Category: Shopping

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Pilgrimage, Place, River, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Posted on by sonokotchi

On the way to Nara for the Second trip of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

It’s nice sunny day and Mt. Fuji is so beautiful with rice field.

This stage of rice field is a symbol of spring, getting ready to be planted.

I had a candy of Ise Kusuri Honpo (Ise Medicine Shop).

It’s black sugar flavor, but it tastes a bit of herbal medicine.

Well, the name of shop already gave me the assurance because it’s from Ise where there is Ise Shrine, Japan’s first shrine.

Kyoto


Again, I took a Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka, then changed to a bus for Nara.

Yodogawa (Yodo River), Osaka 

Nara is basin and a historical city.


There are many temples and shrines because Nara used to be  the capital over 1300 years ago (in 701).

No. 7 Okadera (also known as Ryugaiji)

To reach the main temple, we need to go up the steep slope to reach a main temple.

This temple is famous for dissociate from bad luck, and temple’s Buddha is the largest Buddha made by clay.

On the way to the main temple, I hit a bell to dissociate bad luck.


Then, prayed at the main temple.

This temple is also know as Ryugaiji.

The direct translation for Ryugaiji is Dragon-Cover-Temple.

A Buddhist Monk, Gien shoho, got rid of a bad-spirit-dragon into a well and covered it.


After visiting Okadera, I had a simple and nice lunch.

I opened covers…..nice.


Rice is akamai (direct translation is red rice) – ancient rice!

This ancient rice is delicious!


After lunch, I still had time to visit Ishibutai Tumulus, a stone chamber – the tomb of Umako Soga.


No. 6 Minami Hokkeji (also known as Tsubosakadera)



This is not a Pagoda, Tahoden – a building to keep a treasure such as a Buddha.



This is a three-stories pagoda next to the main temple.


This temple is good for eyes.

I asked for a special prayer for my eyes and bought an eye drops.

Eye drops is very refreshing.



After praying at the main temple, I walked through Tenjikumon (Old India Gate) to see a big standing Kannon (she is 20 m tall) and sleeping Buddha (8 m)!



No. 8 Hasedera

This temple is very famous for many stairs and a tall Hasedera Style Kannon (10m).

Kannon is a goddess but she holds a stick that Jizo holds.

She can function as Kannon and Jizo.

I regret I’m not allowed to take any photos of Kannon but I’m so blessed that I could touch her.


This is the main temple today.


This is the original temple.


When I was going down, I could see many stairs that I climbed from this point.


Extra Temple. Houkiin 

This temple is small and feel cozy.



This tree is a good luck tree against evils.


It is a nice season to take a break because the weather is just nice – not cold nor hot – and the area is so green and air is fresh.



I checked-in at Kashihara Royal Hotel, one of Royal Hotel Group Hotels.

I’ve been introducing a room from other Royal Hotel Group hotel.

A room might look familiar because the style is almost the same; however, a room is spacious and equipped with basic needs.



Dinner was nice; I have no complaints.


I enjoyed local sake: Miyokiku.

This sake is donated to Kashihara Shrine, the largest shrine in Nara.

Of course, it’s verrrrrrry nice.


Okay, time to go sleep now.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Shopping, Travel

How to Enjoy Taiwanese Tea

Posted on by sonokotchi

I learned new way of enjoying Taiwanese tea.

The quality of Taiwanese tea is strictly controlled; therefore, we don’t need to throw away the first cup for washing tea leaves.

We can put tea leaves directly in a cup to enjoy 7-8 cups.

If tea leaves still have flavour, we can save it in refrigerator after dripping every drop of water.

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Movie, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Unfortunately, it was raining in the morning.

But it didn’t discourage me to enjoy Chinese breakfast at the Grand Hotel.

First, I visited National Revolutionary Marty’s Shrine to pay a respect for people who lost their lives for the WWII.

A war will create many victims and they are all victims.

We should not start any war.


Next I went to National Palace Museum.


There are so many great things there and I could share some great master pieces with you.

I have no idea how these were created.

This is must to see at this museum: Jade Cabbage.


And a set of carved openwork concentric ivory balls with cloud-and-dragon decoration.

