NEZU SHRINE, MINI FUSHIMI INARI IN TOKYO

Jika membayangkan jajaran gerbang merah khas shrine di Jepang, kita pasti akan langsung mengasosiasikan dengan Fushimi Inari-Taisha di Kyoto yang telah menjadi destinasi populer dan merupakan salah satu shrine yang paling banyak dikunjungi di Jepang.

Namun jika kita hanya ingin menghabiskan waktu di Tokyo, vibes serupa dapat ditemukan di shrine yang hanya berjarak sekitar 10 menit berjalan kaki dari Nezu Station di Tokyo. Deretan torii gate berwarna merah-oranye memenuhi salah satu sisi jalur utama di Nezu Shrine, lengkap dengan tulisan-tulisan Jepang di sisi tiang gerbang merah ini.

Jajaran torii gate merah benar-benar menyerupai yang ada di Fushimi Inari-Taisha, namun dalam skala lebih kecil, tapi lebih tenang dan sepi karena Nezu Shrine tidak sepopuler Fushimi Inari-Taisha.

Saya menemukan shrine ini tanpa disengaja. Awalnya saya singgah ke Nezu Station karena ingin datang ke toko Marutaro, anjing shiba populer Jepang yang kini bahkan (pemiliknya) memiliki toko merchandise khusus Maru. Usai berkunjung ke toko Maru, saya melihat ada shrine yang berjarak sangat dekat di map sehingga iseng mampir, namun ternyata Nezu Shrine sangat cantik dan menyenangkan :)

Saya menghabiskan banyak waktu di shrine ini untuk foto-foto, sekadar nongkrong dan menikmati ambience, plus mengirim doa positif, bersyukur atas ketidaksengajaan yang menyenangkan ini.

@marischkaprue – shop and shrine (stops)

NOTES

NEZU SHRINE

〒113-0031 Tokyo, Bunkyo

GETTING THERE

From Omote-Sando, take the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line for Ayase and stop at Nezu Station

Nezu Shrine is a 10 minutes walk distance from the station

STAY

Try renting apartment when you visit Tokyo, we stayed at HomeAway properties and it surely feels like home :)

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WHERE TO GO TOKYO (AND STAY AT A NICE HomeAway APARTMENT!)

Jepang adalah salah satu destinasi yang tidak pernah membosankan untuk dikunjungi berulang kali, dan Tokyo adalah salah satu kota favorit bagi hampir semua orang yang berkunjung ke Jepang (also for me!).

Japan is one of the destinations that are never boring to be visited repeatedly, and Tokyo is one of the favorite cities for almost everyone who already visited Japan (also for me!).

Untuk yang berkeliling beberapa kota di Jepang, Tokyo biasanya menjadi kota pertama untuk entry point, dan sebelum kembali ke Indonesia (bagi warga Indonesia). When you only got two days in Tokyo, what’ll you do? I’m sharing some spots that’ll be nice to fill your time while you’re in Tokyo.

For people who travel in several cities in Japan, Tokyo is usually the first city for the entry point, and before returning to Indonesia (for the citizens of Indonesia). When you only got two days in Tokyo, what'll you do? I'm sharing some spots that'll be nice to fill your time while you're in Tokyo.

SIGHTSEEING

Asakusa

Kuil Buddha tertua di Jepang ini selalu dipadati pengunjung, dan bukan tanpa alasan. Senso-ji di Asakusa ini sangat cantik, dengan atmosphere serba merah, sebagian pengunjung yang menggunakan kimono atau yukata, dan toko-toko menarik di sepanjang jalan menuju Senso-ji

This Japan's oldest Buddhist temple is always crowded with visitors, and not without reason. Senso-ji in Asakusa is very pretty, with red-paced atmosphere, some visitors who wears kimono or yukata, and interesting shops along the path to Senso-ji

Ueno Park

Ada begitu banyak taman di Tokyo namun Ueno park dapat menjadi salah satu pilihan untuk menikmati ketenangan

There are so many parks in Tokyo but Ueno park could be one option to enjoy the tranquility

Shibuya Crossing

One of the must do list in Tokyo is enjoying the crowd at Shibuya crossing. Why? Because it’s just iconic and, why not?

