Our central Japan - northern Alps holiday (June 2024)

 Here's the summary itinery.

Date		Transport	Overnight
Thursday 6 June		Singapore 21:30 Changi Terminal 2 23:40 Brunei 00:35 Brunei overnight	Royal Brunei
Friday 7 June	Zenkoji Temple (Main Hall, Main Gate, Scripture House and Museum): ¥1,000 Opening Hours: ~5AM – 4PM. Museum opens at 9AM.   Nakamise Street   Must eat: soba	07:30 Narita Terminal 1 Narita Express Narita to Tokyo Station Y3,020 pp 1h Shinkansen Tokyo Station to Nagano Station Y8,740 1h 25min Bus 16 to Kohakuan	Nagano Kohakuan■ Address:Kitsuneike-1290 Nagano, 380-0866, Japan https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/zhao-he-retorogaxi-dukuhu-bai-an.en-gb.html?aid=304142
Saturday 8 June	Jikogudani monkey park and Shinshu apple ice cream at Enzo café beside the car park https://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/livecam2/video_en.php   Togakushi Five Shrines Walk   Too late to enter: Mini ninja village with three attractions — a folklore museum, ninja school museum, and a ninja trick mansion.  Too late: Togakushi Soba Yamaguchiya Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 5PM 3423 Togakushi, Nagano, 381-4101, Japan	Pickup car rental at Toyota rent-a-car Nagano
Sunday 9 June	Matsumoto castle - was stuck inside for 1 hour trying to go up the tower. Not worth, strolling outside the unpaid gardens would have been enough. Nakamachi and Nawate-dori shopping street Too late for Norikura snow wall or Kamikochi hike	Drive Nagano to Matsumoto to Norikura Kogen	Norikura Kogen Kyukamura Norikura Kogen Matsumoto, Azumi 430, Japan https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kyukamura-norikura-kogen.en-gb.html?aid=304142
Monday 10 June	Hike around Norikura Kogen   Takayama Sanmachi (Sannomachi) Street UNESCO World Heritage Suganuma village  Must eat: Hida beef   Did not stopover at Shirakawa-go	Drive Norikura Kogen to Takayama to Gokayama	Gokayama Gassho no Sato, Suganuma, Nanto-shi, Toyama-ken 939-1973 Phone 0763-67-3300 https://www.gokayama.jp/
Tuesday 11 June	UNESCO World Heritage Ainokura Village Kanazawa Omicho Market, also known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen” Kenrokuen (兼六園) one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. Just walking distance from Kenrokuen is Kanazawa Castle.   Forgot to go: Nagamachi Samurai District and Higashi Chaya District	Drive Gokayama to Kanazawa to Oyabe	Oyabe Wabisabi Kashiwaya 285 Ushirotani, Oyabeshi, Toyama, 932-0831, Japan https://wabisabi-kashiwaya.jp/ Booked through Jalan.net for best deal.
Wednesday 12 June	Takaoka Great Buddha Himi Banya-gai Harbour Market and foot bath Amaharashi Coast (Noto Peninsula Quasi-National Park) Mitsui Oyabe Premium Outlet	Drive
Thursday 13 June	Kurobe Alpine Route - Midagahara boardwalk, Snow Wall, Mudoro pond walk Baggage forwarding Dentetsu Toyama Station drop-off Reception hours 5:00-10:00 ① 5:00-9:00 ② 9:00-10:00.	Return rental car at Toyama Ekimae Kurobe Alpine Route to Murodo	Tenguidara Mountain lodge https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/tengudairasansou-tian-gou-ping-shan-zhuang.en-gb.html?aid=304142
Friday 14 June	Kurobe Alpine Route - Daikanbo, Kurobeidaira hike, Kurobe dam If you stay in Ogizawa hotel, baggage can be forwarded to the hotel. Pickup baggage JR Shinano Omachi Station (7:40 - 10:30, 14:00 - 17:45) Tokyo Station	Kurobe Alpine Route to Shinano-Omachi Express bus to Nagano Shikansen Nagano Station to Tokyo Station	Center Hotel Tokyo 15-13 Nihonbashikabutocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0026, Japan https://www.centerhotel.co.jp/tokyo/
Saturday 15 June	Shibuya crossing Shinjuku Tokyo station Character Street   Missed all attractions and animal cafes (booking required)	Tokyo Metro
Sunday 16 June	11:45 Narita Terminal 1 – 16:5 Brunei 18:30 Brunei – 20:30 Singapore	Narita Express to Airport Terminal 1

