November 22, 2015
Android Apps for Travelling
Nowadays smartphones and tables are sophisticated enough to be our digital swiss army knife for various purposes, such as travelling. I list here some useful Android apps for when we visit various places in the world. I made this list to serve as a reminder for me which app to reinstall if I visit these places, as right now I am deleting some apps in my Android device in order to clean it up a bit.
There are some widely known apps, that can be used ‘almost’ worldwide, such as Google Maps, Google Translate, Uber, Skype, Rebtel, which are installed in most Android devices. However, some general apps, as I say, general, might not be comprehensive enough for some places. For example, Google Maps told me to take wrong bus while I was in Copenhagen or to wait for bus at the wrong spot in Osaka. Hence, I suggest to use apps that are specialized to the places in addition to the general apps.
I only list down Android apps here as I only own Android devices. I think the list is applicable too for iOS platform as some of the apps here have their iOS counterparts.
As for Windows Phone platform, I hope it could catch up. Anyway, I own a Windows Phone as my main phone for communication, social media, and photo taking (it is Nokia Lumia 1020 after all).
If you have suggestions for additional apps and additional countries or cities, feel free to write it down in comment and I will try to incorporate your suggestions into the list.
And, here is the list.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE : CALIFORNIA
- 511 Transit : Shows bus and train schedules around the SF Bay (including San Jose and other nearby cities in San Francisco). Route (including walking) is also provided.
SINGAPORE
- Singapore Map : Comprehensive map of Singapore city.
JAPAN
WHOLE JAPAN
- Japan Travel Guide With Me : Contains comprehensive travel information for many places in Japan. Actually it pulls its content from travel wiki. You might want to skip ahead to use web browser to check the contents in travel wiki.
- Japan Travel Guide by Triposo : Alternative to the app #1 above. They also provide separate apps for each city.
- NAVITIME for Japan Travel : We can use this to search for bus and train transit for the whole japan. This is a great free alternative to Hyperdia app which is not free.
- Gurunavi : Provides eating establishment suggestions near to our location (included information such as average price, English-friendly, type, etc.). Despite the official name to be “Tokyo & Osaka Restaurant Guide”, the app worked while I was in Kobe. Hence I put it in the “WHOLE JAPAN” category
KOBE
- KOBE Official Travel Guide : All information you need about sightseeing, eating, transit, etc. in KOBE. I think it is provided by official KOBE municipality
TOKYO
- Tokyo Subway Navigation : For navigating subway trains in Tokyo. It also provides suggested exits for tourist spots
Additional notes :
- Android does not come with a QR code scanner by default. It is helpful to install at least on barcode scanner app in your device. Some places might offer additional information if you scan the provided QR code. For example, in Japan the company Sekai Menu provides menu translation service for foreigners. You will see QR codes in some eating establishments, which upon being scanned, will direct you to a webpage where you can see the menu name in English.
July 5, 2010
Otaku (Gundam, Tokusatsu, other Anime + Western stuffs) Shopping in Singapore
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Hobby Point
Sells : Gundam model kits (including old releases), model kit tools (ink, thinner, decal, etc.), real-world battle vehicles (mothership, airplane, tank, etc.), Macross models, Gashapon, car model kits (Fujimi, Aoshima, Tamiya), other anime stuffs etc.
Locations :
Tiong Bahru Plaza
3012 Tiong Bahru Road
#05-05A (enter from the lift)
Singapore 168732
Tel : (65) 62752376
Fax : (65) 62708407
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Tiong Bahru
Heartland Mall (The Phaze Two)
Blk 205 Hougang Street 21 (Kovan MRT)
#02-16
Singapore 530205
Tel : (65) 62848242
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Kovan
Century Square
2 Tampines Central 5
#05-08
Singapore 529509
Tel : (65) 62600056
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Tampines
Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-32
Singapore 038983
Tel : (65) 52353268
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Esplanade
———————————
Hobby Art
Sells : Gundam model kits, model kit tools (ink, thinner, decal, etc.), etc.
Location :
Sunshine Plaza
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-44
Singapore 189652
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Bras Basah
———————————
Latendoshop
Sells : Gundam model kits, HCM-Pro, Robot Damashii, SIC, SH Figuarts, Anime figures, Gashapon, etc.
Website : http://www.latendoshop.com/
Locations :
Leisure Park Kallang
5 Stadium Walk
#02-01
Singapore 397693
Tel : (65) 64406171
Operating Hours : 12.00 – 21.00
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Stadium
Funan DigitaLife Mall (open in August 2010)
109 North Bridge Road
#05-10/10
Singapore 179097
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : City Hall
———————————
RoboRobo
Sells : SH Figuarts, SIC, Medicom, etc.
Website : http://www.roborobo.com.sg/
Location :
Excelsior Shopping Centre
5 Coleman Street
#B1-17
Singapore 179805
Tel : (65) 82883515
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : City Hall
———————————
Dream Toys Project
Sells : RAH, SIC, Revoltech, Transformers, etc.
Website : http://www.dreamtoysproject.com/
Location :
Blk 125
Bukit Merah Lane 1
#04-178
Singapore 150125
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Queenstown
———————————
Movie Replicas Collection
Sells : Gundam model kits, SH Figuarts, Revoltech, etc.
