Gudetama Chef in Taipei

Here is a quick look of the Gudetama Chef in Taipei. Food is of course a bit more expensive compared to regular cafes' because of the theme. Although it was a bit on the pricey side (compared to where I usually eat), it was still a nice experience. You could pre-pay your food through their website. You will also have to reserve through their website, just to make sure that you will have seats. There are times that the place is packed but there are times that you could just walk-in.

Things I learned when I visited Korea during winter

I recently came back from a trip to Seoul, Korea. It was my first time to experience snow and -0 temperatures. The lowest I experienced before this was around 10C in Taiwan. I didn't really know what to expect. But along the way there are some things that I learned and will share to future travellers to countries with cold climates (with the exception of VERY cold countries - e.g. Canada).


CLOTHING
1. Get a good set of base layers. (e.g. thermals)
- Good examples of these are Uniqlo's heattech line. It is your base layer that will help retain heat and at the same time wick away sweat (if any). Quick dry fabrics are also an option.

2.  Sweaters, Hoodies, Jackets, etc
- Next layer will be the one you would like to wear when your inside shops or restaurants. Whenever you go inside malls, restaurants and the likes, they usually have heaters so you most probably will be removing your winter jacket. So this layer is the clothes you prefer.

3. Winter Jacket
- This layer is your outermost clothing that will protect you from the wind, snow and cold. Options are Down jackets, Down parkas and the likes. Get one that is water resistant because you never know when it will suddenly rain or sudden snow fall. This will also help in keeping you warm while walking outside.

4. Pants
- Other than the warmers you have as base layers, I suggest you get pants that are also wind blockers. Sometimes, the warmers are not enough and when cold winds blow, you will definitely feel it.

5. Socks
- Get your self socks that are suitable for cold climates. My suggestions is get the fleece lined ones to insulate the heat to prevent your hands from freezing.

6. Shoes
- Winter boots are the best bet here. They offer coverage, warmth, and prevent you from slipping from ice patches on the street. But if your mostly indoors, any shoe will do.

7. Gloves
- Try to find something with fleece lining for heat retention and outer lining that is wind proof and water proof. This helps when playing with snow or just plain walking outside. Prevents freezing hands. Preferably get the one with touch screen compatible so you don't have to remove the gloves when you need to use your phone.


SKIN CARE
- Because of the cold weather, the air will most likely be dry. This in turn will cause dry skin. Protect your skin before going out with moisturisers, hand creams, moisturising aloe gels and the likes. Don't forget to also apply moisturisers on your face and lip balm for the lips to prevent wind burn. Dry skin hurts.


ACCESSORIES
1. Face Mask - helps your nose and lips from freezing. Also keeps cheeks warm. Added benefit of air filtration from pollution and/or someone near you who has colds. It is also fashionable in Korea to wear one.

2. Neck Warmer - Keeps your neck warm and you could pull it up to also cover your mouth, cheeks and nose.

3. Scarf - Same as the neck warmer.

4. Bonnet - Prevents your head from getting cold. And if you pull it down more, also covers your ears.

5. Hand warmer - Small packets that could be held to keep your hands warm for a number of hours. You could also place these inside your shoes.

6. Umbrella - For the sudden downpour. Although, these are readily available at convenient stores at around 6000 won for the disposable transparent ones.


These are just some tips based on my experience. Other thing that I did was I ate street foods that are spicy or street foods dipped in hot soup, they give hot soup with it. You could also buy warm drinks from convenient stores or vending machines and keep them in your pockets while holding them then eventually drink it to warm you up more.

If you have other tips leave them in the comments below. Would like to learn more!

Japan Blog: Day 5

Today is the day that we went back to Nagoya. We rode the JR Express bus to go back to Nagoya. The bus will be at Tokyo Station - Yaesu side.

Since it was still early, we decided to have an early lunch. Grabbed some katsudon and coffee in the nearby konbini and ate it at the benches outside the station.

They just placed these are we arrived.

Big enough to share.

Can't forget to have coffee.

This is where we queued for our bus going to Nagoya.

While waiting for the bus to arrive. I noticed that we were missing a plastic bag. It turns out that my son forgot the Bag containing the Gundams, Choro-Q and ref magnets we bought. We went back to the konbini and since my Japanese was very bad, it took a bit of time for the nice lady to understand what I was saying. Good thing in Japan is they keep stuff at the Lost and Found. Bad thing is it's in the other side of the station, plus the bus is arriving soon! We rushed to the Lost and Found, hoping that our package was there. Thankfully, it was there. We thanked the nice lady who dropped everything for us and took us there. Now my son and I had to rush to the bus stop. As we arrive at the stop, the Bus just arrived. Talk about close calls!

We meet again Mt. Fuji.

Our first stop was Ashigara Service Area. Bought some snacks, did a little car spotting and took a leak.

Saw a couple of these around.

GT-86 vs Prius! LOL

Small red bull can. It's quite expensive compared to the PH.

Almost got a good picture.

One of the many stops our Bus took.

The second rest area that we had our 15 min break was the Hamanako Service Area. This place was windy as heck! Saw some charging stations at the back for the Nissan Leaf.

This is the view out the window of the Toilet. Would you imagine that?

After almost six hours, we arrived at Nagoya. We could've arrived earlier but due to my mistake of choosing the bus that took the most stops, it took us longer to arrive. Tip to the one's using the bus, get the one with the fewest stops!

