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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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Are you looking for a fun activity to do while in Osaka? Why not book a Japanese cooking class hosted by a local using AirKitchen.me. For more ideas, check out my list of top 30+ activities to do when in Osaka!

First off, let me apologize for being MIA for the last couple of months. I’ve been meaning to finish off my long list of blog posts but never seemed to have the time to do so. Recently, I’m feeling a little bit more motivated in keeping up with my blog work. So here’s to hoping that I get my usual rhythm back soon!

For today, let me share with you our Airbnb experience in Osaka. One of my goals for this blog is to tell stories of real traveler experiences, and that includes reviews and recommendations of tour providers and accommodations. Whenever my family and I travel, Airbnb is our default choice of accommodation. We prefer taking advantage of the extra space, kitchen amenities, and the feeling of living like a ‘local’.

So naturally, on our most recent visit to one of our favorite cities in the world, we automatically turned to Airbnb for apartment options. I was a little concerned at first that we would not be able to find that many choices since Japan enforced stricter regulations for apartments and B&B rentals. Sometime last year (2018), Airbnb removed 80% of their Japan apartment listings to comply with the new regulation and hundreds of tourists were left scrambling to find new accommodations. If your trip is still a few months away, you can still easily find a suitable hotel or apartment that would fit your requirements. But if your trip starts tomorrow? Good luck with finding a good and reasonably priced hotel.

Gamo 4-Chome Intersection (Subway Station)

Fortunately, we found an apartment that not only fits our housing requirements but is also a registered rental. It is a three-story apartment in the Joto Ward, a little outside the main business and entertainment area of Osaka.

We arrived at Kansai International Airport around 7:00 PM local time and was supposed to meet our host Yoko at the Kyobashi Station around 9:30 PM but because of my visa-related woes, we were delayed for about 2 hours at the airport. When I was finally allowed in with my “Special Landing Permission” visa, my family rushed over to the train ticket office and bought tickets for the next train going to Kyobashi Station. Fortunately for us, the Kansai Airport Rapid Service goes straight to Kyobashi Station (with a few stops along the way), which meant we could rest while en route. The train ride is about an hour and 10 minutes.

We arrived at the Kyobashi Station past 11:00 PM and instead of meeting Yoko outside the station, she sent me instead of a photo collage of the directions going to the apartment. It was too blurry for me to use but fortunately, Kyobashi Station has free wifi access so, after a quick search on Google Maps, we were finally on our way to the apartment.

According to the listing, it should be about a 10-minute walk but it took us twice the time to get there, probably because we were already tired and hungry. We finally made it to the apartment and met Yoko. She briefly showed us the apartment then had to leave immediately to catch the last train.

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Facade of the apartment

Beautiful flowers in front of a home

Self-service laundry in the area

MY RATING

Location: (4/5)

If it is your first time in Osaka and your itinerary is jam-packed, you’ll probably find this apartment a little inconvenient location-wise. It is 7-8 stations away from Shinsaibashi, which is where most of the tourist action is. Honestly, it’s not that bad. The apartment is located in between (within a 10-minute walk) two train stations. The Osaka Metro Imazatosuji Line from the Gamo 4-Chome Station on the east side and the JR Osaka Loop Line/JR Kyobashi and Keihan Kyobashi on the west side allow easy access to major tourist spots in the city. The Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line passes by both Gamo 4-Chome and Kyobashi as well, and this train can take you directly to Shinsaibashi. It is also a convenient starting point if you want to take a day trip to Nara or Kyoto from Osaka.

You’ll pass by several convenience stores when coming from either the JR or subway station and several small restaurants are in the vicinity of the apartment. There’s also Edion Kyobashi, a big grocery store halfway through the apartment and Kyobashi Station, which has a great selection of hot and ready-to-eat food items.

Kyobashi Station is also well-known among locals as an after-work hot spot. The narrow alleys surrounding the station are lined up with izakayas, sushi restaurants, and bars. Occasionally, you’ll find a local performer singing or playing an instrument on the street. Located above the station is the Keihan Mall for your usual shopping needs. And just south of the station is Osaka’s must-see tourist spot, the Osaka Castle Park. So really, just the Kyobashi Station alone is worth visiting.

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Airport Express going to Kyobashi Station

Quiet neighborhood

Cleanliness: (5/5)

As expected, the whole apartment upholds the Japanese standard of tidiness. It is super clean and well-maintained! And because we are in a country where they take the segregation of garbage and recycling seriously, it is only right that we follow their systematic approach (and maybe try to adapt this in our own homes) when it comes to garbage disposal. Yoko left intructions as to what to do and where to put our plastic bottles, etc.

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Second-floor bath

Third-floor toilet

Stairs to the Ground Floor

Amenities: (5/5)

The apartment is equipped with all basic amenities, plus some more. Toiletries and towels are provided. The kitchen has everything you need, but we did not get to use any of that except for the electric kettle. Why would you want to cook when there’s yummy and very affordable Japanese food at every corner? The only thing missing is an electric dryer for when you want to wash your clothes. It’s not something that we needed, but it’s convenient to have especially when you are staying for more than a week. Since the apartment is in a residential area, there’s a laundromat a couple of blocks away. So that makes it an option too!

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Living Room

Dining and Kitchen

Family-Friendly: (4/5)

I’m knocking off a point for accessibility. The stairs were too narrow and it can be challenging to haul your luggage up the stairs. We ended up leaving our luggage on the second floor, even though our bedrooms were on the third floor. But honestly, it is to be expected that a Japanese home is on the smaller side and it makes sense that this apartment was built with a narrow staircase to save space. To be fair, the house is larger than the standard Japanese housing and there is ample space for a big group.

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Vending Machines are in every corner of Japan and it’s not limited to just beverages. Some machines dispense ice cream, hot meals, snacks, and even secret packages that contain random items.

