My Japan Winter Trip

By Awliya 

“A dream that finally came true”

29 April 2026 | 7:00 AM

✈️ From KL to Tokyo

I departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 and took a flight with All Nippon Airways to Narita International Airport.

   When I arrived, it was extremely cold because it was the beginning of the snow season. Especially at night, the wind was strong and the cold felt completely different from what I usually experience in Malaysia. One of my favorite small moments was seeing my breath turn into smoke when I talked, it was simple, but I really enjoyed it.

🍜 Food Experience (For Muslims)

Finding halal food in Japan is quite difficult.

So for Muslim travelers, it is better to:

- Bring canned or packaged food

- Bring instant noodles or instant rice

I also often bought rice at FamilyMart there because it comes in sealed packaging, so it’s easy to carry while traveling all day. 

At the same time, I tried some viral halal chocolate from FamilyMart. 

it was surprisingly so good , even though it’s not pure chocolate (it has biscuit inside), the combination was really delicious and addictive.

Honestly, the taste of halal food there is quite different from Malaysian food. It is very light and quite bland for our taste. My first meal at Tokyo airport was halal beef udon soup, but the broth tasted almost like plain water.

🎢 Tokyo (2 Days)

I stayed in Tokyo for 2 days.

On the second day, I visited Tokyo Disneyland 🏰

The moment I entered, I was completely amazed. The place was huge and full of magic. Inside, there were shops, food stalls, and souvenir stores everywhere  it felt like another world. When I walked further and passed the gates, I saw the blue castle in front of me. It was so beautiful that I was honestly speechless. 

I also took so many photos there, especially at the castle during the night fireworks. The view was so stunning that I kept taking picture after picture because I didn’t want to forget that moment. It truly felt unforgettable. Later at around 11:30 AM, there was a Disney parade show where many characters appeared  Rapunzel, Snow White, Mickey Mouse, and many more. They were waving and passing by, and it really felt like a dream come true. Because it was school holiday season, the place was very crowded, so I spent a lot of time queuing. The longest queue I joined was the roller coaster almost 1 hour waiting, but it was completely worth it because the ride was extremely exciting. I also rode the carousel (horse ride)  which was simple but very cute and gave a fairytale vibe. At around 8:30 PM, there was a fireworks show at the castle. It was beautiful and magical, lighting up the whole sky.

❄️ Karuizawa (2 Days)

After Tokyo, I traveled to Karuizawa for 2 days.

I went there using the Shinkansen 🚄 and the journey took a little over 1 hour (around 140 km). It was very fast, smooth, and comfortable.

In Karuizawa, I stayed in a homestay that was very complete and comfortable. It came with a kitchen, washing machine, dryer, and even a heater, which made the stay really convenient during the cold weather ❄️The view from the homestay was also very beautiful and peaceful. It felt like something from an old story very classic and calming. Nearby, there were trees and a river, which made the whole place feel so natural and relaxing.It was the kind of place that makes you slow down and really enjoy the moment.

In Karuizawa, I experienced snow for the first time In Japan. It was extremely cold, and my hands felt numb, but it was very fun and exciting at the same time. I spent almost 3 hours playing in the snow with my family and taking lots of photos as memories.We were just enjoying the moment together throwing snow, walking around, and laughing non-stop. Even though it was really cold, it didn’t feel tiring at all because we were having so much fun.

I also visited the outlet garden mall there, which felt like a luxury shopping paradise. There were many brands like Gucci, Prada, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren.

I went into Gucci because my parents wanted to buy shoes. The price was around RM1500+, and with an additional 10% tax-free discount for tourists, it was really worth it .My mom’s shoes were around RM2500, and my dad’s were around the same range as well.

I also visited Ralph Lauren and bought a knitwear piece for around RM500, which is much cheaper compared to Malaysia (boutique prices can reach RM810 or more).

If you are planning to shop for luxury items like Louis Vuitton, Dior, or Chanel in Japan, it is highly recommended.The price difference compared to Malaysia is quite big sometimes much cheaper in Japan depending on items and tax-free benefits. So if you are planning to buy luxury goods, Japan is definitely a good place to shop.

Another tip is to visit vintage stores in Japan. There are many shops selling pre-loved items like bags, shoes, and jewellery that are almost like new.The prices are usually much more affordable, and it is very worth it if you want to save money compared to buying from boutiques Shopping here truly felt satisfying and budget-friendly.

🛍 Yokohama (2 Days)

After that, I went to Yokohama for 2 days.

From Karuizawa to Yokohama, I also travelled by train.The journey took around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on connections, covering an approximate distance of around 180–200 km.It was a very smooth and comfortable ride, and I really enjoyed watching the scenery change from snowy areas to the city view along the way.

