Welcome to My Journey

Introduction and Special Occasion

• JHMedium introduces himself as a full-time traveler and part-time filmmaker, celebrating one year since quitting his office job.

• The video features a special one-hour segment on his trip to Japan, including a detailed budget breakdown for the 14-day journey.

Arrival in Osaka

• JHMedium arrives in Osaka at midnight, excited yet aware of the tiring day ahead. He meets Rika, who flew from Hong Kong.

• They explore Dotonbori, sampling takoyaki from a street vendor; he compares it to previous experiences in China.

Exploring Osaka's Attractions

Visit to Osaka Castle

• The duo visits Osaka Castle, noting its historical significance and the eerie presence of crows around it.

• After exploring the castle grounds, they feel exhausted and decide to return to their hotel for rest.

Shinsekai Area Exploration

• Post-nap, they venture into Shinsekai but find many stores closed; he expresses disappointment about the area’s size.

• Instead of deep-fried skewers typical of Shinsekai, they opt for Ichiran Ramen; he praises its rich broth despite wishing for more chashu.

Culinary Adventures Continue

Day Two: Okonomiyaki Experience

• On their second day in Osaka, they have lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant where they wait in line due to popularity.

• They enjoy fluffy pancakes topped with seaweed flakes and crispy yakisoba; he emphasizes that waiting is worthwhile for great food.

Umeda Sky Building Visit

• After lunch, they head to Umeda Sky Building primarily to film an escalator with a panoramic view of Osaka at the top.

• They take a break on Nakanoshima Island before heading back out for dinner.

Final Night in Osaka

Dining at Dotonbori Again

• For their last night in Osaka, they return to Dotonbori but face long lines at restaurants; instead, they choose Coco Ichibanya curry.

• Despite not being their original plan, JHMedium finds satisfaction with their meal choice as he reflects on enjoying this stopover city.

Journey Continues: Nara Park

Encountering Nara's Deer

Nara Park Adventures and Kyoto Exploration

Encountering the Nara Deer

• The narrator describes a chaotic encounter with aggressive Nara deer, highlighting their unexpected behavior as they attempt to bite clothing.

Kyoto and Kanagawa Travel Experience

Exploring Kyoto's Highlights

• The journey begins at Yasaka Jinja Shrine on a hot day in Kyoto, with temperatures reaching 35°C (feels like 38°C). The heat prompts a search for relief, leading to a matcha ice shop.

• Despite waiting outside, the matcha ice is described as heavenly—"like eating a matcha cloud"—and is hailed as the best dessert experienced in Japan so far.

• Arrival at Kiyomizu-dera for sunset views. Although crowded, the site retains its grandeur even with many tourists present.

• Dinner at a nearby ramen shop specializing in chicken ramen. The salt-based chicken ramen is noted for its tenderness, while Rika’s creamy chicken ramen impresses with its rich broth.

• Day three starts without an early wake-up call. A visit to Nanzenji Temple follows brunch; the omurice is delicious while the ramen is average.

Serene Moments in Nature

• Inside Tenju-An temple, surrounded by lush greenery and soothing sounds of nature. This spot stands out as one of their favorites during their stay in Kyoto.

• Reflecting on favorite experiences: matcha ice and Tenju-An for Rika; Arashiyama region and bamboo forest for the narrator due to its romantic ambiance.

Culinary Adventures Before Departure

• Last meal in Kyoto features soba from a local shop. Despite language barriers with the menu, they enjoy tenzaru soba and curry soba.

• The narrator expresses love for Kyoto's peaceful temples and natural beauty, emphasizing that early mornings help avoid crowds while still enjoying magical moments throughout the city.

Transitioning to Kanagawa Prefecture

• At Kyoto Station preparing to board Shinkansen towards Kanto region destinations: Yokohama, Kamakura, and Tokyo.

• Onboard Shinkansen with bento boxes that look appealing but are served cold; flavor rated 8/10 but overall experience drops to 6.5/10 due to temperature issues.

Discovering Yokohama's Cup Noodles Museum

• Arriving in Yokohama as their base for exploring Kanagawa Prefecture. First stop: Cup Noodles Museum showcasing instant noodles' history since 1958.

• Learning about Mr. Momofuku Ando, inventor of instant noodles; his influence seen globally through various ramen shops named after him.

Tasting Different Noodle Varieties

• Sampling various noodle dishes from around Asia at the museum before indulging in small bowls of instant noodles—a universal comfort food experience highlighted here.

