Category: Shop

Posted in Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Hotel, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Sunday For Choco

Posted on by sonokotchi

When I show him his carrying bag, he gets so excited to go in; it makes my preparation easy.

We went to the clinic to get his shot for rabies at Green Dog Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Yes, this my regular shop to buy his products.

It’s conveniently located near my apartment and it has facilities of shop, clinic, pet hotel and grooming (beauty salon).

I bought a treat pouch and foldable cup here.

I’m using this treat pouch for basic training at home now.

I can clip it on my clothes so I can treat him any time; it is washable because it’s made by silicon; and it can close automatically because there is a magnet.

He is smart, but I learned I need to be patient not to confuse him.

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Feelings, Friends, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Training School

Posted on by sonokotchi

So cute of him to go in himself!

Choco knows he can go out if he goes in this bag!!!

I’m glad that he enjoys going out with me.

Choco and I attended a briefing for Training School: Familina Garden, Minami Aoyama.

We decided to take lessons and Choco would have four school mates.

We will start our class next week.

I bought a crate at my regular pet shop, Green Dog Tokyo Midtown Roppongi Store for him because he would need it there and other places.

He likes it.

He was totally relaxing by lying down inside of it at the shop.

It was a busy morning so I went to spa to unwind my body while he is taking a nap.

Posted in Art, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Northern Japan’s Three Greatest Summer Festivals (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Unfortunately, it is raining today, but I already watched all three festivals so rain doesn’t affect my day or mood.

I went for the morning dip; the bath was switched with men’s over night.

I had a buffet breakfast and I enjoyed their croissant waffles very much.

It’s dangerously delicious!

I didn’t have much time to use their facilities, but hotel prepares many activities for guests to enjoy during their stay.

We departed for Hiraizumi, Iwate.

We reached to Hiraizumi, Iwate where the town is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage.

We visited Chusonji (Chuson Temple) and the temple is famous for Konjikido (Golden Hall).

Today, Konjikido stands inside of a building to be protected.

Everything including the hall structure is made by gold.

We cannot take any photos inside so you need to visit to see how golden it is!

At the premise, there are many places to visit and to pray.

I had limited time so I could not visit all; nonetheless, I visited here before and I explained in details in my previous blog.

Hopefully, you would enjoy reading other days of my blog.

Shakado

Benzaiten

Amidado

Sankozo (Museum)

Dainichido

Mine Yakushido Hall

Hondo (Main Hall)

Benkeido

Tsukimizaka (Tsukimi Slope)

The rain was hard so my pants and shoes are wet.

But again, I didn’t mind because I watched and enjoyed all festivals in okay conditions.

These festivals continues for few days and many people planned to visit today.

Due to the weather (heavy rain), some festivals might get cancelled and there is no replacement day.

So I consider myself very lucky.

I had lunch at Sake Brewer: Seki no Ichi, Ichinoseki, Iwate.

Today, factory moved to a new place; original Kura (Storage) became a restaurant and shop.

Under the paper, there are many flavors of mochi (glutenous rice cakes).

Mochi is served to Gods and local people eat Mochi on important days for goods (celebration) and bads (sad).

From top left, zunda (edamame: young soy bean), goma (sesame), daikon oroshi for refreshment (ground white radish), anko (red bean) and kawaebi (river shrimp).

The pot dish is called Oshu Hatto.

This is made by flour and water; same ingredients with Udon (flour noodle).

It’s in a piece before cut.

We break it in pieces by our hands to put them in the pot.

We put them in a boiling pot together with all vegetables.

The restaurant offered a lucky draw by mochi (oh, no! More mochi! These are basically rice so very filling) ; I lost.

The winner get a sake bottle, how lucky!

This Sake Brewer also brew beer: Kura Beer.

I like their beer which has unique bitterness similar to dark beer though it’s in gold.

I bought Sake bottles for the next home party to enjoy them with friends. hahaha

We arrived Sendai Station to catch our Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo.

Sendai Station is already decorated for Sendai Tanabata which will start tomorrow.

Sendai Tanabata is also known as one of greatest festivals in Northern Japan.

These represents various wishes: health, wisdom, wealth, etc.