In Yokohama, I stayed in a hotel on the highest floor, which was also the most expensive room, just to enjoy the city view.From my room, the view was absolutely beautiful. It faced a lake, a theme park, busy roads, and tall buildings all at once. It really gave a “New York vibe” feeling ✨Waking up and seeing that view from my room was honestly so calming and memorable. It made the whole stay feel more special.

In Yokohama, I spent a lot of time shopping 🛍 because tourists can enjoy a 10% tax-free discount.I bought makeup products like Dior, Guerlain, and Chanel, which were much cheaper compared to Malaysia.

I also took photos at the famous crosswalk area a popular spot where many people take pictures while crossing the street. I took photos of myself and my family there, which made the memory even more meaningful.

Even though the weather was cold, I still felt tired from all the walking. However, the air there was very fresh and clean. Japan really takes cleanliness seriously, and it makes the whole environment very comfortable.

💭 MY THOUGHTS

This trip was truly unforgettable for me 🤍

Even though there were some struggles with food, everything else was completely worth it.

Each place had its own special memory:

🎢 Tokyo — busy, fun, and magical

❄️ Karuizawa — peaceful and snowy

🛍 Yokohama — shopping paradise with family moments

I took so many photos throughout this trip at Disneyland castle fireworks, in the snow at Karuizawa, and with my family at Yokohama crosswalk. Every moment felt special and meaningful.

If I ever get the chance again, I would definitely love to visit Japan once more.

My Concert Experience - Axiata Arena

by Amy

I woke up that day feeling extremely excited because I was finally going to attend a concert by NCT DREAM at Axiata Arena. I quickly got ready and left around 10 a.m. since I needed to be there by 12 p.m. to start queuing.

 At that time, I was alone because I hadn't made any friends yet. When I arrived, I decided to straight away join the queue. The atmosphere was already full of fans waiting eagerly, and the excitement was unreal. 

    

The doors opened around 3 p.m., and I entered the venue. Even inside, many fans were still outside, queuing and waiting for their turn to go in. This was also my first time choosing standing tickets, as I had always taken seating before this experience. 

While waiting, someone approached me first, and we decided to become concert buddies for the day. From that moment, I no longer felt alone and we enjoyed the concert experience together. The concert officially started around 5 p.m., and everyone went crazy with excitement when our favorites artists, NCT DREAM, finally appeared on stage. The energy inside the arena was unforgettable. 

    

We enjoyed every moment of the concert together, cheering, singing, and living in the moment. After the concert ended, we took pictures to capture the memories. 

    

    That night, I rewatched all the videos I recorded. It also made me realize that it was the last time I saw them as a 7-members group, since Mark Lee had already left the group. It was a sad feeling, but I respect his decision and accept it. Overall, this experience will always remain one of my most meaningful concert memories. 

Mark Lee <3

    

A Day at the Dean's Award Ceremony and Hari Raya Celebration

By Batrisyia

 On 23 April 2026, I attend the Dean’s Award Ceremony and Hari Raya celebration at UNISEL Bestari Jaya. This event is a meaningful and memorable experience for me as I celebrate my academic achievement together with my friends.

Upon arriving at Dewan Canselori, my friends and I feel slightly shy as there are many students present. We proceed to register our attendance, receive our table numbers, and scan a QR code for the lucky draw. We are also given a tote bag as a gift. After that, we enjoy a simple breakfast provided at the venue.

When we enter the hall to find our seats, we face a small issue as our assigned seats are already taken by other students. With the help of our lecturer, Sir Faizul, we manage to understand the situation. Although we feel slightly frustrated, we decide to sit at another table and continue enjoying the event.

The ceremony officially begins at 9:15 a.m. with an opening speech, followed by a prayer and the singing of the national anthem, the Selangor state song, and the UNISEL song. We then listen to a speech from the faculty and watch a montage prepared by students. There is also a dance performance that adds excitement to the event.

At 9:55 a.m., the Dean’s Award presentation begins. My friends and I line up to receive our certificates. While waiting, we feel nervous and anxious, but we also laugh together to ease the tension. When my name is called, I walk up to the stage and receive my certificate with a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.

After the award session, I watch a live band performance by students, which I truly enjoy. Later, we queue for food, and although the line is quite crowded, we manage to get our meals. While eating, the lucky draw takes place, and I hope to win, but my name is not selected. Nevertheless, I still enjoy the moment with my friends.

In the afternoon, we take photos together to capture the memories of this special day. My friends look beautiful, and we also take pictures with our lecturers, Sir Hasni and Sir Faiz. I enjoy watching the performances, including a singing performance by Sir Faiz, which makes the event even more lively and enjoyable.

Overall, this event is a very meaningful experience for me. It is not only about receiving the Dean’s Award but also about celebrating together with friends and appreciating the journey that leads to this achievement.

That's all, I hope this encourages y'all to do your studying! 

study hard, not smart? how bout do both!