Category: Tokyo

Posted in Cooking, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Food, Tokyo

Starting a Day Not Healthy, but Making it a Healthy Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had Castella or Kasuteta (Japanese cake) for breakfast.

This is simply made of flour, eggs and sugar.

This dessert was brought to Japan by a Portuguese missionary in 16th century.

We call it Castella, but there isn’t any dessert like this in Spain; we don’t know the origin of this dessert.

Today, we eat pancakes and waffles for breakfast so I can eat this dessert which is made of flour, eggs and sugar for breakfast, right?


I’m getting board doing the same routine everyday: go to office and return home.

It was a nice day to walk in a light breeze.

I walked from Shonagawa to home.


It was 4.5 km journey and fun. 

There are a quite numbers of shrines and temples standing between buildings.

There is a Japanese traditional archery shop next to a temple, selling Japanese traditional archeries in Tokyo! 

There are many interesting shops and restaurants on the way home.

I stopped by at a supermarket, Lincos.

It was a small adventure.

Posted in Art, Family, Feelings, Tokyo

Alfons Mucha

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to the National Art  Center, Tokyo to see Mucha’s art.



He was a Czech painter.

He painted many large sized paint (6 x 8 meters canvases) under a theme of Slav Epic, depicting the history of the Slav people and civilization.

I just wonder how he structured these designs in his head to express on large canvases.

I was allowed to take photos of few paintings; but I could not take a photo of a whole painting because there were many people standing in front of it.

But even it’s partial, we can tell how talented he was.

It is strange when we admire his paintings from distance, his paint grows as if there is a spot light lighting the area.


On the other hand, his Art Nouveau is just breath taking; they are so beautiful.

I’m glad that Mom asked me to go with her.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Food, Tokyo

One of My Saturdays

Posted on by sonokotchi

This week I’ve been going to bed early; therefore, when I woke up today, I already felt fresh!

I went soba shop for breakfast.

I had a bowl of Hiyashi Kitsune (Cold Deep-Fried Bean Curd Noodle).

Nickname of this bean curd is Kitsune (fox) because we believe a fox that represent a guardian of area, messenger of shrine or god of harvest, likes this deep-fried bean curd.


Then, I prayed at my shrine, Tenso-Jinja (Tenso Shrine).

It feels good to pray in the morning when a town is still quiet.

But as you can see, this shrine is located in the center of Tokyo, between highrised buildings.


I got ready to go for body maintenance.

Now I don’t have a serious pain, but there are many parts that need to be fixed: legs, organs, shoulders and head…?


After refreshment, I cooked simple lunch:  Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Chinese Noodle).

I placed too much toppings over Chinese styled yellow noodle.


I’ve been eating well today; tonight’s dinner, it was tapas style (small dishes).

Posted in Daily Life, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Tokyo

Weekday Night

Posted on by sonokotchi

I didn’t upload for few days; I was simply busy with work. 

After busy days, I went for a quick bite and went to bed early.

On Thursday night, I went to my regular Sushi Restaurant, Sushiya no Goto.


On Friday night, I went to a new restaurant, Niku no Rakuem (Meat Paradise) at Roppongi Yokocho.

At First/Ground Floor of ROI Buildig, Roppongi, about twenty restaurants operates.

Is this a typical Asian style restaurant corridor for you?


The most recommended restaurant there is Niku no Rakuen (Meat Paradise).

If you are a meat lover, it’s casual and delicious.

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Food, Place, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Sipadan (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, we are going to dive at SIPADAN!


I was nervous.

So many what if crossed my mind.

But soon I know I’m going to have good time here.

Many wild dolphins greeted me!!


And this is SIPADAN!

We rest between dives at station in Sipadan.

Under water, I met a family of bump fish.

They have scars on their heads because they fight and bump their heads to each other.


Wahhhh there are many horse mackerels – so beautiful!

They are always in group.

They look yammy!

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Sharks – handsome!


Cute turtle

I’ve been seen him, but don’t know his name.

What’s his name…?

I want to buy a fish illustrated book to check its name.


Dolphins surely brought me good luck.

I managed to catch a school of barracuda!

Yeahhhhhhhhh


We departed Kapalai at 5:30 am for Sipadan.

We dived at four points: Coral Garden, Barracuda Point, South Point and Barracuda Point.

After dinner, I went to bed early. Zzzzzzz

hahahaha

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Health, Movie, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’m going to miss the bunny and Chinese breakfast.


And fruit.

Appearance of the Grand Hotel is also nice, but I didn’t have time to take a photo.

It’s sunny today so went out to explore the hotel again after breakfast.


It’s a big hotel!

There are few spots that I haven’t visited.



I’m going to miss the hotel and of course, the room and its view.


Now it’s time to return to Tokyo…

Ahhh, I was excited when I landed here (Taipei International Airport) two nights ago. 


Do I need to walk through here…?


Do I need to get on this? Ahhhh


It took only 2.5 hrs to reach Haneda Airport.

I couldn’t finish a movie, Silent.

A movie is based on Japanese novel, Silent written by Mr. Shusaku Endo, and directed by Mr. Martin Scorsese.

It’s a good movie, meaningful, but this movie is not suitable to watch while eating lunch.

Too bad I couldn’t finish the movie before landing.

I feel hanged now. Sigh.

Now I return to my apartment and feeling sentimental having nice pot of Taiwanese tea: Oriental Beauty.

This Taiwanese tea has a nice story.

This tea is called Baihao Oolong and originally called Formosa Tea among the European.

Why is this commonly called Oriental Beauty today?

Well, when the Queen Elizabeth II tried it, she loved it and called it Oriental Beauty.

It also has beauty elements such as polyphenol compounds, various Vitamins, calcium, magnesium, etc.

I enjoy delicate flavour; simultaneously, it can beautyfy me!

Great!

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 Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Tokyo

Foodie Report

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I had Kakiage Morisoba (mixed tenpura with cold soba) for brunch @ Sarashina Horii Sohonke, Azabu Juban.


This soba shop is always busy and with no exception, we waited for our table.

If you like soba, this restaurant is highly recommended.

It’s worth waiting!


I went to Wet Aging Beef Korean Barbecue, Nikugen @ Roppongi for dinner tonight.


American beef is aged to enhance its flavour and tenderness.

It’s different from Japanese wagyu beef; I looked at it as a skill.

Beef could be cheap but manage to enhance it by maturing it.

If you are so used to Japanese wagyu, you might not like it, but please consider this is a different beef!

Another uniqueness of this restaurant is recommending to grill beef for one minute by using an one minute hourglass.

But to be honest with you, some meat require more than one minute to cook.

We need to pay attention. hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Place, Tokyo

Ohanami (Sakura Viewing) Party@Satindoll, Nakameguro

Posted on by sonokotchi

Two weeks ago, I was here to enjoy gorgeous Sakura viewing at Megurogawa (Meguro River).

Today, Somei Yoshino is almost over.


But Yaezakura (double-flowered cherry blossom) are in the season.

Yes, I managed to Ohanami tonight.

I joined a gathering at Satindoll, Nakamegro.


I enjoyed Being with friends and eating delicious handmade food.

Master is a professional saxophonist and Mama san is a great chef.

They always welcome us with a warm hospitality. 

If you are looking for a place to enjoy food, drink and music, this is the place!