Due to increasing number for new case by recording record high, Japanese government plans to announce the State of Emergency for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba tomorrow effective from 8 January – 7 February 2021.
I am hoping boss to allow us to work from home.
In fact, I can work efficiently at home.
It’s getting cold, winter in Japan; therefore, it is getting harder for me to come out from a warm bed to go to office.
Especially with this Choco’s face.
He is my angel.
When I started Year 2020 a year ago, I was full of excitement and expectations; it was Tokyo Olympics Year.
None of us dreamed of adopting new normals in our daily life.
Year 2020 was surely a tough year for all of us.
However, the pandemics made me THINK.
Think of my health, life style, work style, relationships, etc.
In fact, I managed to improve my health, life style and mentality.
I’m happier and started challenging a new project with friends.
I appreciate and value bonding and networking more.
Although we stayed in playing games with niece; it was so much fun.
I welcomed New Year with excitement and expectation.
Let’s try to make Year 2021 interesting!
STAY SAFE!
I visited the headquarter of NEC Corporation, a leading Japanese electric company, and had a tour at NEC Future Creation Hub.
The company was established in 1988 and has over 120 years of history.
This earlier PC was developed together with Bill Gates…..
Today, NEC is famous for face recognition machines.
Their products are currently installed at local and overseas international airports.
The company is Gold Sponsor for Tokyo Olympics and will support the event by installing their facial recognition machines with body temperature checking function.
I’ve experienced most cutting edge technologies which we would surely use in our daily life in near future.
It was a fun visit and proud to introduce this Japanese company: NEC Corporation.
Due to the COVID, many events have been cancelled to avoid creating clusters.
Time past without realizing seasons.
Usually there are events for Sakura viewing in Spring, summer festivals in summer so that we can actually witness seasons.
Today, seasons have changed without notable events.
It’s been over six months living with COVID by paying special cautions.
I cannot say we are managing it well towards COVID but I could say that we took every measures to prevent infections.
Today, I witnessed some events are getting ready.
Tokyo Midtown Retreat Garden Project @ Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.
Finally, we can live in closer to normal life or past life. Yeah!
I had a meeting with Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo.
I had a tour of hotel rooms and banquet rooms for future events (if any).
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.
The first Toranomon Hills (Tower) was opened on 11 June 2014.
This is my first visit to Toranomon Hills.
Therefore, this is my first to meet Toranomon.
The second tower, Toranomon Hills Business Tower, was recently opened on 11 June 2020 and there would be additional two Toranomon Hills tower for residential and station by 2022.
I went to Toranomon Yokocho where 26 restaurants are located in a block or one floor.
We hopped restraints to enjoy few dishes.
We had pork skewers at Torishige.
There is a distiller for gin: Sake Shokudo Toranomon Joryusho (Liquor Restaurant Toranomon Distiller.
I had Mojito, and
Gifu Lavender Gin
If you want to have varieties of bites; this would be a place.
She is a great guide!
She also took me to one of iconic public arts: 10 m high sculpture “Roots” by Jaume Plensa.
Arigato!
I didn’t know birthday for Cup Noodle is on 18 September 1971.
I should honor and celebrate the birthday together; therefore, I decided to think these are guilty free. hahaha
Nonetheless, I thought I should buy these special birthday package Cup Noodles for a memory and trying Chili Tomato for the first time.
I am traditional for Cup Noodle.
The service to purchase Takarakuji online started on 24 October 2018.
The Takarakuji counter is opened from 9 am to 5:40 pm on weekdays only at designated kiosks and Mizuho Bank; therefore, it was difficult for me to purchase Takarakuji.
Today, I can purchase Takarakuji online via official website or apps for 24/7 throughout a year.
I can not select lucky number ticket but if I don’t buy it, I cannot win.
I bought three sets (1 set for 10 tickets) of Summer Jumbo (1st prize JPY 500 million or USD 5 million) and two sets of Summer Mini (JPY 10 million or USD 0.1 million).
The winner number was announced on 21 August 2020 and I regret to know that I didn’t win.
I only won complementary prize which is one ticket worth of value for each set.
I spent a total of JPY 15,000 (USD 150) and won only JPY 1,500 (USD 15). Boo hoo
One of benefits of online purchasing is saving me from going to the counter to cash it.
If I win – hopefully, one day – the system will automatically remit the amount in the registered bank account when the amount is greater than JPY 10,000 (USD 100) or I can request for remittance.
In addition, I can get points from each purchasing amount and I can use the points to purchase Takarakuji tickets.
I plan to buy Halloween Jumbo (winning prize for JPY 300 million or USD 3 million) and Halloween Mini (winning prize for JPY 10 million or USD 0.1 million) which are scheduled to be sold on 23 September 2020.
Hopefully I can hit a jackpot one day.
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.
Next time, I should try the actual Maneki no Ekisoba at the Himeji Station.
My friend started importing Malaysian food paste, Mama’s Delights, from Malaysia.
She sent me samples to me so I tried few.
First, Nonya Curry with seafood (squid, scallops and prawns) and vegetables (onions, eggplants and potatoes).
Then Malaysian Curry with chicken and vegetables (onions, eggplants and potatoes).
She told me it required efforts to change packaging and modifying taste; but I think it’s paid off.
It’s easy to prepare and delicious!
I also enjoyed these Malaysian food at office by bring it as my lunch.
Yeah
sonokotchi 