Category: Japanese Culture

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 Beauty, Choco-chan, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, My Flower Arrangement, Restaurants, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Birthday Events

Posted on by sonokotchi

You must be wondering what happened to my trip to Egypt.

Well, internet access was slow so I decided to go on digital detox and took sleep to enjoy my trip.

I returned to work on the next day I came back from Egypt and I had a pile of work waiting for me with a very short notice project.

I will try to share my amazing trip to Egypt soonest possible.

Due to work, I totally forgot about my birthday, 3 March, till Friday, 1 March 2019.

The Japanese sweet store, Fugetsu-do, reminded me of my birthday by looking at displayed Japanese traditional sweet and Ohina-sama (Dolls) for Hinamatsuri (Dolls Day) on 3 March.

I bought these sweets to at least celebrate my birthday because I had no plan on my birthday at that time.

I admired their Ohina-Sama at the store.

I totally forgot to decorate my mini dolls.

After I thought of my birthday, my friends contacted me to plan celebrating my birthday.

So sweet of them!

I started my Birthday Eve, 2 March 2019, with Spa.

I planned this before to treat myself.

I also sent Choco for spa and grooming.

I hope he enjoys like how I enjoy.

My spa gave me a birthday gift (chocolate in rose shape from Message de Rose) so I enjoyed it with a glass of wine.

I haven’t arranged flower for a while so I thought I should decorate a room with floor for my birthday.

Flower always bring me smiles.

I had my birthday eve dinner at Sushi Restaurant Sushi Ishii, Akasaka, Tokyo.

This restaurant allows a pet on Saturday night.

That means… Choco also joined Sushi dinner!

Though he didn’t have any piece, it was a nice dinner (for me for sure. hahaha)

On my birthday, I started with Brunch at Gaston & Gasper, Roppongi.

Of course, Choco joined me.

Choco was interested in my take out ice cream that I can make on my own.

I know it looks nice, but Sorry Choco, I cannot share it with you

At 3 pm, friends visited me to celebrate my birthday with a delicious birthday cake from La Maison and savoy.

I decorated mini Ohina Sama collection.

We laughed till evening.

I thought I would have a quiet day for my birthday two days ago; but it turned out to be a nice weekend.

Thank you my friends and Choco to celebrate my birthday with me.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Place, Restaurants, World Culture

Gong Xi Fa Cai @ Yokihi, Yokohama China Town

Posted on by sonokotchi

This become my custom to celebrate New Year (Chinese New Year) with this group of friends.

One of us is working at Yokohama City Office; therefore, he offers his assistance to organize a special dinner at Yokihi, Yokohama China Town.

I say SPECIAL because this place is opened for boutique and cafe and not for dinner.

All food is delicious because these are all home-made.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Happy New Year!)

It was nice to see all of them again.

We all had good time and continued for Karaoke session. hahaha

We sang both English and Japanese songs.

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.

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

Business Trip to Hokkaido (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I took an early flight to Hokkaido.

We took a train to the city center: Sapporo.

We took lunch at Marumiya, Paseo Sapporo.

We had some time before the meeting so that we stopped by at the Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival).

The first… yeah, it’s Star Wars!!!

There is a giant snow cup noodle with slide.

Totoro

Pockemon

Tennis Player Naomi Osaka

NHK character Chiko-chan

Gundum

Tokeito (Sapporo’s Crock House)

Chibimaruko-Chan

Train

Swords Art Online

Finland Plaza

Kento Ranbu

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

NHK’s New Morning Drama: Natsusora

JRA (Japan Racing Association)

Hard Rock Family

Yuki Miku (Snow Miku) AR

I didn’t know how to activate so that I could watch the last scene.

This is the stage for acrobatic performance.

It’s time for us to return back to Prince Hotel Sapporo to depart for the meeting.

I was so happy to see Prince Hotel Sapporo because it’s getting dark and cold, but all taxies on the street were occupied.

After the meeting, we went for crab dinner at the same restaurant at Marumi, Paseo Sapporo.

King Crab

More dishes such as scollops, crab croquets, tempura, seafood salad, etc

Hairy Crab

We returned to hotel to dress up for night Yuki Matsuri (snow festival).

Hotel Keihan Sapporo

Night Yuki Matsuri was fun because it looks beautiful with colour.

There is different sculpture of Yuki Miku.

Now please compare how it looks in daytime and night.

We were cold so that we had a gluhwein (hot wine).

It’s – 6 C outside.

I really wanted to watch Yuki Miku AR and this time I asked a staff how to activate properly.

It was so much fun!!! YEAHHHH

Okay, I’m ready to go back to hotel for Daiyokujo (Large Public Bath).

I enjoyed Sudachi Bath.

For further details, please read the stand.

My body warmed up and ready to go sleep now.

Oyasuminasai (Good Night)

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

Very Japanese Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

I looked for a restaurant that I can take Choco with me.

We went to Monjayaki Kotobukiya, Tsukishima, Tokyo.

I had Ramune (Soda) for drink.

We started with Gyu-tan Steak (beef tongue steak).

Forgot to take a photo; I also had Sunagimo (gizzard).

Sumagimo is at the up left corner.

