Category: Food

Posted in Beauty, Cooking, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Food

Magma Spa and Chicken Salad

Posted on by sonokotchi


It’s time to renew my membership for gym. 

I try to go to gym regularly on Monday to a nearest gym from my apartment. 

I’ve been signing up for the premium status so that I can get one free magma spa (or commonly called a stone spa) session for 80 mins every month. 

I was so surprised when I found out the last time I went for a magma spa was in last July. 

It’s been a year since I went last time!!! 

I felt ashamed because a staff gave me a towel for being a loyal customer…

I should include a monthly magma spa session as one of my routine!  

I sweat, sweat and sweat and feel good. 

I was just lying there, but I feel so tired and sleepy now… Why?   

At home, I ate a huge plate of salad with sesame seed dressing. 

I made a salad with vegetables, smoked salmon and steamed chicken. 


This steamed chicken, called salad chicken, is innovated by convenience stores. 

It’s very popular among Japanese now. 

It’s healthy, low calories, delicious and cheap – it’s sold at any convinience stores.

 
I don’t need to cook; it’s ready to eat. 

I bought alpensalz flavor this time and this product is available in many brands such as the Seven-Eleven and flavors such as herbs. 

This product provides good protein, yet low calories, for people on diet.

I should consider replacing my meals with this. Hummm

Posted in Daily Life, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture

Ocean Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today is Japanese national holiday, Ocean Day.

It is rather a new holiday which was created in 1996.

It used to be on every 20 July when the beach is opened, but now this holiday is celebrated conveniently on third Monday in July since 2003, after the Japanese government implemented the Happy Monday System to creat a longer weekend.

The Happy Monday System was implemented to stimulate consumers’ spending.

Today, Japanese don’t spend much (USD 11.5 trillion of household financial asset remain tucked away) due to anxiety toward pension and healthcare system.

For example, my parents generation, the retirement age was 60, but they could start receiving full pension at the age of 65.

There were 5 years of no-income period.

In my case, the retirement age will surely raise to 65, but do I want to work this long…?

Okay, go back to the Happy Monday System.

The Japanese government created few longer weekend by moving few National Holidays on Monday.

Furthermore, this year, the Japanese government created a new holiday, Mountain Day on 11 August 2016 by reflecting the severe summer in Japan that can reach 42c in summer due to global warming.

(Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to me because I have a different office calendar.)

This system targets to stimulate Japanese economy by spending not only at major cities, but also at regional areas by encouraging people to travel and shop.

Unfortunately, I’m working today.

It’s very quiet; I can work productively with help of many cups of Café Au Lait.

I can easily make a cup by adding hot water.

Sigh.

Posted in Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Travel

Salmon Sandwich

Posted on by sonokotchi

I used to think salmon sandwich is boring. 

Now sentimental value is added and I appreciate it very much. 

I’m happy to see products, especially food, from Scandinavian countries at stores in Japan. 

I prepared salmon sandwich with Denmark’s smoked salmon for my brunch. 

 For dinner, parents were in town to go to a classic concert; we met up after the concert to have Italian.


I gave Mom the cosmetics that caused me skin problems.

It’s branded cosmetics so it wasn’t cheep; it costed me About USD 60. 

Yes, the cosmetics became a gift to Mom. 

She gave me a big smile when I gave it to her. 

I thought
how many times do we need to celebrate Mother’s Day in a year? hahaha 

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Place, Travel

Caviar Spagetti

Posted on by sonokotchi


I bought this Caviar tube in Bergen. 

This is not the caviar, eggs of sturgeon, that I know.

This is actually cod fish roe (eggs) tube.

Norwegians call all fish roe caviar. 
It’s delicious!

It’s nice to paste it on a bread, mix it with spaghetti, etc.
 

I look forward to visit Scandinavian countries again!!!

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Shopping, Travel

Scandinavia

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a big lunch at the Imperial Hotel. 

In Japan, we call buffet viking. 

Why? 

This Imperial Hotel imported the Scandinavian meal style, Smorgasbord to Japan, but it’s difficult to pronounce it. 

The hotel named it, Viking because the area was famous for Viking. 

I had a Japanese smorgasbord lunch at where it’s originated in Japan. 

I ate many plates of food till I wowed my office mates. 

I decided to have a light dinner. 


I found these made-in Sweden Smoothes. 
Yes, the products have been there at the shelf for long, but I didn’t pay attention nor it didn’t catch my eyes. 

Today, I enjoyed a blueberries smoothes. 

The packaging is simple, but it’s rich in flavor, very blueberries! 

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Shopping

Gum

Posted on by sonokotchi


I thought Sweden is famous for xylitole.

I bought this packet at the airport duty free shop asuming these are local products.

Well, I guess I was wrong.

I could read these tiny letters “Poland”…

Well, I cannot find it in Japan so it can still serve as souvenirs….?

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

Sayonara Scandinavia 

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had few hours before heading to the airport.
I slept very well last night.

I took a big breakfast preparing for a walk to the City Centre.


Forum is a nice shopping mall.

I shopped at Moomin Shop and Vero Moda.

Of course, I stopped by at the Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki.

