The Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary – For Big Kids!

by Kim-Ling | Jan 11, 2018 | Japan

The Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary – For Big Kids!

You think you know Tokyo, but you haven’t truly experienced the exuberance of Tokyo until you fight a sumo, eat rainbow spaghetti, watch robots dance, make your own udon noodles and go-kart through the streets in an adult-sized Mario onesie…. Tokyo is seriously a big kid’s playground, and if you want to experience the fun side of Tokyo and delight your inner child, check out our ULTIMATE Tokyo itinerary for ‘big kids’ below.

Day 1

Cook (and eat!) delicious food

Japan is foodie heaven, so why not learn how to make some of the culinary delights from a local? Ayuko at Buddha Bellies Cooking School is a trained sushi instructor, Sake sommelier and professional cook. She shares her passion for food in small, intimate classes, where you will learn to make a range of delicious Japanese food, from udon noodles, to teriyaki and more. The best part though? Eating the food at the end and being pleasantly surprised by how great you can cook Japanese food.

For an in-depth take on the class AND a delicious recipe, check out our Buddha Bellies post.

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Visit Harajuku

Tokyo is known for some of its crazy fashion and characters, and Harajuku is the heart of it all. If you want to buy some funky items (and spend up big), this is the place for it. Here you will also find eclectic ‘op shops’ (thrift stores) and unique stores. The atmosphere is buzzing and if you really want to get amongst the thick of it, try navigating your way down Takeshita Street!

If all the crowds and characters get a little too much for you, take a short stroll up to Meiji Shrine, where the loudness of Harajuku will feel like another world away. Wander through the tranquil forest-like gardens and temples, purify yourself at the cleansing stations, make a prayer and, if you are lucky, witness a traditional Japanese wedding.

Eat rainbow monster food

After feeling anew, head back to the main part of Harajuku and visit Monster Cafe. This colourful cafe can only be described by imagining a cafe being taken over by psychedelic muppet-monsters and harajuku girls. The booths are like something from Alice in Wonderland and all the food looks like it’s made out of rainbow playdough. Rest assured it isn’t and the food isn’t half bad. Of course, it’s no Michelin meal, but it is fun to taste each coloured cream ‘blob’ on the plate or ice-cream and realise each colour is a different bold flavour. Monster Cafe also have performances at night and at unspecified times during the day, so if you want to see some of the quirky performances, time your visit well (and perhaps book in advance if you want to see a show).

Day 2

Fight a sumo (or watch a match)

Sumo wrestling is a national treasure of Japan and a sporting tradition that is still going strong after many centuries. Sumo wrestling tournaments only occur in the odd months of the year, so if you are not visiting during the matches, you can do something even more memorable, fight a sumo yourself! The Asakusa Sumo Experience is a great way to learn the intricacies of sumo wrestling and even attempt to take on one of the masters. And, once finished challenging the sumo wrestlers, you can tuck into a well-earned hearty sumo wrestler lunch.

Want to see and read more about fighting a sumo wrestler (and at the very least, laugh at our attempts)? Check out our post!

Visit temples

If you aren’t too exhausted from your morning match, take a leisurely wander through the streets of Asakusa towards Sensō-ji Temple. Sensoji is Tokyo’s oldest temple, dating back to 628, and one of Tokyo’s most photogenic. The charming alleys around the temple are also worth strolling through and stopping to try snacks along the way.

Watch a psychedelic Robot Show

A visit to Tokyo is not complete with a night filled with neon lights, pyrotechnics and…. dancing robots. Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku highlights the craziness of Japan that we all have heard about and loved. It’s pretty over-the-top and a little cheesy, but you will have a hard time trying not to smile or laugh at the amazing electronic cabaret show before your eyes.

For dinner, you are spoilt for choice, with ramen bars and my favourite chain: Co-Co Curry. You can easily find some good meals for under ¥1500.

To see a short video on Robot Restaurant and get links to discounted tickets, check out our Robot Restaurant Review.

Robot Restaurant is a must-see in Tokyo!

