Category: Japanese Food

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.

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Food, Friends, Golf, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, River, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Shopping Weekend

Posted on by sonokotchi

Yesterday, on Saturday, 9 March 2019, I went to Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi, Tokyo to buy golf shirts and a hat for my friend in overseas.

To my surprise, these golf wears by Leonard Sports Paris are mainly produced for Japan market and only available in few areas in Asia.

It was fun shopping on behalf. hahaha

On Sunday, 10 March 2019, I went to Osaka to meet my friend from Malaysia.

I hopped on Shinkansen (bullet train) in the morning and went to Osaka.

We met up at Nanba and had our lunch.

We walked Dotonbori area and decided to have grilled seafood at Isomaru Suisan Dotonbori, Osaka.

Perhaps, I looked helpless; it was so nice having someone cooking for us!

We had a big lunch but no worries; we started walking for shopping!

We took few selfie at Dotonbori (Dotonbori River), Osaka.

We continued shopping at Shinsaibashi Suji Shotemgai (Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade).

We stopped at Daiso (100 yen shop), 3Coins+Plus (300 yen shop), etc.

There are many foreign tourists to shop; therefore, the choice of products, especially for Japanese Souvenirs are good and many!

Starbucks is popular among us.

Many beautiful seasonal Sakura designed tumblers and cups are available.

I checked the merchandise before in Tokyo.

There are many choices like shown in below photos.

But when we visited the first Starbucks of today, there are only few Sakura design merchandises available.

Other designs are all sold out at that shop.

I became panic because I wanted to get one for my dear friend.

We looked for other Starbucks – Starbucks Shinsaibashi BIG, America Mura (American Village), Shinsaibashi, Osaka – and found the design that she wants.

Luckily, I found it!

Today, merchants finish fast because the purchasing power of foreign tourists is so great.

I was in panic so I bought it, though I’m in Osaka.

Then made me wanting to have one for myself so that we can be twins. hehehe

Starbucks became a great shopping place for us.

Time was running out for me; I had to catch the Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

But we had another destination for shopping: Daimaru Department Store Shinsaibashi, Osaka.

My friend wanted to get something nice for her bosses who fought for her so that she can take this training programme in Osaka.

It’s so sweet of her.

But time is ticking…I helped her to decide souvenirs but I ran out time to accompany her to get tax refund.

Japan is safe and systematic.

I guided her and left for Shin-Osaka Eki (Shin Osaka Station) to catch my Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

I managed to reach Shin-Osaka to catch my Shinkansen.

I’m heading back to Tokyo.

I had a good time with my friend.

We laughed and exercised well.

You know women don’t mind to walk around and around the store.

I needed a crazy fun like this to get a break.

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 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 Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Work

Food Truck

Posted on by sonokotchi

I was working at our sister organization office today.

There are two food trucks parking outside of the building to sell Thai and Egyptian Food for lunch.

This is my first time to buy an Obento (lunch box) from a food truck and I decided an Egyptian Koshary chicken lunch set with an extra topping of Onsen-Tamago (half boiled egg).

Posted in Feelings, Food, Hotel, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Business Trip to Hokkaido (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Last night I had a difficulty to fall sleep.

Then I remember I took a Monster which was distributed on the street for promotion.

This is my first Monster and now I read clearly “Extra Strength” on the bottle.

No wonder I couldn’t fall sleep even I took a nice bath last night.

Nonetheless, I had the second bottle this morning to keep me going today.

I went down to take a breakfast.

I was informed by a taxi driver that the hotel, Hotel Keihan Sapporo, received the best breakfast award among hotels in Sapporo.

I enjoyed the varieties.

Then we headed to Hotel Okura Sapporo to organize a seminar.

After the seminar, we visited two organizations to establish business relationships.

The organization that we visited is nicely located in front of the Hokkaido tourist place: Sapporo Tokeidai (Sapporo Clock Tower).

We are lucky that we could take few tourists photos.

Between two meetings, we took a break and lunch to enjoy nice Hokkaido ice cream at Yukijirushi Parlor (Snow Brand Cafe), Sapporo.

I had the limited edition: Strawberry Parfait.

After the second meeting, we rushed back to the hotel to pick our luggages to depart for the Shin-Chitose Airport because snow is getting heavy.

It was the wise decision to depart for the airport earlier because it took longer to reach to the airport due to the bad road condition.

We enjoyed shopping and dinner at the airport calmly.

I bought Royce Yamazaki Whiskey Chocolate and Rokkatei Milk Chocolate Coated Strawberries for myself. hahaha

Now I will head back home.

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, Japan Technology, Japanese Food, Place, Shop, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Business Trip to Fukui (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I ate a lot yesterday; therefore, I took a simple breakfast: Fukui sour plum onigiri (rice ball) and a coffee.

We departed for three company visits.

First, we visited Muroji, the world oldest soy sauce producer since 1573.

It has 450 years of experience in soy sauce making.

This company is also the first Japanese soy sauce manufacturer to export Japanese soy sauce 150 years ago.

The company wants to expand their overseas market so that one day you might find their products at the supermarkets near you.

Second, we visited Matsuura Machinery Corporation.

The company manufactures machine tools with high performance.

Their machine can produce high precision machine parts for various industries such as aerospace, medical device, machinery (cutting tool) and premium motor sports such as F1.

They can offer various attractive machines such as 5 Axis machine tools and hybrid 3D printer which conducts both sintering and milling.

The factory visit was so much fun! Exciting.

After exciting company visits, we had lunch at the Bell Shopping Mall before last company visit.

I enjoyed nice sushi.

The last company visit was to Masunaga Optical Mfg Co Ltd.

I wanted to visit this eyeglasses manufacturer because former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin made this company famous by wearing their eyeglasses.

Today their eyeglasses are popular among many celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Christiano Ronaldo, etc.

The founders of Masunaga, Masunaga Brothers, wanted to create the industry in Fukui to creat jobs for the society.

They trained artisans and when they were ready allowed them to start their own business.

That is why there are many eyeglasses manufacturers located in Fukui.

Their products are sophisticated and stylish.

I plan to visit their shop in Tokyo: Masunaga 1905, Tokyo Aoyama Store.

It was fulfilling 2-day visit.

Sayonara Fukui.

I departed Fukui by Shirasaki.

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