I supposed to renew my driver’s license this year and I should do it between prior and after one month of my birthday, meaning by 4 April 2020.
At that time, the number of new cases was increasing and I thought going to driver’s license centre where we could expect a large number of visitors is dangerous.
I processed to get an extension for three months for renewing driver’s license.
My deadline became 3 July 2020 after the process.
I thought the three months period would manage the COVID situation, not creating a crowd.
However, I learned that the Samezu Driver’s License Centre (Ota-ku, Tokyo) and other premises were closed till 31 May 2020.
Well, instead of the time solving a problem, it created desperate people to renew the license because of closure of the center!
I waited till very last minutes and asked for a day off to go on weekday on 2 July 2020; hoping there would be less people.
And YES, there were less people at the Samezu Driver’s License Centre and the process went smoothly.
However, I had to sit in two hours lecture due to my record.
My driver’s license became blue and need to come back for renewal in three years.
If you are an excellent driver with no record (which I was for last time), the lecture would be 30 mins and you get a Gold Driver’s License which you don’t need to renew for 5 years – the privilege given to an excellent driver.
I hope I will become an excellent driver (GOLD) again so that I don’t need to sit in 2 hours lecture and I don’t need to come back for 5 years. haaaaa
Japan imposed retailers to charge plastic shopping bags to save environment by reducing producing microplastics and CO2 emission on 1 July 2020.
The retails charge a plastic bag (and some for paper bags) from range of JPY 2 – JPY 20 (ISD 0.02 – USD 0.19).
Therefore, this became a memorable last free plastic shopping bag at Precce, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.
However, some retailers such as Meidi-Ya continues to provide free shopping bags that is categorized as biomass shopping bags.
There are three types of biomass shopping bags and they are:
First, the bag is made by more than 25 percent of biodegradable material. The Meidai-Ya provides this type.
Biomass Plastics Logo by Japan BioPlastics AssociationBiomass Mark by Japan Organics Recycling Association
Second, the thickness is more than 0.05 mm that allows to reuse it and it requires to state state that it is recommended to reuse the bag on the bag itself.
Tokyo lifted Tokyo Alert and moved businesses to Step 3 on 12 June 2020 (allowing more businesses to reopen such as Karaoke Box) and schedule to allow all businesses to restart on 19 June 2020.
Movie theatre was allowed to reopen on 1 June 2020 when Tokyo shifted Businesses to Step 2.
Accordingly, Toho Cinemas Roppongi opened on 5 June 2020.
It would be nice to watch an action movie, ANNA (Russian KGB Spy Movie) on the big screen.
However, we I learned that there are new normals for watching a movie as well.
The seats are parted by one seat in between.
Even we go in a group, we need to sit according to seating arrangement; we cannot sit next each other.
There are many more NEW NORMALs at the movie theatre to practice.
At the ticketing counter, of course, operated machine is one machine a part.
When we enter, our body temperature would be checked by the thermometer which requires to face the monitor.
Well, I didn’t know every 14th of the month is TOHO CINEMAS DAY so that we can watch a movie for discounted price of JPY 1,200 or USD 12. (Normal Price is JPY 1,900 or USD 19)
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).
sonokotchi 