Day 3

Hakone Day Trip and Hot Springs fun

If the hustle and bustle of Tokyo gets a little too much, then a relaxing day trip to Hakone will set you right. Only 2 hours from Tokyo, Hakone is home to some relaxing onsens (hot springs) and amazing views of Mount Fuji. You can take a boat ride out on Lake Ashi, visit the Hakone Shrine and unwind in one of the hot spring resorts. If you are after an onsen with a quirky twist, Yunessun Kowakien onsen park is a great place to visit. You can rotate between unique baths filled with wine, sake, coffee and more, enjoy some fun outdoor baths and slides or, for the traditionalist, relax in the traditional outdoor (read: naked) onsens. There is a restaurant at the attached hotel, but we found a really lovely soba restaurant beforehand by wandering from the train station through the town and over the bridge and stumbling upon Hatsuhana Soba Honten. Note: Japan have a pretty strict ‘no visible tattoos’ policy in a lot of onsens and it also applies to this onsen park.

Check out our post to find out how to get to Hakone and read about the unique Yunessun Kowakien onsen.

Check out the busiest street in Tokyo & Whiskey Alley

To fit two extremes in the one day, serene to hectic, head out for a fresh sushi dinner at Sushi Zanmai in Shibuya, cross the busiest street in Tokyo and finish with a night cap in Nonbei Alley – An ambient alley filled with tiny whiskey bars that can hold 5 people at a time (but that doesn’t stop the locals from squeezing more in for a raucous night out).

Day 4

Hoon through the streets Mario-style

Let the big kid really let loose and spend your fourth day in Tokyo by go-karting through the streets, MarioKart style. MariCar offer 2 and 3 hour accompanied laps of Tokyo, dressed as your favourite cartoon character. This is the coolest way to see Tokyo and will leave you amazed that this is legal. It also turns you into the attraction, with many pedestrians stopping to take quick photos of you as you wait at the traffic lights.

Check out our video and post of MariCar here!

Shopping for interests

After a cheap lunch in one of the train station eateries, it’s time to flex your bank account. If you love cooking, make your way to Kitchen Street to pick up all the tools and utensils you need to create a Japanese feast at a bargain price. The important thing to note however, is that all the stores only accept cash, and the atms are few and far between (best bet is a 7eleven). If you prefer shopping for electronics, Akihabara or even Shinjuku have plenty to offer (we liked the electronic department stores) and if you want fashion, you can’t miss Harajuku, Shibuya and Ginza.

If you prefer more sightseeing, this is the perfect opportunity to visit the Imperial Palace and grounds. Conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, the site has beautiful gardens, remains of the Edo castle and the Imperial Palace itself. For the history buffs, you can take organised tours to visit parts of the Imperial Palace.

And to top off the ultimate Tokyo itinerary, spend your last night enjoying the incredible neon views from one of the rooftop bars.

Where to stay in Tokyo

We loved staying in Shinjuku, as it is very central and well connected by the metro. Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho was good value, with daily breakfast and cute amenities offered for free (for female guests). If you want a unique experience, book a night at Book and Bed Capsule Hotel. Japan is famous for capsule hotels, and this one has a unique bookish charm – not for the light sleepers or claustrophobics though! For something a little risqué, but not too naughty, Hotel & Spa An Shinjuku is for adults-only fun. The rooms are fitted out with a fancy bathroom, luxurious toiletries and even your own in-room karaoke! For more choices, check out booking.com

How to get around

A JR Pass is great for travel throughout Japan and covers all JR operated trains (including the bullet train). Alternatively, Tokyo is well connected by the metro and is a ‘walkable’ city.

What to eat

Tokyo has no shortage of places to eat. Our picks are Co-Co Curry House, the crazy little Ramen places (you’ll know them when you see them) and and even convenience stores and train stations have excellent food that is reasonably priced. We’ve also written some delicious suggestions on What to Eat in Japan and even picked out some of the most Insta-worthy foods.

What do you think? Is this the ultimate Tokyo itinerary? What else would you add?

This post contains some affiliate links. Booking via these links won’t cost you any extra, but will help us to keep bringing you fun travel ideas and inspiration!

Want more travel inspiration?

