The first Toranomon Hills (Tower) was opened on 11 June 2014.
This is my first visit to Toranomon Hills.
Therefore, this is my first to meet Toranomon.
The second tower, Toranomon Hills Business Tower, was recently opened on 11 June 2020 and there would be additional two Toranomon Hills tower for residential and station by 2022.
I went to Toranomon Yokocho where 26 restaurants are located in a block or one floor.
We hopped restraints to enjoy few dishes.
We had pork skewers at Torishige.
Torishige
There is a distiller for gin: Sake Shokudo Toranomon Joryusho (Liquor Restaurant Toranomon Distiller.
I had Mojito, and
Gifu Lavender Gin
If you want to have varieties of bites; this would be a place.
She is a great guide!
She also took me to one of iconic public arts: 10 m high sculpture “Roots” by Jaume Plensa.
It’s hot outside so he asked me to order delivery.
Well, I want to eat my food when it’s freshly made so I’m not a delivery person.
I rather cook during the Stay Home Period though I crossed many delivery persons then and even now.
I needed to start with downloading the app.
McDonald engages two delivery services: Mc Delivery and Uber Eats.
Since it’s Mc, first, I registered on McDelivery.
When I tried to request for a delivery, I found that our office area is not covered by McDelivery which is understandable because many offices are located in our area, Ginza.
Then I continued registering on Uber Eats.
I received few errors on payment because I wanted to pay by cash but the system only allows payment by credit card which is also understandable because the Uber Eats delivery person might have faced issues on change (small coins).
Finally, I managed to order our food by Uber Eats.
After installing apps and understanding the system, I’m ready to order delivery via apps.
I understand the convenience of service; however, I still want to dine at restaurants or shops, or cooking at home after experiencing it.
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).
Japanese government lifted the State of Emergency on 26 May 2020.
Businesses started to reopen.
I had my spa; however, there are new routines to be added such as taking body temperature at the entrance, beauticians wearing mask and plastic face shield and during my hair treatment, I continue wearing my mask.
Italian dinner at IL FIGO INGORDO Roppongi.
The restaurant has taken away tables to half to provide enough distance between tables.
Furthermore, they operate by less staffs (2 floor staffs) and chefs (3 chefs).
Now Tokyo Metropolitan Government allows restaurants to operate till later hours (closing 10 pm from 9 pm).
I haven’t had wine for more than a month..?
It tasted so smooth and so goood!
It surely enhanced food.
I also had dessert wine and desserts: vanilla and blueberry ice cream.
Today we need to adopt new normal to enjoy our daily life.
Businesses are taking measures against COVID and I respect them to provide us safety and their considerations and efforts.
This town is known for Gyoza (fried Chinese dumpling).
In fact, this is my first time to try Utsunomiya Gyoza at Utsunomiya.
There is Gyoza Dori (Gyoza Street).
There are many Gyoza specialized shops and Ramen (Japanized Chinese style noodle) and Gyoza restaurants.
The lamp is also in shape of Gyoza.
I queued and had my Gyoza at Goku, Gyoza Dori, Utsunomiya, Tochigi.
Niku (Meat) Gyoza and Jumbo Gyoza
Then proceeded to Nikko, Tochigi.
In Nikko, visited Kegon no Taki (Kegon Fall).
Today, there is a lift to go down to watch Kegon no Taki in front of it.
It’s very cold there and we can still see some snow.
We drove by Chuzenji-ko (Chuzenji Lake) and enjoyed the view from window.
Recently, we enjoyed warm temperature and suddenly its temperature dropped; therefore, we could see some steam from lake which makes lake look more scenic and mysterious.
We drove through woods on the way to Oku-Nikko, also very scenic.
We drove farther and reached Sengokugahara (wetland) where believed God of Mountain conducted battles.
There is another lake, Yuko (Yu Lake) at the entrance of Oku-Nikko area.
We finally reached Oku-Nikko Kogen Hotel.
We can stay this nice Washitsu (Japanese style room) together with Choco.
I went to dip in onsen (hot spring) before dinner.
There are two sections: Lower (bigger) and Upper (smaller).
Both equipped with indoor and outdoor/open-air bath.
UpperLower
It’s cold there; so that dipping in Onsen felt really nice.
I became thirsty after dipping in onsen so I enjoyed drinking cold Wakimizu (spring water).
After getting some rest, we had dinner with local sake made for Oki-Nikko Kogen Hotel.
I went to futon (Japanese style bed) early.
Next morning, I woke up with a surprise.
According to weather forecast, it predicted snow in Kanto region.
However, in few days, we will welcome April – Spring.
There could be some snow but I didn’t expect it to be thick.
Well, I was wrong….
It continued snowing and no sign of weakening.
I became panic because I came with normal tyres, not snow tyres.
To calm myself down, I went for morning dip.
It was still early and there were no one.
I supposed not to take any photos at the bath, but it was so romantic.
Quickly got ready and went to breakfast.
There are many varieties of food and there is an egg and bacons in the pot.
Continued monitoring snow and consulted hotel staffs who are local; well, I had to make a hard decision – abundant my car.
I think we made a wise decision because snow is thick and we surely could not drive through these windy roads: Irohazaka.
Reached Tobu Nikko Eki (Station) by hotel free shuttle bus.
Then Took train, Spacia, back to Asakusa, Tokyo.
Choco behaved his best on train.
I had a rich vanilla ice cream on the train while looking at these sceneries.
It’s scary but breath taking sceneries.
We cannot underestimate nature; I safely returned home.
sonokotchi 