Category: Food

Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Surprise, Travel

Hokkaido Trip (Yoichi-Otaru-Toya)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up and went for a morning dip.

I could see Yoteizan (Ezo Fuji: Hokkaido Mt. Fuji) in front of me while dipping in an open-air bath.

Sun just sat on the summit of Yoteizan like Diamond Head.

I felt energy rising in me as if I were charging from these great nature.

First, I stopped at Nikka Whisky Factory in Yoichi.


I used to watch a morning TV drama series “Massan” which was based on the life of the founder of Nikka Whiskey, Mr. Masataka Taketsuru.

This place was used to shoot the drama so    it’s fun to walk around remembering stories.

These cute whiskey barrels are everywhere!


I wish we could stay here longer because we could try rare kind of Nikka Whiskey (I tried 20 years), and free whiskey: apple wine, Taketsuru Pure Malt and Super Nikka.

Seriously, I wanted to spend more time there to appreciate these drink.


Next, went to Otaru, famous as a canal city.


I  visited Otaru few times, therefore I decided to visit Old Aoyama Family’s Guest House.


This family made wealth with herrings.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take photos of breath taking rooms and furniture.

These are real and good craftsmen works. 

Imagine this is just an entrance…


After visiting Old Aoyama Guest House, I quickly returned to Otaru City Centre to eat a kaisendon (seafood bowl).


Before reaching hotel, quickly stopped by at Kyogoku Fukidashi Koen (Kyogoku Spring Source Park) to collect spring water.

I shall enjoy fresh spring water tonight.


I didn’t have a dessert at lunch so I enjoyed dairy farmer’s ice cream before heading to hotel.


Tonight’s hotel is the Windor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa!

I will post about this hotel later.

Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, Travel

Hokkaido Trip (Tomakomai – Shikotsuko – Niseko)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I arrived Tomakomai Port exactly at 11:00 hrs.

First, visited the Northern Horse Park.

I patted few ponies thinking of my late Grandpa.

Hokkaido is famous for breeding race horses.

My Gramdpa looked forward for weekends to watch horse races.

He was a social player because he enjoyed calculating odds, not much of a gambler.

Dairy farming is one of major industries in Hokkaido.

I enjoyed milk and haskap (blue-berried honeysuckle) ice-cream, pudding, hot milk and iced coffee at the Kitchen K’s Garden.


Shikotsuko (Shikotsu Lake) is a caldera lake. 

Shikotsuko is surrounded by mountains: Eniwadake (Mt. Eniwadake, top), Fuppushidake (Mt. Fuppushidake, bottom right) and Tarumaesan (Mt. Tarumae, bottom left).

Unfortunately, the summit of Tarumaesan is covered with clouds. 

According to a tour guide, the summit looks like a bucket being placed upside down and it’s an active volcano! 

We drove by Yoteizan (Mt. Yotei), also known as Ezo Fuji (Hokkaido Mt. Fuji).

Yes, it has Mt. Fuji’s shape.


Then checked in at Hilton NisekoVillage.

 


This hotel is famous for skiing and golf.

I wish I were here for golf today…

Hotel expanded a shopping and restaurant area in the premise; walked around this area after a buffet dinner.


This hotel has a natural hot spring that flows directly from the origin; I enjoyed open-air bath.


I became thirsty after taking a bath.

It’s nice to drink  a glass of Niseko Ezo Porter Beer (Hokkaido local beer) and Niseko Highland Mountain Grape Wine (local sweet wine). fufufu

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Place, Travel

Waking up on New Ishikari

Posted on by sonokotchi


Ohayogozaimasu (Good Morning)

I didn’t close the curtain last night.

I thought I would wake up when Sun rise; but alarm woke me up.

I went for a morning dip.

I like to dip in the morning with morning sunshine.

And I had a power breakfast.


I took a walk on the deck…


Then enjoying listening to live piano concert with ocean view.



We are approaching Tomakomai.

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Shopping, Travel

New Ishikari

Posted on by sonokotchi

A room is spacious with an area of 40 sqm.

Basic things are equipped and quite comfortable.

I have few bars to access internet at my room. Yeah!

I enjoyed a buffer dinner, live music and a public bath on this New Ishikari.



After dipping a bath, now I’m relaxing at the room, watching TV (sometimes TV freezes) and drinking nice local drink that I bought at a souvenir shop on New Ishikari: Hokkaido Guarana Highball (I’ve never tried this guaranara drink. It tastes herbal.) and Tokachi Wine.