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The Best of Costa Brava: 4-Day Itinerary

by Kim-Ling | Nov 20, 2017 | Barcelona, Spain

The Best of Costa Brava: 4-Day Itinerary

If you are planning on visiting Spain, you can’t go past visiting Costa Brava. With fairytale towns, pristine beaches and delicious food Costa Brava is a traveller’s delight, and all within easy reach from Barcelona.

The region of Costa Brava stretches along 200 kilometres of coastline from Blanes to Portbou. If only we all had the time to explore it all! If, like us, you don’t have the luxury of time to explore it all, here is a 4-day itinerary of the best of Costa Brava. Of course, the more time you have the better, but this itinerary has a good mix of beaches, charming towns, food and culture. Note, this one is best if you have a hire car.

Day 1- Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar has the undeniable charm of a fishermen’s village combined with rich history, dating back to the 1st century. The most spectacular characteristic of Tossa de Mar is the medieval fortified village, Vila Vella, complete with picturesque streets and fortress walls offering views of the precious bay below.

AM – Tossa de Mar has a stunning coastline that can be enjoyed by foot or boat. There are plenty of hiking trails and mountain bike trails, or you can hire a kayak and make your way along the coast and stop in at some beaches at your own leisure. As the weather in September is glorious for the sea, we opted to kayak and enjoyed the pre-lunch workout.

Lunch – Even though Tossa de Mar is a small town, you are spoilt for restaurant options. There are a lot of ‘touristy’ places along the beach offering Menu del Días (Menu of the Day), but walk into the old quarters, and you’ll find a good variety of cuisines. Our personal favourite was La Grotta, offering delicious handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, in a cute setting just by the old walls.

PM – Tossa de Mar is a town made to be enjoyed on foot, so spend the afternoon strolling through the town and soaking up the history and charm. Visit the 1^st century Els Ametllers Roman villa, (which has been immaculately preserved), enjoy the charming fairytale-like streets of the old town and admire the simplicity of the Chapel of Mare de Déu del Socors. Of course, the highlight is walking along the fortified walls of the Castillo de Tossa de Mar, where you can admire the quaint storefronts and wonderful views of the town and bay.

Dinner – Enjoy traditional recipes and local produce at Bahia Restaurant. Bahia Restaurant is one of the first restaurants to introduce traditional Catalan and local dishes from the area, and a lot of the menu are still original home recipes. One of their specialties is cim i tomba – a Tossa de Mar flavoursome stew consisting of fish and potatoes.

Where to stay: For comfortable apartments and views of the castle, check out Pierre & Vacances Villa Romana.

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Tossa de Mar is a must see in Costa Brava

Kayaking is a great way to see Costa Brava

Day 2

Leave Tossa de Mar and drive up the coast to visit an abundance of beaches at your leisure.

Platja d'es Codolar is a favourite beach in Tossa de Mar

Costa Brava boasts 200 kilometres of spectacular coastline, so it’s bound to have beaches and coves to please all tastes. Some will have restaurants and facilities nearby, while others are surrounded by nothing else but wonderful nature. Here are some of the locals’ picks:

Cala Giverola
Platja d’Aro
Aiguablava
Tamariu
Sa Tuna
Cap de Begur
Platja El Golfet
Cala Montgó

Once you’ve had your fair share of beach, it’s time to head to Girona.

Where to stay: Nothing beats enjoying a coffee on the balcony at Apartamentos Casa Flora

Girona is picturesque at any time of day

While you’re visiting Costa Brava, why not check out my favourite city, Barcelona.

Day 3

AM – As Australians, we are coffee snobs, so when we find great coffee around the world, we make sure we save that info for future use! It turns out that Girona also has a good coffee culture (must be from all the expat cyclists that live there!) and a good place to start the day is at Espresso Mafia. These guys take their coffee seriously and they are situated in a pretty alley in the old town.

Once awake, stroll over to Local Market for a local food experience or cooking class. The girls here are passionate about food and local produce, and your tastebuds will thank you for the experience. Bookings are essential, and both Irene and Mariona speak perfect English and can help you decide on what to book.

Lunch – If you aren’t already full from the food tasting at Local Market, you can find an array of excellent places to eat within the old town. The locals take their food here seriously and you are bound to enjoy whatever you find in the area.