Ritalin vs Medikinet MR vs Concerta

Methylphenidate (MPH) is the most prescribed psychostimulant for ADHD treatment. It works by blocking the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, thereby increasing synaptic dopamine and norepinephrine concentrations (which is said to be lacking in ADHD-diagnosed individuals). Oral effective doses of 0.25 and 1 mg/kg are estimated to being able to, respectively, block 50% and 75% of the dopamine transporter ^1,2. On the other hand, a dose of 0.5 mg/kg will delay sleep start time and decrease sleep duration ³, hence care should be observed on doses near bedtime.

As Methlyphenidate has a short duration of action, other dosage forms have emerged to prolong its effect especially when multi-dosing throughout the day is not possible. Below is the table of comparison on three commonly used brands. While benefits are observed during duration of action, unwanted side effects such as decreased appetite is also observed for the duration of the drug. For example, someone taking Concerta may not have appetite for the entire 12 hours.

Brand name	Ritalin 4	Medikinet 5	Concerta 6
Release Type	Immediate (IR)	Modified (MR)	Extended Release
Composition	100% Immediate release	50% IR, 50% from enteric coated pellets	22% IR, 78% from Osmotic Release
Dose equivalent to IR	N.A.	10 mg is for equivalent to 5 mg, 5 mg twice dosing	18 mg is for equivalent 5 mg, 5 mg, 5 mg thrice dosing
Time to peak (hours)	1-2	1st: 1-2 followed by 3-4 h plateau concentration phase whereby peak concentration does not fall below 75%	1st: 1-2 2nd: 6-8
Duration (hours)	3-4	3-8	3-12
Effects by meal	No effect on absorption. Can be taken with or without food.	On an empty stomach, the absorption rate is faster and extended release may not be adequately sustained. Should be given after a meal.	No effect on absorption. Can be taken with or without food.
Plasma levels after 24h	Close to zero, hence no accumulation	Close to zero, hence no accumulation

References:

1. Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Fowler JS, Gatley SJ, Logan J, Ding YS, Hitzemann R, Pappas N: Dopamine transporter occupancies in the human brain induced by therapeutic doses of oral methylphenidate. Am J Psychiatry 155:1325–1331, 1998
2. Spencer TJ, Biederman J, Ciccone PE, Madras BK, Dougherty DD, Bonab AA, Livni E, Parasrampuria DA, Fischman AJ: PET study examining pharmacokinetics, detection and likeability, and dopamine transporter receptor occupancy of short- and long-acting oral methylphenidate. Am J Psychiatry 163:387–395, 2006
3. Santisteban JA, Stein MA, Bergmame L, Gruber R: Effect of extended-release dexmethylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts on sleep: A double-blind, randomized, crossover study in youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. CNS Drugs 28:825–833, 2014
4. Ritalin Summary of Product Characteristiscs Health Products Regulatory Authority November 2023
5. Medikinet Summary of Product Characteristiscs Health Products Regulatory Authority January 2024
6. Concerta Summary of Product Characteristiscs Health Products Regulatory Authority November 2022

3 Nights in Hong Kong

Sunday, 10^th Dec 2023

Since it was early morning, I pre-booked Grab, we were 1 minute late and it triggered the $3 waiting time penalty. Great start for the holiday, jeesh. Check-in and Cathay Pacific flight was good, custom clearance at Hong Kong Airport was a breeze.

We arrived in Hong Kong Airport and now to get to our Hotel in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island. Prior in Singapore, I had checked on Uber app that Uber XL (for 6 passengers) was cheaper than airport transfer on Klook so did not book any airport transfer.

Made our way to Uber pickup point 2 and and booked the ride on the app then. There were actually 3 and I had no reason to go to Pick-up point 2, but chose this, aiya. It turned out to be a mistake, the driver could not find us – I typed we are outside elevator (where else can we be, surely not inside duh) and he thought we were outside carpark 4 and was waiting outside. So, I should not even say we are outside the elevator. Finally the driver found us, after having us walking around the carpark and texting on the app and we were charged waiting time penalty, ouch (see the foreshadowing in our early Grab ride).