Then we had the main dish, Hakata Mentai Mochi Cheese Monja (Hakata fish roe, pounded rice cake and cheese in Monjya Style.)

Monjayaki is local Tsukishima food.

First we cook ingredients.

Then add soup and mix all.

We can eat moist or crispy as we wish.

We also had okonomiyaki, Kansai (Osaka Style Pancake).

Choco was tired waiting for us.

We left Kotobukiya and stopped by at Tsukiji Bon Marche Deli & Bar to get our dessert: matcha (Green Tea) soft cream.

I enjoyed Tsukiji Happy Ice Cream with colourful decoration.

At the dinner time, I had Nabe (cray pot) and Ehomaki (Good Luck Roll).

This is thick and long with many ingredients.

We face good luck direction of the year (East for 2019) and eat this roll.

I also did Mamemaki (throwing soybeans for good luck) by saying “Oni wa Soto, Fukuwa Uchi (Evils out, good luck to come)”.

And at the midnight, I placed this facing good direction of the year (East).

This will make all matters in favors.

According to old Japanese calendar, 3 February was the New Year; therefore, we have so many tradition to wish for good luck today.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Travel, Work

Business Trip to Fukui (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

We took early Shinkansen (bullet train) to depart for Fukui as early as 7:33 am.

Therefore, I took a breakfast on the train knowing it will be three hours journey to Maibara Station to change to Shirasaki Express Train; it takes four hours to reach Fukui.

The sample looked nice and packed, but when I opened it…I was surprised how it looks….ah empty…?

When we reached Maibara Station, we rushed to the platform for Shirasagi Express Train because we didn’t have much time.

From the window of Shirasagi, we can spot snow here and there.

Nonetheless, we arrived Fukui safely and started our programme for today: networking lunch and seminar.

Since I acted as host and secretariat so that I refrained myself for taking photos but moved around the floor.

After the event, we had a dinner at Japanese Restaurant Tachibana, 2F, Yours Hotel, Fukui.

I was looking forward for the local specialty, Echizen Crab.

We also had Kaiseki (Japanese course menu) while waiting for crab.

Then tadaaaaaa crab

Then noodle and dessert.

I ate for few days potion today.

I definitely need to exercise more. haaaa

We had all events at Yours Hotel, Fukui and finally I returned to room for resting.

At the room, I opened gifts from guests.

These are Fukui local special crafts.

From left, Fukui plum castella (cake), Mayu (cocoon) cosmetics and abalone shell decoration chopsticks.

So nice!

It’s getting late and I found a foot massage machine at the closet.

I tried it to relax my feet in the room.

I can have a good sleep tonight.

Oyasuminasai

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo

Anahachiman (Anahachiman Shrine), Waseda, Tokyo

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This became my routine so that this is not my first time to post about my visit to Snahachiman ak Yuzusama (accommodates our needs).

On 3 February, I will place this charm as instructed: West side of room, facing East.

I had Hiroshimayaki (okonomiyaki in Hiroshima style, with noodles) at Kurumi, Kagurazaka, Tokyo.

I bought a down jacket at the select shop Strasburgo, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

It’s in light champagne gold.

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Shopping, Work

31 December 2018 (Omisoka: New Year’s Eve)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s omisoka for Japanese and we supposed to be at home to prepare welcoming New Year.

However, my boss (foreigner) didn’t approve my leave (Japanese) because he took holiday since 21 December 2018.

My boss approved all other Japanese staffs to take leaves so I was alone in the office.

I could be the only person in the building as well.

Luckily, boss called to inform me I’m allowed to close the office at 3 pm.

The town was quiet and deserted.

I rushed back home because I was expecting my niece for New Year holiday.

She changed in a dress that we bought for her.

She likes blue princess look dress which Mom chose for her than black and red lady look dress which I picked for her.

We all (including Choco) stayed up late till midnight to welcome New Year together.

We greeted

Akemashite Omedetogozaimasu

(Happy New Year!)

Now I manage to update what I left out in December 2018 because I was sick.

Now I’m back on track and hope you would continue enjoying my blog.

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

30 December 2018

Posted on by sonokotchi

My relatives who owns rice fields always prepare mochi (pounded sticky rice) for new year.

I enjoy their mochi very much because rice are so fresh and chemical free.

It tastes much much much better than commercial ones.

Today, I cannot eat mochi and brown rice that are sold at supermarkets.

I need to get my supply from my relative.

This time, I took Choco with me.

It’s his first time to ride for long hours: 2 hours straight.

I’m glad that he slept in the car for both ways.

It was a nice sunny day.

I drove through Kujukuri where it plans to be a surfing tournament place for Tokyo Olympics 2020.

We can see the construction going on and there is a nice beach and waves for surfing.

I brought my apron but there were enough people to work on; I left it with experts.

I just enjoyed eating them.

What a good job that I had!

My other cousins were busy grilling yakitori (skewered chicken).

I took my portion of mochi and uncle’s.

I delivered mochi to the uncle who couldn’t make it today.

He was so surprised and happy when I showed up with fresh mochi.

He treated me Sukiyaki (beef pot).

He was so happy that he couldn’t stop talking.

His smiling face made me happy as well.

It was a nice day because I met my loving relatives and Choco behaved well.