Yosuke Saigo (西郷葉介) - rising star of Japanese music

12:00 AM EXPERIENCE, JAPAN, LOVE AND LIKES, MAKIKO VOICE, MUSIC, TOKYO, YOSUKE SAIGO, 西郷葉介 No Comments

It is no question about me loving Japan (and everything about it). My love for Japan music and entertainment industry has been too intense ever since I was in high school. Although K-Pop invasion in the past few years has affected my personal interest, I must say it is a hard act to make me let go my first love.

Having said so, I got one of the most memorable present for my birthday while I was in Japan - I fell in love once more. This time, after so long, I became addicted to a rising and talented singer - or should I say, performer. That short moment was somehow like those we see in drama or movie - I was getting a nervous attack trying to figure out how to survive the big city when I was charmed by the beautiful music heard. I follow the sound and immediately fell in love with the music that guy was performing. 

Enough with my melodramatic story. I am here to actually share some information about this rising star. The first time I saw him, there is this image of an average cute young guy wearing casual shirt and pants, passionately playing his keyboard while singing in the public. On the floor, sat a super cute squirrel-bunny holding a small box - so people could chip in decent contribution for the performance of this young man.

Charmed by the song and performance, I actually bought his CD - which is actually this young man's first single. This cute and talented young man is Yosuke Saigo (西郷葉介). I was seriously mesmerized by both songs performed - this is an honest statement because I have been listening to the songs again and again for more than hundred times in the past couple of weeks. If given the chance again, I would stay longer at the site and try to get more information from the singer, himself, for this blog entry. However, as usual language is the barrier; yet I am determined to write something - as a support to being his new fan.

A check on his official website (http://www.yosuke-s.com/index.html) is now showing his second single promotion that is due for release in June 2012. As of now, the website is only done in Japanese. I hope naturally when he is going global, an English version will be made available. Born in 1984, Yosuke Saigo is from Tokyo, who likes sashimi and everything about Dragon Ball. It is said in his website that he is aiming big for the upcoming year, and he enjoys performing music. For anyone who wants news from this talented singer, check out his official blog (http://ameblo.jp/yosuke-saigo/); or find him on Twitter (@yosuke_saigo) and on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/yosuke.saigo).

In the name of the love for music I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yosuke Saigo for making me special through your musical touch.

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MOBAL NARITA: Cheap and Easy Phone Rental

1:47 AM JAPAN, PRODUCT AND SERVICE REVIEW, TIPS, TOKYO, TRAVEL No Comments

Despite confirmation from the telco-provider of mine, it was double disappointment when I ended up not able to using my mobile phone in Japan. Roaming in Japan is not only expensive, and for those who does their homework, but also difficult to find usable mobile phone models to support local providers. Of course in my recent travel I had opted for phone rental, instead of relying on the chance of getting my phone roaming in Japan.

There are numerous phone rental services available upon touch-down in Narita Airport. For those who are looking for a cheaper option (i.e. no deposit and flat call/message rates), I am recommending Mobal Narita; especially to travelers who are confined to a limited budget. After searching on the internet and read reviews, I decided to give Mobal Narita a try. 

Deposit free - you wouldn't need to worry about 'pocket burning' deposit as the company offers no deposit for the phone you are renting. Of course, there is option to insure the phone, but at a very low daily rate. I ended up only paying 800 yen for the insurance upon collection - no other amount required.

Online booking - it took me no more than 10 minutes to complete the online form and obtain booking confirmation. Included together was the local mobile number, so you could immediately use the number to inform anyone in Japan or in your country of your designated contact number. I was able to notify my friends in Japan about the number even before I reach the country.

Friendly customer service - although I had to collect my phone in Terminal 1, it was a quick and clear procedures. It was all done in English and within 10 minutes, I was already using my phone. Thanks to the online booking, they have prepared the phone in advance; less hassle and saving time ultimately. Even returning the phone was just as easy as collecting.

Self tracking of phone usage - aside from their great deals on call and messaging rates, you could also do your own tracking online. The invoices are made available and the charges are automatically debited from your credit card. Although I was informed that it will take about 4-6 weeks for the total bill available, I was impressed to see it available in less than 2 weeks after my return. Furthermore, I was able to see itemized billing for the usage of the phone.

In total, I spent a reasonable amount of money for both local and international calls/messaging expenses. Surprisingly, as compared to my last experience renting phone in Japan, it was only a fraction of the amount although I was using the phone for a longer duration and more. I would definitely use the same service when I am in Japan again, the next time. Visit Mobal Narita for more information.

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[Japan Travel] Experience Onsen in Hakone

3:10 AM ACTIVITIES, ASIA, CULTURE, HAKONE, JAPAN, TOKYO, TRAVEL AND JOURNEY 3 Comments

If you are looking for unique experience while visiting the land of the rising sun, Japan, brace yourself to have a dip in their interesting and beautiful hot spring pool - locally known as ONSEN.

Credit to Tenkai-Japan

My previous short trip to Tokyo in late April 2012 had allowed me to spend some cheerful time with fellow Japanese friends in Hakone. Situated in Kanagawa, it is about 1 1/2 hours of express train ride from Shinjuku. There are few options for travelers to discover the beauty and interesting sceneries in Hakone. Check out Odakyu official page for more information on sight seeing in Hakone. (Detailed story on my Hakone adventure entry)

After a whole day journey discovering Hakone, my girlfriends and I decided to find a place where I could experience outdoor onsen. It was not supposed to be difficult since Hakone area provides excellent choices of onsen for people to choose. A quick taxi ride brought us to a relatively medium sized building, squeezed in between ryokan and hotels, where I was informed that the outdoor onsen is quite nice. While my girlfriends were making inquiries at the reception, I noticed people walking to this building in their yukata. I believe they were from the nearby ryokans or hotels.

You can just walk in without bringing anything, as many onsen places provides basic stuffs for you to use or rent. I was advised to bring my own towel in order to save up a bit on the entrance fees, and if you must use any specific type of bath or shampoo, you may bring them together. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor onsen, they do split bathing area for male and female patrons. At the place we went, I also noticed area or rooms for family (which I believe is for the indoor bath).

Before anyone could jump into the water, please make sure that you have cleaned yourself thoroughly at the designated place. Nudity is common here, so brace yourself once you entered the changing and bathing areas. This was my first time going to an outdoor onsen, so I was a bit doubtful of what am I supposed to do or not. Lucky I had my friends to explain the onsen's etiquette.   

Since I came from a tropical country, taking a dip in hot water is not something easy - my body had to take some time to adjust to the water temperature. However, soon enough, I had found myself being pampered and comforted by the warmth of the hot water in one of the pools at the bathing area. Obviously onsen is one typical activity of Japanese people that involves interaction. You don't simply go to hot spring alone. Many of the patrons were in groups. While my girlfriends were explaining about the art and beauty of hot spring in Japan, I found myself engaged in few other casual conversations with them. 

Just like a sauna, please do not attempt to stay in hot water for long time. After about half an hour, and of course trying all sorts of different pools, we decided to leave the place and head down to grab a drink and snack. Compensating the heat is of course a dash of cool drinks (which includes beers - everyone else was having that on the table). 

I knew from my friends that not many people, especially those from muslim countries, are fond of trying onsen. Since Japan has so many beautiful onsen, I would highly recommend travelers to give it your best shot, for those who are adventurous. 

I would certainly do it again when I am in Japan, next time. If it was not because of the nudity, I would definitely snap few pictures to post it on this entry. Nonetheless, the picture is pretty much the same as what I have experienced recently.

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