MELBOURNE CITY GUIDE + 2024 FAVOURITES

Back in April I went on a short trip to Melbourne and I wanted to share a list of my favourite places in Melbourne! Hot tip: I always save my favourite places on Google Maps, it just makes it easier when wandering around the city. 

M U S T   S E E S

• Queen Victoria Market
• National Gallery of Victoria
• State Library Victoria
• Melbourne Skydeck
• Flinders Street
• FED Square
• Hoiser Lane
• Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
• Chinatown Melbourne

C A F E S & C O F F E E S H O P S

• Puzzle
• Two Conversations 
• Overlay Coffee
• Palette
• OKO Cafe
• Maker Lt Bourke
• Keki Milk Bar
• Miyama Melbourne
• Hikari
• Lovey Patisserie Cafe
• Bakemono Bakers
• The Butter Room
• Tori's Melbourne
• The Kettle Black
• PLOT

L U N C H & D I N N E R

• Ondo
• Hakoya Izakaya
• Seven Star Pocha
• Piccolo Panini Bar
• Ichigo
• Johnny, Vince and Sam's Ristorante
• Waku Waku
• Reine & La Rue
• The Hardware Club
• No. 100 Flinders Lane
• Bar Romantica
• Mensho Tokyo Ramen

D E S S E R T S

• The Cookie Box CBD - Cookies
• Madeleine de Proust Patisserie
• Fresh Air & Pancake - Soufflé's pancakes
• Flinders Waffles - Taiyaki soft serve and the iconic Flinders Station waffle shape
• Pidapipó CBD - traditional gelato 
• Bingsoo
• KOI Dessert Bar Melbourne

H O T E L S

• Grand Hyatt Melbourne 
• Mercure Welcome Melbourne
• Imagine Lighthouse

MY 2024 FAVOURITES 

1. Books: Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn
2. Tv Shows: D.P S2 (kdrama), Culinary Class Wars, Love Next Door (kdrama), Squid Games S2
3. Movie: 20th Century Girl
4. Youtube: Jaz Hand, smileycitrus, saranghoe, daiz, Briddy, Ondo & viviandotme.
5. Music: Christian music.  
6. Food: Kyoto BEANing Vegan Ramen from Engine Ramen and SALT BREAD from Artist Bakery (seoul cafe). 
7. Drink: Fruit ades, apple & cinnamon tea from south korea and chai lattes. 
8. Clothing: Shirts that have bows on them and alexa high straight jeans from Dissh.
9. App: Youtube & Final Cut Pro
10. Accessories: Mini crossbody bags 
11. Beauty: Manyo pure cleansing oil, lip tints from amuse, clio, fwee, lilbyred & dasique
12. Brand: Dissh, Cue, Glassons, Maje, Blue Elephant & Gentle Monster. 
13. Other: Going on long walks either at the beach or at south bank (or just anywhere). 
14. Travel: Iceland, Jerusalem & USA (New York City & Chicago). 
15. Quote: 'And the next time that the devil tries to remind you of your past - remind him of his future'
16. Sweets: Leo Coco Belgian milk chocolate & hazelnut spread from Coles, Pisti pistachio cream & Biancos milk chocolate pretzels. 
17. Wishlist: Dyson supersonic hair dryer (✔️), Cannon powershot V10 vlog camera (✔️), and Gentle Monster - Jentle Salon in Wispy GR8 glasses (sold out, regrets not buying them in korea). 

What's your favourite quote?

♡

JAPAN 2024 ITINERARY

4 nights in Tokyo → 3 nights in Nagano → 4 nights in Osaka + Day trip to Nara → 4 nights in Kyoto → 5 nights in Tokyo + Day trip to Yokohama and Mount Fuji.

I spent 3 weeks in Japan and wanted to share my Japan Itinerary with you guys!

