Category: Family

Posted in Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Furniture Hunting with Mom

Posted on by sonokotchi

My parents plan to move to a new condo.

Mom is looking for new furniture and so as I.

We plan to go for furniture hunting today; that’s why Mom spent night at my place last night.

I excused myself to go to gym and quickly got ready to go out.

Of course, before we go for a good exercise, we went to get a nice brunch at my favorite Italian Restaurant: Il Ritrovo, Roppongi Hills.

This restaurant is famous for pizza.

The chef won the pizza contest in Italy.

Food is delicious; price is reasonable; staffs are nice.

I highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for an Italian.

We took enough fuel, then went to IDC Otsuka (International Design Center Otsuka) Ariake Show Room, Ariake, Tokyo.

Otsuka Kagu Ltd. is the first furniture retailer implementing direct import of furniture from overseas.

Yes, this company had an issue with furniture industrial people by breaking the Japanese tradition of multi-layered distribution system in Japan.

This is my favorite furniture store because I can find about 50,000 items in 75,000 sqm.

I can compare many styles, concepts and brands at once.

Yes, it is a good exercise because I walk back and forth to compare furniture.

Yes, this shop ables to see the actual products.

Mom found a dining table and chair set and lace.

I’m considering a bed and light.

We plan to visit few more shops.

I love furniture hunting!

Posted in Beauty, Cooking, Daily Life, Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Travel

Healthy Saturday

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up and went to gym for cycling.

Recently, I added a new routine: taking a bath after morning exercise.

It’s refreshing.

Then cooked a healthy brunch.

After brunch, I went to hair salon.

I had good time chatting with my favorite beautician: she is funny, sweet and good (skillful).

After finishing my hair, time to go for body therapy.

I asked for an advice how to further improve my health.

He encourages me to continue going to gym for cycling (warming up).

I don’t need to work out hard because objectives are enhancing blood circulation and increasing metabolism.

Instead of increasing volume of exercise, he advises me to control my appetite.

Yes, I love to eat and drink…this is my weakness.

It’s dinner time; I cooked simple dinner.

Then Mom who was in town today arrived my apartment.

We had Gluhwein (I made it with Gluhwein bouquet (spice bouquet)) together with a Gluhwein cup that I bought in Germany when we visited Christmas Markets in 2006.

Cheers!

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Restaurants, Tokyo

Family Dinner @ Aux Six Arbres, Roppongi

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’ve been looking for a French restaurant that my Dad wants to dine.

I had difficulty to locate it because he gave me the wrong area to look for…tonight, we locate it and went to Aux Six Arbres.

I’ve dined here before so I knew this restaurant, but I didn’t think this is the restaurant that he was looking for because he gave me the wrong area.

He dined here 20 years ago.

He followed his superior at that time so he couldn’t remember the location.

Well, it’s sweet of Dad that he thought of taking us (Mom and I) here.

All of us enjoyed nice French.

Desserts, we could select from these.

These all look nice, how could I resist them?

Therefore, I asked for a small piece for all together with a cup of Espresso!

There are more…we all brought them back.

Restaurant is cozy and food is nice so we smiled through out the dinner.

I think this restaurant becomes our family restaurant tonight♪

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 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!

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Restaurants, Tokyo, Travel

Day 3 at Magic Kingdom

Posted on by sonokotchi

Last meal (breakfast) at Magic Kingdom; I got Mickey omelette.

I left Magic Kingdom, but Magic continued because I still continued having fun.

My friend from Australia visited Tokyo for a short business trip.

She always purposely stays at Grand Hyatt Roppongi near my apartment so that we can meet up easily.

We went to Fingers Jinbocho for dinner.

It’s a new trend in Tokyo to eat food with hands.

I thought it would be new for her, but according to her, it’s common in China. 

She often visits China for business. Arama!

Anyway, we enjoyed catching up each other, we laughed through, and we had (definitely me) too much drink. hahaha

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Place, Tokyo, Travel

Day 2 at Magic Kingdom

Posted on by sonokotchi

I took a heavy breakfast to charge energy for visiting Tokyo Disneyland!



First, we went to Toon Town to meet Mickey!

This is Mickey’s House.


And we took a photo at his movie barn!

I took a nice couple’s photo and displaying it at my room. fufufu.

We managed to take a fast pass for Space Mountain.

Again, forgot to take a photo because we could walk all the way to the ride. hahaha.

It’s time for Disney Christmas Stories.






