good night every time we step in. Hope to come back soon. Will definitely recommend to friends!

Friday, January 13, 2017

DIY Daytrip Seoul to Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort for only $53USD (Php 2,650)


If you're in Seoul and got an entire day to spare, why not try the winter tours that Trazy.com offers. Choose from various activities: Day Ski/Snowboard/Snow Sled/Ice Fish to your desired ski resort: Jisan, Bearstown, Elysian Gangchon, Vivaldi, Yong Pyong, Phoenix Park or Alpensia. They have cool reasonably priced tours but usually requires 2-3 days advance booking and meet-ups as early as 0700H or 0800H.


But what if it was just a spur of the moment idea? No previous bookings whatsoever? Then continue reading below on how to DIY a ski tour from seoul in your own pace and liking. 

Just an hour away from Seoul, Elysian Gangchon is the only ski resort reached via the ITX train in Korea. 

Take Subway Line 1: From Seoul Station --- Namyeong --- Yongsan. Fare is 1,250 krw. You can use your T-money. Travel time is approx 5 mins.


Find the ITX ticketing booth at Yongsan Station. Purchase roundtrip tickets to Baegyangri Station. Attendant will ask you to choose from the timetable. Fare is 5,800 krw one-way. T-money cannot be used on ITX train. Travel time is approx an hour.

Normally, ITX has 6 or 7 train cars, please make sure that you get on your reserved car and find the seat on your ticket.


Posted below is the timetable for your reference. ITX Cheongchun only stops at Baekyangri station during winter season ( Dec-Mar ) 4 times on weekdays, 8 times on Sat and 7 times a day on Sundays and Holidays. 


Took the 11:00 ITX from Yongsan and reached Baegyangri an hour later 12:01H




An attendant will usher you towards the exit of the Baegyangri Station and will tell you to wait for the free shuttle bus going to Elysian Gangchon.



Hop onto the shuttle bus. As a courtesy, greet the driver "Annyeonghaseyo", the most commnon greeting used in Korean and basically has the same meaning as "hello."



Kindness is like snow...it beautifies everything it covers

Paradise doesn't have to be tropical



Make your way to the cashier and line up for the rentals. Below are the timings and fees.


Since I am just a beginner, I dare not to rent ski lifts. These are for the intermediate and advanced ones who can go down from the high slopes. 


For beginners, what's important are: ski rentals 26,000 krw  ( includes boots, ski and poles) 


... Ski wear 18,000 krw (includes jacket and pants)


Optional: helmets, googles & gloves


For ski boots: One must know his korean shoe size


Locker rentals are available for 1,000 krw. There is a nearby coin machine if you do not have loose change. The above 53 USD budget includes a 6,000 krw meal at Lotteria. 

Should you want to eat at Lotteria or at the restaurant at the 2nd floor, one can just park his/her ski equipment at the designated areas. Trust me, nothing gets stolen or lost here. 

Tip: The cold weather easily drains your phone battery, bring your trusted powerbank. I managed to charge mine at Lotteria, bringing with me an adaptor. 


Snow skiing is not fun. It's life, fully lived, life lived in a blaze of reality.


It may not be as powdery snow as the ski resorts in Alpensia or YongPyong in Pyeongchang ( 3 hours away from Seoul) but it still is soo much fun! 


You don't need a hefty sum of money for beginner classes. Watch tutorials from Youtube. My ITX Train back to Yongsan departs at 18:23H and so I must bid goodbye now.... 

Thursday, October 20, 2016

BDJ Powerplanner 2017 and Other BDJ Paper Products

A sneak peak of the Belle De Jour 2017 PowerPlanner and other exciting BDJ paper products!


The BDJ 2017 Power Planner entitled "Trust Your Heart To Overcome The Waves", this is for the woman who aims to overcome challenges and conquer fears. ( Php598-Php680 )


Discover your reason for getting up in the morning - Ikigai -



  • Get Things Done with time management principle-based layout
  • Make The Year Exciting with challenges from the checklist, list of goals, dream boards and more




  • Stay Fit and Healthy with the health checklist and menstrual tracker pages
  • Monitor Your Income and Track Your Expenses with the bills and cash flow tracker pages



  • Over Php40,000 worth of coupons
  • 192 full-color smyth-sewn pages
  • Exclusive gray leather cover

  • Expandable back pocket
  • Stickers to mark special dates
  • 5.85 x 8,25 inches





Navigate through life with Navi 2017 ( Php598 )




  • Plot Out Your Schedule - Have monopoly of your week. Sketch, write and collect your experiences. Satisfy your curiosity and have them all documented so you can look back and realize how much life has to offer.




  • Clear Your Route - Keep track of the important things and plan out your ventures - places to go, things to try out, people to meet. Scribble away!


  • Explore The World - Learn not only about new places you can explore to, but also learn how to be a tourist in your own country - change your perspective and be surprised at the new things you can discover.


Maximize Your Focus Journal 2017 ( Php 450 )
  • Practice - Handle your thoughts with ease through suggestions presented through a witty play on typography each month. Apply these to your daily activities to cultivate a habit that will help you 

  • Express - Write your thoughts in the weekly layout designed to maximize each page's space to accommodate your own thoughts, schedules and notes.



  • Reflect-  on each month's suggested activities and typographies to figure out which practices work better for you


Reverse-Flip Desktop Calendar. A desk planner with a unique reverse-flip feature that will help your weekly plan, task, list and important notes in a glance.


Desk calendars are usually ubiquitous, big, bulky and mundane, but Viviamo!, Inc.’s latest Undated Calendar Pad is anything but boring! Pretty to look at, the Calendar Pad features tear-off sheets and an overall clean design with an inspiring message.




A new convenient tool from Viviamo!, Inc., the BDJ Daybook, and its 3 versions, Expense, Travel and Fitness, serve as handy reminders for users to log their expenses, travel checklists, and fitness plans on a daily basis.


You're in for a big surprise! Get all these and more at a whooping 20% off! Hurry for a limited time only.  Shop online HERE