Alcoholic drinks like beers are also commonly sold at vending machines and more or less the same price if you buy it from a convenience store. If you are wondering if there is an ID check, there is! A driver’s license is inserted to verify the buyer’s age. Some people who have tried it though said that the ID verification doesn’t always work on some machines.

Airbnb Host: (5/5)

Yoko is very nice and accommodating. It was easy to communicate and message her whenever we have a question. She also lent us a pocket wifi that we can bring with us when we’re out. She’s the best!

Value for Money: (5/5)

My family and I love the Dotonbori/Shinsaibashi area and it may have been wise for us to just stay in that area considering that we all wanted to eat out, shop, and stroll at night. But again, we wanted all the comforts of living in a home and this apartment fits our requirements. It is a three-bedroom house with 2.5 baths so for 5 adults and a pre-schooler, it was just the perfect size. The rates were very reasonable too. All the other Airbnbs we had considered were almost double the rates per night.

Overall Experience: (5/5)

We had a pleasant experience at this Airbnb and would consider booking it in the future, especially if we plan on taking a day trip outside Osaka. Its close proximity to a JR line and a subway station made it very easy for us to explore the city. We had everything that we needed and were very comfortable during our 6-day stay.

Earlier on I’ve mentioned that Japan imposed stricter regulations and required Airbnb rentals to register their unit with the local government. Although Airbnb has been diligently removing all unauthorized rentals in their platform, it’s still wise to verify that you are renting from an authorized host or else you could end up without accommodation. We all know that last-minute reservations are very expensive, so why take that risk and ruin your vacation? To know whether the rental that you are interested in is compliant, check if their listing has their license or registration number. It is important that you book from a registered host to protect yourself as a guest in the event that there’s a dispute or problem with your reservation. Registered Airbnbs are required by the local government to request a copy of your passport and record your basic information, so don’t be surprised if your host asks for this information!

Have you ever used Airbnb before? Get $25 off your first Airbnb rental by clicking here.

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Osaka Airbnb Review: Joto-ku Apartment 3bd/2.5ba This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Disclaimer. Booking.com Are you looking for a fun activity to do while in Osaka?

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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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Yup. I named my kid Arya. She’ll probably grow up sharing her name with at least one or two of her classmates in school. 😂 I will never regret it though because just like her namesake fictional character, she’s a spunky little kid. But before she starts wielding her sword, she’ll have to put up being mama’s baby girl and my neophyte bento-making skills. Thanks @stickybusinessmnl for creating this #aryastark stickies for her Yumbox. And the unicorn is oh so pretty too! #yumbox #yumboxpanino #yumboxminisnack #gameofthrones #bentobox #yumboxph #yumboxguam #preschooler #brightbrandsph https://www.instagram.com/p/B1u3EIUggMJ/?igshid=vpgjz3muvyhy

#aryastark #yumbox #yumboxpanino #yumboxminisnack #gameofthrones #bentobox #yumboxph #yumboxguam #preschooler #brightbrandsph

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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Disclaimer. Kgbinwanderland.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My family and I took a mini trip to Osaka, Japan last May and one of our usual shopping stop for cute souvenir and stationery items is Daiso. Now, we do have local Daiso shops in the Philippines, which I also frequent, but Daiso stores in their motherland are so much bigger, carry more products, and are actually cheaper.

My most favorite Daiso find for this trip is these 3D paper puzzles! For only a dollar each, there are different variations that you can build. I’ve been thinking about picking up a new hobby, and building a miniature dollhouse sounds like my kind of fun. So when I saw these paper puzzles, I knew that I had to buy them and try. These were, of course, a beginner level puzzle. Actually, not even. Kids would have a blast building and playing with this as it is so easy and quick to build.

There are two brands of these 3D paper puzzles at Daiso. These were the ones that came in plastic packaging and are stand-alone retail shops:

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Flower Shop

Food Truck

Pastry Shop

And these were the ones that came in box packaging:

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Home Kitchen

Bedroom

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Fashion Boutique

Coffee Shop

The instructions on how to build are just a tiny bit different from each other, but basically, you just match the flap to the corresponding hole number. It’s very easy to build and each set can be finished in less than 10 minutes. The board is thick enough to hold its position, but a little care should still be given when handling so as not to tear the paper or bend it. It may be best to use a crafting glue to hold the pieces in place.

The ones that came in a box has a wall partition to each room and can be stacked on top of each other to create a dollhouse.

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Assembling a Food Truck

Stacking the Rooms

These were the only variations that I saw in Daiso and you bet that I purchased them all. There are actually quite a few 3D Paper Puzzles that you can buy online ranging from beginner to expert levels. Here are some beginner level puzzles if you want to try it out:

1. Ice Cream Truck

2. Cityscape

3. Eiffel Tower

4. Magic Windmill Dollhouse

And here are some that have been on my wishlist for a while and more of an expert/hobbyist level:

1. Harry Potter Weasley Family Home

2. Simon’s Coffee

3. Dora’s Loft

4. Greenhouse

5. Library

6. Paris Coffee & Cake Shop

7. Nordic Cottage

8. Cake Shop

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3D Paper Puzzles from Daiso (And Where to Buy Them Online) This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Disclaimer. Kgbinwanderland.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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One of my favorite activities during our visit to Montreal was a morning spent enjoying the beautiful fall weather at the Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique). Holding the recognition as a National Historic Site of Canada, its sprawling 75 hectares of lush gardens and greenhouses are one of the best in the world. It currently boasts of over 20,000 plant species, over 20 gardens, and 10 greenhouses.

Our itinerary was supposed to be a visit to the Botanical Garden then the Montreal Biodome, however, we found out that the Biodome was closed for major renovations until December 2019. So I guess we’ll just have to settle for a view of the Biodome.

A view of the Montreal Biodome from the garden.