There are 24 layers and each layer/ball can move! 

There are many more.

I don’t mind to visit the museum again to spend more time admiring these arts.

Next, I visited Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan.

He is a Mascot of Taipei 101.


It is 101 floors building and it takes only 37 seconds to reach observation floor, 89F.

There are many unique buildings in town according to Feng Shui.

There is a twisted green building that is currently under the construction.



It’s lunch time!

I really look forward for Din Tai Fung (Dim Sum) and I enjoyed, really enjoyed every bites!

Their XiaoLongBao (soup dumplings) is highly recommended! 

MUST EAT!!!

I ate five today. hehehe



I requested additional dessert.

I wanted to try a famous Taiwanese style Mango Snowflake Ice.


Since I didn’t have time to eat there, I asked for a take away.

It supposed to look like this.


It’s so Mango because ice is not normal water ice, it tastes Mango!!! 

And it’s so soft and melt like snow!

A take away style is like this.



After lunch, I visited Longshan Temple.


The stone curving on pillars are just amazing.

I’m here to pray, but at the same time, I get anazed by these breathtaking arts! 


After praying, I watched the ceremony of changing the guard at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.




Last stop was Jiufun.

This little town is located in the mountain because it used to be a gold mining town.

Now it became a hot tourist spot because it’s traditional looks and there is a rumor that Mr. Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese Animator, got an inspiration from this town to design a town for a story of Spirited Away.



We need to go up stairs to go to a main road.


A main road is narrow.


I tried Taiwan’s Stinky Tofu!!! Mmmmmmmm

I think trying once is enough for me.

To my surprise, many people, even youngs, like these Stinky Tofu. 


Well, I love Chinese tea and one of my missions for this trip is to get nice Chinese tea.

This tea house strictly controls quality of products and I love their products: smooth, delicate, nice aroma and delicious.

I bought varieties of tea and even bought new kinds.

Chinese tea is like herbal medicine; it can assist to detox, beautyfy and slimming.

After tasting Chinese tea, my skin improved drastically.

My parents already asked me to mail order before I open my tea.

I haven’t touch my stock! 

I can enjoy them for quite some time.


I continued to walk the town.


I reached the building/area that Mr. Miyazaki got inspired…

This is a tea house, but in the movie, it’s a bath house.

If you watch a movie, you can easily spot the scene.




I left Jiufun for dinner for a nice Taiwanese local food at Shin Yeh, Taipei.

It’s very delicious or was I too hungry…? hahaha

Earlier I achieved one of my missions.

Now I’m achieving another one: to try papaya milk.

My friend recommended me to try papaya milk.

(Hummmm, same friend recommended to try Stinky tofu…ahhh.)

Papaya milk is nice and I also recommend it to you.

I also tried a nice dragon fruit smoothie; it’s not a guava juice.


Guava Juice is the name of shop. hahaha

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Food, Movie, Place, Shopping, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I checked out the hotel early to walk to the International Terminal, Haneda Airport.

I usually plan to buy new cosmetics at the airport to cut tax; these are new cosmetics.


I bought these to improve my eyebrows.

 I look forward to trying them on tomorrow. fufufu


I also bought black and blue mascaras and a Quattro Eye Shadow (Tisse Smoky) that I often use – this could be my third one.

It takes 3.5 – 4 hrs to reach Taiwan and I enjoyed the movie, The Man They Called Pirate…


And brunch while I was boarded.


To my surprise, the Taipei Songshan Airport is located in the city.


How convenient! 

It takes only 15 mins from the airport to reach major places in Taipei. 

It was still early to check in to a room so we went to a fortune tell.

I’m lucky because there are a quite number of fortune tellers who are able to communicate in Japanese.

Then we went to Xingtiangong Temple to pray.

We returned to the Grand Hotel; this hotel has three names: in Taiwanese – 圓山大飯店, in Japanese – Maruyama Daihanten (we pronounce Chinese characters in Japanese way) and in English – the Grand Hotel.

There are many good luck charms, Dragons, as many as 220,000 – 230,000 in this hotel.

Since this hotel is so unique, we had a special tour.