Tokyo Skytree

Salah satu tempat terbaik untuk menikmati Tokyo dari ketinggian, dengan view 360° dari ketinggian 350 meter di dek observasi. Nikmati juga magic moment saat sunset dan Tokyo diliputi cahaya jingga.

One of the best places to enjoy Tokyo from a height, with a view of 360 ° from a height of 350 meters on the observation deck. Enjoy the magic moment at sunset and Tokyo filled with an orange glow.

Diver City

Masih ingin berkeliling di malam hari? Patung Gundam besar di Diver City ini selalu menarik untuk dikunjungi di malam hari

Still want to get around at night? Huge Gundam statue at Diver City is always interesting to be visited at night

 

SHOPPING

Chicago

Salah satu toko favorit saya untuk berbelanja di Jepang. Thrift store ini menjual berbagai pakaian second namun layak pakai dan unik, kita dapat menemukan vintage clothes, aksesoris unik dan tentunya beragam kimono dan yukata dengan harga yang sangat menarik

One of my favorite stores to shop in Japan. Thrift store sells a variety of secondhand clothings but it is still wearable and unique, we can find vintage clothes, unique accessories and of course a variety of kimono and yukata with a very attractive price

 

Takeshita Street

Jalanan ini dipenuhi toko-toko yang menjual barang-barang unik dan yang tidak terbayangkan dapat kita kenakan, terutama pakaian. Namun merchandise seru juga dapat kita temukan di sini

This street is filled with shops selling unique and unimaginable things that we can wear, particularly clothes. But the intriguing merchandises can also be found here

Yamashiroya 

Mencari mainan? Toko 7 lantai di dekat Stasiun Ueno ini akan memuaskan keinginan kita, dan membuat kita lupa waktu saat berkeliling di Yamashiroya ini

Looking for toys? The 7 floors shop near Ueno Station will satisfy our desires, and make us lose track of time while traveling in this Yamashiroya

Don Quijote

Toko serba ada yang menjual – basically anything!, mulai dari cemilan, pakaian, mainan, tas, sepatu, alat dapur, topeng-topeng aneh, adult shops material, hingga tas branded.

The store which sells - basically anything !, ranging from snacks, clothing, toys, handbags, shoes, kitchen equipment, odd masks, adult shops material, to the branded bags.

EXPERIENCE & ATTRACTIONS

Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea

Happiness is here, well gotta agree on that karena a visit to Tokyo Disneyland dan Tokyo Disneysea selalu memberi kebahagiaan. Anyway, who doesn’t like a lunch with pluto anyway? 

Happiness is here, well gotta agree on that because a visit to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea always gives happiness. Anyway, who does not like a lunch with Pluto anyway?

Robot Restaurant

Dinner bersama robot? While in Japan, nothing impossible including this unique restaurant. Pengunjung dapat menikmati makan malam sambil menonton pertunjukkan robot-robot random yang akan “perform” di depan kita


Dinner together with a robot? While in Japan, nothing impossible including this unique restaurant. Visitors can enjoy dinner while watching the show  of random robots that will "perform" in front of us

WHERE TO STAY? GET A HOMEAWAY FEELING!

Selama ini saya selalu menginap di hotel saat berkunjung ke Tokyo dan di trip bulan ini, saya mencoba menyewa apartemen melalui HomeAway, Pertimbangan pertama saya adalah akses, karena selama ini saya memilih hotel agar mendapat penginapan di dekat stasiun, namun ternyata banyak opsi apartemen yang berdekatan dengan stasiun-stasiun utama di Tokyo.

Previously I always stay at the hotel during a visit to Tokyo and in the trip of this month, I tried to rent an apartment through HomeAway, my first consideration was the access, because all this time I chose the hotel in order to get an inn that is near the station, but there are many options of apartment with major stations in Tokyo.