Montreal Botanical Garden

Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, QC H1X 2B2, Canada Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Some seasonal exhibits like the Gardens of Light are open from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM How to get there: Take the Subway or Bus to Pie-IX Station. There is a parking lot in front of the entrance and ticket booth facing the Biodome. Website: Montreal Botanical Garden

Suggested Montreal City Tours: Montreal City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Montreal City Guided Sightseeing Tour Montreal Attraction Pass

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From the Molson Reception Centre, we took a right and first found ourselves inside the Tropical Rainforests and Food Plants Greenhouse. Growing up (and living) in a tropical country, we recognized a lot of the plants and fruit trees in the greenhouse. It was interesting to see all the different fruits, vegetables, and spices, that provide sustenance daily in our lives all in one place. It is a great way to educate people, especially the younger ones, about where certain plant foods are from and how it is cultivated.

I am especially fascinated with the spices that were on display: Cardamom, Star Anise, Vanilla, Allspice, Black Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Mace. I regularly use all these spices with my cooking, it’s interesting to see the plants that produce these spices.

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Cardamom

Star Anise

Allspice

Nutmeg and Mace

Our next stop is the Orchids and Aroids Greenhouse. Now, while working on this post, I tried to find the names of the orchids pictured below so I can label it properly. There are apps that could identify the plant for you based on your photo. But if the image is not clear enough, there is a chance that it would not be able to identify the plants correctly, especially since some species have different varieties. I choose not to name it, to prevent misinformation since I’m obviously not an expert. Feel free to look it up though if you’re interested to know!

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My late mother would have loved to see these blooming orchids. Over the years, she has tried but failed numerous times to grow and maintain beautifully bloomed orchids. I always think of her whenever I see orchids.

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The last area in this part of the Main Exhibition Greenhouse is the Ferns Greenhouse. It’s green everywhere! On display were different specimens of fern plants, most are commonly found in tropical climates. There’s actually a few on the exhibit that are considered rare and possibly close to extinction in their natural habitat.

A pumpkin snuggled within the fern plants.

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Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse

Blue Ginger (Dichorisandra Thyrsiflora)

Waterfall inside the Ferns Greenhouse

Also fascinating was the Arid Regions Greenhouse. It was my first time to see full-grown and large succulents. It is a fast becoming trend to grow mini succulent plants. Not only is it beautiful to look at, growing it doesn’t really require much attention.

Another beautiful greenhouse is the Garden of Weedlessness featuring a small pond and a collection of penjings, the Chinese version of bonsai. Contrary to popular belief, penjing or bonsai is not a dwarf tree. It could actually grow tall and big in the wild. It is the care, art, and style of the bonsai grower that keeps it short, shaped, and aesthetically pleasing to look at.

The greenhouse was conceptualized upon receiving a donation of miniature trees from a Hong Kong bonsai expert, Mr. Wu Yee-Sun. It was interesting to learn that it was actually the Chinese who developed the art of growing miniature trees and was only adapted and popularized by the Japanese. I’ve always thought that all miniature trees are called bonsai. It takes a certain discipline and lots of care and attention to master the art of growing penjings and bonsai.

The Japanese Garden also has some bonsais on display during the months of May through December.

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Arid Regions Greenhouse

Garden of Weedlessness

The Montreal Botanical Garden hosted The Great Pumpkin Ball, a pumpkin decorating exhibition and I was absolutely in awe with the participants’ artistic skills and talent!

We had loads of fun admiring the wonderful artistic creations. Esmeralda, the good witch, was there to welcome the visiting children and adults with some stories and surprises!

This is definitely one of my daughter’s favorite parts of the visit. Here are some of my favorite pumpkins that were on display:

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The outdoor playground also was also aptly decorated in time for Halloween! The Little Monsters Courtyard has a mini obstacle course where kids and their parents can play out in the sun.

From the Main Exhibition Greenhouse and the courtyard, we made our way to the Chinese Garden. You will first pass by the Entrance Courtyard and can cross over the bridge to the Friendship Hall and Springtime Courtyard. The Chinese Garden is home to over 300 species of plants and trees.

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Featuring traditional Chinese architecture, walking through this garden will make you will like you’re in a time-period movie or the gardens of the Emperor Palace. The Dream Lake Garden was just picture perfect! The Montreal Botanical Garden collaborated with the city of Shanghai to design and create this lush oasis.

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Did I mention that we were there on the most perfect fall day you could imagine?! No filters needed on any of these photos. I loved seeing the bright colors of fall scattered throughout this garden! If you are visiting Montreal in September or October, schedule your visit to the Montreal Botanical Garden in the late afternoon so you can also experience the Gardens of Light event.

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Our next stop was the neighboring Japanese Garden, equally picturesque and beautiful! There is a certain feeling of serenity as you admire the beautiful and carefully curated landscape. Several bonsai trees are also grown in the garden, some are over a hundred years old!

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Like the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden also has a small pond where you can watch several Koi fishes and enjoy the scenery.

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I seriously underestimated the size of the Montreal Botanical Garden and looking back, we were only able to see about a quarter of the garden. It was still okay though because we did manage to see the highlights, most especially the big greenhouse exhibition halls. I also wished that I had known about the Gardens of Light Festival and had scheduled instead an afternoon to early night visit. Nevertheless, we had an amazing time exploring the gardens and admiring the beautiful fall colors. I think we spent about four hours exploring the area, but if you’re visiting during the summer, maybe add a couple more hours to fully enjoy your time in the garden. This is by far the largest and most beautiful botanical garden I have ever seen in my life! I absolutely recommend including the Montreal Botanical Garden in your itinerary during your visit to the city. I for sure would like to go back when I have the chance again.

