Category: Travel

Posted in Art, Beauty, Driving, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Music, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Peaceful Town: Matsuzaka, Nishi-Izu

Posted on by sonokotchi

I immediately line this town.

Crab on the street.

Foot Bath

Old fashion building with Namako Kabe (Sea Cucumber Wall).

Nice dinner at Shinsai Kuon.

Be careful with Wasabi Edamame (Wasabi young Soy Beans). It really hit you.

All others are also nice.

There was an antique cashier that can work today.

There is a traditional post.

And this is my BGM for a night.

It’s not far from Tokyo; It takes 3:30 hrs.

It’s worth coming

Posted in Art, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Place, Shop, Shopping, Travel

Short Trip to Kyoto (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Last week, I visited Kyoto.

First, I visited Galerie Tamenaga.

Mr. Kiyoshi Tamenaga, the owner, has four galeries: Ginza (Tokyo), Osaka, Paris (France) and recently opened Kyoto.

In Kyoto, he refurbished a traditional Japanese moromi (mash / unrefined sake) factory to a galerie for young artists.

The owner welcomes us to visit the galerie just to enjoy admiring paints and the building.

I enjoyed exchanging impressions of each paints with Mr. Kiyoshi Tamenaga.

The building itself is the art.

I found Shoki san (Mr. Shoki) who protects us from evils, bad lucks and illness on the roof; I felt safe.

I will continue more on next blog.

To be continued….

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Hotel, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Place, Sunrise and Sunset, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Mini Tokyo Sightseeing

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a meeting with Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo.

I had a tour of hotel rooms and banquet rooms for future events (if any).

Standard Room
Ball Room

I like their mask case, LIMAX which is simple yet stylish.

It’s made of eco friendly material yet antibacterial: limestone.

I will keep it and use it for sure.

It’s nice weather, therefore, I decided to walk back home after the meeting – another mini sightseeing in Tokyo.

There is a clock to count down to Olympic day at the Tokyo Station.

Looking at the current situation, honestly, I wonder we would be able to host such a large event in 2021.

I hope I am wrong about it.

Nonetheless, I felt good walking on the street to the Imperial Palace because there are less people!

Usually there would be many local and foreign travelers covering this street.

Sakashita Mon (Sakashita Gate)

Nijubashi (Double Bridge) or officially called Seimon Tetsuhashi (Steel Bridge of the Main Gate).

This steel bridge was originally made by wood, then, reinforced by wooden beams.

This is why this bridge is called Nijubashi or Double Bridge.

Sakurada Mon (Sakurada Gate)

The other side (outside) of Sakurada Mon

Sun is setting and peaceful scenery.

I continued walking towards Kasumigaseki area where Japanese government buildings are.

The Diet Building

I’ve been enjoying Mini Tokyo Sightseeing.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Food, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Local Instant Noodle: Maneki no Ekisoba (Maneki’s Station Soba Noodle), Himeji – City, Hyogo

Posted on by sonokotchi

Nissin is known as a major player of instant noodle maker and its product, Nissin Cup Noodle, is globally loved.

This Nissin produces locally famous and sold instant noodles.

These two are good examples, Maneki no Ekisoba: Kitsune (Fried Tofu) and Tempura (Tempura Waste – Deep Fried Tempura Batter).

Since after the WWII (year 1949), the noodle shop, Manekino innovated and started serving a noodle dish at the Himeji Station that people can enjoy quickly and deliciously by using Chinese style noodle – ramen and Japanese traditional dashi soup.

As same as other instant noodles, take out soup powder and toppings.

Open and put those back in the bowl.

Add water and wait for four minutes for this.

Tempura
Kitaune

Next time, I should try the actual Maneki no Ekisoba at the Himeji Station.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Tokyo, Travel

Supposed to be Tokyo Olympics’ Opening Ceremony Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Japanese National Holiday, Health and Sports Day, today which I believe it was created for Tokyo Olympics.

It supposed to be Tokyo Olympics 2020 Opening Ceremony Day today.

It was National Holiday, Ocean Day, yesterday making this weekend long (4 days) .

I thought the town would be crowded with visitors and I would be glued on TV.

Japanese government launched Go to Travel Programme on 22 July 2020 to stimulate tourist industry by excluding Tokyo residences.

The government subsidies traveling cost for transportation, accommodation and coupons to use in the visited area.

However, the policy is changing even after launching.

On the other hand, the number of new case is shooting, recording 366 in Tokyo yesterday.

And the number increased not only in Tokyo but also other areas such as Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and many more.

All governors are worried after this long weekend coz many people are traveling with Go To Travel Programme

I’m enjoying long weekend with my niece and we don’t mind to stay in because we haven’t seen since New Year due to the COVID and we have so many things to do!

We’ve been playing games by creating and changing game rules.

I want her to eat healthy so I try to cook as many as I can and she volunteered to help me making dumpling!

We are having so much fun staying in!

I’m not qualified for Go To Travel Programme and it’s better to avoid crowd.

We decided to stay in but we are having so much fun!

I’ve never thought we would spend Olympics Opening Ceremony Day like this.

I like how I’m spending today though it’s different from what I imagine last year – being with family.

Stay Safe!