This hotel is GRAND because it was a former State Guest House.

This hotel received many VVIPs.

Well, there is a mysterious 85 m man-made tunnel which could be a secret escape tunnel.

However, we don’t know why this was made.


A room is also nice.



And the view from a room is nice overlooking a whole Taipei.


Tonight, we had dinner at the Golden Dragon Restaurant, the Grand Hotel.


I enjoyed these food with a Taiwanese local beer, Golden Medal Taiwan Beer.

After dinner, we took a hotel free shuttle bus to Shilin Night Market.

I’m so surprised to find many Japanese characters on products and Japanese confectioneries, health and beauty cares.

It was an interesting day. 

Good night for now.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I am so stress out in the office and I can use some get a way.


My trip to Taiwan starts tomorrow; however, since we need to check in at the airport early, we decide to stay at the airport hotel, the Park Royal Hotel.


Usually, we don’t have much time to explore Haneda Airport, but after I checked in, I went out.

I didn’t know there is a bridge, Nihonbashi that we can actually walk on.


Shopping and restaurants area is nicely decorated as Little Edo (Tokyo).


I had salad and gratin for dinner @ Bon Gout, Haneda Airport International Terminal.

This restaurant is delicious and reasonable.


I’m full and shops are already closed.

It’s time to go to sleep.

I cannot wait to reach Taiwan🎶

Posted in Beauty, Daily Life, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Shopping

Takuhai (Delivery) Box

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’m keeping my hair long.

However, my hair is thin so it’s easy to get waves when it’s moist.

The other day, I tried this KERASTASE Hair Oil for Colour-Treated Hair at a beauty salon; it’s heavier than other KERASTASE series, but lighter than Moroccan Oil.

I asked for one, but it was out of stock.

My beauty salon is just one block away so I asked them to deliver when a product arrive.

I received a product in Takihai Box (Delivery Box).

There are few delivery boxes at my apartment to leave a delivery box if a receiver is out.

A delivery person will leave a note to inform number of box and its combination to open a door

I usually come back home in the evening, so this Takihai Box plays a great role for me.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japan Technology, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Travel

Short to Trip to Osaka and Kyoto

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friends bought a JR Pass to get unlimited access to JR train.

It is advisable to get this pass if you plan to visit many places in Japan.


We planed to visit Osaka and Kyoto this weekend!


It’s sweet to have a Coffee break on bullet train.


First, we visited Osaka.

We went to Dotonbori, Osaka for lunch.


We can find many casual dining places in Dotonbori.

We decided to dine at Genkizushi, Dotonbori, Osaka because varieties of food are served: sushi, soba/udon, tempura,  obento (set menu), etc.


I had a steak and steak only. hahaha


After lunch, we shopped at Shinsaibashi shopping arcade.

It’s fun to hop in and hop out shops.

I bought two pairs of eyeglasses which cut 38% of blue light for heavy user of PC and mobile and 60% suitable for night, especially, before bed time.

I’m trying 60% now and my eyes are not hurt. 

I recommend to buy J!NS SCREEN.

It’s functional and reasonable, JPY 3,000 each.


I saw few Pablo cheese cake shop and at this restaurant, line was short!

We decided to get one for dessert after dinner.


We took a Shinkansen to reach Kyoto (15 mins).

We went to dinner after checked in at hotel.

Kyoto Style Tempra Yasaka Endo.


Let’s get ready!


Kyoto Style means using unique ingredients and cotton seed oil, instead of sesame oil in Tokyo.


After dinner, walked in Gion area and visited Yasaka Shrine.


I love visiting Osaka and Kyoto.

I would love to come back again!

It’s just unfortunate that Sakura is yet to bloom.

Soon Kyoto would be beautiful decorated by Sakura.

Posted in Feelings, Place, Shopping, Tokyo

My New iPhone Case

Posted on by sonokotchi

This is my new iPhone case that I bought at Pink Lemontree, Harajuku (www.lemontree.co.jp) yesterday.

The store sells lovely staffs and these can excite me.


Harajuku sells many girly and inexpensive products.

This is a good example, a watch for USD 10!

And they are cute!

I can play with colours.