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Check out my other posts about our Toronto, Quebec City, and Montreal Road Trip below:

Day 1: The Toronto Islands | CN Tower Experience Day 2: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada | Must-See Sights in Downtown Toronto for First-Time Visitors Day 3: Niagara Falls, Canada: Hornblower Cruise, Table Rock Centre and Outlet Collection Day 4: Royal Ontario Museum | Kensington Market and Chinatown | Toronto’s Graffiti Alley Day 6: Old Quebec Town Day 7: Montmorency Falls | Musee de la Civilization Day 10: Mont-Royal Parc

Toronto Airbnb Review: Richmond Hill Townhouse Quebec City/Levis Airbnb Review: Beautiful House by the Chaudiere River Montreal Airbnb: Luxury Home in a Quiet Area

Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal Itinerary

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A Lovely Fall Day at the Montreal Botanical Garden This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Disclaimer. Booking.com One of my favorite activities during our visit to Montreal was a morning spent enjoying the beautiful fall weather at the…

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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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We recently needed to stay at a hotel in Guam for a few days and being budget-conscious, we looked at several less than $100 hotel options in the area. Unfortunately, we needed it at a time when there was a rush of tourists coming into Guam, and most of the hotels that I was looking at weeks before were all of a sudden fully booked. There were very few options left, and we were forced to split our booking to one night at the Days Inn Guam and three nights at the Royal Orchid Hotel. Here’s my review of the Royal Orchid Hotel in Guam.

Hotel Front Desk is located on the Second Floor of the Building

Location: (4.5/5)

Although the Royal Orchid Hotel is located in the less busy part of Tumon, it is still in an ideal location. Beach access is just across the street, Kmart is within a 10-minute walking distance, and there’s an ABC store a few steps away. The best part is that there are plenty of decent restaurant options in the area. The hotel itself has Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa in the building. There’s also Jamaican Grill, Shogun (teppanyaki), Thunder Chicken, Von’s Chicken, Beachin’ Shrimp, Hokkaido Ramen House, plus a few karaoke and night bars within the vicinity. The hotel is also just across the street to Pacific Islands Club, Guam’s largest waterpark.

Also, another advantage location-wise is that the free shopping shuttle service and the Red Guahan Trolley both have a stop at this hotel going to the direction of Tumon Sands Plaza and DFS-Galleria. Across the street is the bus stop going to Guam Premier Outlets, a popular outlet mall in Guam that houses brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and the big discount chain, Ross Dress for Less.

Double Room with Oceanview

View from the room

The double doors on the right side lead to the bathroom and walk-in closet

Microwave, Flat Screen TV and Mini Refrigerator

Room: (3.5/5)

We were given an Oceanview room on the 5th floor, which was a nice surprise because I knew that I only booked a Cityview Room. We, however, couldn’t fully enjoy the view because it seemed that it has been years since they last cleaned the outside of the windows.

The room is very spacious and could easily accommodate up to four guests. The room furniture and fixtures are a little outdated but still functional. The bathroom has a walk-in closet, a toilet with a sliding door partition, a big bathtub and a separate shower area. Just like the room, it could use a bit of facelift.

Like Days Inn Guam, the room is equipped with the most basic amenities. The toiletries provided were shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and a dental hygiene kit. A plus point in my book is the availability of microwave inside the room, apart from the usual electronic kettle and mini-refrigerator. There are also two complimentary bottles of water and instant coffee and tea.

The TV has cable but very few channels and the ones that broadcast English shows go on a loop every few minutes. There’s nothing interesting enough to watch, I couldn’t even use my Chromecast because of the poor internet connection.

Hotel Facilities: (2.5/5)

My main complaint was the hotel’s slow and unreliable wifi connection. In this day and age where guests expect high-speed internet connection, it was disappointing to find a hotel who couldn’t provide this service. I was hoping to catch up on my blogging work but could only do tasks that do not rely heavily on internet connection. We were given a wifi password upon check in to connect to their network which proved to be hard. I couldn’t even get to the login page and on the few instances that I was able to, the slow connection only lasted for a few minutes and then I get disconnected again. By the second night, I had already given up and would just connect to my husband’s data. On our last night when we did our laundry and had to use the dryer on the 7th floor (Executive Floor), we were not only able to connect to the network with ease, it was also fast! What’s up with that, Royal Orchid? Was that intentional?

There is a laundry room located on the 6th floor. We used the washer for $2 but the dryers were out of order. We were told that we can use the dryers on the 7th floor, and it turned out that the laundry machines were free on that floor. Both laundry rooms look like it hasn’t been cleaned for a while and well, it felt creepy to stay and wait for our laundry at the very end of the hallway. I wish they had installed a couple of washers and dryers on each floor instead to make it accessible for all hotel guests.

There is also a swimming pool and a fitness gym on the 6th floor. And just like everything else in the hotel, both could use a little renovation and upgrade.

Service (3/5)

My only interaction with their staff is during check-in/check-out and once with their housekeeping staff, and they were all forgettable. Nothing special or extraordinary, just simple courteous interaction with their staff.

There’s no other way to say this, but the hotel’s public areas especially the hallways, felt and looked dirty. It seems that the carpeting hasn’t been vacuumed for months and you can literally dust bunnies forming on the sides. The feeling though may also have something to do with the very dark lighting in the hallways and the chipped and fading paint on the walls.

Our room was cleaned only once during our 3-night stay. On the first day, housekeeping knocked at 9:00 AM while we were sleeping and since we don’t want to go out yet, we were asked to sign a piece of paper stating that we don’t want our room cleaned. Shouldn’t they just come back at a later time? The second day nobody came at all. On the third day, someone did clean our room. Garbage was disposed of, towels were re-arranged and probably a little sweeping was done. But any other obvious trash that was on the tables were left untouched.

Royal Gift Mart at the Ground Floor of the Building

Value for Money: (4/5)

Given the location, quality of the rooms and the overall experience, I’d say that their rates are just about right. You shouldn’t expect anything fancy at all, just a basic room with basic amenities for a quick stay on the island.