Good thing the bus stop was near our hotel. Mystays Nagoya.

The view out our window.

After we checked in, we took a stroll out and went to the Ramen place we passed by.

Ramen!

After filling ourselves, we took a stroll near our hotel.

Oasis 21 at night.

Nagoya TV tower.

Underground entrance to Central Park Mall with Nagoya TV tower in the distance.

Another angle of Nagoya TV tower.

Another view of the entrance.

Found a nearby Don Quijote and bought some snacks.

It was getting a bit chilly so we just went back to the hotel and call it a night.

Snack while watching Anime before sleeping.

Japan Blog: Day 1

Got the red eye flight going to Nagoya from the Philippines. We arrived around 545 am japan time at Chubu international airport.

When you get to immigration, we were asked for a travel itenerary. Unfortunately, we didn't print out our estimated plans. I had to whip out our tickets, show the bus tickets, and hotel reservations. Luckily, most of them I had printed out or was stored in my phone. After the schedule was settled, we got the OK. Next was the customs. The customs officer out of nowhere asked me why i chose Nagoya. At first I was taken aback and didn't really get his question. He then asked again. Why Nagoya, not Tokyo or Osaka? I replied with a simple, "because the ticket was cheaper". The officer chuckled and welcomed us to Nagoya.

Next up, we had to exchange our peso to yen. We asked around and was pointed to Travelex. They were the nearest to take Philippine Peso. Rates sucks but we had no choice.

After that, I had to buy my child a discounted manaca card. A manaca (can be found in Nagoya area) card that works like octopus card in HK. Go straight to the Train ticketing counter to buy one. We presented his passport to prove that he's still what they consider a child. Japan considers 11 yrs (some establishments till 12 yo) amd below as child and has discounted rates for train/bus rides. Since were already there, I purchased one for myself and my wife. Expect to pay around 2000 yen min as 500 is for the card and 1500 for the load. As with other countries, you can get back the 500 plus remaining load, minus a service fee, if you return the card.

We hoped on the train going to Nagoya Station so we could ride the bus that would take us to Tokyo. Ride took a little less than an hour. When we areived at Nagoya station. We were at Meitetsu Mall. We proceeded to go to the Meitetsu Bus Center. What I totally forgot was the ticket was for a JR bus line! Once we got to the Bus Center, we noticed that the ticket didn't seem to line up with their schedules. Asked around and thankfully, a man working there pointed us in the right direction. But, once we got out of the mall. I accidentally went to the wrong direction! Making is go even further from where we should be. I finally thought of using the compass app on my phone and checking with the map the nice man gave us. Confirmed! I went the other direction. We walked back, then went past Meitetsu Mall, found the JR Shinkansen station, went past it, and looked for the Bic Mall as the one fronting it should hopefully be the right station. Once there and only 30 mins left for our bus schedule, I saw a man at the station assissting passengers. Showed him our ticket and said that our bus will be the next one. Jackpot! Since we haven't had the time to eat, grabbed some onigiris from the nearby konbini and waited for the bus.

We had the train all to ourselves for a couple of minutes.

Onigiri at the konbini near the bus station.

Double decker bus we rode from Nagoya to Tokyo.

Bus had leg room, charging port, cup holders, hooks, curtain, the works.

Bus departed at exactly 10am. First stop was at Enshumorimachi Parking Area, was to lazy to go down so I just slept thru it.

Our first rest stop for the day.

Next stop was at Ashigara Service Area. Saw part of Mt. Fuji. Bought some snacks and coffee from the convenience store and headed back to the bus. Service stops were only 15 mins. Final stop was at Tokyo station.

Saw a Ferrari F360 spyder at the Service Area

Our second stop going to Tokyo.

Mt. Fuji at the distance.

Kohii!

2nd onigiri for the day.

When we arrived to Tokyo station, we just walked to our hotel at kanda. Saw some whole in the wall restaurants. Ranging from western style, western inspired to japanese.

Entrance to our hotel. Hotel Mystays Kanda.

Small Area to hang clothes and place shoes.

The bathroom with small bathtub.

TV with local stations.

A queen size bed.

Just a few mins after we went in. Our stuff explodes out of the luggage.

After we checked in the hotel, showered, changed clothes then went to akihabara. It was paradise for scale builders, toy collectors, and electronics geeks. Only scratched the surface as we were hungry and searched for a place to eat. As it was dinner time, most places were full. Just ended up eating at Family mart.

Tower Records is still alive in Japan.

I don't know why its adding condiments to itself.

Walked a bit more to the now hidden shrine of Hanabusa Shrine.

When I searched this on Google Maps it looked so calming. Now its surrounded by buildings.

Saw the razer store. It's through a small door on the side of the building and down a flight of stairs.

Ate some takoyaki at Gindako.

Located below Don Quijote Akiba.

It has a crunchy outer shell and soft inside.

Saw a Mario Kart race in real life.

Gundam Cafe!

Lost at a claw machine. Didn't take pics as the loss is embarrassing. Hahaha!

Finally, went back to the hotel and called it a day.

Tips:
1. Bring an estimated itenerary to show the immigration personnel. Back up with plane tickets, reservations from hotels, bus tickets, train tickets, or tourist reservations.

2. Exchange money at home country. Rates at airport forex is not good.

3. There is a small forex shop at akihabara that gives good rates. Won free candy at its small gachapon.