PM – Did you know Girona was selected by the producers of Game of Thrones to film Season 5 for the colour of the city’s stones and its medieval feel? In fact, not much had to be done to the city to convert it into the streets of Braavos and Kings Landing (apart from a bit of CGI here and there). Game of Thrones fan or not, Girona is incredibly picturesque and it’s worth spending a few hours wandering through the old town, crossing the Eiffel Bridge and admiring the colourful apartments that adorn the banks of the river. If all that walking requires a little pick-me-up, treat yourself to a famously quirky ice-cream from Rocambolesc.

Crossing the Eiffel Bridge in Girona is a must!

Dinner – It’s too hard to pick just one place for dinner, so here are some of the local’s top picks below.

Le Bistrot – Situated on the romantic Pujada de Sant Domènec and serving delicious pizza and pasta.
Draps – Great place for sharing food.
Llevataps – Here you will find delicious and creative dishes, all perfect for Instagram.
Brots de Vi – Simple food and good wine.
La Simfonia – The place to go if you love cheese and wine.
El Celler de Can Roca – Voted in the Top 50 restaurants in the world, you are bound to be delighted. The wait list is long (and prices justifiably high), but if you are willing to splurge and treat yourself, this is the place to do it.

Girona Cathedral was featured in Game of Thrones

Day 4 – Get surreal in Figueres

AM – Today’s a big day, so you should start your morning with a delicious breakfast at our favourite breakfast franchise, Federal. This café is an Australian franchise, so the menu is filled with delicious options, from pancakes to bacon & egg rolls, and delicious coffee.

Drive to Figueres and get surreal. If you are a fan of art, then the Dalí Theatre-Museum should not be missed. Whilst Salvador Dalí is most famous for his surreal art, the museum displays all of the styles he’s explored and it is bound to please any art lover. Tickets are €14 per adult. For up-to-date opening days and hours (they are often closed on Mondays), check the website.

Lunch – If you like a good Italian meal, wander over to our favourite Italian chain, La Tagliatella, conveniently located around the corner of the Dalí Theatre-Museum. Our pick? The Tagliatella Casalinga.

Dalí museum in Figueres for the art lovers

Besalú's medieval bridge is spectacular in Costa Brava

PM –25 minutes from Figueres, is another gem of the Costa Brava region, Besalú. Besalú is a small medieval village, with a striking 11^th century bridge. If you love the idea of wandering through enchanting cobblestone streets, then this is the place for you. Make sure you bring your camera, as there are plenty of picturesque corners, waiting to be captured.

Dinner – Head back to Girona and try one of the other restaurants listed above.

Besalú is an enchanting gem of Costa Brava

If you have more time….

Of course, the more time you have to explore Costa Brava, the better, so if you are fortunate to have more time, you should spend a couple more days in Tossa de Mar and Girona, or you can check out the following:

Blanes – The ‘Gateway to the Costa Brava’, this seaside village has an extravagant botanical garden, Marimurtra, that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
Ruins of Empúries – If you love Roman ruins and the sea, the Ruins of Empúries, dating back to 6^th Century B.C. are worth a visit.
Cadaques – The easternmost point in Spain, this is a picturesque fishing village of white buildings overlooking the sea and part of the Dalí Triangle.
For wine lovers, Costa Brava is also a great destination for wine tourism.

Best time to visit – if you want to enjoy the best of Costa Brava and its beaches, but don’t like to share it with the summer crowds, early June and September are the perfect months, as the weather is still perfect and the crowds are minimal.

So there you have it, the best of Costa Brava in 4 days! It’s the perfect combination of medieval cities, spectacular beaches, delicious food and surreal art! If you are a lover of any of these things, then Costa Brava should be on your next Spanish itinerary.

Have you been to Costa Brava? Have we covered the best sights to see? Where else should be on the Costa Brava itinerary?

A huge thanks to Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona, Tossa de Mar Tourist Office, Kayaks Nicolau and Local Market Girona for showing us some of the best sights, sounds and tastes of Costa Brava.

