This is how I plan my first solo backpacking trip to Japan!

I wanted to write about this for the longest time... my first solo backpacking trip to Japan last Christmas & New Year because it was my first time trip travelling alone. I was thrilled, have so much fun and glad I finally achieved one of my personal bucket list!

I always wanted to do so but always wondering would I be able to do... who is going to take my pictures, will I be bored because I'm all alone... 

Well let me tell you ... You will meet plenty of awesome travelers who will help you to take pictures. I still keep in touch with these awesome backpacker I met along my trip! 

I bought Yi Camera action camera just before I went to Japan so that I can take wide angle selfie) and you get to meet a lot of new friends when you are travelling alone! Traveling with your friends and partner are fun but travelling alone makes you learn about yourself more and the experiences are really rewarding. Though almost 8 months have passed, it is amazing how like yesterday it seems in my memory! 

All thanks to the lucky draw I won at the AirAsia media event (thank you AirAsia!!) I got myself a round trip ticket to Sapporo. I have actually been to Sapporo few year back and I traveled with bullet train from Tokyo to Sapporo during winter but I did not manage to visit a lot of places.... So this time around I picked Christmas season to travel to Japan since AirAsia allowed me to redeem my ticket even on peak season.... yay I wanted to experience White Christmas in Japan! 

So a few of my friends have asked me what do I plan or prepare before I go for my solo backpacking in Japan?

Well here are some my travel checklist before I depart for my solo backpacking trip to Japan.

1) I only booked for 1 night stay in Sapporo because I have not plan for others night. I booked Social Hostel 365 paid ¥3,000 (about RM118/night) as it's highly recommended by my friend Sherrie who have stayed there earlier on . 

Very cosy and nice hostel to stay in Sapporo! Highly recommended!

I noticed that it's cheaper to book via booking.com compared to their website. A very decent hostel to stay actually... more reviews on this hostel later ya! 

2) Since I am going to travel in Japan for 12 days, I decided to get 14 days Unlimited Japan Railway pass from Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) located in  Amoda building.  I paid about RM 1716 , it's not cheap at all I know but transportation fee in Japan not cheap either ( one way train fee from Sapporo to Tokyo cost about  ¥27k which is about RM1k). I personally like to travel with train in Japan so convenient and flexible to move around within 14 days with (from North to South and East to West!) Now they also have a sales counter in Isetan KLCC now.

3) I bought data sim from Sakura Mobile ; paid for ¥5,940 (about RM210) for 11 days usage of LTE DATA SIM 3GB together with express shipping to my hostel so that I can use when I check in. Although Japan is really an advance country but there are still a lot of places which don't offer free wifi and I need data to check and plan my trip on-to-go. 

My trusted data storage systems! 

4) Make sure I installed my mobile phone with My Cloud app so that I can sync and backup all my photos to personal Western Digital My Cloud Mirror at home when I travel in Japan. I could conveniently search and backup all my pictures easily via my My Cloud App.

You know one of the worst nightmare one can have ...losing our precious travel pictures when  camera got stolen, memory card got corrupted etc. Plus my family in my hometown was able to view all my travel pictures in My Cloud with the access I gave to them :)

5) I have researched roughly where I wanted to go for my winter trip and one of my highly recommend site is http://www.japan-guide.com/ because they have really extensive travel guides  also forums to ask questions (which is super helpful!!). I was lucky to fond out a lot of places of interest are closed during New Year from the website because apparently to the Japanese, New Year is one of their most important celebration. Didn't waste my time & effort to travel these places to find out they are closed. 

6) I used Hyperdia to plan all your trip schedule ; they provide very comprehensive timetable of their railway and flight service within Japan. You will be able to know which stations, platforms and trains to get on in this . I installed their mobile app and it's super fantastic, I can just swipe and check on their timetable to decide on my next destination. A must have mobile application if you are travelling in Japan on your own!

7) Lonely planet book is good to have but mobile applications are always better! These are mobile applications I have all the time with me; super useful when I'm travelling. Besides, AirAsia apps for me to do mobile check in, I have used accommodation booking apps like Agoda, Booking.com and Expedia. For me apps like Tripadvisor & XE Currency converter is a must have for traveler lah... can do quick check on places of interest, reviews of accommodation and do quick currency conversion.

8) Last but not least ; the most important of my travel plan is to get proper attire for my winter holiday. Since this a winter holiday, I need to make sure I layer my clothing appropriately to make sure you keep warm. I am not sure about you, but I felt it's pretty hard to know what to wear during winter holiday because we are not used to it. So this is what I have learnt about dressing appropriately for winter holiday in Japan where temperature fluctuates between -10 Celsius to 3 Celsius. Bear in mind, wind is pretty strong and it was snowing in Japan during Christmas ..

