The State of Emergency was lifted; weather is getting nice so decided to go to Moto-Hakone for Onsen (Hot Spring).
Choco found his stay over goods at the entrance so he got excited.
On the way to Moto-Hakone, we stopped to get our lunch and I had my BigMac and Ramune Shake.
Ramune shake (Japanese traditional soda flavored shake) is seasonal and limited menu.
It finishes serving either finishing the ingredients or serving duration.
We arrived Moto-Hakone early so that we stopped at Ashinoko (Ashino Lake).
Some people are enjoying fishing.
I could see a fish, very peaceful.
We checked in at Caro Foresta Moto-Hakone Lucia at 3 pm.
This time, I have chosen a western style room.
There are welcome Onsen Tamago (Hot Spring Boiled Eggs) and cookies for Choco.
These Onsen Tamago were boiled at Ohwakudani: the origin of natural Onsen.
These eggs are also known as good luck because we believe one egg can bring us longer life, 9 years, by eating it.
The air is fresh there.
This hotel is dog friendly and I was busy using facilities for Choco.
First, he exercised at the Dog Run (Dog Playground) at the entrance.
Hakone is famous for Onsen (Hot Spring).
The hotel is equipped with Onsen facility for Choco as well!
He had his first Onsen of his life and it was Iou Onsen (Sulfur based Onsen).
I also dipped myself at Onsen.
After refreshing, I had a nice French for dinner.
All dishes are delicious.
I got so excited when I received the dessert plate!
There is Choco!
After dinner, I took Choco for Indoor Dog Run.
This Indoor Dog Run is opened for 24 hours.
Both of us got tired and slept well.
First thing I did on the next day was dipping in the Onsen.
In the morning, I found a dog greeting me from outside!
I had a nice Japanese breakfast.
After breakfast, I took Choco to the Wood Dog Run.
Again, I took him to the Dog Run at the entrance and Indoor.
The check out time is 11 am; therefore, we rest in the room before checking out.
Choco must have so much fun because he slept in the car on the way back to Tokyo.
I had a big breakfast so I had a late lunch at Misoichi, Nakameguro Shop.
I had a basic Miso Ramen with toppings of corns and butter.
I like it!
After unpacking and resting, went for late quick bite to say hello and congratulate reopening after Stay Home Request to our friend, Sushiya no Goto (Goto’s Sushi Shop), Roppongi.
It’s nice to see smiling face of Taisho (Master) and Mama san (Madam).
According to the media, on 1 June 2020 (the first Monday after government lifted the State of Emergency), the number of commuters has increased.
To avoid taking subways because I won’t have enough social distancing there, I started to walk to office.
During the State of Emergency, I was required to go to the office twice in a week so I could manage it; however, from 1 June 2020, I’m required to go to the office every weekdays.
As reported in previous blog, it takes 1 hour or 4 km to reach office.
It’s getting warm outside, reaching to 30C with strong sunlight.
Walking with a mask makes me feel hot which leads me to sweat.
Today, I tie my hair.
And carry a drink (amino) in small bottle.
My mask gets wet with my sweat by the time I reach to the office so I keep some (backup) at the office.
In addition, I reinforced footwear.
I have already introduced Asics Walking before.
I started wearing this brand when I hurt my knee because cushions are soft.
I bought other colors and styles that I don’t have yet.
I also bought Tokyo Olympics designed sneaker for memory.
These will surely assist my walking to the office.
Japanese government lifted the State of Emergency on 26 May 2020.
Businesses started to reopen.
I had my spa; however, there are new routines to be added such as taking body temperature at the entrance, beauticians wearing mask and plastic face shield and during my hair treatment, I continue wearing my mask.
Italian dinner at IL FIGO INGORDO Roppongi.
The restaurant has taken away tables to half to provide enough distance between tables.
Furthermore, they operate by less staffs (2 floor staffs) and chefs (3 chefs).
Now Tokyo Metropolitan Government allows restaurants to operate till later hours (closing 10 pm from 9 pm).
I haven’t had wine for more than a month..?
It tasted so smooth and so goood!