This post contains some affiliate links. Booking via these links won’t cost you any extra, but will help us continue to bring you plenty of travel inspiration!

Want more travel inspiration?

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MariCar – The Craziest Way to See Tokyo

by Kim-Ling | Oct 12, 2017 | Japan

MariCar – The Craziest Way to See Tokyo

There was chaos all around me. Colourful characters swerving and speeding through the streets of high-rise buildings and temples. Blinded by the neon lights and deafened by the roaring electronic soundtrack, I gathered all my focus towards pole position. Despite all the chaos and commotion, I remained calm. I was driven by the will to win. The finish line was mine for the taking. As I swerved and drifted around an incoming banana peel, I took a deep breath, aimed and fired a turtle shell at my opponent in front of me, sending him flying up into the air.

MariCar – Tokyo’s crazy real-life Mario Kart

Ok, so that’s not exactly how it went down, but the adrenaline, excitement and craziness of driving a small go-kart through the streets of Tokyo, dressed in a Mario character onesie is nothing short of exhilarating. When I first heard about MariCar I thought it would be a fun and quirky experience to wrap up our amazing trip to Japan. I assumed that there would be some kind of cut-off section of the roads or footpaths where we would have somewhat of a token drive. I was wrong. Apart from the character costumes you can wear, there is nothing fantasy or token about it. You will drive a real, modified-for-road go-kart and you will drive it on the road, with all the rest of the traffic in Tokyo.

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That sounds dangerous?

By our road standards, it probably is. However, MariCar operate in line with the law and they are strict when it comes to Licences (you MUST present a valid International Licence, issued from your country of residence, to participate). Rest assured, we get taken through safety instructions, (which included, “Don’t hit the other cars”, “Don’t beep your horn unnecessarily”, “Follow the road rules like a normal driver” and “Follow my lead”), however it’s still pretty hard to believe this is actually allowed.

Our fearless leader explaining MariCar rules

Trying to avoid being hit by a merging bus or truck whilst driving 50kms an hour over a bridge really puts your vulnerability into perspective…. and it is brilliant for the adrenaline junkies. Whilst we had no issues, there have been a number of accidents – including go-karts crashing on top of another and others hitting parked cars and police boxes. These incidents have prompted concern from police and the government, even with talks of closing it down (but luckily for us, business is going strong and we got to do it!).

If driving down the streets of Tokyo on a go-kart and dressed as a cartoon character excites you, how about fighting a sumo dressed in a sumo suit? Read about how you can Fight a Sumo here!

Make no mistake, this is NOT Mario Kart

After being taken to court in February 2017 by Nintendo, the owners have been quite adamant that this is not a copy of Mario Kart, but it’s hard not to find the similarities, especially when you see Mario, Luigi, Toad and Yoshi zoom down the street in go-karts. The owners of MariCar actually won the court case and can still operate, despite Nintendo’s attempts to shut them down. They do have a disclaimer on their website (which I found amusing), including the following:

No racing each other on the streets.
Do not throw banana peals or any other garbage on to the streets.
Do not throw red turtle shells or any other objects to each other.

So what’s MariCar actually like?

All joking aside, MariCar is super fun. When we rocked up to the storefront in Akihabara, we were handed forms to sign and directed to pick a character onesie from the huge selection. The store was abuzz with excited millennials, ready to race. Lockers are provided and if you want to hire go-pros and accessories, there is the option for that also. Once dressed, we were divided into small groups and went through the safety spiel with our fearless leader, before we headed to our go-karts.

Dress as your favourite hero with MariCar

A few practice revs, blinker tests and beeps later, and we were ready to hit the road… literally! It is quite surreal driving on the road in a small 50cc go-kart. You are lower to the ground and there is not much between you and the cars around you. Thankfully, drivers in Japan are sensible, so we didn’t have much to worry about. We followed the signals of our leader to slow down, speed up and drive in single or double file. The go-karts tend to embellish every bump and vibration on the road, so it was a nice relief to have a short pit stop at Odaiba and take the obligatory selfie and enjoy the wonderful views of the Rainbow Bridge and the Statue of Liberty replica.

