Calico (猫カフェきゃりこ）is a cat café in Shinjuku. It takes about 5 minutes to walk from Shinjuku station. However make sure to take the East Exit! This is the easiest and quickest exit to take to get to the cat café. Shinjuku Station sees over 3 million people pass through daily and with more than 200 exits it is extremely easy to become lost. Accessible by the JR lines, Tokyo Metro, Keio Lines, Odakyu Line and Toei Subway. 

Shinjuku boasts the busiest train station in the world. But don't let this overwhelm you! With so many people passing through and working in Shinjuku daily there are many awesome things to see and do. The list of shops (from sweets to fashion) and restaurants is endless within the station. And the number multiplies when you manage to reach the streets of Shinjuku. The busy streets offer karaoke, izakayas and of course Calico Cat Café!

Cat cafés are extremely popular in Japan. Why? Because owning a pet is costly and often pets are not allowed in apartment buildings. Land is very expensive in Japan and so it is common for families to live in apartments.

Due to the success of cat cafés rabbit cafés have also become popular recently. Owl and goat cafés have been opened as well but unfortunately I haven't been able to experience these... yet!

There's plenty to do at the cat café. You are able to order drinks, eat a meal, read manga, play with the cats and their toys as well as feed them some chicken. I recommend buying the food - the cats become a lot more interested in you!

Calico Cat Café is home to so many different kinds of cats. They even have a booklet that features all the cats with photos and a little blurb with their names, genders, breed, birthdays and sometimes a fun fact! I was lucky enough to make friends with Gomako (the cutest little persian) who woke up and made her way across the room to cuddle in next to me. 

The cat café is located on the 5/6th floor. There's a billboard/ sign on the building advertising the café -猫カフェきゃりこ. In the past I have also seen workers standing out the front holding a sign to point you in the right direction! 

Calico can be very busy and so you are given an allocated time. I found arriving in the morning at 10 when the café opens is a good idea. If this doesn't suit you be prepared to have a waiting period before you are allowed to enter. 

The price is based on the allocated time you have chosen - 1 hour is ¥1000 on weekdays and ¥1200 on weekends (roughly $10AUD - $12AUD).

If you can't speak Japanese that is no problem the staff are extremely helpful and have guidelines and contracts printed in English.

Below is a video from my experience at Calico Cat Café. 

If you would like to find out more information or see a map of where the cat café is in location to Shinjuku Station make sure to check out their website. http://www.catcafe.jp/shop_shinjyuku.html HINT: Use a web browser such as Chrome to translate the page into English.

kirsten

Want to do something special while you are in Hawaii? Well the sunset sail on the Waikiki Rigger is just that. 

The catamaran leaves shore at the Historic Kawehewehe Beach (Gray's Beach) which is located just past Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Halekulani. The sunset sail departs everyday from this location. Onboard your drinks are included and range from the delicious 'rigger cocktail' to beer and wine. I absolutely love the rules on this cat - when you would like another drink you simply place your cup on your head!

I'm slightly terrified of boats so when I turned up I felt too scared to set sail. However the staff were so incredibly friendly and encouraging that I decided to just go for it. I'm so glad I did because I had the most wonderful experience. I felt truly spoilt on this afternoon - family, drinks, sailing, making friends and the view! 

The sunset is magnificent. The photo below is beautiful but it doesn't compare to the buzzing atmosphere and incredible sight in real life. The sun reflects on the many buildings back on shore in Waikiki. Make sure to turn back and get a glimpse of this too!

 

I'd like to thank the boys at Waikiki Rigger for giving my family a wonderful afternoon and a birthday my dad will never forget!

The sunset cruise departs at 5pm daily and costs $40USD for adults and $30USD for children. For more information such as availability, a map and other tours their website is extremely helpful:
http://www.waikikibeachsailing.com/

Where is your favourite place to set sail? I would love to know.

kirsten

5 years after my first visit to Mount Takao I returned to Japan eager to climb this beautiful mountain once again. There is something so remarkable about this place that I am having trouble putting it into words. I feel like it is something you can only experience for yourself. I often think I would like to live much closer to Mount Takao and visit frequently but maybe that would take some of the magic away.

Mount Takao (高尾山 - Takaosan) is located in Hachioji, a city on the outskirts of Tokyo. The nearest station is Takaosanguchi and is accessible by the Keio Takao line. It's easiest to hop on the train at Shinjuku Station. This train ride takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour.

There are a number of ways to reach the summit of Mount Takao. I recommend starting the climb with a path or a hiking trail. As you hike Mount Takao you are able to take in big, crisp breaths of air while immersing yourself in nature. Who would have thought this would be possible in Tokyo?

If you take path No. 1 you are rewarded with stunning views of Tokyo. From the lookout on Mount Takao you can really appreciate just how tall Tokyo Skytree is as you look back towards the city.

This path also makes sure you pass by all the best attractions that Mount Takao has to offer. Make sure to stop at the observation deck, the monkey park (if you have time), the Octopus Cedar (a natural treasure mentioned in folk stories) and the octopus statue. (Make sure you rub it for luck!)

As you continue walking you will reach Yakuo-In Yuki-ji - a Buddhist Temple that is considered a symbol of Mount Takao. This is where I met an elderly couple and because I was alone they decided to accompany me to the summit. I had the loveliest walk and chat with this couple. They were so warm and welcoming and had visited Australia so we had something in common to talk about. When we reached the top they even bought me an ice cream! I'm so thankful to this couple for giving me a wonderful day and I regret not knowing their names.

The summit is a wonderful place to sit and take in your surroundings. From the observation deck you can get a glimpse of Mount Fuji.

When it is time to head back home you can a choose different path to take. This is a great opportunity to take the cable car or chair lift when you are feeling a bit tired at the end of the day. You can pay for these by using your pasmo/suica card or in cash.

I have climbed Mt Takao in late November twice. Autumn is the most popular time to visit when the leaves change colour. I have heard from friends who live in Japan that the plum blossom season in February and night time visits in Summer (June-August) are also very beautiful opportunities to take a trip to Mount Takao.

In the distance you can see Mt Fuji

For more information on Mount Takao you can visit the Japan National Tourism Organisation's website here: JNTO

kirsten