I am back! One week in Central Japan has truly widened my horizons. We went to Osaka, Kyoto, Gamagori, Hakone, Tokyo and Narita. Its such a beautiful country. Service quality is indeed first class over there. Everyone, right from the top to the cashier in the convenience stores to the cleaner in the washrooms, is extremely courteous. On the first day, QQL and I were taken on a city tour (we were the only 2 who adamently opted out of the Universal Studio Package) by our tour guide. He showed us how to comprehend the transit system and how to get from Osaka to Namba. Thereafter, we took the public train around a couple of cities. It was a valuable experience..we get to explore Shinsaibashi and the nearby areas on our own rather than playing games/rides in the studio. :) 
The temperature ranged between 12'c to 17'c on the first two days. Cold yet sunny weather.Then, it fell to single digit. The most freezing moments were at snow-capped Mt Fuji! Even as we were taking photographs (covered in thick clothing and shawl), our fingers were still trembling! The chilling gusts of winds were piercing.But the view was simply too scenic. I was completely wowed. Lost for words. That is the highlight of the entire tour, in my view. 
Disneyland, which I was strongly anticipating, falls short of my expectations. Or rather, I will say, its the crowd who was the spoiler. Otherwise, I am sure it will be damn fun. It was a Saturday we went. Never before had I seen so many people in a themepark! Long queues everywhere, be they washrooms, food stores (even those carts selling pop corn, ice creams!), souvenir stores and rides. Average waiting time is 2 hrs for a 2 minute ride for the more popular games*faints*. Ironically, the best part of the day at Disneyland, was sitting down at the fast food restaurant savouring the mickey-mouse shaped teriyaki chicken burger.
Other places of interest we went included Ueno Flea Market(the place for affordable local products), Shinjuku (Red Light District or as the tour guide puts it nicely, 'Entertainment' District), Kyomizu and Todaiji Temples, Owakudani Valley( sulphurous fumes engulfs the area. Suffocating!), Takeshima Island etc. Enjoyable.
Accomodation and food were excellent. Most of our meals were buffet style and they tasted yummy! I ate till I had a stomachache and was in no condition to go for the hotspring on that day. Due to its geographical location, in Japan, the day is short and night is long. Their 5pm is eqivalent to our 8pm. Darkness enshrouds the city.
Anyway, what makes this trip a success was in a large part, attributed to the 2 tour guides and the affable Japanese bus driver. They are very caring and considerate.The local guide took good care of everyone and even on the first day, she can remember all our names. I was amazed! The Japan tour guide (a Singaporean by birth) impressed us with his vast knowledge of Japan. Not only that, his recommendations (food, places, accessories) were good.
This tour was well-organized. Its worth all the $ and time. The only thing I hate is spending several hours in the plane. I can't sleep in the plane. Time crawls. But in the bus, I can doze off easily. :) Also, regrettable was the lack of time to explore The Ginza and Aikihabara(Japan's world famous Electric Town) in Tokyo. I doubt I will go to Japan again in the near future..but if I were to go, it will just be a free and easy tour to Tokyo. ;)