But, a man (or woman) has got to ride, so back on the road we went! These babies are small, but still pack a punch. We almost hit 60kms/hr at some stages and really felt the adrenaline rush. In a city of 13 million people, we quickly became the attraction for tourists and locals alike, with many people waving at us from passing buses and even stopping in the middle of crossings to take photos of us. Every time we stopped at the lights, Guy and I would laugh in amusement at how crazy this actually was (and wonder how it could be legal!). All in all, it was an exhilarating experience and one we would definitely do again next time we are in Japan!

Dress as your favourite character with MariCar Japan!

What more crazy things to see in Tokyo, Japan? Why not check out Robot Restaurant!?!

The deets

Where: Maricar operate from a few sites in Tokyo and Osaka. You can find details of their stores on their website.

When: MariCar offer a number of 2-hour and 3-hour laps around the city throughout the day and evening. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date times and to make a booking.

Cost: Prices start from ¥8,000

Important!

If this sounds like something you MUST do when in Japan, make sure you have your International Drivers’ Licence organised. They won’t let you participate if you don’t have one (and you have to organise it before you go to Japan).

Dressing up as characters with MariCar Japan

What do you think? Crazy, or a MUST-DO in Japan? But more importantly, what character would you dress up as?

Let us know in the comments below!

Want more travel inspiration?

Japan’s Most Instagrammable Food

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10 Reasons to Visit Malaysia

by Kim-Ling | Jul 27, 2017 | Malaysia

10 Reasons to Visit Malaysia

Imagine rich cultural traditions, amazing food, and picturesque beaches. Thinking of Spain, France or Thailand? Think Malaysia! It’s a rich melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures in a modern country with that special something that only South-East Asia can provide.

If you’ve never thought of visiting Malaysia, here are 10 hot reasons why you absolutely should!

Beaches

Maybe you never associated Malaysia with tropical beaches, but then again maybe you have never visited Langkawi or the Perhentian Islands before! Whether you are after beaches for water sports, black sand beaches, white sand beaches or your very own piece of paradise, Malaysia has you covered.

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Food

We are all friends here, so I’m going to be honest. Malaysia has the best food that we have had in all of South-East Asia. There, I said it. Seriously, it’s that good! From the delicious Malay roti, murtabak and teh tarik, to the delights of Chinese Hokkienese cooking (curry mee, laksa, har mee, and ais kechang for dessert) and the spice and flavour of Indian cuisine, you just can’t go wrong. If you need more convincing, check out the Penang food tour we did!

How to get there: various airlines will fly to Kuala Lumpur or other regional capitals. Having flown with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) before, I can recommend them and of course, it is Malaysia’s national carrier so you will get maximum reach to visit cool places such as Penang, Sarawak or the beautiful Sabah. What’s more, you can easily get favorable MAS online booking deals!

Street Art

If you love street art and street food, Penang is the destination for you. This little island off the coast of Malaysia has a plethora of amazing street art and delicious food for the foodie and art lover alike. In fact, I spent a whole weekend navigating my way around Penang’s capital, George Town from artwork to artwork (and street stall to street stall). As a massive fan of street art, it was the best way to explore the city.

Want to see more Street Art? Check out our post on the amazing street art in Penang!

Most of my favourite murals in George Town were done by Lithuanian artist, Ernest “Zach” Zacharevic, called Malaysia’s answer to Banksy, who is a master of all artistic disciplines; be it installations, oil paintings, stencilling and sculptures.

Ernest Zacharevic Street Art, Penang, Malaysia

Shopping

Kuala Lumpur is a shopaholic’s dream. For the high-end lovers, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to burn a hole in your pocket at the likes of Starhill Gallery, The Garden or Suria KLCC, located at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. If you prefer to buy more and spend less, then you’ve got shopping centres like Berjaya Times Square that offer pop-up style stores that sell clothes at wholesale prices. Just be warned, these cheaper stores don’t offer many sizes, but if that’s not an issue, shop until your heart’s content. For the electronic lovers, Low Yat Plaza is where it’s at, and if shopping isn’t your thing, some of these mega malls even have ice-skating rinks, karaoke lounges, theatres and games arcades to fill your time.