Overall Experience: (3/5)

I am honestly at a loss why the management of Royal Orchid Hotel Guam, who’s got so much potential in drawing guests and revenue, would let their service and facilities deteriorate over time. It may not be beach-front but the location is still a convenient home base for tourists and that alone is a huge advantage. They are either short-staffed, no supervisor or manager to check for quality or they just didn’t care at all.

The interiors of the building look run-down. The hallways are dusty and dirty, especially near the fire exit. The Executive Floor doesn’t look any better. I can only hope that the guests who paid extra to get an Executive Room at least had better condition rooms, extra amenities, attentive service, and fast wifi.

The only plus point in staying at this hotel is its location, and maybe the view. Had they placed us in a Cityview room, which was my actual reservation, I would be even more disappointed with this hotel choice. For the same rates, I am much happier with Days Inn by Wyndham. The lack of a good internet connection is one of my biggest drivers on why I would not choose to stay here again.

I get the saying “You get what you pay for” but do they seriously not make any effort at all? Are the owners and management of Royal Orchid Hotel Guam satisfied and contented with giving out cheap rates and mediocre over-all experience to match? They need major renovations and upgrading asap!

My recommendation is that if you can spare a little bit more for accommodations, you are better off choosing another hotel that’s in Tumon or if you really want to stay on a budget, might as well book a night at Days Inn Hotel by Wyndham and take advantage of their free shuttle service or rent a car during your stay. To be fair though, the rooms at the Royal Orchid Hotel Guam don’t look that bad nor was it dirty. It’s as expected given the location and the rate we paid for. But it could use a facelift to make it more pleasing to the eyes. I wouldn’t mind staying here for a few days as long as I don’t spend the majority of my time inside the room and will only use it to rest and sleep.

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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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My husband and I recently stayed for one night at the Days Inn by Wyndham Guam. This hotel caters to budget-conscious travelers, with room rates starting at $79 during off-peak season. Here’s my review of the hotel and why you should consider Days Inn on your next trip to Guam.

Location: (3/5)

If you’re looking for a beach-front property, let me tell you straight out that Days Inn is not for you. It is in a central location, right in the heart of Tamuning on Ypao Road but on a side road without direct access to public transportation. I do not recommend walking from this hotel to the beach because the road going down is pretty steep, narrow and unsafe for pedestrians. Walking to Guam Premier Outlet or GPO, on the other hand, is certainly doable but still not my recommended option. Guam is a relatively safe place to visit but do practice caution especially at night. If you are renting a car, which a lot of tourists prefer to do, the location will not be a big deal because it is literally a less than 5-minute drive to the beach and GPO.

To compensate for their less than ideal location, Days Inn provides a scheduled free shuttle service to its guests with drop-off and pick-up points at the beach, Guam Premier Outlets, The Plaza Shopping Center and Kmart. They also offer airport shuttle service for a fee.

There is also a local convenience store just across the street, and a short walk to the main road is a gas station and a few fast-food joints.

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Room: (4/5)

We booked a Queen Room but was upgraded to a King Room upon check-in. The room was very spacious and clean. So clean that I could still smell the freshly-wiped floors when I entered. Rooms also have their own private balcony and although we did not get to enjoy it because of the bad weather, it was still a plus point. I think pretty much all of the rooms are the same size, the only difference is the bed configuration.

The room itself looks like it has been recently renovated and is actually quite nice. Part of the ceiling molding was missing but it didn’t affect the overall aesthetic of the room. A downside though is I could not find any other electric outlet aside from the one in the TV area. I wish they had installed a charging outlet by the bedside table.

The only thing that looks a little outdated is the bathroom. The fixtures could use an upgrade especially the shower. The shower head holder is broken so I couldn’t position it right in the middle. Either you have to hold the showerhead or just be really patient in trying to get the correct angle. The shower area didn’t have a door, only a half glass partition. So it’s either you open the bathroom door all the way when you shower, which meant that the wooden door would get wet, or close it and the whole bathroom will be wet. I didn’t see any bath mat that I can use even though it was listed in the standard towel provisions of the room. The anti-slip mat inside the shower area also needs a bit of a scrub, or maybe a replacement.

One of the things that I like about the room is that the airconditioning is not centralized. Each room has its own split-type air conditioner unit. This meant that you don’t have to worry about the room being too cold or not cold enough. You have full control.

There is a door threshold that’s slightly higher than normal and not slanted which you need to take note of when entering and going out of the room to avoid tripping on the floor.

Amenities: (4/5)

The room is fitted with the usual hotel amenities but with an added bonus — a microwave! There is also a mini-refrigerator, an electric kettle, coffee and drinking glasses and 2 complimentary bottles of water. If you need eating utensils, the front desk can give you disposable ones.

The toiletries provided are very basic, just shampoo, lotion and soap. This wasn’t a big deal to me since I usually bring my own. To those who forgot to bring theirs, sundries can be purchased at the front desk or you may buy it at a convenience store. Towels are also provided and there’s also a hairdryer, iron and ironing board in the room.

Hotel Facilities: (4/5)

The hotel is courtyard-style and the ground floor has the reception area, laundry room, vending machines and the hotel’s restaurant. Guests can also park their car in the inner courtyard. Since we were placed in a corner room, we were not bothered at all with any outside noise. There is an ice machine on the second floor.

There’s free WIFI all over the hotel that’s decent speed for regular browsing but not for downloading. The hotel doesn’t have a pool but you can use the pool at their sister hotel Wyndham Garden that’s a couple of blocks away.

The hotel public areas could use a bit of cleaning and sweeping though.

Service (5/5)

Just as I expected, the hotel’s service was awesome. That’s one of the things I love about Guam. Everywhere you go, people are nice and very welcoming. The two reception agents who I interacted with are friendly. I arrived at the hotel before check-in time and my room was understandably not yet available. I stayed at the lobby, enjoying the free internet access while they tried to make sure that my room is cleaned and ready. They checked me in at exactly 3:00 PM, fuss-free!

