Kris’ Japan adventures
We have always been attracted to Japan after having been to Tokyo for even a short trip, so when we heard that Kris Aquino was sharing her adventures in Japan on her show Kris TV, we had to find ways of reaching out to her. And this we found through the ABS-CBN PR department.
Kris’ adventures started when she left Manila with a stopover in Hong Kong. With Darla as companion and Angeli Cabaluna as tour guide/interpreter, Kris was given a tour of the Tsutenkako Tower on Day 1. She checked out the vending machine which included Tobacco and discussed the ID system utilized when purchasing items.
Replicas of the Billiken, known as the “god of happiness,” were found around the area. Tourists rubbed the soles of their feet to make their wishes come true. Next stop for Kris was the Kuromon-Ichiba Shoutengai shopping area of Chuo-Ku in Osaka. Kris was given a taste of what was available in the market. There were the fruits — persimmon, grapes and bananas from the Philippines. There was also fish and meat just like any other market.
It was time for picture-taking and what we saw on TV was a product of rigorous probe for locations that would best show the country and its people. The opening spiels of Kris with Darla held along the bridge was a result of the search. Kris and Darla were next taken to the boarding area for the river cruise.
Day 2 was when Kris was joined by her sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Pinky Aquino-Abellada. At the Tempozan in the Osaka Bay Area, the Filipino tourists had a ball comparing the area to our own Mall of Asia Arena. The group then had a guide as it boarded the ferris wheel. The rides had see-through capsules with a total of 60 capsules. It would take 15 minutes to finish one round.
There was still the marketplace in Tempozan, a souvenir shop, the Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho place representing Kansai food culture since the 1960s. One thing Kris noticed was that there was little or no theft in the area. There were still many places to visit in Osaka, like the Yotaro Restaurant where Kris interviewed Restaurant manager Michiko Takabatake and owner Shoji Takabatake. The specialties of the place are tempura and tai-meshi of sea bream simmered in clay pot on rice with fish called the red snapper.
Day 3 started early in the day for the trip to Nara, former capital of Japan. Kris and Darla visited the Todaiji Temple. Darla fed the Sika deer (regarded as messenger of the gods) and discussed temple etiquette. Ballsy and Pinky also entered the temple.
There were still other places to visit, the Jiko-in Zen Temple, the land travel from Nara to Yamanashi in Day 4, the Tokiwa Hotel in Yamanashi where Kris experienced sleeping on the mat, the tour of Yamashita, the wedding venue at Chateau de Proveance, the Hayakawa Farm where 40 different varieties or grapes can be found, Lake Kawacuchi which reminded one of Baguio, the Bullet Train station on Day 5, The Tokyo SkyTree observation deck, a rickshaw ride to Asakusa, the Tsukiji Market on Day 6 for a taste of fish cakes, omelet, tuna sashimi, the start of shoot with Kris and Bimby at Harajuku and a taste of Japanese Crepe, Ginza of the Kabuki Theater which ended Day 6.
Kris certainly knows how to travel and to take advantage of the situation while combining travel with work.