Cultural attractions

Malaysia has a rich cultural tradition and it can seem like there is a Malay, Chinese or Indian festival or celebration occurring every weekend throughout the year. The best ones to catch are the Hari Raya Aidilfitri which follows Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Thaipusam, a Hindu festival held at the Batu caves.

Chinese New Year in Malaysia is a special time of year

Nature

It’s hard to imagine that you can find serene rainforests and inviting waterfalls only 30 minutes from bustling Kuala Lumpur, but it’s true. One of the great things about Malaysia, as a whole, is that nature is within a short drive from major cities. If you like seeing monkeys, then a visit to Batu Caves won’t disappoint. Just make sure you hang onto all of your belongings, as these critters are the best (and cheekiest) thieves around!

Breathtaking views

Get to top of Kuala Lumpur’s high rises to get the most amazing views of the city at night. I mean, where else can you find a converted helicopter pad turned rooftop bar! At the Heli Lounge Bar, set on the 34th floor of the Menara KH building, of course. A few options: Marini’s on 57 sits right next to the Petronas Towers and consequently has dazzling views to offer. If a western style hotel bar on the 33rd floor is more your style, then SkyBar at the Trader’s Hotel may be more to your liking.

And if you are more of a nature lover, the views from the Langkawi SkyCab will definitely take your breath away. If you aren’t afraid of heights, take a walk along the SkyBridge – the longest free span and curved bridge in the world and enjoy the views from 100m off the ground.

Amazing views from Langkawi's SkyBridge, Malaysia

Architecture

The variety of architecture in Malaysia is bound to keep you interested. The dazzling, modernist glory of the Petronas Towers are merely the tip of the iceberg for what you can find in Malaysia. The stunning architecture of the Federal Territory mosque (Selamat Datang Ke Masjid Wilayah) is a stand out, as are the archways of the Masjid Jamek. The Kuala Lumpur town hall, with its unique colonialist/Islamic architecture and Georgetown’s historic British buildings are taken right from the 19th century and give the town a laid back feel.

Federal Territory Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Friendly locals

You will find so many fun and generous people in Malaysia. Like the tuk-tuk driver that showed us around Penang and imitated the art for us above – a regular Bruce Lee! The people are friendly, kind and generous and we got by in English just fine as well.

Multiculturalism

Malaysia’s cultural diversity is its strength and Indian, Chinese and Malay cultures mix into one of the most interesting societies in South-East Asia. This multiculturalism bleeds into everything – food, traditions, architecture, etc and makes it that much better. Essentially you will get the best of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures all in one society!

We hope that we have convinced you on why you should visit Malaysia. From the food, to the architecture, to the culture – how could you say no? Where would you go? What are you waiting for, use Traveloka and start planning your trip to Malaysia with ease now!

Have you been to Malaysia? Have we left anything off the list? Let us know below!

Robot Restaurant Review

by Kim-Ling | Jul 24, 2017 | Japan, Reviews

Robot Restaurant Review

If you didn’t think the neon lights of Tokyo could shine any brighter, then you haven’t been to Robot Restaurant. You can see the neon signs, wrapped around the building from a block away. Like a magnet, Robot Restaurant draws all the curious explorers in, with its catchy theme song (that’s right, there’s a theme song and it WILL get stuck in your head!) blaring from the speakers, colourful lights flashing and lighting up the street, oh and the huge fembots proudly displayed at the front.

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What is Robot Restaurant?

If you are in Shinjuku, it’s hard to miss Robot Restaurant. The best way to describe Robot Restaurant is a cabaret show on LSD; 90 minutes (including intervals) of short 5-minute acts filled with dancing, singing, theatrics, laser lights and pyrotechnics.

Singing, dancing and theatrics at Robot Restaurant

Prefer to watch a video of the craziness that is Robot Restaurant? Check out our video on YouTube! Don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel for more travel inspiration!

Opened in 2012, Robot Restaurant was originally created as a fun show for where locals can let down their hair. It didn’t take long to become a popular tourist attraction, and now attracts foreign visitors every night. Apparently the owner spent US$100 million on fit out, which is hard to put into words (nevertheless, money well spent, judging by the sell-out crowds!). The stairwells and “waiting room” are a spectacle in their own right and will intrigue all who enter. I’m talking over-the-top bling with futuristic elements and crazy pyschodelic stairwells that entice the audience to the stage underground. I felt like we had stepped into some crazy world of Willy Wonka, but with robots instead of candy.