J A P A N T I P S

• Carry cash with you (highly recommend a coin purse for all of the loose change that you might use at a gacha store (capsule toys).
• You won't be able to find a trash can.. bring an extra bag just for trash in your bag.
• Wear comfy shoes (recommendation: Nike Air Forces).
• You don't need to tip.
• JR Passes is a must if you are travelling from city to city.
• Get used to bowing (especially greeting people).
• Stand/walk on the correct side of the streets, escalators, stairs etc (varies between cities).
• Do not eat while walking.
• A lot of places don't open until 10:30AM - 11AM.
• Expect to wait in long lines (cafes, restaurants, historical places etc).
• Suica is best for public transportation and convenience stores (can be loaded on your phone).
• Pre-book experiences ahead of time (Shibuya Sky, teamLab, Disneyland etc, they do sell out quickly).
• Leave some luggage space for any shopping or souvenirs (trust me, you will need it.. the shopping is insane). 
• Learn some basic phrases: 
• "Hello" |  Kon'nichiwa | kohn-nee-chee-wah | (こんにちは)
• "Thank you" | Arigato gozaimasu | ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs | (どうもありがとうございます)
• "Excuse me" | Sumimasen | soo-mee-mah-sen | (すみません)
• "Please" | kudasai | koo-dah-sigh | (ください) 
  
• "Good bye" | Sayōnara | sah-yoh-nah-rah | (さようなら) 
  
  

A P P S

• Google Maps - essential 
• Google Translate (or Papago) - essential 
• Suica - to use public transport in Japan 
• Ubigi - for e-SIM mobile data plans
• Disney Resort - buy tickets, fast pass 
• Tablelog - restaurant reservations 
• Wanderlog - for itinerary 

TOKYO 4 NIGHTS

DAY 1 (6,266 steps - 4.51km)

• Arrival at Narita Airport
• Take NRT Express train to Tokyo (1 hour journey)
• Check-in The B Akasaka-Mitsuke Hotel
• Dominos takeaway for a late dinner (11:50pm)

DAY 2 (15,599 steps - 10.96km)

• Breakfast at FamilyMart (seaweed onigiri)
• Exploring around Nagatacho area (Hie Shrine) and Kanda Ogawamachi area - sports goods district
• Lunch - rice and curry (forgot the name of the place)
• Shopping and exploring around Harajuku area 
• Dessert - ANGEL Harajuku Crepe
• Exploring and shopping in Shibuya area
• Dinner - Disney Harvest Market 

DAY 3 (19,746 steps -  13.85km)

• Breakfast at FamilyMart
• Disneyland - was able to get tickets through the DisneyResort app. Spent around 7 hours at Disneyland. Winnie the Pooh ride was closed due to maintenance and Beauty and the Beast ride had over 2.5 hour wait time (fast passes were sold out). Try the Curry popcorn!
• Dinner - CoCoICHI Vegetarian Curry
• Explored Shibuya at night - Shibuya crossing, Disney store, Loft etc

DAY 4 (12,592 steps - 8.51km)

• Breakfast at 7-Eleven konbini
• Exploring and shopping Asakusa area 
• Senso-ji Hozomon Gate - buddhist temple 
• Senso-ji - buddhist temple 
• Nakamise-dori Street 
• Lunch near Asakusa - vegetarian ramen 
• Sanrio Gift Gate Store - Asakusa 
• Flower Miffy - Asakusa 
• Tokyo Sky Tree - observation deck 
• Dinner - CoCoICHI Vegetarian Curry
• Pack for Nagano

 

NAGANO 3 NIGHTS

DAY 5 (5,077 steps - 3.69km)

• Breakfast at 7-Eleven konbini
• Check out and go to Tokyo Station
• 2 hours from Tokyo to Nagano via Shinkansen
• 1.5 hours Nagano to Hakuba via bus
• Check-in Airbnb
• Hire snow gear from Rhythm Japan Hakuba
• Dinner - The Pub Hakuba

DAY 6 (13,417 steps - 9.47km)

• Snowboarding at Hakuba

DAY 7 (8,728 steps -  6.29km)

• Skiing at Iwatake 
• Pack for Osaka 

OSAKA 4 NIGHTS

DAY 8 (6,187 steps - 4.39km)