For Body : 1st layer I wore Uniqlo HeatTech followed by Uniqlo Fleece Top or Cotton Long Sleeves Shirt and Uniqlo Fleece Jacket (as I easily get cold, I wore another fleece jacket lol) and most outer layer Down Jacket as windbreaker (best to a long one that can cover your thighs too!). Best to wear few layers, so you can remove the necessary layers when you enter indoors. And it's better to buy Uniqlo from Japan because it's so much cheaper and have more choices! In New Chitose Airport  (Sapporo airport) itself, there is a big Uniqlo outlet for you to purchase your clothing! 

For Pants :  I wore Uniqlo HeatTech Legging before I wore my jeans...for better protection against the wind, wear windbreaker pants.  

For socks, hat and gloves : Remembered to get wool socks or Uniqlo HeatTech socks or hat to keep yourself warm. The last time you want frostbite! I would personally prefer leather gloves over wool gloves because they are water resistant.

Let me share some of my personal experience about picking shoes for my winter holiday.... I hope you can learn a thing or two!

For shoes : Ideally wear winter boots which are waterproof with wool insulation inside. But to be honest, those winter boots selling in Malaysia are not only expensive, bulky but it's ugly (old fashioned). Hence would strongly suggest you to buy from Japan. Price ranges from RM50 to few hundreds depends on the quality and brand, but definitely more choice for you to pick!

I wore this cheap boots I bought from online to Japan. It's okay to walk on ice (slippery okay!!) but not on snow because it's not a waterproof boots. I remembered how my socks are wet and my feet are cold when I walked on snow! Ewwww...

You can travel with sports shoes during winter but bear in mind, it would be slippery when you walk on ice, hence best to get ice grip for your shoes or boots. It's easier to walk. I got this from online. You also can also buy this from Japan convenient store.

After a while, the bottom of my boot is coming off... So I need to buy new shoes! 

I bought this super comfy boots from ABC Mart in Sapporo station. As this is not really 100% waterproof,  I bought and apply waterproof spray on this boots for better protection. I think I paid about RM237. A good winter boots makes your walking on snow and ice easier...

Here are all the 8 tips I can remembered so far, I will add in more tips along the way if I can remembered more. And if you have not try solo backpacking, you should consider Japan as one of the option. Japan is a great country to do solo backpacking for female traveler because the country is safe, people are nice, transportation network is extensive and lots of other female backpackers you will meet along the way! 

That's all for now, I will continue my solo backpacking story in Japan for my next posts :)

 Hope you enjoy my story & tips so far! 

Leave me a comment, if you have any questions, I will try my best to answer you :)

Kiss Me 10th Anniversary Roadshow

Last weekend Kiss Me celebrated their 10th anniversary roadshow in Publika. Being a fan of Kiss Me, I decided to drop by to check out after having lunch at my favourite lunch place Go Noodle because I remembered seeing that there are lots of promotions going on for Kiss Me products and there will be LIVE Make-Up show by a Japanese make up artist.

So I went around to check out some Kiss Me makeup and found they have recently launched some new makeup products!  

Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Eye Designer Eye Shadow Liner (RM39.90) that can works as eye liner and eyes shadow by blending with our finger. 

Comes in 2 shade ; Hazel Brown and Shiny Gold.

Kiss Me Make Jewelry Eye Colour (RM49.90) comes with 4 shades. The texture is very fine and shimmering. The colours are really nice and suits all skin tone. 

 Swatch of Kiss Me Make Jewelry Eye Colour

 Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Face Colour Palette in Doll Color and Fresh Colour (RM39.90). This is the all in one palette you need for your face ; blusher, highlighter and bronzer. Very compact and easy to use!

 These are the rest of the newly launched products are; 

Kiss Me Sunkiller Skin Care Gel SPF35 PA +++ (RM29.90)

Kiss Me Sunkiller Super Lasting Powder SPF50+ PA+++ (RM39.90)

Kiss Me Heroine Make Lasting Base Mat Keep (RM39.90)

Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner & Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Perfect Liquid Eyeliner (RM49.90 each) - not exactly new product but they have have new packaging!  

So when there is makeup to play for free, girls will take opportunity to try out! Some of fans managed to book slot to do makeover but I just try it on my own.. later I showed you all the outcome of my look with Kiss Me products ya :)

 

The real reason why I'm there for the roadshow is to watch live makeup demonstration by Sayuri Igarashi a makeup artist flown all the way from Japan besides checking out Kiss Me makeup range! I remembered I saw her in one of the previous Kiss Me roadshow back in 2012. 

 Sayuri is really friendly and provide lots of helpful tips during demonstration.

 As you can see , she is using Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Eye Designer Eye Shadow Liner and drew an inward V shape at the corner of the eyes before she starts to blend that evenly.

 After that she drew a thin line close to the eyelashes using the shadow liner before layering it with Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner.

 Love how Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Eye Designer Eye Shadow Liner is so easy to blend. Model's eyes makeup by Sayuri is so pretty! 

 And Sayuri Igarashi demostrated the latest makeup trend from Japan, where now in Japan girls put their blusher just below their eye bag. 

