Days since my last post: 3
I know what you're thinking, haven't I written enough about Japan already? My reply however is that I'm only almost done, with probably just 1 or 2 more posts to go about the miscellaneous things I've encountered while I was there. But before we go into that, let's talk about my last day in Japan!
POKEMON CENTER
I wanna be the very best like no one ever was!
After realizing that I indeed had enough money to revisit the Pokemon Center to buy myself some souvenirs, we made a trip down to Umeda to check out the Pokemon Center in Daimaru Umeda.
Every Pokemon lovers heaven.
Pikachu, Pikachu EVERYWHERE!
Pikachu in costumes, Pikachu on racks.
For a non-Pokemon lover however, you'll find that the center is nothing but a space that will suck the money of all Pokemon lovers. In other words it's simply a place for us to spend every single yen we have in hand!
Wailmer, Ditto, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Eevee...and more Pikachu!
Perhaps a Pikachu heaven instead?
They also have perfect service at the Pokemon Center, alongside special discounts if it's your birthday month ie. It was mine! They give you a 5% discount on top of a paper crown to wear around the center, and a handwritten birthday card... I've never felt so loved by a shop. And what's more if you wear the paper crown, every staff around the center would bow when they see you and wish you, "Happy birthday!" in the most enthusiastic tone ever! Someone take me back please!
Take all my money already!
While I didn't spend as much as I did at the center as compared to how much I spent at Yodobashi Camera, they still took quite a bit from my wallet as I got several items as gifts for friends and others for myself. I'd still love to visit other Pokemon Centers around Japan however, but this was indeed a good start.
Pokemon Center Daimaru Umeda
Open daily from 10 AM - 8 PM
SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY
Our final stop for the trip was the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Museum, a surprise visit that we added on while we were in Osaka planning our activities one night. Because our subway tickets did not include the train journey to the Oyamazaki station by the Hankyu line, we forked a little extra to make our way there.
We were here!
By whiskey casks.
Unfortunately we couldn't make it to the production factory tour because you'd have to book in advance for it, and that they also didn't have the English tour guide available for us. We simply settled for the museum located next to the factory, and while we couldn't see how the famed whiskey was made, looking at the history that came from the brand was still a worthy experience that no money could buy.
The table of Shinjiro Torii, Suntory Yamazaki's founder.
Liquid gold.
From the beginning of the brand to what it is today, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery is a visit I said was well worthy of our train ticket and isn't that far off from the city center to begin with. It was informative of how they founded the whiskey brand and how it grew, and also had tinges of introducing to us the process of finding the best whiskey they could offer.
Trying out their famed whiskey.
Having a drink by this view, someone take me back.
By the end of the museum visit, you'll also be able to try out some of their famed whiskeys that range from ¥300 to several thousand yens depending on the type and year of whiskey you're trying out.
Best travel partner ever.
I miss watching him cower in cold!
The buzzing warmth of the whiskey going down our throats helped with the autumn cold wind, and we both paid ¥1,000 to try 3 different types of whiskeys each. We've both come to agree that the 12-year old Yamazaki is the absolute
best, but it's something we can't afford here in Malaysia unless we'd
like to sell a kidney or two in exchange for a bottle.
With the statues of Shinjiro Torii and Keizo Saji; founder and son of the Suntory Yamazaki brand.
We left close to the evening as we prepped ourselves for some final purchases, and to pack for our return to home ground. This visit however made me realize that there is beauty in every sip of whiskey, but only if you know how to appreciate each drop of this liquid gold. So am I now a converted whiskey lover? Well...only if it's a 12-year old Yamazaki whiskey.
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
Open daily from 10 AM to 4.45 PM
Entrance to the museum is free, production tour at ¥1,000 per person
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