Category: Shopping

Posted in Feelings, Gadget, My Flower Arrangement, Shopping

Temporary Amazon Freak

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’ve been looking for iPhone case (6S) at Apple Store, retailers, etc.

I used the same model twice so I wanted to change this time.

My friend recommended me Amazon.

Wow, there are many attractive models and inexpensive, too!

It’s dangerous, I just pochi (press) and shopping is done.

I bought

* 1 iPhone cable (50cm) in gold;

* 1 set of iPhone cables (4 cables) in pink;

* 1 iPhone 6S cover;

* 1 iPad Mini 4 cover;

* 4 Apple Watch bands; and 

* 1 Power bank



I’m happy with my products.

Only one minor regret is a power bank is larger than I thought… hahaha

I wanted a powerful one (20,000 mAh, this can charge iPhone 7 times!) for traveling so it’s still okay.


I’m still waiting for a set of iPhone cables (4 cables) in pink and iPad Mini 4 case. hehehe

I was busy opening boxes and trying them out.

But I also find time to decorate my entrance; I arranged Green Christmas Wreath tonight.

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Shopping, Travel

New Ishikari

Posted on by sonokotchi

A room is spacious with an area of 40 sqm.

Basic things are equipped and quite comfortable.

I have few bars to access internet at my room. Yeah!

I enjoyed a buffer dinner, live music and a public bath on this New Ishikari.



After dipping a bath, now I’m relaxing at the room, watching TV (sometimes TV freezes) and drinking nice local drink that I bought at a souvenir shop on New Ishikari: Hokkaido Guarana Highball (I’ve never tried this guaranara drink. It tastes herbal.) and Tokachi Wine.


The waves are nice, actually making rocking in nice rythum.

It’s difficult to open my eyes….

Oyasuminasai (good night).

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

Sayonara Miho-no-seki

Posted on by sonokotchi

Time to say Sayonara.


It was a short stay, but I enjoyed it very much.

I’m already at Yonago Kitaro Airport.


“Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro” is famous manga series.

This airport is named after this manga because the manga artist, Mr. Shigeru Mizuki, his hometown is nearby, Sakai-city where fish market is.

This approach was taken at few airports to stimulate use of airport by welcoming tourists.

Luckily, I had time to enjoy and relax at the airport.


Daisen Pilsner and Matsue Staut!!

Okay, it’s time for boarding.

Sayonara Miho-no-seki

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Surprise, Travel

Visit to Miho-no-seki

Posted on by sonokotchi

First I stopped at Sakai Port Fish Market for lunch.

I had a special seafood rice bowl.


There are many types of fresh and delicious seafood such as crabs, prawn, sea urchin, salmon roe, abalone, squid, tuna, yellowtail, egg.

It’s worth to stop by to have a lunch there.
Then I visited Miho Shrine, my main objective for this trip – to pay a thank you visit.


Japanese Gods, Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto and Kotoshironushi-no-kami (widely known as Ebisu-sama) are enshrined in Miho Shrine.

Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto is Goddess for harvest, couple harmony and prosperity.

Ebisi-sama is God for fishery, agriculture and commerce. He loves music so Ebisu-sama is God for entertainment business as well.

Of course, Ebisu-sama is very popular, representing business success. 

And this shrine is head of about 3,000 Ebisu Shrines!

I just love to be here.

After praying at Miho Shrine, I walked around the area.

I stopped for snacks: tokoroten (Tengusa seaweed jelly with vinegar) and strawberry flavored kakigori (shave ice).


And shopped soy sauce, ponzu (ponzu citrus soy sauce based sauce) and mentsuyu (soba sauce).


Their soy sauce is sweeter and has more flavors.

I enjoyed this soy sauce so much when I bought it at my last visit and I couldn’t forget about it!

It was still bright outside so I went to Miho-no-seki light house.


It was a nice view to enjoy Japan Sea’s ocean view!


I checked-in at hotel and had a quick dinner to enjoy Maki-Noh at Miho Shrine.


Noh is Japanese traditional drama, and has been played since 14th century.

Noh is also performed for God to show appreciation for harvest. 

Tonight, a special performance was performed at Miho Shrine with torch.

I didn’t know about tonight’s Noh performance and I am so fortunate to be there.

I enjoyed watching Noh surrounded by great nature.

I felt holy, spiritual and blessed❤️

Posted in Family, Feelings, Japanese Food, Shopping

Wolf’s Peach, but this is Tomato Juice

Posted on by sonokotchi


Previously I posted that I’m hooked with tomato juice.

I’ve been drinking and comparing different brands of tomato juice; I prefer non-salt added tomato juice.
Few days ago, I was recommended this Wolf’s Peach by a staff of supermarket.
This tomato juice from Hokkaido is available only once in a year, must be special.
I wonder why this TOMATO juice is named Wolf’s PEACH!
Hummmm, it’s nice and mild.
I bought three bottles: one for mom and dad, and extra bottle for me.
Yes, I get pressure when I hear the word, “limited edition”, terrible me!

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

Bontan-ame

Posted on by sonokotchi


There is a stall at Shinagawa Station to promote and sell local food and handicrafts.

The theme will change every week to attract massive commuters and train users. 

A stall is promoting Kyushu area’s local food and I bought this jumbo size Bontan-ame (bontan citrus flavored soft candy). 