Here is the link to Uber pick-up points in Hong Kong Airport https://www.uber.com/en-HK/blog/airportpickup/

It was only a 30 min ride to our stay at iclub AMTD Sheung Wan, of course via all the expressways, total damage $90 (was expecting around $50) and yes same price as Klook Airport transfer. On our third day back to the airport, we saw a number of 5 passenger taxis in queue at arrival, so this may be a cheaper option.

2:00 pm check-in to hotel and after a short rest, off to get lunch and ride the tram. The recommended eats at Sheung Wan were all closed on Sundays so we just walked-in to one that was open, a Cha Chan Teng that has everything toast, roast meat rice/noodles, fried noodles – everything tastes good but I don’t know what is the name of this restaurant (oops).

I did not have any itinery for our 3 nights stay in Hong Kong, just going with the flow.  We boarded the tram and decided to go to Toy Street https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Z9zJ81t6KuZH1d18 as this place closes early. As it turned out the tram at Sheung Wan is the terminus and we could get seats easily as we boarded. Later, more people boarded and there were passengers standing even on the upper deck.

To be continued….let me jump to Okinawa first.

Our Hong Kong - Okinawa Holiday (Dec 2023)

We are going to Okinawa! First up how to get there – Jetstar flies direct from Singapore 5.5 hrs flight, but at the time I was looking at ticket prices, it was $900/person and even went up to $1100/person and didn’t feel like paying for such prices.

Cheaper or same price alternatives were China Eastern (transit at Pudong, Shanghai) and China Airlines (transit at Taoyuan, Taipei). Or if you can make your way to Taoyuan, Tiger Air Taiwan or Hong Kong, Hong Kong Express are budget options.

Missing Hong Kong, we chose to stop-over at Hong Kong, so we booked Cathay Pacific SIN 08:45 HKG 12:50 (4 hours flight), then;

Hong Kong Express 07:35 OKA Naha 11:05  (2.5 hrs flight, actual flight time maybe 1.5 hrs, just a lot of ground time wasting in HKG especially, pls one hour advance time difference).

For the flight back to Singapore Jetstar OKA Naha 9:25 SIN 13:45

I just realized, it’s all early morning flights, didn’t seem so bad when I was booking them, hah. Oh well, anyway, will break this holiday into two parts – Part 1 Hong Kong and Part 2 Okinawa.

Go to Part 1 3 Nights in Hong Kong

Go to Part 2 8 Nights in Okinawa

8 Nights in Okinawa - Day 7, 8 and 9

Tuesday, 19^th Dec 2023

With Coco’s departure looming in our heads, we had to carry on our trip. Coco will be stored at the crematorium until we get back and have her funeral on 22^nd Dec. By now, it’s more of let’s just complete what we set to do in this trip and get back as scheduled.

We will be going to Naha downtown for our last accommodation in this trip before flying home. I wanted to stop at Cape Kyan, we were at northernmost Cape Hedo, so this was to complete our Nort South Capes. But my husband suggested Cape Ara which was more south, so we drove down, reached a recycling facility and then it was farm gravel road on Google map. Continued inward on the gravel road when I finally got scared about trespassing and my husband ran down instead while we waited at the car. He reached Cape Ara, barren land, not suitable for tourists and we turned back to head towards Cape Kyan.

Then it was lunch at Itoman Roadside station which was actually next to Itoman Fish Market. Was supposed to have dessert at Umikaji Terrace but was too full and we just watched fighter jets taking off instead. Visited the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters (Hours: 8.30am – 5pm), the playground was closed for renovation. And we finally reached our accomodation at downtown.

We went to Kokusai Dori, ate dinner at Yappari Steak (raw steaks served on hot stones, it’s like Pepper lunch steak, and ordering is done using a vending machine), had Blue Seal ice-cream, husband had Habu-Sake and we bought lots of things from Don Quijote (for duty free, bring along your passport, and additional discounts from this website https://www.donki.com/info-couponrenewal-djapanpass/).

Note: Ginowan has a MEGA Don Quijote.

Accomodation: 2 nights stay in a traditional house booked through Booking.com. Address: 902-0067, Naha, Makishi 3-16-16. Nice three-bedrooms house with many art displays and resting corners. The girls got their own rooms to stay. Very near to Asato monorail station which was good for us to take the Yurail to the airport. Walking distance to Kokusai Dori and Pottery Street. It is also near Sakaemachi Arcade (a shopping and food place), which when we saw was too late and could not visit.