We took Shinkansen Yamabiko 152 back to Tokyo.

This was a fun trip!

Posted in Daily Life, Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Gadget, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Weekend Trip to Kyoto (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had obento (packed food. Actually, I bought sandwich this time) for breakfast last night.

I had Amanoya Tamago Sando (Amanoya egg sandwich), Azabu Juban, Tokyo and Jiichiro’s Baumkuchen – a souvenir from Mom’s friend.

For Amanoya Tamago Sando, I recommend to eat this as soon as possible because it surely taste better when it’s fresh and fresher the better.

Oh, I should introduce one of services that this hotel provides to hotel guests during our stay.

The hotel provides a free mobile to call, access internet and to obtain sightseeing information.

Foreign tourists surely appreciate this service.

Today, I visited a friend; I had nice lunch while we chatted.

I returned to Kyoto and enjoyed shopping at JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto Station.

Why shopping in Kyoto?

In Tokyo, I have things to do — mainly house keeping — and there are too many people at a store that would make me feel tired to do shopping.

Here, I could take time to pick clothes. hahaha

I had a dinner at Kyoto Cuisine, Kyo Yasai Ryori Sepporai (Kyoto Vegetable Cuisine Sepporai), Kyoto Station.

I enjoyed Kyoto local vegetables very much!!!

After dinner, I went for a walk: window shopping at Porta, shopping area at underground of Kyoto Station.

Window shopping is my favorite way of exercise!

I walked for an hour easily.

Posted in Daily Life, Feelings, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Socks for Office Shoes

Posted on by sonokotchi

Perhaps, this is not new for many of you; but me.

It’s been hot and it’s too hot to wear a stocking.

I bought these socks for office shoes at Mujirushi Ryohin (No Brand Good Quality), Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

This store is also known as Muji.

Muji sells simple and functional lifestyle products such as clothing, kitchen goods, bed linens, etc

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Movie, Shop, Tokyo

Wednesday is Movie Day for Ladies

Posted on by sonokotchi

Toho Cinemas offer a special rate for ladies on every Wednesday.

Normal rate is JPY 1,800 (USD 18) for adult, but for special rate for ladies on Wednesday is JPY 1,100 (USD 11).

Three of us went to watch Star Wars Han Solo at Toho Cinema, Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.

We were greeted by Godzilla.

We watched it at Screen 8.

I should enjoy ladies movie night n very movie way: hot dogs, pop corns, coke and red wine.

I had a glass of red wine while watching the movie.

I enjoyed watching as if I were at home.

This movie theatre is recently opened; therefore, it designed nicely.

There is enough gap between seat rows so heads won’t disturb our view. Great!

I might come back for Mission Impossible Fallout.

It seems the premier viewing for Mission Impossible Fallout was played here and Tom might have been here….

Posted in Feelings, Food, International Culture, Japanese Culture, Place, Shop, Tokyo

Tokyo Station Now

Posted on by sonokotchi

Before exiting from JR Tokyo Station, there are small shop lots.

Each of them sell cute and attractive stuffs!

I enjoyed window shoppings there.

Specialized shop for JR Higashi Nihon (East Japan).

Train lovers should stop by to check it out their merchandises.

Across from this shop, there are other specialized shops for traveling, household, lifestyle, food and Japanese traditional products such as chopsticks, towels, etc.

I found portable tea and coffee brewer that I bought as souvenirs from Denmark. (Bottom Shelf)

Wow, these reached to Japan!

These are delicious and recommended to buy.

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Health, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Shop, Shopping, Travel, Work

Business Trip to Wakayama (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I couldn’t upload on that day, but I think I should share what I experienced in that day.

Well, I was sentimental disabling this view from my window.

Before leaving Wakayama, we had an excursion to learn Japanese technology and culture.

First, we visited Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd.

This company is leading sewing machine in the world which occupies 60% of global market.

The company introduced a whole garment machine to reduce waste by producing a clothing by one single yarn.

The company also introduced 3D design machine to reduce time and cost.

The company has amazing technology, but I’m not allowed to take any photos at the premises.

I received a nice souvenir from them.

Then we visited Nakano BC: brewer of sake, Umeshu (plum wine), shochu (Japanese distilled liquor) and also producer of ume extract as health food.