Hi, Mickey and Minnie!


Continued with rides.

Monster Inc – light up with a torch light.


Stitch Encounter – interactive show (interacting with audiences/visitors). Amazing and fun.


Buzz Lightyear’s – a kind of shooting game.



The Castle is Cinderella Castle for Tokyo Disneyland.


Watched Mickey’s Philharmonic Magic Concert.


Then Dumbo!


We returned to hotel for dinner to get ready for Electrical Parade.


Wahhhh, Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dream Lights started!




Went back to Buzz again because managed to get a fast pass – well, this was the only ride available for a fast pass.

While fireworks… 


Went to Pooh’s Honey Hunt!

The queue was short because others are watching fireworks.

I love this ride!


Then Haunted Mansion; I went twice because quality is high.


Lastly, Splash Mountain.


Thank you Disney.

It was fun, so much fun…


Magic will end soon…



Sayonara.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Music, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Day 1 at Magic Kingdom

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had an exciting week this week.

I took few days off to go to Magic Kingdom!

Went to one of official Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels, Hilton Tokyo Bay, to drop my car and luggage.

We took a Hilton’s shuttle bus to Maihama Station/Tokyo Disney Land.

There is the Welcome Center for official Disney hotels, including Hilton Tokyo Bay.

If you are taking a train to Maihama Station, you can check-in and drop your luggage here so that you can go straight to Disney without wasting any minute.



Then, took a Disney monorail to Disney Sea!

Monorail excites me because it’s filled with Mickeys! 

I mean many Mickey!


Even the view looks different through this cute Mickey window!


Yes, we are all dressed up for Disney!



When we reached there, we were greeted by Mickey and others by their show: Perfect Christmas! MICKEY!



We watched another show: Broadway Big Band Beat.


We took a ride: Nimo & Friends Sea Rider.


I forgot to take a photo of Aquatopia because a queue was so short that I didn’t have to wait at all, just walk in. Yeah!

It was raining so we decided to return hotel for resting and dinner.



On the way out, I bought blueberry popcorns with Duffy popcorn case.

I can buy Duffy Popcorn Case only at Disney Sea at selected popcorn wagon.



We met Mickey at the exit. 

Hummmm, how to meet him privately to take a photo with him…?


We took a Mickey bus from Bay Side Station to Hilton Tokyo Bay.

At the entrance, there is a play area for children.


Many children also enjoy watching trains.


We stayed at Magic Family Room for a little niece.


We received a letter when we checked-in and it says I can meet a girl, Tiara, who is studying magic in a mirror.


There is a key in a room and it lights up.


I also enjoyed lying on a bunk bed. hahaha

After room inspection, we went to enjoy buffet dinner.


Then we returned to Disney Sea for Colour of Christmas.




Also visited Mermaid Lagoon to enjoy rides, too.


I queued for Indiana Jones Adventure twice in the past; however, both time I couldn’t get on due to a system error.

But that night, I finally rode… twice!

It was awesome.


Yes, we enjoyed very well for the first day at the Magic Kingdom!


Posted in Cooking, Family, Feelings, Friends, Gadget, Health, My Flower Arrangement, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

HFriday, Saturday and Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

On Thursday, after arranging flower, I stayed up late busily cleaning up my room because Mom wanted to stay over night on Friday after her visit to the dentist.

Out dentist is walking distance from my place.

Mom was already at my room when I got home.

Mom brought her homemade food; it’s always nice.

We were both tired coz Mom was busy cooking and I was busy cleaning so we went to bed early.

Next day, after lunch, Mom went back home.


I went to hair salon and grocery shopping.

I wasn’t keen to cook these days; but I should care what I eat.

To escape from the office, I’ve been eating out for lunch.

In addition, I went out for dinner…meaning I’ve eating too much.

On Sunday, suddenly I care my food; trying to be healthy.

The drink is special: it’s mixture of tomato juice and daikon (Japanese radish) juice.

Daikon helps detoxing.

My friend who has food allergy taught me this.


Today, I went back to Akihabara to pick up a housing for GoPro Hero 6 that I ordered.

It will enable to go down deep as 60 m. Wow.


Well, I had to return to Akihabara for more important matter.

I needed to request for exchange of GoPro because it doesn’t get charged…

I got a new one and the sales staff checked the camera before handed it over to me.

Now it works!


I cooked dinner to  e healthy.


I had persimmon for dessert; this year, I just love persimmons!