• Check out and go to Nagano station
• 3.5 hours from Nagano to Osaka via Shinkansen
• Check-in The Rise Osaka Kitashinchi
• Dinner somewhere near the hotel

DAY 9 (19,444 steps - 13.76km)

• Breakfast at Lawson - konbini
• Universal Studios Japan - recommend Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride
• Lunch - Shake Shack
• Super Nintendo World - can book a timed entry slot once you enter the park
• Rest at hotel

DAY 10 (20,702 steps -  14.84km)

• Breakfast at Lawson
• Exploring and shopping at Namba Parks
• UMEDA sky building
• Exploring Dotonbori street - running man 
• Dinner - Halal Ramen Naniwaya 

DAY 11 (8,270 steps - 5.71km)

• Breakfast at Lawson
• Rest at hotel - I was feeling unwell all morning
• Shopping at HEP FIVE
• Shake Shack for dinner
• Pack for Nara 

KYOTO 4 NIGHTS

DAY 12 (11,876 steps -  8.36km)

• Breakfast at Lawson
• Check-out hotel
• 45 minutes from Osaka to Nara - we took the regular train
• Left luggage in lockers at Nara station
• Exploring around Higashimuki shopping street
• MOS Burger for lunch
• Kofukuji temple
• Feed the deers - you can purchase the treats via street vendors
• Nara to Kyoto (45 minutes via train)
• Check in Airbnb - RESISTAY
• Kyoto ENGINE Ramen for dinner
• Ben's Cookies for dessert

DAY 13 (17,068 steps - 11.90km)

• Breakfast at Coffee Smart 
• Exploring and shopping around Kyoto Shijo-Kawaramachi area - loft, tower records, Disney Store, kiddyland 
• Back to Airbnb for a quick break
• Kyoto ENGINE Ramen for dinner again!
• Ben's Cookies for dessert again!!

DAY 14 (21,524 steps - 15.03km)

• Breakfast at Airbnb 
• Fushimi Inari Taisha
•  Kiyomizu-dera
• Lunch somewhere near Kiyomizu-dera
• Back to Airbnb for a quick break
• Kyoto ENGINE Ramen for dinner yes again - 3 times in a row!!

DAY 15 (16,652 steps - 11.51km)

• Breakfast at Airbnb 
• Shopping at AEON Mall Kyoto - due to the rain
• Lunch at Korean restaurant Yunke-no-shokutaku - bibimbap
• Exploring and shopping around Kyoto Shijo-Kawaramachi area
• Laduree for dessert
• Korean BBQ vegetejiya Shijo-kiyamchia for dinner - tteokbokki and kimchi pancake
• Pack for Tokyo

• 

  TOKYO 5 NIGHTS

DAY 16 (11,575 steps - 8.26km)

• Check-out RESISTAY Airbnb 
• 2.5 hours from Kyoto to Tokyo
• Check-in Koto City Airbnb
• Train to Odaiba
• Dinner at Kua'Aina
• Shopping at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
• Watch the Unicorn Gundam light show
• Back to Airbnb

DAY 17 (20,180 steps - 14.35km)

• Breakfast at Monnaka Coffee
• Disneysea - arrived around 1pm, less crowded than Tokyo Disneyland - try the matcha-white chocolate popcorn! Spent around 7 hours at Disneysea.
• Dinner somewhere near koto city

DAY 18 (12,459 steps - 8.84km)

• Breakfast at 7-Eleven (konbini)
• Train to Yokohama
• Lunch at MOS Burger
• Exploring and shopping at Queen's Square Yokohama
• Gundam Factory Yokohama (now has been permanently closed down)
• Dinner at CoCoICHI - vegetarian Curry

DAY 19 (9,280 steps - 6.72km)

• Hire car for Mount Fuji
• 2 hour drive to Mount Fuji
• Break/snack stop at Expasa Ebina
• Exploring around Lake Kawaguchiko
• Lawson at Kawaguchiko Station
• Stopped at Narusawa area to take photos of Mount Fuji - before it was hidden again behind the clouds
• Lunch at Bronco Billy Fujimotoichiba
• Back to Tokyo
• FamilyMart for dinner
• Tokyo Tower - infinity diamond veil light up

