Month: August 2020

Posted in Daily Life, Feelings, Gadget, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Shop, Shopping

Online Takarakuji (Lottery)

Posted on by sonokotchi

The service to purchase Takarakuji online started on 24 October 2018.

The Takarakuji counter is opened from 9 am to 5:40 pm on weekdays only at designated kiosks and Mizuho Bank; therefore, it was difficult for me to purchase Takarakuji.

Today, I can purchase Takarakuji online via official website or apps for 24/7 throughout a year.

I can not select lucky number ticket but if I don’t buy it, I cannot win.

I bought three sets (1 set for 10 tickets) of Summer Jumbo (1st prize JPY 500 million or USD 5 million) and two sets of Summer Mini (JPY 10 million or USD 0.1 million).

The winner number was announced on 21 August 2020 and I regret to know that I didn’t win.

I only won complementary prize which is one ticket worth of value for each set.

I spent a total of JPY 15,000 (USD 150) and won only JPY 1,500 (USD 15). Boo hoo

One of benefits of online purchasing is saving me from going to the counter to cash it.

If I win – hopefully, one day – the system will automatically remit the amount in the registered bank account when the amount is greater than JPY 10,000 (USD 100) or I can request for remittance.

In addition, I can get points from each purchasing amount and I can use the points to purchase Takarakuji tickets.

I plan to buy Halloween Jumbo (winning prize for JPY 300 million or USD 3 million) and Halloween Mini (winning prize for JPY 10 million or USD 0.1 million) which are scheduled to be sold on 23 September 2020.

Hopefully I can hit a jackpot one day.

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

Local Instant Noodle: Maneki no Ekisoba (Maneki’s Station Soba Noodle), Himeji – City, Hyogo

Posted on by sonokotchi

Nissin is known as a major player of instant noodle maker and its product, Nissin Cup Noodle, is globally loved.

This Nissin produces locally famous and sold instant noodles.

These two are good examples, Maneki no Ekisoba: Kitsune (Fried Tofu) and Tempura (Tempura Waste – Deep Fried Tempura Batter).

Since after the WWII (year 1949), the noodle shop, Manekino innovated and started serving a noodle dish at the Himeji Station that people can enjoy quickly and deliciously by using Chinese style noodle – ramen and Japanese traditional dashi soup.

As same as other instant noodles, take out soup powder and toppings.

Open and put those back in the bowl.

Add water and wait for four minutes for this.

Tempura
Kitaune

Next time, I should try the actual Maneki no Ekisoba at the Himeji Station.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Friends, Work

Cooking Malaysian Food at Home

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend started importing Malaysian food paste, Mama’s Delights, from Malaysia.

She sent me samples to me so I tried few.

First, Nonya Curry with seafood (squid, scallops and prawns) and vegetables (onions, eggplants and potatoes).

Then Malaysian Curry with chicken and vegetables (onions, eggplants and potatoes).

She told me it required efforts to change packaging and modifying taste; but I think it’s paid off.

It’s easy to prepare and delicious!

I also enjoyed these Malaysian food at office by bring it as my lunch.

Yeah

Posted in Feelings, Friends, Japanese Culture, Movie, Tokyo

Movie Voucher

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend gave me two (2) movie vouchers valid only at the movie theatre near my place – Toho Cinemas Roppongi.

The original validation date was 31 May 2020; however, the movie theatre was closed during the State of Emergency (8 April to 25 May 2020) therefore the validation date automatically extended to 31 July 2020.

Unfortunately, major movies postponed the showing date in later year such as 007 in November; therefore, I had to select a move from available movies.

I like an action movie so I decided to watch “Rambo – Last Blood” on 30 July 2020.

It was the last day of showing; therefore, it was showing only at the last show time of the day (9:30 pm – 11:25 pm).

I regretted to go alone to watch this movie at late night at isolated cinema – there were only seven (7) of us occupying a cinema.

I should have gone with a buddy because I needed somebody to calm me down after watching this movie – too much sorrow and pain.

I also reserved to watch Nausica – Princess of the Wind Valley (official English Title is “Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind”) on the following date on 31 July 2020.

The Toho Cinema was showing four Ghibli Movies – Nausica, Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke), Sen to Chihiro no Kami Kakushi (Spirited Away) and Gedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea) – for providing opportunities to watch these masterpieces once again at the movie theatre.

I wanted my space when I watch this movie (again, there were seven (7) of us); therefore, I reserved the first movie of the day (9:20 am – 11:30 am).

I know the movie and it’s story; nonetheless, it was nice to watch Nausica with a big screen.

This is my favorite Ghibli Movie with a sentimental value.

Thank you my friend!

Originally, we had a different plan – watching Frozen 2 together; however, the situation didn’t allow us to do so.

Let’s plan something together when the situation is better.

Well, I didn’t waste them and I enjoyed watching two movies!

Arigato!

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Japan Technology, Shopping

Shiseido

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend recommended me the followings and decided to start for health and beauty.

From Left

N.O.U Brown Rice Black Vinegar for Health (Energy with Rich of Amino Acid and Citric Acid)

N.O.U Sellsizer for Health (Slimming)

Benefique White Bloom for Beauty (Whitening)

I shall see for outcome in a month with these one month supply.

Posted in Cooking, Daily Life, Exercise, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Tokyo, Work

New Normal: Back Pack and Necessaries

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, after expiring my subway commuter pass on 15 May 2020, I didn’t renew my pass and started walking to the office.

The rainy season is over so it’s VERY HOT in Tokyo now; therefore, I need a backpack to carry many more new necessaries to the office.

These are new necessaries in addition to normal etiquettes things such as tissue, cosmetics for retouch, hand cream, wallet, cough drops and eco bag.

Evian, Body Wipe, Perfume, Cooling Towel, Ice Packs, Change (Top/Clothes)
Umbrella for Both Rain and Sum, Lunch with Lunch Bag (Thermo), Hand Towel, Handkerchief, Wireless Headphone, Extra Mask and Sanitizer.

It’s heavier now but these are necessaries.

Posted in Cooking, Daily Life, Feelings, Health, Japanese Food

New Normal: Binge Cooking

Posted on by sonokotchi

Now I bring lunch to work.

I used to go out for lunch to refresh myself but today I eat at my desk to clear my work fast in case Boss allows us to go back earlier than the clock.

I used to buy Take Out Meals from supermarket for dinner; however, during my Stay Home Period, I tried to cook as much as I can to avoid packed food.

Today, I try to continue a good practice.

To ease my weekday tasks, I binge cooking today / on Sunday,

Dumpling – freeze them as emergency food
Beef hamburgs / Beef Patty
Tomato Sauce for spaghetti, pizza, beef hamburgs, etc
Korean Style Zucchini
Dashi (Seaweed and Bonito Stock)

Hopefully these can save me from time and appetite.