Area near Maki's HomeAway apartement

Saya memilih apartemen milik Maki yang terletak hanya 5 menit berjalan kaki saja dari Komagome Station, salah satu stasiun di jalur JR Yamanote, jalur utama yang melewati spot-spot utama seperti Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku dan lain-lain.

I chose the apartment belonged to Maki located just 5 minutes walk away from Komagome Station, one station on the JR Yamanote line, the main route through the main spots like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and others main attractions in Tokyo.

Usai booking, Maki memberikan petunjuk sangat detail mengenai lokasi apartemennya, fasilitas dan lain-lain. Saat tiba di apartemennya, saya sangat senang, it’s exceeding my expectation. Apartemen Maki ini luas, dengan kamar tidur yang dapat mengakomodasi tiga orang, ruang tamu dengan sofa yang juga dapat diubah menjadi tempat tidur, dapur dan ruang makan, serta kamar mandi dan toilet yang terpisah ruangan, sangat spacious untuk ukuran akomodasi di Tokyo :)

After booking, Maki gave very detailed instructions regarding the location of the apartment, facilities and others. When arriving at the apartment, I am very happy, it's exceeding my expectation. Maki's apartment is spacious, with a bedroom that can accommodate three people, a living room with a sofa which can also be converted into a bed, kitchen and dining room and a bathroom and a toilet which are separated, very spacious for the size of accommodation in Tokyo :)

 

Another great thing is that Maki prepare a wifi router (free) for us, dan menuliskan pesan di kertas tentang hal-hal yang perlu diperhatikan di apartemennya, seperti cara menyalakan penghangat dan lain-lain.

Another great thing is that Maki prepared a wifi router (free) for us, and wrote a message on a paper about the things that need to be considered in the apartment, such as how to turn on the heating and others.

Great weather when we stay

Menginap di apartemen Maki melalui HomeAway terasa seperti menginap di rumah teman (namun dengan tetap memiliki privasi penuh), It’s a nice way to stay and feels at home when you’re away, surely will do this kind of bookings again :) (and I already did!)

Staying in Maki's apartment through HomeAway feels like staying at a friend's house (but still getting full privacy), It's a nice way to stay and feels at home when you're away, surely will do this kind of bookings again :) (and I already did!)

@marischkaprue – feeling home even when she’s away

PS:

GET FREE THREE YEARS VACATION FROM HOMEAWAY

(WHAT? 3 YEARS? YESS!!)

Bayangkan tiga tahun mendapatkan value 6000 SGD untuk menginap di akomodasi yang tersedia di HomeAway, dengan jatah 2000 SGD per tahunnya, how great is that?

Imagine three years of getting value 6000 SGD to stay in accommodation which is available at HomeAway, with a quota of 2000 SGD per year, how great is that?

Caranya mudah, hanya booking melalui HomeAway (click here) dan dapatkan diskon 10%, plus email untuk bergabung di kontes #GetAwayWithHomeAway

It's easy, just booking through HomeAway (click here) and get a 10% discount, plus e-mail to join in the contest #GetAwayWithHomeAway

Again, how great is that? :)

See more on HomeAwayFacebook page

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Postcard from Tokyo Skytree

Jika ingin melihat suasana Kota Tokyo dari ketinggian, inilah tempat terbaik dengan pilihan view 360° dari ketinggian 350 meter di dek observasi. Bahkan kita dapat melangkahkan kaki di glass bottom floor dan merasakan keseruan berada di ketinggian.

If you wanna get amazed with Tokyo-view from the top, here is the right place with 360° from 350 meters high of the observation deck. Even we could step on the glass bottom floor and feel the excitement at that height.

 

Tokyo Skytree kini jadi salah satu tempat yang dipadati turis setiap harinya untuk melihat suasana Tokyo. Namun, menara dengan tinggi 634 meter ini dibangun tidak hanya untuk jadi atraksi bagi turis, namun juga menjadi menara pemancar bagi sejumlah stasiun televisi dan berbagai broadcast media lainnya di Jepang.

Nowadays, Tokyo Skytree was one of the touristy places where you could enjoy the atmosphere of Tokyo. However, the purpose of this 634 meters high tower is not only to attract foreign tourist but also as a transmitter tower for many TV station and others media broadcast in Japan.