DAY 20 (18,174 steps - 12.32km)

• Tully's Coffee for breakfast
• Exploring and shopping at Akihabara area - lots of electronic stores and arcades 
• Exploring Ginza 
• Lunch at EATALY in Ginza Six 
• Exploring and shopping in Harajuku 
• Dinner at Shake Shack 
• Last night exploring and shopping in Shibuya: Shibuya crossing, Loft, Mega Don Quijote 
• Back to Airbnb to pack

DAY 21 (14,773 steps - 10.35km)

• Check-out Koto City Airbnb
• Left luggage in lockers at Tokyo Station
• Train to Shinjuku
• Drink stop at Blue Bottle Coffee Shinjuku
• Breakfast at eggslut
• Shopping and exploring in Shinjuku area
• Godzilla Head Shinjuku
• Back to Tokyo Station 
• Head to Narita Airport

I recommend watching vlogs and joining Japan Travel Facebook groups (even reddit) to find places to go and bookmark them on Google Maps!

F O R N E X T T I M E

• Shibuya Sky
• Tokyo Tower
• C-pla Shibuya
• Prince Shiba Park
• Gōtokuji Temple
• Jimbocho Book Town
• Hakuhinkan Toy Shop
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Kyoto
• Kinkaku-ji - Kyoto
• Nintendo Museum - Kyoto
• Hōkan-ji Temple
• Nagoya Castle
• Osaka Castle
• Sanrio Puroland
• teamLab Planets
• Ginza Itoya
• BEAMS Japan
• Niko and ... TOKYO
• HANDS Ginza
• LE LABO (Tokyo exclusive city perfume - citron 28)
• Diptyque (Tokyo exclusive city candle)
• Chawanzaka
• Honcho Street (Mt Fuji View)
• Chureito Pagoda (Mt Fuji View)
• Makaino Farm Resort
• Sunshine City
• Cat Street

Food Places/Cafes

• The Matcha Tokyo
• Pizza Marumo 
• Itasoba Kaoriya Ebisu
• Matsubayasaryo
• i'm donut?
• Godaime Hanayama Udon Ginza
• Cafe Kitsuné
• Henry's Pizza
• The Little Bakery Tokyo
• Tokyo Juice
• Misojyu
• Kyūshū Jangara Ginza
• Age.3 Ginza
• Fukujuya
• Café de Raak
• Banana Juice Factory
• Annorum Café
• Mitsuya
• Trois
• AFURI Harajuku
• Vegan Sushi Tokyo
• Vegan Bistro Jangara
• Tsukemen Zuppa
• Dandelion Chocolate, Factory & Co
• Kichi Kichi Omurice - Kyoto
• Arashiyama Miffy Sakura Kitchen - Kyoto
• Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House - Kyoto
• Gion Komori - Kyoto
• Oudon Izakaya Mannanka Tsururu - Kyoto
• % ARABICA Kyoto
• Walden Woods Kyoto

What's your favourite trip you've ever been too?

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SYDNEY TRIP | 2023 FAVOURITES

The last time I came and visited Sydney was back in 2021 and was there for less than 24 hours, which I must say was one of my favourite, spontaneous trip I've taken so far (interstate)! There's something about Sydney that keeps me wanting to go back each time and honestly I've been considering on moving there one day. There just so many places to go and see (especially so many cute cafes have been popping on my Instagram timeline). 

I had the chance to go this year to Sydney during winter and it was so much colder than I thought it would be. Living in QLD where you experience so much warm weather compared to the cold made Sydney FREEZING (and I definitely didn't bring enough warm clothes.. oops). While I was there I visited three cafes: The Grounds of Alexandria (they had a Disney theme revamp to celebrate 100 years of Mickey Mouse), Left of Field (Rhodes) and Riso Cake Cafe. I also went to Taronga Zoo and obviously stop by to see the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge!   