The before & after makeup by Sayuri Igarashi. Love how the model makeup looks natural and pretty.

 Sayuri also shared with us that compared to year 2013 and 2014, the makeup trend this year in Japan is to looking natural and no makeup look!

Me & Sayuri Igarashi! So happy to meet her back after so many years!

Here is my makeup looks using Kiss Me products <3 I love the Kiss Me Make Jewelry Eye Colour eyehadow in Pink Amethyst very much!

It was a well spent Sunday playing with beauty stuffs! Oh yay I won some goodies from answering from the Q&A by the emcee! Before I forgot I want to wish Happy 10th Anniversary Kiss Me, please continue to beautify us ya! Kiss kiss to you all for reading this too!

BTW, Kiss Me products are available at Sasa and selected Watsons stores.

NEW : Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Series Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

I created my Shiseido Maquillage Ladylike look with their latest Dramatic Melting Series Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

Recently Shiseido Maquillage revealed their latest Spring/Summer 2015 collection where they introduced the Dramatic series which consists of Dramatic Melting Rouge - a new series of lipsticks, the Dramatic Mood Veil - a set of blusher and highlighter combined into a palette, and the Dramatic Mood Potion -a fragrance for body and hair, and a limited edition True Eye Shadow.

Shiseido Maquillage is entering a new stage, they introduced a new ambassador that carry that new fresh ladylike look i.e Kiko Mizuhara. 

Maquillage aims to bring fun and enjoyment to the makeup experience, to awaken the true beauty that lies within all women. The brand wants all women to relish makeup and fashion – and not just wear it out of pure necessity. Feminine and elegant with a touch of sexiness. Innocent yet refined and mysteriously seductive. “Ladylike” beauty is the new mood for new Maquillage, embodied by the one and only, Kiko Mizuhara, model, actress and singer.

 Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Melting Rouge - RM90/each

Juicy, luscious lasting lips made with luxurious beauty oil, the new Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Melting Rouge infuses your lips with sensuality from the moment it is applied.

This lipstick is specially formulated with “beauty oil” that brings excellent skincare benefits to your lips. Combined with Shiseido-exclusive “phase separation technology” that is formulated with functional ingredients in optimal balance to give excellent shine and color, the Dramatic Melting Rouge brings the highest level of luxury to lips.

With the Dramatic Melting Rouge, lips are wrapped in a beautiful color layer with a rich brilliance, and dry, chapped lips are moisturized. Condensed, lustrous coating film repairs lips with vertical lines while its beautiful finish lasts without creasing and fading.

The Dramatic Melting Rouge’s gorgeous yet refined packaging also further enhances the richness of the product. The concept behind the packaging is “Dramatic Glamour”, with its bejewelled surface with pink gold called “Precious Grid”. This signature design, as part of the new look of the Shiseido Maquillage, aims to awaken a woman’s beauty and make her shine, to ignite a spark in every woman’s everyday life.

The new series of lipsticks are available in 10 shades.

Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Melting Rouge swatch

Which shade you prefer ?

I tried 2 colours RD 526 and RD425, both are very creamy, pigmented and give a very nice shiny on the lips. I really like how the beauty oil ingredient in the lipstick keep the lips supple and soft. 

Shiseido MAQuillAGE Dramatic Mood Veil - RM141

Achieve lustrous rosy glow with the new Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Mood Veil. This powdery cheek/face color comes with 5 colors and 5 textures that is able to enhance your beautiful facial features and expressions. This long lasting face color fits perfectly on skin even with facial movements while retaining the initial lustrous and dull-free finish.

 

Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Mood Veil also comes with a specially designed dual-end brush with sponge that allows easy application. The brush consist of a combination of firm and soft fibers that picks up powder very well, allowing shading to be done easily and quickly. The dome-shaped sponge, on the other hand, is soft, and allows precise application of color and completing a gradation finish without requiring any special techniques. This powder is available in two colors and is refillable. 

Shiseido Maquillage True Eye Shadow – Limited Edition RM150

Shiseido Maquillage presents a set of limited edition True Eye Shadow this season that shows off a combination of 5 colors that accentuate the pupils. This trendy color combination is able to produce a meltingly soft light that blends well in to the skin with lasting clear colors. It is able to increase the impression made by eyes by 110%*.

The Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Mood Potion (RM106) is an oil-based fragrance for body and hair designed to provide moisture for the skin and luster for the hair while exuding an elegant fragrance. This fragrance of white floral and rose blend depicts cleanliness and an elegant sweetness. This luxurious thick oil can be applied not only on the wrist but also to the arms, décolleté and at hair ends.

Out of so many products, I love Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Melting Rouge lipstick very much because it glides smoothly, pigmented and super moisturizing and I'm carrying it everyday in my bag! You should check out this at Shiseido's counters nationwide!

For more info, visit shiseido.com.my and https://www.facebook.com/shiseido.malaysia