Wednesday, 20^th Dec 2023

The main thing to do today was to return the car at OTS Branch at DFS Galleria (https://maps.app.goo.gl/rK9ALotXqtkJmcfA9). They asked us for the receipt of the last petrol top-up but we did not have and made a trip to top-up and then return the car, no issues. Omoromachi station is nearby and we tested (because we will be taking the monorail to the airport tomorrow) taking the monorail back to our stay which was only one stop away.

The girls were in the mood for shopping so we went to Kokusai Dori again. On our way, we saw a K-POP shop (https://maps.app.goo.gl/qGAu7dzxk77WeTT59), spent some time saying no to this and that but bought stuff anyway. Prices similar to Singapore.

Next stop was to Makishi Market. This is the first market that we did not buy any food to eat (it’s a different style whereby you buy the raw food and have it cooked at the restaurant upstairs) bought some street side tempura at Heiwa Dori (https://maps.app.goo.gl/oYxuv2EFCX2WYoyWA ) instead. With the Makishi Market checked, the girls were allowed to shop at Don Quijote, this time I was prepared with my passport. Ended the afternoon of shopping with Pork Tamago at Heiwa Dori. Oh while the three of us were shopping, father and son went to eat at Steak 88. My husband was not feeling well so he slept in most of the time.

We wanted to buy Project Sekai merchandise at Animate Naha (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TGKW22FubwSbVqt56) but Kid1 could not wake up from her nap. Instead, son and I walked to the Tsuboya Pottery Street, shops were already closed but I experienced walking on the cobblestoned street. Then it’s all packing and getting ready for leaving this place at 6.20 am, tomorrow.

We were not in the mood, here were other places we could’ve visited

• Senaga-jima Hotel and Onsen Spa: 〒901-0233 沖縄県豊見城市字瀬長174-5 very fabulous outdoor onsen
• Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa 1-188 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0225
• Shuri Castle
• Chongyuan Temple Stone Gate
• San-A Naha Main Place
• Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum
• Ichigin Shokudo (for lobster and steak) 7.00 am to 3.00 pm Japan, 〒900-0015 Okinawa, Naha, Kumoji, 2 Chome−12−3 一銀ビル 3D
• Izakaya restaurants with live entertainment
• Kimono rental

Thursday, 21^st Dec 2023

Leaving Okinawa today! The Yui-rail timetable is available online (https://www.yui-rail.co.jp/en/routemap/asato/) and at each station. We walked to catch the 6:53 am monorail at Asato station, saw a family of 4 and others with their luggage doing the same. At this hour, it was not very packed, son and I managed to get seats all the way to the airport, 9 stops away.

From the Airport monorail station, it was easy to walk and roll the luggage to the international departure hall. I packed the duty-free items for customs checking (if you wish to check-in these, will have to notify counter staff and they will have customs check these), but they did not check. We were early at the departure gate, but the food court was not open until 9 am which was already our flight boarding time. 

Bye Okinawa, it was still an enjoyable holiday though three of us fell sick along the way and Coco crossed over the rainbow bridge.

8 Nights in Okinawa, Japan - Day 5 and 6

Sunday, 17^th Dec 2023

We will have to leave this mountain hut and move down South to our next accommodation. We used the Expressway this time. There was no need to rent an ETC card, we paid cash. We visited Katsuren Castle Ruins, had lunch at Payao fish market (famous for lobsters) on the way. My husband wanted to make a stop at the Finishing point of 2023 Okinawa 10K Ultra Marathon at Yonakohama Park and so we ended up buying groceries and dinner at Yonabaru Farmer’s Market.

We did not go to the Apeman Spa Natural Hot Spring which was 4 mins drive away. I might have forgotten about this. Business hours: Weekdays 7:00-23:00 (last reception 22:30) Adult 1,850 yen (bath tax and consumption tax included) Children 950 yen (bathing tax and consumption tax included).

Accomodation: 2 nights stay in 2 container units at Glory Island Yabusachi Resort Hyakuna-650-1 Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa 901-0603. Whene we arrived, I was surprised to see that there was no check-in counter (sign said it’s closed due to Typhoon) but thankfully there was an email with details on the allocated unit. Didn’t use the pool since it was too cold and am not sure if it is still maintained, some units were under maintenance/painting and maybe 2/3 units occupied. Maybe it would’ve been better if we stayed at 8Point Resort Okinawa instead.

