完结篇 ~ The Economic Miracle

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The weather was still as cold as ever as we spent our final 2 days in Yokohama city and Hakone (Mount Fuji). Better luck awaited us this time round as we caught a much clearer glimpse of the Fuji Mountain. For most Japanese, staying home to welcome the New Year meant watching the “Red-White Singing Competition” on NHK TV and eating the traditional soba at the stroke of 12 midnight to symbolize longevity.

A trip to the temple in the early hours of 1st January 2009 is a "must-do" to pray for good luck, good health and good career in 2009. While the temple was overflowing with worshippers, Japanese should pride themselves for being orderly and well-behaved.

As we looked back for the past 12 days, it was certainly another "economic miracle" as we tried ways and means to minimise the impact caused by the appreciation of the Japanese yen. All in all, the final damage came closed to $2,800, a relatively reasonable amount considering a fair number of places covered in this instalment.

Air-Tickets: $871
Japan Rail Pass: $467
Accomodation: $384
Expenditures in Japan: $1,050

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