Hiking Adventure in Kamakura

• Day two involves hiking early morning to Zeniarai Benten Shrine where visitors wash money believed to be purified by gods for future prosperity.

Exploring Kamakura and Tokyo: A Journey Through Japan

Buddha Cakes and Local Cuisine

• The narrator describes the significance of different Buddha cakes, with the blueberry and cream cheese cake symbolizing good luck in romance, while Rika's red bean cake represents beauty.

• They purchase an Enoden one-day pass to explore Kamakura via tram, enjoying lunch at a seaside café with views of the ocean after visiting the Kotoku-in Big Buddha.

• The narrator references Ukiyo-e artwork, specifically "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa," highlighting its connection to Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji.

• A favorite local restaurant is mentioned where they enjoyed unadon and tonkatsu, emphasizing the importance of seeking out local dining spots over popular tourist restaurants.

• The narrator concludes their stay in Kanagawa Prefecture by recommending it as an underrated destination for visitors.

Arrival in Tokyo: Sensoji Temple and Ramen

• Upon arriving in Tokyo, they visit Sensoji Temple to check their fortunes; the narrator receives a bad luck fortune but ties it up to avoid taking it home.

• Their first meal in Tokyo consists of ramen; the narrator enjoys miso ramen while Rika tries green spicy ramen made from special chili peppers.

• The hidden ramen shop is noted as a highlight of their trip due to its delicious flavors despite being tucked away in an alley.

Day at Tokyo Disneyland

• Excitement builds as they prepare for a day at Tokyo Disneyland, donning Disney ears amidst long lines before park opening.

• They head straight for the Beauty and the Beast ride but encounter lengthy wait times leading them to switch lines for Winnie the Pooh instead.

• Despite rain throughout the day, they line up for Mickey's Magical Musical show which features mostly Japanese performances but remains enjoyable.

Thrilling Rides and Character Encounters

• After enjoying Space Mountain, they express how dark rides can be disorienting yet thrilling when recorded with action cameras.

• A mission to find Donald Duck leads them through Disneyland; although time is limited with him, they manage to capture some memorable photos together.

• Following character encounters, they experience Thunder Mountain roller coaster which proves exhilarating despite ongoing rain.

Food Adventures Amidst Weather Challenges

• After riding Thunder Mountain, hunger strikes prompting them to search for food while battling windy conditions that threaten their popcorn snacks.

• Just as they settle down with popcorn for a parade viewing, it's announced that the parade has been canceled due to weather conditions.

Experience at Tokyo Disneyland and Beyond

Arrival and Initial Impressions

• The narrator describes the experience of queuing to enter the castle, noting that it looks nice despite the rain stopping temporarily. After a long wait of one hour and fifteen minutes, they finally enter the building.

Beauty and the Beast Show

• After watching the Beauty and the Beast show, which is described as immersive and beautiful, the narrator expresses disappointment over waiting two hours for it, stating that nothing is worth such a long wait.

Dining Experience

• At Hungry Bear Restaurant, they order curry with a cute Mickey Mouse-shaped egg. However, they learn that both the night parade and fireworks show are canceled due to wind conditions, leading to feelings of disappointment about their Disneyland experience.

Final Rides Before Closing

• Despite feeling let down by missing out on nighttime events, they enjoy an underrated 4D ride before leaving. They reflect on how this day did not feel like a full Disneyland experience but acknowledge that weather could have played a role in their dissatisfaction.

Exploring Tokyo Post-Disneyland

• On day three in Tokyo, they indulge in conveyor belt sushi at Kura Sushi. Although it's not high-quality sushi, they appreciate it as part of their Japan experience.

Shopping Adventures

• After shopping at Uniqlo's flagship store in Ginza where they design t-shirts, they return to Asakusa during heavy rain. The empty Sensoji temple at night impresses them with its beauty despite the weather.

Shibuya Exploration

• They plan to visit Shibuya after lunch near Tokyo Station. The narrator notes that teishoku (set menu dining) is their favorite form of Japanese dining.

Evening Activities in Shibuya

• Upon visiting Shibuya crossing, they find it smaller than expected but still enjoy exploring. They had reserved tickets for Shibuya Sky but missed sunset due to cloud cover; however, blue hour views were rewarding.

Unique Dining Experience

• After enjoying stunning views from Shibuya Sky, they try chazuke—a dish where dashi soup or tea is poured over rice—alongside chicken dumpling udon served with yam rice. They reflect on how unexpected experiences can enhance their trip.

