Category: Japanese Culture

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Movie, Place, Travel

Trip to Malaysia (Day 5)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s my last day in Kuala Lumpur.

I had Char Kway Teow and Mangosteen for breakfast.

I managed to cross out few more on my wish list. Yeah.

Sayonara my Suite …. Sayonara Pavilion Hotel….

Thank you for your hospitality…

I still want to be with BFF so I asked her to park her car and join me for a coffee (I had a hot chocolate)

Well, I couldn’t stop the watch so I finally went in 30 mins before boarding time.

Everything went smoothly and I arrived at the gate when it was about to open.

I watched unfinished movie, Bohemian Rhapsody and newly released Aquaman.

I also had a dinner (fish) and sandwich for snack on flight.

I miss BFF already.

We stayed in most of the time but I didn’t get board.

It was such a wonderful break and I thank her for spending full four days with me.

I look forward for next vacation with her.

In addition, it is a Special Day for Japan: Accession of the New Emperor/Coronation Day.

We started the new era: Reiwa.

It’s a new start for me.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Tokyo

Last Working Day in Heisei

Posted on by sonokotchi

Heisei era is ending.

Emperor’s ascension will take place on 1 May 2019 to start new era: Reiwa.

We will celebrate continuous Japanese national starting from 29 April (Showa Day) till 6 May 2019.

My office usually don’t follow Japanese calendar, but this time, our office will close till 1 May 2019 to respect the head of state.

On that note, today (26 April 2019) would be the last working day for Heisei era.

I went to my memorial restaurant, Kandagawa, Ginza for lunch to treat myself.

It is the right place and delicious food to be sentimental ending my Heisei.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Hosting Lunch for My Friends on 7 April 2019

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I invited my friends for Ohanami (Sakura Viewing) Party.

My parents arranged dinner on 6 April 2019; therefore, I could not use the kitchen on the previous day.

I managed serving food by Costco delicatessen.

I usually cook, but I didn’t have time to cook for 11 of us this time.

I have been wanting to try Costco Party so I tried it for this day.

I also used paper plates.

It was like picnic in house. hahaha

I also ordered drinks on Amazon to make a drink bar.

The above photo is showing partial drinks.

This was the actual drink bar.

Wr met at 1 pm and they left after 9:30 pm.

I had fun and I hope they did, too.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Choco-chan, Feelings, Flower, Friends, Japanese Culture

令和 (Reiwa)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Crown Prince’s ascension to Emperor is scheduled on 1 May 2019; accordingly, we will start using new Japanese Imperial era.

The new Japanese Imperial era was decided and announced by Japanese government today, on first day of Japanese new fiscal year, to avoid any troubles for computerized data.

Our new 248th Japanese Imperial era is 令和 (Reiwa).

This word was originated from the Japanese oldest poem, Manyoshu.

令 (Rei) means fresh start and 和 (wa) means peace.

My friend from Malaysia texted to inform me its meaning: achieving peace – smart translation.

We supposed to feel fresh to start the first day of fiscal year like today’s weather.

However, Choco is tired and he needs to take medicines. OMG

Pity him, our guests disturbed him greatly.

Get well soon, Choco.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Sakura Viewing

Posted on by sonokotchi

It is the best time for enjoying viewing Sakura in Tokyo.

We are having guests for Sakura viewing; we took guests to my favorite breakfast place: La Pain Quotidien, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

While having a breakfast, I read the electrical board…

Tokyo Midtown Roppongi is celebrating its 12th Anniversary today.

On that note, Chandon will start give 500 glasses of rose champaign at 11:00 am.

We waited and got a glass.

After enjoying a glass of champagne, we went to Nogi General House.

We returned to home and received more guests.

Eight of us had a lunch box from Akasaka Yushoku and a dessert from Sun Fruits, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Some guests left after lunch; but Mom and guests continued chatting.

We ordered Dean & Deluca’s Party Set for dinner to relax at home and continued chatting.

The party set is just nice for five of us.

Mom and guests continued chatting till late night.

What an energy!

Posted in Choco-chan, Exercise, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

Sunny Day Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

Our guest loves breads so I started my day at my favorite brunch place: Le Pain Quotidien, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

After guest happily left for home, Choco and I had a walk at the park in the afternoon.

There are many people and dogs at the park enjoying a picnic/ohanami (Sakura Viewing), walking, taking photos of Sakura.

We enjoyed sunny Sunday and Japanese garden.