The waves are nice, actually making rocking in nice rythum.

It’s difficult to open my eyes….

Oyasuminasai (good night).

Posted in Feelings, Food

Would it cancel all bads?

Posted on by sonokotchi

This week, I’m busy working on a project.

I need to continue working at home.

I decided to give a treat to myself.


This is reasonable (JPY 1800 or USD 18), and nice.

Chateau La Verriere (Bordeaux, France)

It’s defenately a nice buy.

I went to gym to watch Suits while walking.

hahaha I know I should write I walked on a treadmill while watching Suits on hulu.

But I could say that I look forward to go to gym to watch a new episode of Suits.

I ate natto (fermented soybean) and mekabu (seaweed) and hopefully these will cancel instant noodle, Malaysian Tom  Yam flavored instant noodle.


I ate with extra vegetables, I hope this cancels some bads.

Posted in Daily Life, Feelings, Food

Busy Morning!

Posted on by sonokotchi


I left my apartment early with my favorite coffee in my favorite thermo.

I like this thermo because it has a rock (I can carry it around without worrying spilling drink) and my favorite penguin!  

I saw a sign telling a traffic jam ahead on Shuto Express.

I exited a highway, but it was a bad decision to make because a normal road is more crowded!!

Oh well, at least I could enjoy listening to music and drinking coffee inside of my car.

I drove by the area that I used to live…I spotted familiar buildings and new buildings.

Yes, I made many good and bad memories while living here!

It’s still 11:00 am in Tokyo.

It is a busy morning for me.

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

What a Monday!

Posted on by sonokotchi


Tokyo was hit by Typhoon 9. 

It brought much rain and caused floods, land slides, black out, etc. 

I am lucky that I’m not affected by this typhoon. 

Well, typhoon is a good excuse to leave office early tonight. 

I decided to bully my trainer by going to gym.  

Poor him, others cancelled a session because trains might get suspended. 

Well, at last, I showed up as promised. hehehe

After exercise, I cooked my lazy dinner. 


Baby leaves, lettuce, white radish, green onion, boiled pork with ponzu sauce (citrus flavored soy sauce). 

This dish is simple, but very refreshing. 

And Rio Olympics ended.

Next is our turn, Tokyo Olympics 2020! 

Posted in Beauty, Daily Life, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Friends

Relaxing Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

I started my day going to gym today because I wanted to watch an episode of Suites. hahaha

I came back home to take a bath; I like to take a bath in the morning. 

It’s very relaxing.

Then I went to beauty salon. 

I look forward to going to beauty salon because I enjoy talking to my beautician. 

We talk about everything and surprisingly we can share many stories, too because we bump each other often: on the street, at a station and a restaurant. 

After chatting, I brewed Peet’s Coffee. 

It’s nice and rich.

 
Peet’s Coffee originated in Berkeley, California.
And this Peet’s Coffee inspired founders of Starbucks to start coffee shops.  
Yes, it’s that nice.

I bought few packs when I visited L.A. last time, July 2015, but I finished them.

Recently, I got supply from my American friend.
When can I get my next supply…?

Posted in Beauty, Cooking, Exercise, Feelings, Health, Tokyo

Healthy Saturday

Posted on by sonokotchi

It rained heavily in the morning; and a weather alert was announced from a speaker.

However, rain stopped when I finished my brunch (roti canai, peach, banana and pineapple & mango juice).


After my brunch, I went to my monthly magma spa @ Marunoichi Bricks Square.

The weather was okay then.

The weather is crazy in Tokyo nowadays.

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture

Obon Festival/Lantern Festival 

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Japanese summer holiday season: Obon Festival, internationally known as Lantern Festival. 

It’s not Japanese national holidays because I think it’s more ritual, Buddhist ritual. 

However, most of companies are closed this period and today was rather a quiet day in the office. 

I think it’s a nice summer break, but oh well, I was at the office.

Now I have craving for tomato juice.

Do you know that tomatoes for tomato juice are specially developed to make tomato juice and these tomatoes are more rich in lycopene and other nurious elements than fresh tomatoes that we enjoy for salad?

It’s hot and I’m weak; I better drink more tomato juice!    

I found Kagome Premium Tomato Juice (non additives) for 2016 limited edition.

I cannot tell what’s so special about this, but it made me feel healthy. hahaha