Value for Money: (5/5)

Their rates are very reasonable and are attractive to budget travelers. Although not being in a more accessible location is a negative point for some, I think they have provided enough options and added convenience to their guests to compensate.

Overall Experience: (5/5)

We were very pleased with our recent stay at the Days Inn by Wyndham Guam and would definitely keep it on my list of preferred hotels. The location may not be ideal for most tourists, but if you don’t mind and will be renting a car anyway to go around Guam, then definitely consider staying here instead.

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kgbinwanderland · 5 years ago

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What’s a trip to Osaka without splurging a little on shopping? One of the best things about shopping in Japan is that there is something for every budget and every need. There are so many interesting finds that just browsing through is usually an activity on its own for tourists. Today, I’m sharing my Osaka Shopping Haul (with price information) for you! The last time I did a shopping haul was during our trip to Seoul and found it to be quite a popular post.

DAISO

Daiso is my absolute favorite dollar store. Even when I’m at home in Manila, I tend to stop by Daiso whenever I can. I love how the items are of good quality and don’t look cheap. They also carry a lot of character products like Hello Kitty, My Melody, Disney Princesses, and even Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Most items are sold at ￥100 + 8% tax (￥108) unless otherwise indicated.

You can find a lot of storage baskets, arts and crafts, kitchen accessories and even home improvement tools in Daiso. Things you never thought you need, when you see it in Daiso, you’ll suddenly realize why you never have it in your life. I like Daiso stores in Japan and Korea because they are much bigger, hence they carry more items.

CAN★DO, SERIA AND 3COINS

Can★Do and Seria are dollar stores that are also quite popular in Japan. They pretty much carry the same stuff that you can find at Daiso. We chanced upon the Can★Do Discount store at the top floor of the Bic Camera building in Namba, the same floor where they sell discounted Bic Camera products. Similar in concept is 3coins where the minimum price for items is at ￥300 + 8% tax and carry a different mix of higher quality goods.

DON QUIJOTE

Don Quijote is the ultimate one-stop discount store. Here you’ll find absolutely anything you need. I once bought a chef’s knife in Don Quijote that I have been using every day for years now but still as sharp as when I first unboxed it. And if you are a chocolate or more specifically, a KitKat-lover, you’ll find every imaginable flavor in Don Quijote. They also have a wide selection of Japanese skincare and beauty products and some branches even carry a selection of discounted luxury brand items. What’s great about Don Quijote is that they offer tax-free shopping for tourists as long as your purchases are worth ￥5,000 or more. We usually stop by Don Quijote for souvenir shopping because it’s just more convenient since most of their stores close really late or are open 24 hours.

BIC CAMERA

You can tell by now that the Japanese like their stores to be a one-stop-shop for everything. Bic Camera is no different but what sets it apart is the great selection of home furnishings and appliances. And they usually have some sort of discount or promotion going on, this is on top of the tax-free shopping. My sister and I once scored two Nespresso machines for only ￥11,000 (there was a buy 1 take 1 promo at that time), that we still use today. Imagine, that’s only like $51 for each Nespresso Machine!

JAPANESE PHARMACIES AND DRUGSTORES

Pharmacies and drugstores are a great place to search and buy medicine, and beauty and skincare products. Two of the most popular drugstores are Daikoku Drug and Matsumoto Kiyoshi which have branches all over Japan. They have a wide range of beauty products and are at times cheaper than anywhere else.

TAX-FREE SHOPPING

Just a few notes about tax-free shopping for foreigners in Japan. Large retailers, department stores and now even small shops offer tax-free shopping to foreigners who are temporarily staying in Japan (less than 6 months). They may claim a refund of their 8% sales/consumption tax for purchases of over ￥5,000 (excluding tax). Your purchases are divided into two categories: general goods and consumables. You cannot combine both types of purchases to claim the tax exemption. Instead, your general goods and consumables would both have to meet the minimum purchase required of ￥5,000 in order to be tax-free. Starting October 1, 2019, the consumption tax will increase to 10%.

Compared to other countries wherein you’ll have to claim the tax refund at the airport, Japan had made the process simpler by letting the stores apply the tax refund during purchase. But whether it will be processed during payment or at a separate tax counter will depend on the store’s policy. In Bic Camera and Uniqlo, your sales tax will be deducted right away at the counter when you pay for the goods. You’ll have to go to their designated tax-free cashier in order to get this done. In Don Quijote, you’ll have to pay the total purchase plus tax, then go to their tax counter to get your money back. In all scenarios, you’ll have to present your passport (not just a photocopy), so they can verify your entry stamp to Japan and they will staple a document called Record of Purchase. No passport, no tax-free shopping. It’s that simple. You have to claim it on the same day you made the purchase. Your Record of Purchase will need to be surrendered when you get to the airport before you fly out of Japan. The tax counter is behind the security and baggage check. The process is pretty simple, just present your passport to the customs officer and he or she will detach the receipts from your passport and place it in a filing basket. Then you’re good to go!

In certain cases, especially if you’ve made luxury purchases, you may need to show the items to the customs officer upon departure. Some say that it’s not necessary but I’ve seen first-hand a couple of travelers who were asked to show their goods so better carry your tax-free purchases in your hand luggage. There are, of course, certain cases when it’s not possible for you to carry them all (liquid or weight restrictions) in your hand luggage. Just be prepared to explain to the customs officer that you have packed it in in your checked baggage and for what purpose did you buy the goods.

Discount or 100 Yen stores generally do not offer tax-free shopping. Stores that do offer tax-free shopping will have signage that says Japan Tax-free Shop.