The coolest waiting room you'll ever visit - Robot Restaurant

Even the walls are funky at Robot Restaurant, Tokyo

The craziest concert you will ever see

As soon as we booked our tickets to Japan, I knew we HAD to go see Robot Restaurant – and I wasn’t disappointed. Robot Restaurant is unlike any other show we’ve ever seen. It’s all the crazy stuff I love about Japan, wrapped into one colourful and eccentric package. The audience is seated in three tiers on two sides of a narrow room. It’s great, as no matter what row you are in, you will have a great view of the action. The seats are set in twos, joined by a small table, where you can store your drinks, popcorn and bento boxes (all at an extra cost).

Robots and lasers at Robot Restaurant, Japan

The performances range from mini rock concerts to theatrical robot wars. The singers and dancers have so much energy (I want whatever they’re having!) and the costumes are something out of a teenage boy’s manga dream. You can expect to see impressive robotic floats of sharks, dinosaurs, snakes and futuristic unicorns. Pyrotechnics and laser beams light up the space, and there’s even a dance number that I’m sure was inspired by Daft Punk.

It's all fun and games until someone is eaten by a Robot

Want to do other crazy things in Tokyo? Why not Fight a Sumo? Read about it here!

Electric performances at Robot Restaurant, Tokyo

It’s a Restaurant, so what about the food?

To be honest, people don’t generally come here for the food. Considering there are so many amazing foods on offer nearby, we decided to skip the food and just indulged in some show drinks and popcorn instead. I think I spotted one couple with the bento box, but it’s quite hard to truly enjoy the food, when you are distracted by the awesome spectacle going on right in front of you.

Speaking of food, why not try making your own Udon Noodles? Read our recipe here!

The dancers at Robot Restaurant are full of energy

Why go?

Unlike many of the themed cafes and restaurants in Japan, Robot Restaurant stood out as a ‘must-do’ for us. Granted, the tickets aren’t as cheap as many of the entry fees for other themed places, but you get 90-minutes of an exhilarating, well-produced show. It’s over the top, tourisy and a little cheesy at times, but that’s part of its charm! It combines all the craziness you expect from Japan, right in the centre of Tokyo electrifying nightlife.

The details

Robot Restaurant is located in Shinjuku: 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo,Japan. It’s pretty hard to miss, with the bright neon signage out the front (you will likely hear it before you see it too!).

There are up to four shows per day at 4PM, 5:55pm, 7:50pm and 9:45pm. See the website for up-to-date times. Note that you have to be there 40 minutes before the show to pick up the tickets (and there’s normally a decent line).

Tickets are ¥8,000 per person, however we’ve teamed up with G’Day Japan to offer all of our readers discounted tickets here! We recommend booking in advance, as the shows often sell out.

Colourful performances at Robot Restaurant

Robot Restaurant is a must-see in Tokyo, Japan

Robot Restaurant performances, Tokyo, Japan

Have you been to Robot Restaurant? What did you think? Is this the kind of crazy thing you’d love to see in Japan? Comment below!

A huge thanks to Robot Restaurant and G’Day Japan for an awesome night! As always, our opinions are our own.

« Older Entries

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The deets

Important!

What do you think? Crazy, or a MUST-DO in Japan? But more importantly, what character would you dress up as?

Let us know in the comments below!

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Food

Street Art

Want to see more Street Art? Check out our post on the amazing street art in Penang!

Shopping

Cultural attractions

Nature

Breathtaking views

Architecture

Friendly locals

Multiculturalism

Robot Restaurant Review

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What is Robot Restaurant?

Prefer to watch a video of the craziness that is Robot Restaurant? Check out our video on YouTube! Don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel for more travel inspiration!

The craziest concert you will ever see

It’s a Restaurant, so what about the food?

Speaking of food, why not try making your own Udon Noodles? Read our recipe here!

Why go?

The details

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