Month: July 2020

Posted in Feelings, Food, Hotel, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Self Rewarding

Posted on by sonokotchi

As I mentioned before, I had vouchers from ANA which I can use them to dine and purchase at ANA Intercontinental Tokyo.

I cannot get change from the voucher; therefore, I paid the balance the other day and returned to the hotel to spend the balance of voucher: JPY 5,000 (USD 50).

I went to a Sophisticated French Pastry Shop: Pierre Gagnaire Pains et Gateaux.

First, I asked for a box of Chocolates and four flavours of Macarons.

When I was about to make a payment at the cashier, I was informed that a shop is offering 20 percent discount till 31 July 2020.

I saved JPY 1,257 (USD 12.5) which allowed me to buy am additional short cake (strawberry cream cake).

It’s fun to open boxes….although I bought them myself and knowing what are inside…

I was wondering what to eat lightly to enjoy these. Hummmm

Well, I had the best dinner: eggs, flour, milk (cream), grapes and some guilty sugar. (Some..!?)

The BEST!

I’ll try to enjoy them slowly.

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, International Culture, Japanese Food, Surprise

The Last Day of Long Weekend

Posted on by sonokotchi

First, I taught UNO to my niece based on rules that I remember.

However, I worried what if I taught her wrongly and she gets confused when she plays the game with friends.

I checked the official rules practices by Japan UNO Association and I changed rules; yes, to my surprise there is Japan UNO Association!

She is only 5 years old and can play with adults by remembering many rules such as same Colour, same Number, Skip, Reverse, +2, +4 and WILD Card and according to the packaging, the game is designed for 7 years old and above!

I am proud of her!

We were so full from lunch the previous day so we skipped dinner and souvenir – Panda Baum (Matcha Baumkuchen or layered cake) .

After playing few games of UNO and having a light breakfast, we opened the box….there is a cute Panda!

The cake is in Panda shape!

We decorated our Panda Baum with Macarons.

It’s cute and delicious!

We all got excited, regardless our age!

It’s fourth day and last day today.

While she was packing, she asked me what date would it be her next visit?

She is asking for DATE!

I told her we should plan again on her school holiday.

I’m glad to know that she enjoyed her stay at my condo and she is looking forward to visiting me again.

On the other hand, Choco looks happier to get attentions and his quietness after guests leaving.

Yes, we finished our roles as host and we shall get some rest.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Restaurants, Tokyo

New Normal: New Style Buffet Lunch at Cascade, ANA Intercontinental Tokyo

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had JPY 20,000 (USD 200) worth of vouchers from ANA.

I’ve decided to take my niece for lunch buffet at Cascade, ANA Intercontinental Tokyo.

It’s new style (New Normal) because some dishes are ordered base and cart delivery base to control Mitsu (crowd).

We all enjoyed food and desserts

We all also received Panda Baum (cake) for a souvenir.

My niece enjoyed it very much.

I think I used my voucher wisely.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Tokyo, Travel

Supposed to be Tokyo Olympics’ Opening Ceremony Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Japanese National Holiday, Health and Sports Day, today which I believe it was created for Tokyo Olympics.

It supposed to be Tokyo Olympics 2020 Opening Ceremony Day today.

It was National Holiday, Ocean Day, yesterday making this weekend long (4 days) .

I thought the town would be crowded with visitors and I would be glued on TV.

Japanese government launched Go to Travel Programme on 22 July 2020 to stimulate tourist industry by excluding Tokyo residences.

The government subsidies traveling cost for transportation, accommodation and coupons to use in the visited area.

However, the policy is changing even after launching.

On the other hand, the number of new case is shooting, recording 366 in Tokyo yesterday.

And the number increased not only in Tokyo but also other areas such as Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and many more.

All governors are worried after this long weekend coz many people are traveling with Go To Travel Programme

I’m enjoying long weekend with my niece and we don’t mind to stay in because we haven’t seen since New Year due to the COVID and we have so many things to do!

We’ve been playing games by creating and changing game rules.

I want her to eat healthy so I try to cook as many as I can and she volunteered to help me making dumpling!

We are having so much fun staying in!

I’m not qualified for Go To Travel Programme and it’s better to avoid crowd.

We decided to stay in but we are having so much fun!

I’ve never thought we would spend Olympics Opening Ceremony Day like this.

I like how I’m spending today though it’s different from what I imagine last year – being with family.

Stay Safe!

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Tokyo

Totally Eel Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

21 July 2020 was this year’s Doyo no Ushi.

Doyo no Ushi is a date for Chinese calendar; therefore, the date for western calendar changes every year.