It surely enhanced food.
I also had dessert wine and desserts: vanilla and blueberry ice cream.
Today we need to adopt new normal to enjoy our daily life.
Businesses are taking measures against COVID and I respect them to provide us safety and their considerations and efforts.
I could continue to stay home on 15 April; however, it’s a nice sunny day and it’s Choco’s birthday.
Originally, I plan to get him a birthday cake but I decided not to due to the current situation.
I plan to take him out for his birthday walk after being lockdown against his will for eight days because of me.
Time to time, he appealed to go for a walk by trying to reach his walk bag which contains necessaries for his walk such as poo poo plastic bags, sanitation spray, pee pads for quick liquid absorption, and more.
I know he would love to have his walk after eight days.
I also plan to go to bank and supermarkets using a precious mask but unfortunately, I cannot take Choco to supermarkets.
Choco was funny (well, it wasn’t funny for Choco).
Since I’ve been with Choco for last eight days, he didn’t check on me when I was getting ready at the powder room.
He suddenly look anxious when he sees me getting fully ready with make up and coming out of the powder room.
I guess I caught him in surprise.
At the evening, I was simply taking my bath, but he positioned himself as if he was watching on me.
He could be serious but I thought he is cute, making me smile.
After settling my chores, I took Choco for his birthday walk.
Yes, he enjoyed it very much!!!
Though, I carry him mostly.
It was a nice day and it’s Choco’s birthday so I took extra miles.
We went to our shrine “Tenso Jinja (Tenso Shrine)” for a pray.
Yaezakura (Sakura with many petals) there is gorgeous.
We also stopped by Green Dog, a pet shop at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, to get his treats.
From Left: Freeze Dried Vegetables (Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkins), Cheese and Chicken Cubes and Sweet Potato Puffs
And made an appointment for his Complementary Birthday Health Check Up.
I don’t know he would like this, but I want him to take it.
I’m happy to know that he enjoyed his walk very much by looking at him – satisfied?
It’s my fifth day staying home, not going out at all.
And I’m enjoying it very much.
I’m doing what I wanted to do.
I wake up and soak in a bath tub for 20 mins as if I were at Onsen (Hot Spring).
Followed by foot massage.
Hoping to detox by smoothie
Cleaning house where I haven’t touched for a while: dusting, wiping, etc.
I have enough stock in refrigerator because there were many rumors that Tokyo might lockdown (it’s a request but technically it’s more like lockdown) and enjoy clearing those food.
Stretching with my trainer.
And I realize since I’m working from home, I can play with my nails.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Abe announced a plan to declare the State of Emergency for One Month (8 April – 6 May 2020) on today, 7 April 2020 for following prefectures:
Tokyo Kanagawa Saitama Chiba Osaka Hyogo Fukuoka
JPY 108 trillion Economic Measure etc
By reflecting case records.
Tokyo alone recorded as follows:
117 cases (4 April 2020) 145 cases (5 April 2020) 83 cases (6 April 2020)
We cannot identify the source for about 90% of cases.
My office has decided to work from home today and tomorrow.
This declaration is still requesting bases for self-restraint and doesn’t have any legal enforcement such as an arrest or fine.
Essential services will continue to operate.
We can still go out freely to supermarkets, convenient stores, drug stores, even office as need it.
I don’t have any Corona Tsukare (Corona Depression) because I’ve been commuting office every weekdays and I also had few Corona Sokai (Corona Evacuations) on weekends to enjoy fresh air when premises in Tokyo closed for weekends.
In Roppongi alone, two major shopping complex, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, closed last two weekends.
Events for Ohanami (Sakura viewing) are cancelled not to create the cluster.
I don’t feel suffocated by Jishuku (self-restrain) or no social life (gyms have been closed, flower arrangement classes have been cancelled/rescheduled, of course no dinner/lunch appointments, etc).
However, I’ve been feeling uncomfortable commuting to office by taking public transportation, subway.
These trains/subways cross other state of emergency prectures (states) such as Kanagawa (Yokohama), Chiba and Saitama.
I won’t have enough distance among other passengers.