Location :
Plaza Singapura
8 Orchard Road,
#07-12B
Singapore 238839
Tel: (65) 6238 6883
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Dhoby Ghaut
———————————
Ani Play
Website : http://ani-play.com
Locations :
Sunshine Plaza
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-46
Singapore 189652
Tel : (65) +63385589
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Bras Basah
Blk 106
Clementi St 12
#02-40/02-42
Singapore 120106
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Clementi
———————————
Simply Toys
Sells : American cartoon/comic merchandise (DC, Marvel, US Series & Movies)
Website : http://www.simplytoys.com.sg/
Locations :
The Raffles Xchange
5 Raffles Place
#B1-01/04/05
Singapore 048618
Tel: (65) 64382238 / (65) 64388384
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Raffles Place
Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard,
#03-53/55/57/61
Tel: (65) 62354458 / 4934
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Esplanade
Plaza Singapura
8 Orchard Road,
#07-11B
Singapore 238839
Tel: (65) 68844401 / (65) 68844402
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Dhoby Ghaut
———————————
Otaku House
Sells : Anime stuffs, cosplay dress
Website : http://myotakuhouse.com/
Locations :
Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-089/089A
Tel: (65) 68874381
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Esplanade
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#07-13B
Tel: (65) 6884 8414
Map : [ Building Location ][ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : Dhoby Gaut
Iluma @ Bugis
201 Victoria Street
#03-01
Tel: (65) 68845778
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Bugis
———————————
Kareshi Kanojo no Mise
Sells : Anime stuffs, etc.
Website : http://www.theanimehouse.com/
Location :
Sunshine Plaza
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-34
Singapore 189652
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Bras Basah
———————————
KuroCha
Website : http://kurocha.com/
Location :
Block 11
Chai Chee Road
#01-17
Singapore 460011
Tel : (65) 6441 6455
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Bedok
———————————
Rapid Culture
Sells : Gundah, Gashapon, anime stuffs, etc.
Website : http://rapidculture.livejournal.com/
Funan DigitaLife Mall
109 North Bridge Road
#05-18
Singapore 179097
Tel : (65) 63364963
Map : [ Building Location ] [ Store Location ]
Nearest MRT : City Hall
———————————
Ace Ventuna Toys
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#02-14
Singapore 048423
Opening hours: 10.30 – 19.00 (Monday to Saturday), 10.00 – 19.00 (Sunday), 11.00 – 18.00 (Public Holiday)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Invasion! Toys & Collectibles
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#02-20
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 65365320
Opening hours: 12.30 – 19.30 (Monday to Saturday), 10.30 – 18.30 (Sunday)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
NG Collectibles
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#02-09
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 65365320
Opening hours: 12.00 – 20.00 (daily)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Playbar
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#01-23
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 64384380
Opening hours: 11.30 – 20.00 (Monday to Saturday, Public Holiday), 10.00 – 18.00 (Sunday)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Toy Realm
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#01-13
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 64384380
Opening hours: 11.30 – 19.30 (Monday to Saturday), 11.00 – 19.00 (Sunday), 11.30-18.30 (Public Holiday)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Toyz Crazy
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#02-19
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 64384380
Opening hours: 13.00 – 20.00 (Monday to Saturday), 11.00 – 19.00 (Sunday)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Past Time Collectable
Website : http://pasttimecollectable.blogspot.com/
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#02-22
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 97659344
Opening hours: 12.00 – 20.00 (Daily)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Treasure Land (Toy n Toys)
Website : http://www.toyntoys.com/
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#01-25/26
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 64386806
Opening hours: 11.30am – 20.00 (daily)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
U Toys
Website : http://www.u-toys.com/
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#02-12
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 65365320
Opening hours: 12.00 – 20.00 (daily)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Vincent’s Collection
Location :
China Square Central
18 Cross Street
#01-22
Singapore 048423
Tel : (65) 63373256
Opening hours: 14.00 – 20.00 (Monday to Saturday), 11.00 to 19.00 (Sunday)
Map : [ Building Location ]
Nearest MRT : Chinatown
———————————
Comics Connection
Sells : Gundam model kits, anime figures, trading card games, etc. anime stuffs, manga, computer & console games, etc.
Website : http://www.comicsconnection.com.sg/
Location : http://www.comicsconnection.com.sg/index.aspx?uc=outlets
=================
Comments :
1. The first three shops are the most recommended for Gundam or mecha fans.
2. The 5th is recommended for the fanboy of US/western based cartoon/movie/series merchandise (Star Wars, Lego, Lord of the Rings, DC, Marvel, etc.).
5. If there are changes, or other shops, please inform me, and I will update the list.
6. Beware of the shops selling Model GD Gundams as those Gundams are cheap unreliable bootleg Gundam Model Kits [ Source ]. According to my friend (Raymond Lui) “The kit was completely unbuildable because the parts didn’t fit and the molds were disjointed.”
7. Web pages about Otaku stores in Singapore :
- Sunshine Plaza
- Plaza Singapura
- Latendo Shop
- http://www.figure.fm/post/en/4988/Any+suggestions+for+hobby+shops+in+Singapore.html
(many of the entries in this list are from this page)
8. In Marsh & McLennan Centre section of China Square Central, there are many shops selling anime and tokusatsu figures (e.g. robot damashii, SIC, SH FigureArts, gashapon, figma, transformers, etc.). However, there is almost no Gundam Model Kits. Check the directory of China Square Central for more shops which I may miss here : http://www.chinasquarecentral.com/retaildir_list.php?display=4
9. Any comments & feedbacks are appreciated (eg. toys sold in each shop, opening hours, new shops, closed down shops, etc.)
Budianto "EonStrife" Tandianus 