 2023 FAVOURITES 

1. Books: The Ministry of Healing by Ellen G. White
2. Tv Shows: The Glory (Kdrama) & Doctor Cha (Kdrama).
3. Movie: The Little Mermaid 
4. Youtube: Rosie Maio, Viviandotme, deemd, saranghoe, daiz,  Ondo, Cecilia Blomdahl, mojo camping, 
5. Music: Christian music 
6. Food: Vegetarian pizza @ Wildfire Pizzeria, Tofu Kimbap @ SinJeon.
7. Drink: Water, Chai Latte 
8. Clothing: Dresses & matching skirt and jacket sets 
9. App: Youtube & TikTok 
10. Accessories: Mini crossbody bags 
11. Beauty: Face masks by esfolio, Rare Beauty liquid blush 
12. Brand: Zara, My Dearest, Henne, Freckl Studio, Maje & Furla 
13. Other: Reading, Beach trips 
14. Travel: Japan, Jerusalem, Iceland & New York. 
15. Quote: "Earn all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can" - John Wesley
16. Sweets: Bianco's Milk Chocolate Pretzels (costco), Choco Boy (chocolate snack), Leo Coco Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut spread & chocolate covered strawberries. 

What's your favourite trip you've ever been too?

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PEACH CAFE | BRISBANE & DECEMBER MONTHLY FAVOURITES

 

The Peach Cafe is nestled in the heart of Auchenflower, and offers a wide range of delicious brunch food and serves great quality hot drinks. I didn't order any food unfortunately since I was there for a quick catch up with my sister but while I was waiting in line to order my drink I stumbled across their sweets display counter and on display they had their cookie of their month which was Kinder Cookies (my two favourites, Kinder chocolate and cookies). They also had other goodies such as Nutella Lava cookies, Almond Croissants and Muffins. I obviously had to try the cookie and it was so soft and chewy and I'll definitely will be going back to try their next cookie of the month and of course I need to try out there food too! 

What I ordered was a Chai Latte and the Kinder cookie and how cool is the Pink Hot Chocolate? Have you ever seen a pink hot chocolate before? I quickly skimmed over their menu to see what I want to order next time I'm there and I definitely want to try their Halloumi Hash Burger (grilled halloumi, russet potato hash, coral lettuce, hollandaise and fried egg on local milk bun) or the Winter Harvest (pumpkin croquettes, greens, poached eggs, smoked sunflowers and green goddess dressing). 

Lastly, every year I like to do a yearly favourites.. which I started back in 2019 to see what I liked during the year. So here is this year's favourites! 

 2022 FAVOURITES 

1. Books: The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White 
2. Tv Shows: Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Money Heist: Korea, SnowDrop & Pink Lie 
3. Movie: Bullet Train (The only movie I watched this year) 
4. Youtube: Ondo, Cecilia Blomdahl, mojo camping,  campingG, Minivanlife & BangtanTV 
5. Music: Jack In The Box by j-hope, INDIGO by RM & New Jeans - The 1st EP
6. Food: Vege Bibimbap and kimchi pancake at Chi MC, Nourish Bowl at The Garden Room (falafels, avocado, seasonal greens, quinoa, fermented carrots & turmeric kraut, hummus, radish and tahini dressing) and Zucchini Fritters by Bear Boy Expresso (Zucchini potato fritters, avocado, tzatziki, halloumi and poached eggs) 
7. Drink: Water, Soju + Kraft Beer mix together & Chai Latte. 
8. Clothing: Dresses & matching skirt and jacket sets 
9. App: Twitter & TikTok 
10. Accessories: Mini bags 
11. Beauty: Face masks by esfolio 
12. Brand: Zara, My Dearest, AJE, Maje & Furla 
13. Other: Watching my nephew grow 
14. Travel: Japan, Iceland and go back to Seoul and Italy's coastline 
15. Quote: "Not everything is for everybody." - Rick Rubin
16. Sweets: Chocolate covered pretzels and Choco Boy (chocolate snack)

What have you been loving this year?