Saya datang di sore hari sebelum sunset. Dek observasi sudah dipenuhi orang-orang yang menunggu sunset tiba. Di salah satu sisi bahkan saya dapat melihat Gunung Fuji dari kejauhan.

Though I came at noon before the sunset, the observation deck already full with the sunset-catcher. In other side of the tower, I also could see Fuji Mountain from a distance.

Saya memutari dek observasi ini sambil menunggu sunset. Melihat berbagai sisi Tokyo dari ketinggian, melihat betapa padatnya Tokyo oleh bangun-bangunan meski tetap rapi, melihat jalanan dan kanal hingga menjelang sunset.

I walked around this observation deck, while waiting for the sunset, to look Tokyo from the different sides on the top view, at the crowd of Tokyo with all those skyscrapers but still well-ordered, at the roadways and canal, at every single thing, until it’s time for sunset.

Akhirnya saya mengerti mengapa begitu banyak orang yang memadati dek observasi ini di sore hari. Saat matahari turun perlahan, gedung-gedung pencakar langit di Tokyo menjadi siluet cantik, dengan perbukitan yang mengelilingi Tokyo, serta si Fuji-San.

Then I knew what make the observation deck is full every noon.  As the sun set slowly, the skyscrapers in Tokyo turned into beautiful silhouette, with the hillside around Tokyo and also Fuji-san.

Saya mengambil gambar sambil memperhatikan matahari yang semakin turun, dan kemudian lampu-lampu bangunan mulai mewarnai langit malam. Another beautiful sight.

I took some shots while watching the sun keep going down, as lights of the building start coloring the dark night sky. What a beautiful sight!

"Do you like it?" ujar perempuan Jepang saat saya keluar dari Tokyo Skytree.

"Yes, the view from there is so beautiful," ujar saya

"I live in Japan but this is my first time going up there," ujarnya

"Never too late," saya menambahkan

Kemudian kami tersenyum

“Do you like it?” a Japanese woman asked, right after I walked out from Tokyo Skytree.

“Yes, the view from there is so beautiful,” I answered.

“I live in Japan but this is my first time going up there,” she said.

“Never too late,” I added.

Then we smiled each other  

@marischkaprue - Sky is not the limit, she believe that

NOTES:

• Tokyo Skytree berada di 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo 131-0045, Jepang. Telp +81 3-5302-3470
• Tokyo Skytree is located on 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan. Ph: +81 3-5302-3470  
•  Operating hours: 08 AM - 10 PM
•  Harga tiket bervariasi, tergantung usia dan cara pemesanan. Jika membeli dengan reservasi terlebih dahulu maka harga tiket Tokyo Skytree untuk Tembo Deck (350 m) adalah 2.060 JPY (Yen Jepang) atau sekitar Rp. 223.000,- untuk dewasa, sementara jika membeli tiket pada hari kunjungan harga tiket menjadi 2.570 JPY atau sekitar Rp. 279.000,-
• Ticket price depends on age and how to order. By reservation, the ticket of Tokyo Skytree for Tembo Deck (350 m) is 2.060 JPY (Japan Yen) or about Rp 223.000,- for adult, while by purchasing ticket on the spot, the price is 2.570 JPY or about Rp 279.000.  
• Saya datang ke Tokyo Skytree dalam rangkaian tour dengan JTB Sunrise Tour yaitu Tokyo City Tour, Asakusa & Nakamise serta Tokyo Skytree. Jika ingin menikmati pengalaman serupa dalam satu hari (dan lebih mudah karena transportasi, tiket dan lain-lain telah disediakan oleh JTB Sunrise Tour) lihat info lengkapnya di sini.
•  My visit to Tokyo Skytree was a part of tour package with JTB Sunrise Tour which consist of Tokyo City Tour, Asakusa & Nakamise, and Tokyo Skytree. If you wanna feel all the experience in one day trip (gonna be easier since the transportation, ticket, and others are provided with JTB Sunrise Tour) please check the complete info here.  

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