Category: Art

Posted in Art, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, My Flower Arrangement, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Flowerly Saturday

Posted on by sonokotchi

My Sensei (teacher) reopened flower arrangement class at her house, Kichijoji.

It’s a nice town and there are many small cafes and stores.

Kichijoji has been introduced on TV, but this is my first time to visit the town.

Sensei’s house is built at Taisho jidai (era); it’s about 100 years old.

There are many vintages or antiques here and there.

Old glass…

Old furniture…

Old clock…

It was fun to arrange with classmates and Sensei.

We had tea time after the arrangement to catch up on each other.

On the way back to the station, we took a street where there are many cafes and shops.

Vintage Shops

Venetian Glass Shop.

Kichijoji Petit Mura (Village): there are a cat cafe and few stores.

We tried Sake sampling.

We had tea break at Sensei’s house, but it wasn’t enough so we continued at Mi Cafeto, Kichijoji Station. hahaha

After enough chatting, I took Inogashira Line back to Shibuta.

For dinner, we (Mom and Mom’s friend) went to have Hitsumabushi (eel and eel porridge) at Maruya, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Hitsumabushi is Nagoya speciality; of course, this restaurant is originated from Nagoya.

We went one floor down to HARBS to get few cakes back home.

These cakes were nice: Sakura Cake and Mille Crepe.

It was a nice day.

I visited a new town – Kichijoji, participated in my favorite flower arrangement class, nice tea and dinner with friends and family.

Posted in Art, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Health, Hotel, Place, Restaurants, Shrine and Temple, Sunrise and Sunset, Surprise, Travel

Trip to Egypt (Day 2 Part 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’m spending relaxing Sunday with Chocolate at home today, cleaning room, doing laundry, etc.

Therefore, I decided to continue where I left it on my trip to Egypt.

I thought I would have time to upload about my trip sooner; but simultaneously, I had something that I wanted to share on that day that prevented me to continue.

Well, my second day in Egypt had been a long day.

We slept on the flight from Tokyo to Cairo; then continued our first half of sightseeing of the day.

We finally reach to our lodging for three nights: the Moon Dance Cruiser.

We were welcomed by Hibiscus Drink and my room is named my favorite “Da Vinci”.

To my surprise, the room is spacious for a cruise.

There is a spacious living room; I mainly use this room as my wardrobe.

There is a welcome fruit plate in the bedroom.

Fruits are delicious for deserted area.

Everyday, bed was made nicely.

Cobra hahaha

There is a basin then toilet, shower booth and…

Sauna!

First, I was excited about having a sauna in the room.

However, this sauna was newly equipped the the recent renovation; therefore, the staff doesn’t know how to turn it on properly or lack of informing us on how to use.

First night, it went up only 40 C.

I thought Egyptians enjoy sauna in low temperature.

I found it can go up to 70C from other tour mates the next day.

The second night, I asked the staff to on the sauna again.

Originally, I was informed it will take 10 mins to heat up so I prepared accordingly.

However, it took 10 mins to go up to 40 C and another a half hour to reach 70 C.

My body got cold while waiting for the sauna to heat up.

The third night, I turned on sauna early so that by the time I come back from dinner, it would be just ready.

Well, it reached 70 C before going for dinner.

I happily came back to the room and found sauna was cold as 40 C.

I was frustrated and I followed what staff was doing previous night.

I turned the switch and heard ticking sound… it has the timer.

Ahhhhh, I had to wait for 40 mins again.

I was frustrated so I put pajama and stick Hokkairo (hot plasters) on me and sat in the sauna and waited to reach 70 C.

I made my own sauna and managed to sweat.

By the time, I learned about the sauna, it’s time to get off the cruise. Sigh

After quickly inspecting our room facilities, we had our lunch on the cruise

It’s buffet lunch and I enjoyed food and drink.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are precious in Egypt; therefore, fresh juice is more expensive than alcohol.

Usually, it’s vise versa.

I enjoyed all fresh fruit juice and this is banana juice.

After lunch, we departed for the Luxor Temple.

This temple was built over 3,000 years ago…?

Therefore, this temple was used by others as well.

There is a mosque in the temple; Muslims modified the temple partially during their time.

At the other end, there is a church.

Nonetheless, we can find many Egyptian legacy in the temple.

This is Rameses II; the great Pharaoh (King) who united the North and South Egypt.

You find lotus and papyrus flower at the foot of two men who are tied by a rope.

Lotus is symbol of the North Egypt and papyrus is the South Egypt; therefore, this statue represents Ramses II united the North and South Egypt.

Ramses II had a beautiful and supportive wife: Nefertari.

I leaned a great lesson recently; I was like why this, why not, etc., I was frustrated.

Today, I realize I am happy just loving him.

I can understand how much Nefertari loved him by looking at her statue.

She is such a loving person.

There is another symbol of great love: Tutankhamen and Ankhsesnamum.

She also supported him with her great love.

There are many beautiful and meaningful motif.

We tried to read Hieroglyphic Alphabets from this chart to understand the story of motif.

There was culture

and great engineering skill.

How could it end…?

We returned to the cruise.

The cruise parked in front of the Luxor Temple so that we could continue admire the Luxor Temple in warm orange when the sun is setting.

On that day, or room was facing the Valley of the Kings.

We watched the sun setting from the room.

After the sun set, the petro station parked next to our cruise to supply the fuel.

It’s very convenient!

I enjoyed food and drink in Egypt.

After returned to the room, what happened with sauna is explained earlier. hahaha

Other than that the bed is comfortable and I slept well.

Posted in Art, Beauty, Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Japanese Culture, Mt. Fuji, Place, Tokyo

Total Beautifying Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to spa for facial, body and hair.

I had a head massage as birthday of the month special.