(can be anything)

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European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York + September Monthly Favourites

Over the weekend I visited the European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York at GOMA, Brisbane city! It was super busy on the weekend, so I definitely recommend going during the weekday and not the weekend. I saw many artworks that were painted by talented artists such as; Monet, Renoir, Rubens, Turner, Rembrandt, Degas, Van Gogh and Cézanne. But seeing Van Gogh's idyllic The Flowering Orchard 1888, Claude Monet Water lilies  and Rembrandt's painterly Flora of c. 1654 in person was absolutely breathtaking. 

In the middle of the exhibition there was a studio open space where you were able to grab some paper and a pencil and sit down and draw from the inspirations that surrounded you, such as different variety of fruits, pottery, flowers, olive branches etc. There was also live animated screens that bought the artworks to life which was displayed via multimedia and graphic treatments. 

 I also wanted to share what I've been currently been loving this year:

1. Books: The Great Hope by E.G White 
2. Tv Shows: Squid Game, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (kdrama) and Hospital Playlist season 2 (kdrama)  
3. Movie: F9 (fast and furious 9)  
4. Youtube: Ondo, Project Love Me, CozyDay, BangtanTV + TheirCoffee
5. Music:  Hold Us Together (Hope remix) by H.E.R & Tauren Wells, My Universe by Coldplay x BTS, ila ila by B.I, Waves by Fiji, Summer Is for Falling in Love by Sarah Kang
6. Food: Vege Bibimbap and cheese fries at Chi MC,  Schnitz hot chips with curry mayo sauce, savoury and sweet croissants from Le Bon Choix bakery and Gelato Messina - milk choc with choc peanut fudge  
7. Drink: Water, soju and chai latte 
8. Clothing: Dresses and matching skirt and jacket sets 
9. App: Twitter 
10. Accessories: Watch and balenciaga bag  
11. Beauty: Face masks 
12. Brand: Zara + Balenciaga + My Dearest   
13. Other: Editing videos and photos 

Do you enjoy going to art exhibitions?

♡

Botanical Lab | Brisbane Cafe

 
Botanical Lab cafe is located in West End, Brisbane where it serves yummy bubble teas in glass beakers, and also serves tea infused cakes, soft-serve parfaits, cream puffs, ombre drinks and many more treats and drinks! The interior of Botanical lab is stunning, where it has a soft pastel pink colour scheme and displays a wide range of dried flowers! 

I'm a huge fan of anything black sesame (from black sesame ice cream to black sesame croissants)! So of course I ordered a black sesame mochi milk tea and a lavender mochi cream puff (I also really love mochi)! 

What to order: 

1. Black sesame mochi milk tea with almond milk

2. Lavender mochi cream puff 

3. Milk tea parfait (Black tea jelly, sponge cake, pearls, crumble melted cookie, brown sugar, syrup, waffle biscuit and soft serve)

Which cafe do you keep going back too?

♡

Monet & Friends - Life, Light and Colour Exhibition | Sydney, Australia

 

When I took the day trip to Sydney, I wasn't even planing on visiting the exhibition... I accidentally stumble across it while quickly browsing on Instagram just a couple of hours before flying off. Times like these I'm thankful for Instagram sponsor posts!! Towards at the end of my trip, I book the last session and I was in awe the whole 2 hours at the exhibition (high school me was screaming inside, if only we had these amazing exhibitions back when I was in high school). 

Monet & Friends - Life, Light and Colour Exhibition would have to one of my favourite exhibitions I've ever been too. It is a multi sensory exhibition (digital art),  where you can experience the sights, sounds and fragrance of 19th century Europe through the beautiful and breathtaking brushstrokes works of Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne and more! 

If you are very much into art I highly recommend on visiting Monet & Friends - Life, Light and Colour exhibition if it's ever comes to your city! Monet & Friends was super relaxing and comforting and I'm also looking forward to the Van Gogh Alive Exhibition coming soon this year to Australia, so stay tuned! 

Have you ever been to an art exhibition, if so which one was your favourite? 

♡