Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama, Japan

Minao Mirai dubbed as the “Harbour of the Future” is a large urban area in the central Yokohama. It is blessed with great location therefore a lot of attractions can be found here. Myriads of Yokohama’s tourist attraction, hotels, shopping, museum and theme park are well placed in this area. No wonder it is one of the most sought after district in Yokohama.

On our recent trip in Yokohama last February, my mom and my uncle booked our accommodation in two of the luxurious hotels situated in Minato Mirai 21. To ensure that we have the most comfortable and memorable stay in Yokohama and spoiled as we are we are lucky to experienced the luxurious feel of Pan Pacific and Intercontinetal Hotel.     

Pan Pacific Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu

We were initially booked at Pan Pacific Hotel. I’ve noticed that hotel lobby in Japan is simple and has a  minimalist design and not as grandiose as the hotels I’ve seen in Macau and in Manila. Well, this is just based on my own observation only J

and this is the lobby of Pan Pacific Hotel I am referring

and this is the room booked for us 

and the spectacular view of the Minato Mirai and Cosmo World from our room veranda

Pan Pacific is a one minute walk from Minato Mirai station and  connected to  a mall near the station. What I simply love about this hotel is the balcony overlooking the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel. The Ferris Wheel illuminates at night and changes its colors and effects every 15 minutes.

Cosmo World

Cosmo World is an amusement theme park in the center of Minato Mirai. Unlike any other theme parks in Japan entrance to the Park is free of charge. You pay only per ride or the attraction of your choice. Distinct of this themepark is the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel, the underwater Roller Coaster and other rides and gaming attractions for the whole family.

Intercontinental Yokohama Grand Hotel

The hotel has a unique blend of architecture with a unique boat-shaped like outside structure is also situated within the central district of Minato Mirai. 

our room here is a lot bigger as compared to Pan Pacific  

and here's Intercon's perspective view of Minato Mirai

Since we have overload tour schedule at Mt. Fuji, Yeti Resort and Tokyo Disneyland, we have only limited stay at both hotels and were not able explore some of the hotel's luxurious amenities and more so with the hotels nearby attractions such as the Landmark Tower, Red Brickwall, Nissin Museum etc. :( We hope on our next visit we will have a relax more itinerary and get a chance to explore the area.

Over-all we truly have the most pampered and comfortable stay at Minato Mirai 21. Our heartfelt thanks again to our generous sponsors. Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu   

Date of Visit: February 2013

   

Yeti Resort-Shizuoka, Japan

Part of the planning stage on our Japan itinerary is to have a ski resort adventure. Since this is my first winter experience, my sister suggested to put this in the itinerary. Spoiled as we are, my mom and uncle arranged a day tour package at Yeti Resort located at Shizuoka and 2nd stage of Mt. Fuji since this is the most accessible ski resort from Yokohama. 

Since this is our very first visit to our family in Yokohama, we do not spend any single yen in all the tours, meals and hotels arranged for us (feeling lucky and spoiled di ba?) My Yokohama family ensure that we have the best, comfortable and memorable stay on our first sighting of Japan.

We were joined in a group tour of youngsters and small family. The bus picked us at the Yokohama Station and started the 2 hour (approx) drive going to the resort with 10 minute toilet stop at the expressway.

See how clean their public toilets are 

After almost 2 hours of travel, we were headed off to the ski resort. Mom brought already some beanies, goggles and gloves so we just rented the ski jackets,pants,poles, snowboard and boots (feeling ambisyosa sa pagtry ng ski :) 

and here are some of ski enthusiasts in Yeti. There was a heavy snowfall that time 

so pardon for the poor quality of the pictures for this post

there is a fire place area to keep you warm

Yeti Kitchen

Since epic fail ang first ski attempt,we just managed to have some photo ops as souvenirs :)

Over-all despite some backache and minor body pains  due to the ski attempt, we still have an awesome ski resort experience.

Date of Visit : February 2013

Yeti Resort 

Fujiwara, Suyama-aza, Susono-shi,

Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Website: http://www.yeti-resort.com/en/

Asakusa Temple - Our Old Tokyo Experience in the heart of the City

Asakusa Temple also known as Sensoji is the oldest and famous temple in Tokyo. Asakusa makes a traditional feel in the vibrant district of Tokyo. Thus, it hosts many traditional events significant to the culture of the Japanese people. 

Many believed that Asakusa originated from the story of two brothers who had found the statue of Kannon, goddess of mercy in the Sumida River. Thereafter, Sensoji  Temple was built in honor for the goddess of Kannon.

The first and front gate of the Sensoji Temple is the Kaminarimon Gate from which you can see the "god of thunder" on the left and "god of wind" on the right.

  The Kaminarimon Signage at the Side of the Main Entrance

    The Large Red Paper Lantern 

       

The sculptures underneath the lantern

Asakusa is one of the most visited spot in Tokyo. Thus, there are a lot of souvenir shops lined-up along the Nakamise Shopping Street, Here you can see a lot of items from foodies, fans, wooden Japanese dolls, masks, lanterns etc.

                           

Japanese Noh Masks

Japanese Lanters

Assortment of Pastries with very nice packaging

cute ref magnets

Next to Nakamise Shopping Street is the Hozomon Gate also known as "the gate for storing treasures" 

is the second gate in the Asakusa Shrine. Visible to the gate are two Nios or muscular buddhas at both sides guiding the treasure house gates.   

There is even a huge large Japanese straw slippers hung in the side of Hozomon Gate

At the side of the Hozomon gate, you'll find the Asakuisa's famous Five Story Pagoda

                                  

Photo credits given to my sister's nice capture of the Five Story Pagoda

and a Japanese man sketching the pagoda 

Lucky me I spotted two Geishas and have a souvenir photo.

There are even fortune boxes placed in an area near the Hozomon Gate. Out of curiosity we tried this to know our fortunes. 

There are these Hexagonal Container filled with stick that have corresponding number on them. You'll drop your 100 coin and shake the stick bin from which a stick will fall from the hole of the container. 

My sister got the best fortune while yours truly is a bad fortune :( So, to negate the bad fortune, I need to tied-up my paper.

After the Hozomon Gate you'll now see the Asakusa or Sensoji temple. Due to the high volume of visitors that day, we were not able get a good shot of the temple

view from the temple

Indeed, Asakusa introduced us to the most historical and cultural side of Tokyo. The architecture and even the way of life or the traditions hosted here are the distinct character of old Tokyo during the Edo and Meiji era.