Tokyo DisneySea Adventure

Experiencing the Magic of Tokyo DisneySea

• The day starts with clear blue skies, enhancing the experience at Tokyo DisneySea, which is known for its Duffy and Friends theme. Rika dresses as Stella Lou.

• The first ride is the Indiana Jones Adventure; while not a roller coaster, it features impressive set design that builds anticipation for the spooky elements.

• A short wait time of 15 minutes for rides is noted, contrasting with typical longer waits. Rika's reaction to the ride remains ambiguous as she closes her eyes during it.

• Donald Duck remains a favorite character; despite light drizzle, they seek shelter indoors at Triton's Kingdom to enjoy Little Mermaid-themed attractions.

• As an adult, there's newfound appreciation for children's rides due to their design and humor. Weather conditions are ideal for theme park enjoyment.

Entertainment and Atmosphere

• Attending a jazz performance at Broadway Theater brings nostalgic memories of Chicago and New York; Disney characters enhance the atmosphere despite no direct relation to Disney themes.

• Arabian Coast offers a unique cultural experience; lunch includes curry while umbrellas are used against heat rather than rain.

• A 3D magic show in Japanese lacks understanding but still impresses visually. The beauty of Arabian Coast stands out among other regions in DisneySea.

Unique Attractions and Experiences

• A new ride reminiscent of "It's A Small World" provides a charming experience through miniature displays. Next stop: Port Discovery to find Nemo.

• The Marine Life Institute ride allows guests to swim alongside Nemo from a fish's perspective, described as the cutest attraction visited so far.

Nighttime Transformation

• As night falls, transportation options like gondolas and electric rail enhance the park experience. Decorations come alive during Halloween season.

• The signature nighttime performance "Believe! Sea of Dreams" captivates attendees with its magical ambiance, though difficult to capture on camera without soundtracks.

Reflections on Happiness

• Despite previous thoughts about Disneyland's happiness status, today's experiences reaffirm that it truly remains "the happiest place in the world."

Exploring Shinjuku

Culinary Adventures in Shinjuku

• On their last day in Japan, Jeffrey and Rika explore Shinjuku searching for tsukemen noodles amidst long lines at various shops.

• They order miso tsukemen and soy sauce varieties; dipping thick noodles into broth creates an incredible flavor experience akin to udon texture.

Sweet Endings

Exploring Tokyo: A Journey Through Food and Budget

Culinary Delights and Reflections on Tokyo

• The food experience in Tokyo is described as soft, creamy, and slightly bitter due to matcha, with a texture that "melts in your mouth." However, the speaker reflects that ordering more than one plate may have been excessive.

• Despite feeling full, the group visits Kabukicho in Shinjuku as a final stop. The speaker shares mixed feelings about Tokyo compared to the Kansai region but acknowledges the city's charm upon returning after many years.

Surreal Cityscapes and Final Thoughts

• The vast cityscape of Tokyo evokes surreal feelings for the speaker. They express gratitude for witnessing Mount Fuji before concluding their trip, emphasizing it as a memorable end to their Japan journey.

Travel Insights: Budget Breakdown

• The speaker discusses budgeting for travel, noting that they often spend extended periods working while traveling. This trip was unique as it involved 14 days of continuous exploration.

• A detailed budget breakdown is provided across several categories: hotel accommodations, food expenses, local transport costs, attraction tickets, shopping expenditures, and miscellaneous expenses.

Accommodation Costs

• For 14 nights in Japan across five hotels, the total accommodation cost was $730 for two people (approximately $26 per person per night). The preferred hotel style balances affordability with convenience rather than luxury or hostel options.

Food Expenses

• Total food expenditure amounted to $415 for two people. The focus was on street food and local restaurants rather than fine dining; despite this approach, they enjoyed a wide variety of delicious meals throughout their stay.

Transportation Insights

• Local transportation costs totaled $395 without using taxis due to high prices. Instead, they relied heavily on Japan's efficient train system; most of this budget went towards Shinkansen rides between cities.

• While Shinkansen offers an expensive yet unique experience (with one ride costing $185), there are cheaper local train options available for those on tighter budgets.

Attraction Tickets and Shopping Expenses

• Attraction tickets cost around $345 total; significant spending occurred at Disneyland. Many tourist sites like temples are free to visit which helps manage costs effectively.

• Shopping expenses reached $385 combined for souvenirs and personal items. Limited space while traveling kept their shopping budget lower despite Japan being known as a shopping paradise.

Miscellaneous Costs and Overall Trip Budget

• Miscellaneous expenses such as laundry and SIM cards added up to approximately $150.