It’s not crowded as rush hour train but we are about 50 cm apart or even next each other if I take a seat. (Ooops, I didn’t think of this).
And they are all strangers.
Do we need to take a risk…?
I expressed my worries to my boss because my job can be conducted at home.
Though the declaration of the state of emergency is effective 8 April 2020, the situation is serious now.
I’m happy that I’m free from the stress of catching public transportation today and tomorrow.
I’ve been cheering me up by putting springy nail colours.
Mirage & Day Dream
Walk in a park with Choco for his walk and Ohanami.
Nonetheless, I’m excited to work from home.
I woke up as usual.
Since I can save commuting time, I took a bath to increase my body temperature to enhance immune system.
Started detoxing
Two Carrots and One Apple
Brewed coffee for starting work.
My father gave me a voucher for Starbucks which validated till 13 April 2020.
I went to Starbucks last weekend but three Starbucks that I visited were closed.
I believe Starbucks might extend the validation date, but I was hesitated to go through the process or even to request for it.
Starbucks was opened yesterday so I bought a French Roast Coffee beans.
I received complementary drink, Kenya and sample of Columbia.
I brewed Columbia and I should start working. hahaha
This town is known for Gyoza (fried Chinese dumpling).
In fact, this is my first time to try Utsunomiya Gyoza at Utsunomiya.
There is Gyoza Dori (Gyoza Street).
There are many Gyoza specialized shops and Ramen (Japanized Chinese style noodle) and Gyoza restaurants.
The lamp is also in shape of Gyoza.
I queued and had my Gyoza at Goku, Gyoza Dori, Utsunomiya, Tochigi.
Niku (Meat) Gyoza and Jumbo Gyoza
Then proceeded to Nikko, Tochigi.
In Nikko, visited Kegon no Taki (Kegon Fall).
Today, there is a lift to go down to watch Kegon no Taki in front of it.
It’s very cold there and we can still see some snow.
We drove by Chuzenji-ko (Chuzenji Lake) and enjoyed the view from window.
Recently, we enjoyed warm temperature and suddenly its temperature dropped; therefore, we could see some steam from lake which makes lake look more scenic and mysterious.
We drove through woods on the way to Oku-Nikko, also very scenic.
We drove farther and reached Sengokugahara (wetland) where believed God of Mountain conducted battles.
There is another lake, Yuko (Yu Lake) at the entrance of Oku-Nikko area.
We finally reached Oku-Nikko Kogen Hotel.
We can stay this nice Washitsu (Japanese style room) together with Choco.
I went to dip in onsen (hot spring) before dinner.
There are two sections: Lower (bigger) and Upper (smaller).
Both equipped with indoor and outdoor/open-air bath.
UpperLower
It’s cold there; so that dipping in Onsen felt really nice.
I became thirsty after dipping in onsen so I enjoyed drinking cold Wakimizu (spring water).
After getting some rest, we had dinner with local sake made for Oki-Nikko Kogen Hotel.
I went to futon (Japanese style bed) early.
Next morning, I woke up with a surprise.
According to weather forecast, it predicted snow in Kanto region.
However, in few days, we will welcome April – Spring.
There could be some snow but I didn’t expect it to be thick.
Well, I was wrong….
It continued snowing and no sign of weakening.
I became panic because I came with normal tyres, not snow tyres.
To calm myself down, I went for morning dip.
It was still early and there were no one.
I supposed not to take any photos at the bath, but it was so romantic.
Quickly got ready and went to breakfast.
There are many varieties of food and there is an egg and bacons in the pot.
Continued monitoring snow and consulted hotel staffs who are local; well, I had to make a hard decision – abundant my car.
I think we made a wise decision because snow is thick and we surely could not drive through these windy roads: Irohazaka.
Reached Tobu Nikko Eki (Station) by hotel free shuttle bus.
Then Took train, Spacia, back to Asakusa, Tokyo.
Choco behaved his best on train.
I had a rich vanilla ice cream on the train while looking at these sceneries.
It’s scary but breath taking sceneries.
We cannot underestimate nature; I safely returned home.
sonokotchi 