My nostaglia
I always have my passport, dictionary booklet and ipod nano with me… These are my best friends during my stay.
I love the keychain of my ipod, I bought it at Kameido Tin jin. It just reminds me of someone… <3
Lunch at Sato Restaurant
We eat at Sato restaurant with my stepdad. Its a Japanese restaurant near Kameido. Love the wooden sliding door on each table.
I ordered a set of chicken meal. A set of meal consists of a rice, viand, soup, saucer, vegetable and green tea. The chicken is so crispy and matched the soy sauce with radish.
I’m so full but the menu is so inviting for a dessert. Too good the menu was written in katakana, I was able to read it!
Katakana ( かたかな) is used for transcription of words from foreign languages.
I ordered a chocolate mango ice cream! Love it! It has an ice cream, chocolate syrup, two stick wafers, mango and peach. Yum Yum!
This is one of my favorite lunch.. ^_^
A taste of local Matsuri (Festival)
We go to a local festival held annually in Higashi Azuma. It is near on my mom’s house in Sumida City so we just ride a bike on our way.
I love the decorative lantern displayed, so obsessed I want to take it home! They put up a mini stage with lanterns all over the place. Various food selection are sold so my mom and I tried to and eat smoothies and “oden”.
Oden – (おでん) is a Japanese winter dish consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, processed fish cakes and “konnyaku” stewed.
What is konnyaku? Konnyaku is a traditional wonder health food because it is rich in fiber and low calories.
On this event, most women are wearing kimono. There is also a girl playing drum and group of people dancing around the mini stage.
Love this event! I’m sure all of the kids enjoyed the catching of fish. You can catch a fish for 100 yen, cheap right?
Tachibana Sumida Ko-en (Park)
I always bring my camera whenever I go out. I took pictures wherever my feet takes me. This time, I went alone to a park near my mom’s house. It is really nice watching kids play, I remember my little cousins.
Japan is famous in landscaping and gardening, no wonder why almost every district owns a park. Have tried the swing, and remembered my happy child days.. hehehe… Its still fun riding a swing!
I like going here in my idle time, I feel relaxed. There is a vending machine near this park so being thirsty is not a problem. I wont forget the juice drink I bought here one time. I love the design, pink bottle.. To my surprise, it tasted really weird, maybe because I thought its sweet… Well its not…
First Time in Shibuya
Shibuya is known as one of the fashion district in Japan, particularly for young people.. Wow.. I am so young! ^_^ Love the decorative giant video screens! The place is very busy with large crowds crossing at the pedestrians. Of course, have tried my first cross in Shibya!
So many people!!!! I was toured by my fellow Filipino friend, found out that this place is the birthplace of many fashion trends. And yes, we went to Shibuya 109! The number 109 came from the railway company “Tokyu”. The Nihongo word for Ten is “to” then 9 is “kyu”.
SMAP for Softbank
SMAP, a Japanese idol group has a cute commercial for Softbank..
Softbank (Sofutobanku) is a Japanese telecommunications and media corporation. It is the official carrier of the iPhone 3G in Japan! It operates broadband, e-commerce, and other technology services.
The Rise of Vending Machines
The ratio of vending machine in Japan is 1:23 or one vending machine per 23 people. Can you imagine it? Vending machines are scattered everywhere. On the right street of my mom’s house there are four available.
You can buy softdrinks, cigarettes, beer, ipod, magazines, live lobsters, vegetables, eggs and underwear. To restrict people under 20 years old, majority of the cigarettes vending machine requires a smart card.
Ameya Yokocho – shopping street
Ameya Yokocho is short termed as Ameyoko which means candy store alley. Ame came from the word America because many of American products used to be sold here. As what I heard, this is the most famous shopping street in Tokyo!
There are almost 500 shops that sells everything from basic foods to high class imported goods. You know what I love in this place? All goods are sell in reasonable price!
When Chocolate turned Chokureto
I’m a chocolate lover!! Aware that it contains high level of sugar but it is just my weakness. It stimulates my taste buds in a way that makes me want to come back for more. ^_^
Japanese chocolates really taste good… I love it — from white to dark chocolate and from sweet to bitter sweet chocolate! At first, I thought this would just bring up extra calories and fat to our body. Many of us are unaware that this sweet foodie raise antioxidant levels in our blood. Can’t believe it? Eat now and we’ll see! ^_^
Bicycle Time!
Riding a bicyle is my favorite past time when I was young. Never knew that this “skill” would be very beneficial. Bicycles are widely used in Japan for everyday life. I ride on it on my way to convenience store, grocery, bus stop and train station.
PARTS OF A BICYCLE
1. Basket – specifically designed for women to help them on shopping for food.
2. Kickstand – balances the bicycle when parking.
3. Light – used at night to avoid accident
4. Lock – operated by a key.
5. Bell – used as a “horn”
Jitensha – means bicycle. You should be responsible in riding on this one. Here are the top 5 things you need to know:
1. You can be ARRESTED for riding a bicycle that is not properly registered on your name. If the bicycle was only given by a friend or acquaintance, you should re-register it to avoid misunderstanding.
2. Anyone who has caused an accident resulting to death maybe charged with negligence
3. Remember that bikes are considered as vehicles.
4. Illegally parked bikes may be removed and will be disposed after two months if not claimed
5. Every bicycle has a registration sticker to avoid theft.