The company name, BC means Biochemical Creation.

This is my first tour of Umeshu company.

Reserve Tanks

Processing Tanks

This is Sake production tank.

I remember this Sugidama (a ball) as a good luck charm.

However, it has more meaning to it.

It means when it turns green to brown, it means Sake is ready, time to enjoy it.

I tried their plum extract which is so sour!!!

It supposed to supplement improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure, anti-bacteria and many more.

There is a machine to check our blood flow.

I was worried that I might get a negative comments; on the contrary, my blood flow is good! Yeah!

I had a vegetarian lunch at the harbor.

Typhoon 7 wad approaching the area so tides are high.

There is a fish market a d fruit market to enjoy shopping Wakayama delicacies.

Fish market

Fruit Market

I enjoyed staying in Wakayama and would love to come back again!!!

This what I wanted to report the other day…

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Gadget, Health, Movie, Place, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Fruitful Sunday

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, there was a special campaign for Sixpac at Yodobashi Camera Akihabara.

I tried them and I think these are good.

My personal trainer recommend it so let’s give a try.

After lazily exercising, rushed to a movie.

A new theatric movie theater opened at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.

I watched American Assassin.

I enjoyed it.

After the movie. I had early dinner; enjoying food and gathering.

Posted in Art, Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Hotel, International Culture, Music, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Travel

Trip to Bulgaria and Romania (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today is the main day of this trip: Rose Festival.

We are scheduled to leave hotel for Kazanlak at 6:45 am; as such, I took a quick breakfast at 5:30 am then Sayonara Plovdiv.

Bulgaria has rich soil so the country’s self efficiency is high.

Bulgaria imports food only during winter.

I can see many farms at the road side.

Kazanlak is famous for production of poppy, lavender and rose.

This is lavender farm, looks nice in purple.

The type of Rose suited for extracting rose oil is Damask Rose.

Bulgarian believes Damask Rose was brought by Thracians.

On the other hand, some claim Damask Rose was brought by Turkish/Ottoman.

This theory is also supported because production of rose oil was industrialized during Ottoman Empire.

Rose requires rich soil, enough sunshine and balanced humidity.

Due to above requirements, roses are commonly planted at winery grape yards to alert soil condition.

To produce 1kg of rose oil, it requires 3,000 roses; 1 drop requires 120 roses.

Once rose oil was traded equally as gold.

No wonder it’s precious.

Rose is national flower of Bulgaria.

This morning, we departed early for rose picking.

It is better to pick roses early morning to keep better/stronger fragrance.

Rose oil is commonly used as one of ingredients for major brands’ perfume to keep lasting fragrance.

Rose oil is also used as an ingredient for cosmetics because of its performance: anti-aging, antibacterial effects, moisturizing and even good for applying insect bites.

It is also used for supplement: kidney stone, constipation, etc.

When we consume rose jam, we need to be easy with it; it might force you to go to toilet often! hahaha

I bought rose oil, hand cream, jam and lokum for myself.

I can enjoy rose picking, shopping and even watching Bulgarian Folk Dance at Ethnographic Complex Damascena, Kazanlak.

Bulgarian Folk Dance and songs.

We moved to the Rose Festival Parade.

This parade started in 1903.

The total population of Kazanlak is about 50,000, but over 100 buses of tourists visit the town for Rose Festival.

They are Queen of Rose.

This parade is heart warming because it is obviously hand-made by local community.

At last, all of us (local people and tourists) dance together.

We had BBQ for lunch,

Drinks are included. Yeah!

After lunch, we visited Shipka Memorial Church, also known as Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ.

On the way to Veliko Turnovo, we stopped by at one of parking areas to try pure water buffalo yogurt with local honey.

Both yogurt and honey are so rich and delicious that I would recommend to try it.

We arrived Veliko Turnovo and checked in at Hotel Meridian Bolyarski.

It has a tremendous view.

We had dinner at hotel restaurant.

We also enjoyed live music while eating and chatting.

We had a good time at our table.

After dinner, we went for a short walk; this town is very peaceful.

It’s been a long day.

I soaked my body to rose bath to unwind my tired body.

Good night.