My Osaka Japan Shopping Haul

1. Pastry Shop, Food Truck and Flower Shop 3D Paper Puzzle

I saw these little cute 3D Paper Puzzle (￥108) when I stumbled upon the arts and crafts section of Daiso. My daughter is still too young to build it herself but she did help me take out the parts and afterward, she played with the little town that we built for a while before moving on to her much sturdier toys.

It’s very easy to assemble, the end of each piece is numbered so you know which end goes where. I especially liked the food truck, it’s so cute! You can buy similar or even more intricate 3D paper/wooden puzzles online. This is a perfect gift for crafters! Check my recommendations below

Buy online: Hands Craft Coffee Shop | WYD Chocolate Shop | WYD Japanese Sushi House

2. Clothes Shop, Kitchen, Cafe and Bedroom 3D Paper Puzzle

Also from Daiso, these are pretty much the same 3D Paper Puzzle (￥108) like the ones above, the only difference is the packaging. This came in a box with a separate sheet for the instructions. If I remember correctly, there are a few more variants but these were the only ones available at that time. I saw online a Traditional Japanese home puzzle which I would love to add to this little 3D puzzle town collection!

I’ll be posting photos of the assembled 3D Paper Puzzles soon, so be sure to come back and check that out!

Buy online: GoldFlower 3D Puzzle | AmazaToys Make Your Own Dollhouse For advanced builders, you may be interested in these Rolife 3D Wooden Miniature Dollhouse Rooms.

3. Coloring Books

Also in the arts and crafts section of Daiso are these Coloring Books (￥108). My little girl loves to color so I tend to pick up a bunch of coloring books whenever I can. These are also the perfect travel activity for your globe-trotting tots! And for just about a dollar each, these are a really great bargain!

Buy online: Super Sweet Coloring Book | Unicorn Activity Book | Melissa and Dough On the Go Coloring Pad and On the Go Magicolor

4. Other Discount Store Finds

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Even if you’re not a fan, you’re bound to pick up a Hello Kitty item when in Japan. There is a Sanrio store in the middle of the Shinsaibashi shopping strip for the ultimate Hello Kitty fans but for bargain hunters, 100 Yen stores are the perfect place to hoard on Sanrio items! My Hello Kitty haul is a Whiteboard (+ marker), a lunch bag, a small accessories pouch, an earphone case, a small bowl and three of those plastic food wrappers which I initially thought were stickers. All of these costs ￥108 each and can be found either in Daiso or Can★Do. I bought these stuff for my daughter and some were given as prizes during her birthday party!

3Coins is another discount store that’s popular in Japan but instead of everything priced at ￥100, the minimum price of its products is at ￥300, hence the name 3 coins. It’s still obviously a good deal as some of the items that they sell are more stylish than the ones from 100 Yen stores. I picked up a Canvas Tote bag that was on sale and for only ￥150. It’s simple and easy to stuff my things when I’m running my errands.

Buy online: Hello Kitty Makeup Bag | Hello Kitty Finex Meal Set | Andes Canvas Tote Bag

5. Kids Lunch Box and Eating Utensils

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Sanrio is not the only trademarked items that you’ll find inside Daiso. They also carry some Sesame Street items like this lunch/food containers. I also picked up a small Sanrio drinking cup and a cutlery set, which is perfect for traveling with kids. I got an earphone case for me and my sister. It’s big enough to hold not only my earphone adapter but my trusty iPod shuffle as well. And since I always carry a pack of baby wipes with all the time, why not make it even cuter with this Elmo wet wipe lid. Except for the cutlery set which costs ￥162, everything else was at ￥108 each.

Buy online: Elmo Backpack and Lunch Box Set | Cookie Monster Bento Box | Toddler Utensils Set | Hello Kitty Dolopow Earphone Case

6. Assorted Snacks, Candies and Chocolates

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Mentos Choco Caramel (￥108 for 2)

Hello Kitty Candies (￥148)

Sakupan (￥88)

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Butter Cookies (￥108), Morinaga’s Milk Caramel (￥300), Jagabee Potato Fries (￥198) and Marie Biscuits (￥178)

Alfort Choco Biscuit (￥78), Alfort Black (￥78) and Bourbon Milk Chocolate (￥78)

Chocolate Mint Mochi (￥198) and Look2 Chocolate Mint (￥98)

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Meiji Best 3 (￥198)

Black Thunder Choco Bar (￥258)

Chocolat (￥188)

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Heart marshmallows (￥108)

Rice Crackers (￥108 for 4 packs)

I tend to pick up a lot of Japanese snacks and candies as we go around Japan. There’s just so many that I want to try and they are pretty cheap. It’s also great to stock up on these treats and get them as souvenirs.

7. Meltykiss Green Tea and Dark Chocolate

Meltykiss is like a cheap alternative to Royce’ Nama Chocolate. But if you know Japanese products, cheap products don’t necessarily equate to low quality. A box of Royce’s Nama Chocolate costs ￥720. And these little babies? They’re only ￥198 (+8% tax) each box! You can find Meltykiss everywhere from groceries to convenience stores. These two boxes I bought from Don Quijote.

Buy online: Melty Kiss Creamy Chocolate | Melty Kiss Green Tea Chocolate

8. KitKat Chocolate

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KitKat Classic Milk Chocolate (Don Quijote ￥198)

KitKat Otona no Amasa Deep Matcha (Don Quijote ￥398)

KitKat White and Milk Chocolate Mix (Daikoku Drug ￥198)

KitKat Dark Chocolate (Don Quijote ￥238)

KitKat Premium Mint (Don Quijote/Bic Camera ￥398)

KitKat is a very popular souvenir choice for tourists especially with its unbelievable assortment of flavors, many of which are exclusive to the Japanese market. What I bought was (not even) the tip of the KitKat iceberg. The Matcha flavor alone has many sub-varieties like the popular KitKat Uji Matcha and the one pictured above, KitKat Otona no Amasa Dark Matcha. There’s a regular version of the latter too so no matter what your preference is, you’re bound to find one that you would really like.

