Travel : Ainoshima, Fukuoka

Also known as Cat Heaven, Ainoshima Island is a pretty peaceful island far away from the bustling city of Fukuoka. Suitable for a mini day trip, this island provides a comfortable gateaway for people who wants to get away from the hustle bustle of city life, especially for cat lovers(!!) 

How to get here :

From Hakata, take the Kagoshima Line to Chihaya, then change to Nishitetsu-Chihaya Station for Kaizuka Line and travel to the Shingu Station. 

From Shingu Station, you could take the green bus from the station or OPT to walk from the station. The walk is around 20 mins, and just turn right upon arriving at the Shingu Station, and basically go straight all the way. Follow the 537 highway number, and you'll find your way to the port. From the port, there will be ferries to Ainoshima at 460yen per way. 

Here's the link for the ferry's timetable : 

http://www.town.shingu.fukuoka.jp/index.cfm/1,970,284,191,html 

:) xx 

Food : Harajuku, Tokyo

Notorious street food in Japan - Gindaco Tako Balls 

Tried and tested the Teritama flavor. Hot piping takoballs, topped with egg sauce and cheese, garnished with freshly chopped onions. Takoballs done just right, crispy on the outside, ultra soft on the outside. Drizzled with generous amount of sauce. Don't worry about not having mayo, the egg sauce is strong enough, having mayo would probably mess up your taste buds. 

Pros : Easy for take-away, convenient to be eaten on the go, you could just save time by 

eating the tako balls while shopping around Harajuku.

Cons : This particular stall in Harajuku does not provide much seats for its customers. 

Only a few benches at the side of the stall.

Price range : ~ ￥650 for 8 tako balls 

How to get here : 

📍築地銀だこ原宿店

1 Chome-14-24 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Most convenient line would be the Yamamoto Line. Get down at the Harajuku station, walk straight for approximately 6-7 mins and you'll see this stall on your left hand side. You should see Gindaco before Harajuku's Nike flagship store. 

Food : Tsukiji, Tokyo

Highly recommended - among all of the popular restaurants you might ever stumble in each and every corner of Tsukiji, lies a basement ramen stall that stole my heart away. I tried the shoyu ramen, broth done right, noodle al dente, sprouts and onion were soaked in ice water creating a crispy tangy texture, the tamago (marinated egg) was so good - it literally melts in your mouth.

Pros : Food served relatively fast, free drink (applied to almost all restaurants in Japan)

Cons : There's only 8 seatings in this restaurant

Price range : ~ ￥1000

How to get here : 

📍東京都 中央区 築地 4-7-5 築地ＫＹビル B 1F 

Take the Hibiya Line, get down at Tsukiji Station.