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INTERVIEW BY
CHARMAINE BAYLON
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51
Check out
the sights
To explore the best of
Yokohama, drop by
Sakuragichou Station and
take the red bus; the bus stop
is right in front of the station.
It will take you to the city’s
leading landmarks for only
JPY100 (PHP45)!
Easy ride
Trains are a major means of
getting around in Japan, but it
can be pricey if you're looking
to range far and wide. Buy
a JR East Pass for unlimited
rail travel in Eastern Japan,
including the bullet trains and
Narita Express. For JPY22,000
(around PHP9,900) you can
select any five days within 14
days of issuance. Take note
that a regular bullet train ride
from Tokyo to Kyoto costs
around USD100 (PHP4,500).
Do the math! This offer is
only for visitors to Japan and
you must buy the pass in your
country of origin. More details
at
A food lover’s
dream
My favorite Japanese food is
karoubi
sushi; it’s available at
most sushi bars. Ramen is a
favorite during the winter: try
tonkotsu
(pork soup),
shoyu
(soy sauce-based) and
shio
(light salt).
Tsukemen
(noodles
dipped in cold sauce) is also
recommended during the
summer months. But for a
perfect Friday evening, I have
yakitori
(chicken barbecue)
with
yaki onigiri
(grilled
Japanese rice balls) plus a
Cassis Orange drink.
Save up
If you’re on a budget, eat
at family restaurants like
Jonathan’s, Saizeriya or
Denny’s rather than at fast-
food outlets. It’s healthier, plus
you’ll have more choices. The
calorie count is shown for every
dish and meal. When you want
to visit a high-end eatery, go at
midday — the lunch set menu
items are a lot cheaper than
the regular dishes.
Must-visit
Step into the Ramen Museum
and you’ll feel as if you’ve
traveled back to old Japan.
Everywhere you look you’ll find
something Instagram-worthy!
Go with the mini ramen so
you have room to try a few
different types. I recommend
the tonkotsu ramen.
Good to know
“Gochisousama deshita”
is said
after eating to express your
appreciation of a meal. You say
it to the person who treated
you or to the restaurant staff
after paying. You’ll be surprised
at how easily it puts a smile on
people’s faces.
Girly hangout
The young-at-heart should
never leave Yokohama
without having brunch or
afternoon snacks at the cute
Hello Kitty Café Restaurant
in Motomachi. (It’s a five-
minute walk from Motomachi
Chukagai Iriguchi bus stop via
the red bus.) The food and
the ambience are spectacular.
The Hello Kitty latte art is too
pretty to ruin with your spoon.
Take a photo, refrain from
stirring and sip slowly!
Just scenic
My favorite view in Yokohama
will always be Minato Mirai –
it’s consistently picturesque,
be it morning or evening. The
360º view from Osanbashi
Pier is breathtaking because
you can see just how beautiful
Yokohama really is. It’s the
best spot you’ll find in the city
if you're looking to catch a
sunset. Don’t forget to bring a
drink, a bento from the
combini
(convenience store) and
great company to enjoy the
moment. Cheap but priceless!
Let loo se
For most Pinoys here in
Japan, karaoke equals fun and
relaxation. What better way
to de-stress than to sing your
heart out after a day’s work?
My favorite chain is Karaoke
Kan because of its state-of-
the-art rooms and equipment;
you’ll find the latest songs, too.
be a guide
Are you a Pinoy
abroad residing in
one of Cebu Pacific’s
destinations? Then
make a pitch for
your 'hood to be
featured in
Smile
, and
tell us what’s most
interesting about
where you live. Send
us an email at
cebu.
A view of
Minato Mirai's
skyline from
Osanbashi Pier
Cherry
blossoms by the
Tsurumi River
Art Brink at
Red Brick
Warehouse
Karoubi
sushi