There are also seasonal flavors like Sakura and some unimaginable like Wasabi or Apple Vinegar. The more common variety is usually packaged in these packs that hold 12 to 14 individually wrapped mini KitKats but for the special flavors, it’s usually in a box. Prices vary.

Truth be told, I’m not a big KitKat eater but I have a soft spot for their Matcha flavor, and basically, anything that’s dark or mint-flavored. Oh, I love the Strawberry Cheesecake variety too but must have missed it when I was shopping.

Buy online: KitKat Green Tea | KitKat Strawberry | KitKat Tiramisu | KitKat Dark Chocolate | KitKat Premium Mint

9. Royal Milk Tea

Everywhere you go in Japan, there’s a vending machine (or two) almost at every corner. And they don’t only dispense drinks, you can get snacks, fast food, and even some mystery packages.

At almost every beverage vending machine, there’s bound to be a milk tea in the selection. Royal Milk Tea is one of the most popular brands so I was very happy to see this instant version when we were in Bic Camera. The taste is very close to the ready to drink bottled version.

Buy online: Nitto Kocha Instant Royal Milk Tea

10. Kose Clear Turn Skin Mask (50 pcs)

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Kose Clear Turn Plumping Mask

Kose Clear Turn Whitening Mask

I’ve read tons of great reviews about Kose Clear Turn Masks so imagine my surprise when I saw this at Daikoku Drugstore for only ￥948! Instead of individually packaged face masks, this resealable pack contains 50 face masks with enough essence to soak each piece. It’s a really great bargain and I guess you could say that it is earth-friendly since you don’t have to throw away any packaging every time you feel the need of using a face mask.

Kose Clear Turn Mask has many variants. I only purchased two and have only opened the Kose Clear Turn Plumping Mask to try because I still have a lot of face masks leftover from my Seoul trip last year.

Putting on a face mask is my favorite skincare ritual and I do it at least three times a week. I’ve used the Kose Clear Turn Plumping Mask several times already and I must say I’m impressed. My skin is so much softer and well-hydrated after. It’s doesn’t irritate my skin or cause any sting (which some other brands do). The resealable pack has 50 face masks inside. Just pull out a sheet, put it on your face and make sure to reseal the bag tightly so as not to dry out the essence. The essence quantity is just right to hydrate your face for 15 to 20 minutes.

I guess this is the disadvantage of using bulk sheet masks. Some may find the essence to be not enough. Personally, I don’t mind because 15 minutes is enough time for me to put on a mask and if I ever feel the need to hydrate my skin more, I use whatever excess mask essence that I saved up in a small bottle to drench the sheet again.

I’m excited to try the other variants of Kose Face Masks but I’ll hold off for now until at least I start using my other pack. This is definitely going to be my regular face mask since it’s so affordable and convenient to use.

Buy online: Kose Clear Turn Moist Charge Mask | Kose Clear Turn Whitening Mask

11. Shiseido Tsubaki Botanical Moist Shampoo

Another popular Japanese brand is Shiseido and their Tsubaki Shampoo and Conditioner line have also been receiving rave reviews. The Tsubaki Botanical range comes in three variants: Red for Moist and Manageable, Blue for Smooth and Silky, and Pink for Airy and Light. Instead of a bottle, I picked up a refill pouch instead. My hair tends to be picky with hair products and I usually switch over the brand that I use every two washes. I currently have at least three brands that I use alternately to wash my hair.

I have used this several times and so far I’m liking it. My hair is not that frizz even if I let it air dry (which I usually do when I’m only staying at home) and it’s so much smoother. The scent is not overpowering and does not linger on that much which some people prefer but I personally like scented shampoos. I still feel that I may need to occasionally switch my shampoo brands though or maybe I should try the Smooth variant instead.

Buy online: Shiseido Tsubaki Extra Moist Shampoo | Shiseido Tsubaki Volume Touch Shampoo

12. Starbucks Tumbler (Osaka)

I’ve started a Starbucks City Tumbler Collection a while back, and I picked this up at the very busy Starbucks Tsutaya Ebisubashi branch in Dotonbori. This costs ￥2,000 plus ￥160 (tax). It’s the perfect size for my morning cup of joe.

13. Jins 40% Screen Blue Light Glasses and Disney’s Belle Hard Case

This has been on my wishlist for a while. I have 20/20 vision but it’s always a good idea to protect my eyes as early as possible especially since I spend a good amount of time on my laptop or on the phone for work. There were instances when my eyes were just too strained and will either twitch or feel irritated. The Jins Screen Glasses reduces the blue light emitted from a digital screen. There are options to pick up a pair that blocks 25%, 40% or 60% (recommended to use at night) of blue light. I got myself a Jins Screen Blue Light Glasses (40% Cut) for only ￥5,000.

Jins is a very popular Japanese eyewear brand and there’s a store also in the Shinsaibashi shopping street. Be sure to check them out when you’re in Japan and pick up a pair or two! You can also have your prescription glasses ordered and picked up within an hour. And yes, it’s tax-free for tourists as long as your purchase exceeds ￥5,000.

The Jins Screen Glasses doesn’t come with a hard case (just the soft pouch) but luckily, I found this Disney case in Daiso for only ￥108!

Buy online: Anrri Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Hacloser Glasses Hard Case

14. Royce’ Nama Chocolate

Lastly, we picked up three boxes of Royce’ Nama Chocolate at the Kansai International Airport Duty-Free for ￥720 each box. There were many flavors available but the ones I picked up were Ghana Bitter (Dark), Au Lait (Milk) and Maccha (Green Tea). My personal favorite was the Ghana Bitter. The darker the chocolate, the better.

Buy online: Royce Nama Chocolate Green Tea Hojicha

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