Month: January 2018

Posted in Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Sunrise and Sunset, Travel

Trip to Hokkaido (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Depart Haneda International Airport (Tokyo) for Chitose International Airport (Sapporo, Hokkaido).

There are many buildings and houses in Tokyo.

After 1.5 hours journey; it’s snowing in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Hokkaido is huge; we need to rely on cars.

We didn’t make a reservation, but there are many counters for rent a car service providers at the arrival hall of Chitose Airport.

I just picked Nippon Rent a Car.

The number of rent a car is large in Hokkaido; these cars are all rent a car service cars.

The counter is also huge.

While waiting for a car, I found Hokkaido Exclusive Drink: Hokkaido Tokibi-cha (Corn Tea).

This is nice roasted taste.

There is a departure gate as well.

My Hokkaido Car is cute Toyota Vitz.

First, we went to Shokotsu-Ko (Shikotsu Lake) for lunch or snacks.

These snacks are nice.

Yaki Tokibi (Grilled Corn)

Imomochi (Potato Mochi (potato mixed with pounded rice))

The scenery is beautiful with snow and sun setting.

Driving in snow is also beautiful.

Finally, arrived at Jozankei Onsen (Hot Spring) Sankeien (Hotel Sankeien).

Hotel room is washitsu (Japanese style).

Before dinner, went to Onsen to fresh up and warm up.

Then dinner.

Now I’m watching TV from Futon. fufufu

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Friends, Restaurants, Tokyo

Dinner with Friends from LA

Posted on by sonokotchi

I miss her.

I don’t think I had sufficient time to catch up with her.

I took her to my favorite Yakiniku (Korean BBQ) restaurant in Roppongi, Yakiniku 433.

Perhaps, we were too busy eating…?

After eating various parts of beef, we went for desserts at Hoshino Coffee.

Yes, I announced my resolution yesterday – Losing Weight, but I think I can apply exception when I’m spending quality time with my friends from overseas.

She brought me goodies from Trader Joe’s: Cocoa Batons (Rolled Wafers with Rich Chocolate Cream), Green Tea Infused Mints and Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter with Shea & Mango Butters.

I cannot wait to try them!

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Nikko (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It was snowing when I woke up.

It was nice to dip in open air bath in the morning before breakfast.

It’s time to go back home, Tokyo.

We had time till our train back to Tokyo, we stopped by Kissa (Cafe) Tsuruya for a coffee and oshiruko (red bean soup with mochi (pounded rice)).

Sayonara Kinugawa Onsen (Hot Spring) Station.

Snow stopped nearing to Tokyo.

Oh no, returned to Sky Tree where I started this trip.

Returned to Asakusa by Revaty.

It was peaceful and relaxing Year End and New Year holiday.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Trip to Nikko (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I picked more western food this morning.

After breakfast, we left hotel for Tobu World Square.

There is a station named Tobu World Square.

The park is located across the street from the Station.

The entrance of Tobu World Square.

It’s a miniature of the world.

New York

Egypt

Paris

Greece

Spain

Many More Places

And Japan

When we returned to hotel, hotel served mochi (pounded rice).

This is traditional way of making mochi.

There are three flavors: anko (red bean), kinako (soy bean powder) and daikon (white radish with soy sauce).

These are fresh, soft and delicious.

After the snack, I took a bath then had dinner.

We had dinner with desert, but went to desert again: double desert. hahaha

I will watch what I eat starting tomorrow.

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Shop, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

Trip to Nikko (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Akemashite Omedetogozaimasu (Happy New Year)

This is the view from a room.

I had a buffet breakfast; hotel serves New Year dishes, too.

It’s New Year so decide to go to Nikko Toshogu (Shrine) for prayer.

At Kinugawa Onsen (Hot Spring) Station, Station staffs and local people are serving sake and Amazake (sweet non-alcohol sake).

SL train stops this Station.

Then I see the real SL train: Taiju. Yeah!

Today, I took this train to reach Tobu Nikko Station.

Two trains were connected; it has double faces.

The road was crowded with cars to visit the shrine.

We took a bus till Shinkyo (God’s Bridge) then walked to Nikko Toshogu.

Shinkyo (God’s Bridge) is beautiful.

Nikko Toshogu is the World Heritage.

We walked to the entrance of Nikko Toshogu.

This is the first gate, need to show a ticket to enter the premises.

Toshogu is in the process of repairing.

Some buildings are reborn in bright colours.

This place is famous for THREE WISE MONKEYS: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil.

Yomeimon (Yomei Gate)

This gate is so colourful.

This dragon is drawn at the ceiling of this gate, beautiful and powerful.

This Nemuri Neko (Sleeping Cat) is also famous.

This cat looks as if she can wake up anytime.

The main building of shrine is still under the repair.

We managed to pray and visit places before the place gets crowded with more visitors to arrive.

We catch a bus back to Tobu Nikko Station.

We went to collect our free souvenirs, Castella (cakes) and Yuba (tofu), at Nikko Castella Honpo (Main Store).

Then we changed a train to return to Kinugawa Onsen Station to hotel before it gets dark.

We enjoyed dinner after a good exercise, walking at Shrine.

We had a voucher to get another dessert after dinner.

We did dessert hopping tonight. fufufu

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Trip to Nikko (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Depart Asakusa Station for Kinugawa Onsen (hot spring) Station by Spacia, Tobu Line.

I enjoyed privacy for two hours train ride at Compartment 2.

Sky Tree and peaceful scenery from window

I see snow at Kinugawa Onsen Station; yes, it’s cold here.

It’s a hot spring town.

The station gate looks like as if we are going to enter a hot bath.

Kinugawa Onsen

I took a shuttle bus to Kinugawa Plaza Hotel.

Opened a door and there is a fusuma (sliding door) to lead us to a main room and small sun (living) room to over look a river.

There is a public hot spring bath; therefore, there is a shower booth only at the room.

We had dinner at room and dinner was nice.

After dinner, went to Onsen.

There are free ice candy bars: Gari Gari Kun Onsen Manju (black sugar flavor).

I watched Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red/Women Team vs White/Men Tram Song Battle) on TV.

Watching this TV programme is a typical way to spend New Year’s Eve in Japan.

Namie Amuro who is celebrating her 25th career anniversary decides to retire next September.

This year would be her last performance at Kohaku.

Singers who are selected to perform on this programme is based on the performance and popularity in the year; therefore, Japanese singers are honor to participate in this programme.

After Kohaku, watching Iku Toshi Kuru Toshi (Year to Go, Year to Come).

Listened to Temple’s Bell to purify the spirit to receive a New Year.

Happy New Year!