On Doyo no Ushi, we have a custom to eat Unagi (Eel).

We believe eel is energy food and we encourage to eat eel during summer when we lose energy.

I had my belated Doyo no Ushi (Eel’s day) on 22 July 2020 at Chikuyotei, Ginza for lunch.

It was nice and surely I gained some energy.

When I returned home, Mom reported she bought Eel Obento (take away) for dinner at our family restaurant, Shojikiya, Roppongi.

It reminded me of my grandpa.

We talked about him and memories with him while having our dinner.

I like eel so I don’t mind to have it for two continuous meals.

Each restaurant has different taste (character) on food even though it’s the same dish.

I think I managed to gain energy which I need it for now.

Posted in Art, Daily Life, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

New Normal: Reservation for Admission

Posted on by sonokotchi

This is a poster for museum at 21_21 Design Sight, Roppongi, Tokyo.

The exhibition date is extended because the museum was closed for two months.

Furthermore, we need to make a reservation for admission to enter the museum.

Even dining at the restaurant, it’s recommended to make a reservation to secure a seat.

Making a reservation is one of NEW NORMALs.

Posted in Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Shop, Shopping

Furusato Nozei (Home Town Tax Payment Programme)

Posted on by sonokotchi

In 2014, Japanese government introduced new tax incentive system to support local areas: Furusato Nozei (Home Town Tax Payment Programme).

We can purchase local products and services (hotel stay, experience such as diving, etc) to support the area.

We pay for products and services and the government provides incentives for income tax deduction.

There are few Furusato Nozei service providers such as Satofuru, Furunabi, Department Stores, etc.

This time, I purchase Nama Katsuo no Tataki (lightly roasted bonito) from Katsuura-city, Chiba via Satofuru,

My mother side are originally from Katauura; therefore, YES, I would like to support the city and this has sentimental value for me.

I will purchase more products and services from the areas that I would like to support.

This was my first purchase and I’m glad that I was strongly recommended to use this system to enjoy products and services AND tax deduction.

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Gadget, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Work

My First Uber Eats

Posted on by sonokotchi

Boss wanted to treat us McDonald for lunch.

It’s hot outside so he asked me to order delivery.

Well, I want to eat my food when it’s freshly made so I’m not a delivery person.

I rather cook during the Stay Home Period though I crossed many delivery persons then and even now.

I needed to start with downloading the app.

McDonald engages two delivery services: Mc Delivery and Uber Eats.

Since it’s Mc, first, I registered on McDelivery.

When I tried to request for a delivery, I found that our office area is not covered by McDelivery which is understandable because many offices are located in our area, Ginza.

Then I continued registering on Uber Eats.

I received few errors on payment because I wanted to pay by cash but the system only allows payment by credit card which is also understandable because the Uber Eats delivery person might have faced issues on change (small coins).

Finally, I managed to order our food by Uber Eats.

After installing apps and understanding the system, I’m ready to order delivery via apps.

I understand the convenience of service; however, I still want to dine at restaurants or shops, or cooking at home after experiencing it.

Am I an old fashioned person? hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Japanese Culture, Place, Tokyo

Renewing Driver’s License

Posted on by sonokotchi

I supposed to renew my driver’s license this year and I should do it between prior and after one month of my birthday, meaning by 4 April 2020.

At that time, the number of new cases was increasing and I thought going to driver’s license centre where we could expect a large number of visitors is dangerous.

I processed to get an extension for three months for renewing driver’s license.

My deadline became 3 July 2020 after the process.

I thought the three months period would manage the COVID situation, not creating a crowd.

However, I learned that the Samezu Driver’s License Centre (Ota-ku, Tokyo) and other premises were closed till 31 May 2020.

Well, instead of the time solving a problem, it created desperate people to renew the license because of closure of the center!

I waited till very last minutes and asked for a day off to go on weekday on 2 July 2020; hoping there would be less people.

And YES, there were less people at the Samezu Driver’s License Centre and the process went smoothly.

However, I had to sit in two hours lecture due to my record.

My driver’s license became blue and need to come back for renewal in three years.

If you are an excellent driver with no record (which I was for last time), the lecture would be 30 mins and you get a Gold Driver’s License which you don’t need to renew for 5 years – the privilege given to an excellent driver.

I hope I will become an excellent driver (GOLD) again so that I don’t need to sit in 2 hours lecture and I don’t need to come back for 5 years. haaaaa