It’s nice and I might ask it again.

There was a surprise.

A beautician must have heard of my stomach making noise.

She brought me some sandwich as birthday of the month girl special.

So sweet of her.

I’m going there to beautify myself; simultaneously meeting my friends for chit chatting.

In the afternoon, I went to gym.

Instead of stretching or exercising, my trainer massage me to balance my body.

According to him, my body is overworked.

True enough, I fell sleep while he was massaging me.

Thanks to him, I’ve gained some energy.

In the evening, I met up with Dad.

We visited Hokusai Updated to admire Hokusai’s Ukiyoe (woodblock paints) at Mori Arts Center Gallery, Roppongi Hills Tower 52F.

I like his Mt. Fuji series.

I had luxury of standing in front of Red Fuji and Big Wave to admire quietly.

There are many foreigners from different countries.

It indicates his arts are also popular among foreigners.

The museum is located on 52 Floor; therefore, the view from the floor is breathtaking.

It’s very scenic.

I didn’t have time to visit the observatory area; perhaps, next time.

I beautify completely — face, body, hair and heart — today.

Satisfactory day… fufufu

Posted in Art, Experience, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo, Work

Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, Shiba-Koen, Tokyo

Posted on by sonokotchi

I was invited for a corporate dinner at the Tokyo Tofuya Ukai, Shiba-Koen, Tokyo.

The restaurant is located foot of Tokyo Tower.

It’s dark so difficult to see its beautiful traditional building,

We are greeted by Sakura (Cherry Blossom) that is about to bloom.

There are 600 types of Sakura and this is Miyabi Zakura, first to bloom.

There are sake cups decorated in Japanese 7 Gods and Goddess.

These are for Ohanami (Sakura viewing).

There is a nice Japanese garden.

And there is a house…

to grill deep-fried tofu with charcoals.

We can look up Tokyo Tower from the garden.

This is another type of Sakura, Shidare Zakura.

This restaurant will be nicely in pink during Sakura season.

I had a nice Tofu Kaiseki (Tofu Course Dinner).

I enjoyed companies, conversation, variety of Tofu and seasonal Amaoh Strawberry juice.

I had a souvenir to bring back.

It became a lovely evening.

Posted in Art, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Place, Tokyo

3.11

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, it is a Memorial Day.

Eight years ago, the Northern Japan was hit by the Great Northern Earthquake and Tsunami and took lives of over 15,000 people.

There are 2,500 candles with a message on washi (Japanese washi paper) representing the ballon at the park of Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Each message is written by those living in the hit area: Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.

The ballon is sending a message of 2,500 people.

There are digital Tanzaku (strip of paper) to send a cheering message to people who are living and trying to reconstruct the Northern Japan.

Posted in Art, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, River, Sunrise and Sunset, Travel

Trip to Egypt (Day 2 Part 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

We took a domestic flight to Luxor.

When we arrived Cairo at 3:50 am, it was dark; therefore, I couldn’t see the city.

Now it’s 6:15 am and we can see the city of Cairo clearly.

And sunrise.

We see houses in desert.

I enjoyed juice and cookies on the flight.

And these are also written in Arabic.

I enjoyed views from plane.

The landscape is breath taking and reminded me of Grand Canyon.

These landscapes might have created by Great Nile River.

We can clearly witness bless from Nike River; so rich and green.

This is town of Luxor.

And we landed Luxor International Airport after one hour journey.

I’m glad to know that my suitcase also arrived Luxor International Airport with me.

I started sightseeing in Luxor.

First visited Karnak Temple.

There are mini Sphinx to receive us.

There are few theories for construction method of gates.

These sands/rocks support one of theories that old Egyptians made a slope to build higher.

This is a papyrus columns.

There are a total of ten papyrus columns on two sides to be lined symmetry.

There is a section with 134 papyrus columns..

These used to be painted in nice colours.

After walking through Papyrus Columns; there are two Obelisks.

There is one wall full of Hieroglyph.

These are nice views of the Obelisk.

At the back, there is a road leading to Luxor Temple which is under the repair.

Sacred Pond

There is a Scarab.

According to the guide, if we walk around the Scarab reverse clock wise for three times, it will being good luck, but this matter is not written on the Scarab.

Nonetheless, I walked to wish for good luck. hahaha

It has been a long day because after landing in Cairo, we continued sightseeing.

I will continue the second half day in next blog.

Posted in Art, Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

Art Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to Suntory Museum of Art (Tokyo Midtown Roppongi 3F) to admire “Kawanabe Kyodai: Nothing Escaped His Brush”.

He was a very imaginative painter: animals move like humans and he also painted many ghosts, goblins and monsters.

He had his own strange world to express.

If you wish to admire his arts, you are advised to take a photo of this promotional board which is placed at 1F of Tokyo Midtown Roppongi to get 100 yen discount from admission fee by showing the photo.

I’m lucky I had few complementary tickets. fufufu

After admiring Japanese paintings, I was in the mood for a Japanese dessert.

But to enjoy seasonal anmitsu (red bean paste and jelly with syrup), Strawberry Anmitsu, at Toraya Cafe (Tokyo Midtown Roppongi B1F.), I had to wait.

This is Japanese traditional dessert cafe, but the system for queue is very modern – computerized.

People before us weren’t there to wait so we managed to get a table fast.

I expected to see strawberry fruit in Anmitsu, but there aren’t any strawberries.

Though, it’s very strawberry because its very strawberry syrup and there are few strawberry jellies.

I’m glad to chose Matcha (thick green tea) to balance the sweetness.

For dinner, I went to Korean Dinning Kosari Tokyo, Akabane, Tokyo.

Choco and I enjoyed Korean BBQ on charcoals.

Choco had grilled chicken.