I bought a nice Hard Rock Cafe Finland cap.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to enjoy a cup of coffee at Hard Rock CAFE. Ahhhh


There are many types of trams running in the town as transportation, pub and sightseeing car…?


The park was decorated by Japanese artist Kusama Yayoi’s polka dots.

I heard that her exhibition will be held in Helsinki soon.


It’s a nice sunny day; people came to the park to enjoy sunshine.


Central Station


Okay, time to say Sayonara to Helsinki. Sob sob.


Now I know why FINNAIR serves blueberry juice – it’s Finland product.


I’m thirsty and hungry because I walked around the town and skipped lunch. 

At the airport, I was busy for last minutes shopping.

I didn’t have time to relax at the lounge. hahaha

Wow, Marimekko and iittala, two famous brands!


Dinner was served.


Amuse bouche: root vegetable pie with roasted swede mayonnaise.

Main dish (Combination of Japanese and Western main dish): miso soup, vendace roe jelly, simmered duck in red wine broth and Osso bucco, quinoa, and smoked tomato sauce.

Desserts: Finnish cheese, cup cakes, blueberry Finnish organic JYMY ice cream and coffee.


I took American breakfast (scrambled eggs, poultry sausage, broccoli, potato wedges, yogurt, fruit, croissant and orange juice) just before landing.

Sigh, it’s Japan all right.



Unfortunately, I’m home.


Thank you for traveling with me.

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

Helsinki

Posted on by sonokotchi

Sayonara Stockholm.


Konnichiwa Helsinki.

I arrived Helsinki at 3:30 pm.

It’s still bright so I could visit few places in Helsinki.

Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)

When I was approaching to this church, I just saw rocks.

I was wondering what made this place so famous to attract many visitors because I didn’t see any significance on it.

But I was wrong, very wrong.

The church is amazingly beautiful and songs…are there angels singing…?

I think they are students and they were practicing singing.

The church is also a popular place for concerts due to its excellent acoustics.

The place made me calm.

If I had time, I would just sit there to enjoy the moment.




Market Square

Finland is famous for production of blueberries.

I tried these local blueberries and they are nice.


City Hall

Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square



Tonight’s Dinner @ Crown Plaza
I enjoyed a pork dish with a glass of red wine♪


I will depart for Tokyo tomorrow.

I enjoyed staying in Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

I enjoyed being surrounded by dynamic nature: trees, mountains, ocean, waterfalls, etc., and learning local history and culture.

Food is simple, but fresh and natural.

Farming is one of major industries for Scandinavian countries; therefore, we can enjoy fresh milk, yogurt, cheese, bread, butter, chocolate, ice cream, etc.

I wish to return here one day and I strongly recommend you to visit if you haven’t.

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

Stockholm

Posted on by sonokotchi

In the morning, I visited the Drottningholm Palace.

The current King lives at this Palace and commute to the Royal Palace in Old City every day.

Royal family live at left side of the building and open the right to public.

I feel Royal just standing here. hehehe


There are many facilities on the premises.

Capel


Theater


Garden


Open Air Natural Theater


Guard Tent


China Pavilion


I returned to the Royal Palace in Old City area and had lunch at Ebenist Restaurant, opposite side of Nobel Museum.

Their meatball, pan fried herring, cream brûlée and panna cotta were nice.

I just relaxed and listened to a street musician singing.


Then I walked back to hotel.

Royal Palace


Opera House

Drottninggatan Street

This street is closed to vehicle traffic and there are many stores along this street.

I tried few Swedish traditional sweets.

I stopped by Ahlens Department Store to buy tonight’s dinner.

Japanese sushi wasn’t bad.


Then of course, I visited Hard Rock Cafe Stockholm❤️


I stayed at the Clarion Hotel Sign in Stockholm.


This hotel is very modern.

Each lift plays different music: Lounge, Jazz, Pop and Rock.


Okay, time to pack now.

I’ll fly to Helsinki tomorrow.

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

From Bergen, Norway to Stockholm, Sweden

Posted on by sonokotchi

I checked out from the First Marin Hotel, Bergen this morning.

It’s nice hotel and food is decent.


I wish I could stay there longer, but I left hotel early to visit few places in Bergen.

Bryggen, one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.


Fish Market


Norwegians surprised me because they call fish roe, Caviar…these are not the caviar that I know…


At the Hansa Museum, I learned their life in those days.


Then I left for Stockholm.


At Stockholm, first, I enjoyed Haga Forum’s hand-made meatballs.

Lingonberries/mountain berries enhanced the flavor♪

After enjoying nice meatball lunch, I visited City Hall.
You might recognize this place because every 10 December, the Nobel Prize Banquet is held here.


Palace



Gamla Stan (Old City)


I checked-in at the Clarion Hotel Sign.

It’s a fashionable hotel.

I quickly fresh up and went to the Grand Hotel to experience 2014 Novel Prize banquet dinner.

The place and food are nice.

The dishes are:

     *Cauliflower soup with a mosaic of king crab, peas and lemon picked cauliflower,

     *Herb fried loin of deer with carrot, salt baked yellow beet, smoked pearl onion served with potato purée and game gravy, and

     *Mousse and sorbet of dewberries from Gotland with saffron pannacotta on browned buttered sponge cake.


I’ll continue sightseeing in Stockholm tomorrow.