Monday, 18^th Dec 2023

Very little driving today. I planned to visit Cape Chinen, go round Ojima Island, have lunch at Ojima Market and Tempura shop missing Sefa-Utaki (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FWDynCuKETQpZia5A). At Cape Chinen, we saw a couple taking photos and riding horses, and the kids very much wanted to do the same. I should have booked horse riding with Umikaze Horse Farm (https://umikaze-horsefarm.jimdofree.com/).

Ojima market is very small and it was recommended to arrive before 2pm. But we still enjoyed this place because the local cats were very friendly and wanted to be fed desperately. Spent a long time feeding the cats cooked fish.

We arrived at Okinawa World near closing time and only had time to visit the cave which I now declare best cave I have ever visited (excluding Waitomo Glow worm cave in New Zealand). This cave has clear underground stream with marine life! No regrets about paying for the high entrance fee for this cave. Didn’t visit the Snake Museum inside and only had time to watch the Snake show (in Japanese) and the only highlight was the swimming race between a sea otter and a snake.

With some time to spare ad the kids wanted to play at the beach, my husband searched and suggested Gushichan Beach. When we arrived, I received bad news…….. our guinea pig Coco just passed away at the pet boarders. We had no mood to play at the beach and went back, stopped by A-Coop Tamagusuku for groceries and dinner.

We didn’t visit Odo Beach(大度浜海岸), the place John Manjiro landed which was touted to have small fishes, sea turtles and warm sea water and Giza Banta Cliff, a place where many Okinawans jumped to their death during WWII.

Go to Okinawa Day 7, 8 and 9

8 Nights in Okinawa, Japan - Day 3 and 4

 Friday, 15^th Dec 2023

It’s to travel up north with a few touristic stops along the way, by now the kids were rolling their eyes whenever I mention an attraction…….what we are already here, how can we not go, right? 

We have to go Bise Fukugi Tree Street (buffalo ride, address: 389 Bise, Motobu, Kunigami District), Churaumi Aquarium, and go round Kouri Island with stops at Kouri Ocean Tower, Tokei Hama Beach (best for snorkeling, I hear there are fishes) and eat sea urchin rice bowl at Shirasa Shokudo (hours: 11am to 4pm; address: 176 Kouri, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406), and we should buy groceries at A-Coop Nago and reach our next accommodation before night falls because it is a mountain hut. Furthermore, am not even including Cape Manzamo which was en route.

Too ambitious! Driving alone will take 2hrs and 34 mins. Wake up and let’s check-out early, which we couldn’t. So, we managed to eat the sea urchin rice bowl, visited Churaumi Aquarium (lots of students on a learning journey and awesome variety of marine life!), went round Kouri Island and stopped at Tokei Hama beach (no fishes by the shore), bought groceries at A-coop Nago and reached the mountain hut at 6pm, (dark already).

Should have stayed one night at the villas in Kouri island that I could’ve booked through Airbnb. If we had stayed one more night, we could have visited Nakijin Castle Remains, snorkel at Gorilla Chop (where several different kind of Sea anemone fish known as Nemo can be spotted, and current there is safe to swim https://maps.app.goo.gl/AueEQ3PwJewJHD9k9) or the beaches at Kouri Island and my husband could hike up Mount Katsuudake.

Check-in and started enjoying the mountain hut with the firepit, barbecue and karaoke for the night. At this point, the weather started to turn chilly.

Accomodation: 2 nights at YUMYUM Garden 1971-722 Tsuha, Ogimi Village, Kunigami District, https://maps.app.goo.gl/BEEL98QJfyHDSJum7 booked through Airbnb.

Saturday, 16^th Dec 2023

We are going further up north to Cape Hedo and Daisenkirizan Park (9:30 to 16:30, closed at 17:30) to see Jurassic era looking rock formations. Took Route 58 which is the scenic route and stopped by Yuiyui Kunigami Roadside Station for lunch. Though there were only 2 stops, there’s lots of driving coupled with the kids complaining that they couldn’t walk in Daisenkirizan caused much delay. Seriously kids, it's just boardwalks here!

We missed Ta-taki falls (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DDpNNLcj9H4r6DZi7) which seemed too hard for us to trek to reach the waterfall and Kyuna Farm (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rid4gBZBUwv94fUV8) which closes at 4.30pm. We went back to A-coop Nago to buy groceries and ended the night with barbecue, fire pit and using the Earth oven.

Go to Okinawa Day 5 and 6