I can say this is one of Japanese traditional candies because the company in Kagoshima has been producing it for 90 years, since 1926! 

I also bought a regular size to compare the size. 

You can see how big it is, right!! 

And surprise, surprise, four baby Bontan-ame come out from a Jumbo size! 

This Bontan-ame is special because it reminds me of my grandmother. 

When I was little, I told her I like this candy. 

Since then she bought it every time I visited her. 

One day I told her I have grown up and she can stop buying it. 

But she kept on buying. 

Yes… I miss her…

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Friends, Shopping

Dr. Stop

Posted on by sonokotchi

My skin started getting reddish, itchy and ugly acne on last Saturday, on the last day of my vacation. 

I didn’t know what went wrong. 

I went to fresh aired countries; I ate healthy. 

I went to see my dermatologist on Tuesday after work. 

I was tired, but I decided to wait patiently, though a signage said a three hours waiting. 

Luckily, my name was called after 1.5 hrs. 

He asked me when he looked at my face, “what’s happened? Your skin was good!” 

I replied, “Doc, my skin started getting red and bumps after returning from my holiday.” 

“Where did you go? Did you go to the beach to expose under strong sun?” 

“No, no, I went to fresh aired countries, Scandinavian countries. Of course, sunshine is strong so I applied a base lotion which has SPF function that I bought at the Narita Airport’s Duty Free Shop to protect from these strong sunshine.” 

(The Narita Airport’s Duty Free Shops are well-stocked for cosmetics and enable to buy new products.) 

“Ahhhh, is it oily?”

“Hummm, I could say it’s oily, but I applied it about a week and my skin was fine for almost a week. It’s branded.” 

“You cannot use an oily product for your skin. It will give you troubles only.” 

“Really? It’s branded!” 

“I don’t think fresh air caused this. I suspect the cosmetics.” 

“So I shouldn’t use it…?” 

“I suspect the cosmetics. You changed only that.” 

I informed Mom that I’ll give the cosmetics to her. 

She is looking forward to use it and she asked me to bring it tonight when I see parents for dinner.

She asked me what type of lotion that I can use. 

Well, my skin improved with what Doc gave me such as vitamins lotion.


She said, “That’s simple? Why did you buy the cosmetics then” 

“Because I thought I can enhance my skin….”

Then my friends, “you’ve been telling us how sensitive your skin is. No branded products for sensitive skin. No! No! No!” 

I thought I can enhance my skin. 

Sigh, again…
I spent money to damage my skin…. 

I’m glad that my skin is improving after seeing a dermatologist. 

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Shopping, Travel

Scandinavia

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a big lunch at the Imperial Hotel. 

In Japan, we call buffet viking. 

Why? 

This Imperial Hotel imported the Scandinavian meal style, Smorgasbord to Japan, but it’s difficult to pronounce it. 

The hotel named it, Viking because the area was famous for Viking. 

I had a Japanese smorgasbord lunch at where it’s originated in Japan. 

I ate many plates of food till I wowed my office mates. 

I decided to have a light dinner. 


I found these made-in Sweden Smoothes. 
Yes, the products have been there at the shelf for long, but I didn’t pay attention nor it didn’t catch my eyes. 

Today, I enjoyed a blueberries smoothes. 

The packaging is simple, but it’s rich in flavor, very blueberries! 

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Shopping

Gum

Posted on by sonokotchi


I thought Sweden is famous for xylitole.

I bought this packet at the airport duty free shop asuming these are local products.

Well, I guess I was wrong.

I could read these tiny letters “Poland”…

Well, I cannot find it in Japan so it can still serve as souvenirs….?

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, Shopping, Travel

Sayonara Scandinavia 

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had few hours before heading to the airport.
I slept very well last night.

I took a big breakfast preparing for a walk to the City Centre.


Forum is a nice shopping mall.

I shopped at Moomin Shop and Vero Moda.

Of course, I stopped by at the Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki.

I bought a nice Hard Rock Cafe Finland cap.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to enjoy a cup of coffee at Hard Rock CAFE. Ahhhh


There are many types of trams running in the town as transportation, pub and sightseeing car…?


The park was decorated by Japanese artist Kusama Yayoi’s polka dots.

I heard that her exhibition will be held in Helsinki soon.


It’s a nice sunny day; people came to the park to enjoy sunshine.


Central Station


Okay, time to say Sayonara to Helsinki. Sob sob.


Now I know why FINNAIR serves blueberry juice – it’s Finland product.


I’m thirsty and hungry because I walked around the town and skipped lunch. 

At the airport, I was busy for last minutes shopping.

I didn’t have time to relax at the lounge. hahaha

Wow, Marimekko and iittala, two famous brands!


Dinner was served.


Amuse bouche: root vegetable pie with roasted swede mayonnaise.

Main dish (Combination of Japanese and Western main dish): miso soup, vendace roe jelly, simmered duck in red wine broth and Osso bucco, quinoa, and smoked tomato sauce.

Desserts: Finnish cheese, cup cakes, blueberry Finnish organic JYMY ice cream and coffee.


I took American breakfast (scrambled eggs, poultry sausage, broccoli, potato wedges, yogurt, fruit, croissant and orange juice) just before landing.

Sigh, it’s Japan all right.



Unfortunately, I’m home.


Thank you for traveling with me.