We continued to get lazy at home. hahaha

Posted in Art, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, My Flower Arrangement, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Flowerly Saturday

Posted on by sonokotchi

My Sensei (teacher) reopened flower arrangement class at her house, Kichijoji.

It’s a nice town and there are many small cafes and stores.

Kichijoji has been introduced on TV, but this is my first time to visit the town.

Sensei’s house is built at Taisho jidai (era); it’s about 100 years old.

There are many vintages or antiques here and there.

Old glass…

Old furniture…

Old clock…

It was fun to arrange with classmates and Sensei.

We had tea time after the arrangement to catch up on each other.

On the way back to the station, we took a street where there are many cafes and shops.

Vintage Shops

Venetian Glass Shop.

Kichijoji Petit Mura (Village): there are a cat cafe and few stores.

We tried Sake sampling.

We had tea break at Sensei’s house, but it wasn’t enough so we continued at Mi Cafeto, Kichijoji Station. hahaha

After enough chatting, I took Inogashira Line back to Shibuta.

For dinner, we (Mom and Mom’s friend) went to have Hitsumabushi (eel and eel porridge) at Maruya, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Hitsumabushi is Nagoya speciality; of course, this restaurant is originated from Nagoya.

We went one floor down to HARBS to get few cakes back home.

These cakes were nice: Sakura Cake and Mille Crepe.

It was a nice day.

I visited a new town – Kichijoji, participated in my favorite flower arrangement class, nice tea and dinner with friends and family.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

Foodie Friday

Posted on by sonokotchi

Japan Metrological Agency officially announced Sakura blooming yesterday.

Officers determine when by witnessing more than 5 Sakura flowers on a Sakura Tree at Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine).

There are more Sakura blooming in town.

The weather is nice so we walked extra to go for lunch at Malaysian Cuisine Rasa Malaysia, Ginza.

I had a lunch set: soup, salad, Prawn Chili Noodle and Bubur Chacha.

On the way back to the office, we admired a nice Sakura Bonsai tree.

It’s so lovely.

For dinner, we had nice tempura at Tempura Yamanoue (Hilltop) Roppongi, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

These are fresh and delicious.

Deserts are also nice: melon and Sakura ice cream.

We enjoyed nice sizzling Tempura with smile.

The sent of smile enhanced food.

Posted in Art, Beauty, Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Japanese Culture, Mt. Fuji, Place, Tokyo

Total Beautifying Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to spa for facial, body and hair.

I had a head massage as birthday of the month special.

It’s nice and I might ask it again.

There was a surprise.

A beautician must have heard of my stomach making noise.

She brought me some sandwich as birthday of the month girl special.

So sweet of her.

I’m going there to beautify myself; simultaneously meeting my friends for chit chatting.

In the afternoon, I went to gym.

Instead of stretching or exercising, my trainer massage me to balance my body.

According to him, my body is overworked.

True enough, I fell sleep while he was massaging me.

Thanks to him, I’ve gained some energy.

In the evening, I met up with Dad.

We visited Hokusai Updated to admire Hokusai’s Ukiyoe (woodblock paints) at Mori Arts Center Gallery, Roppongi Hills Tower 52F.

I like his Mt. Fuji series.

I had luxury of standing in front of Red Fuji and Big Wave to admire quietly.

There are many foreigners from different countries.

It indicates his arts are also popular among foreigners.

The museum is located on 52 Floor; therefore, the view from the floor is breathtaking.

It’s very scenic.

I didn’t have time to visit the observatory area; perhaps, next time.

I beautify completely — face, body, hair and heart — today.

Satisfactory day… fufufu

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

Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, Shiba-Koen, Tokyo

Posted on by sonokotchi

I was invited for a corporate dinner at the Tokyo Tofuya Ukai, Shiba-Koen, Tokyo.

The restaurant is located foot of Tokyo Tower.

It’s dark so difficult to see its beautiful traditional building,

We are greeted by Sakura (Cherry Blossom) that is about to bloom.

There are 600 types of Sakura and this is Miyabi Zakura, first to bloom.

There are sake cups decorated in Japanese 7 Gods and Goddess.

These are for Ohanami (Sakura viewing).

There is a nice Japanese garden.

And there is a house…

to grill deep-fried tofu with charcoals.

We can look up Tokyo Tower from the garden.

This is another type of Sakura, Shidare Zakura.

This restaurant will be nicely in pink during Sakura season.

I had a nice Tofu Kaiseki (Tofu Course Dinner).

I enjoyed companies, conversation, variety of Tofu and seasonal Amaoh Strawberry juice.

I had a souvenir to bring back.

It became a lovely evening.