last thursday

Last Thursday, Satoshi took a family from Germany to the monkey park in Nagano.

Remember we went to check it out last November?!

Well, I happened to check their live camera and saw "someone" and took a screenshot ...you might be able to spot him too...

At least there were lots of monkeys for the family to see

He was worried it might be super muddy or the trail would be covered with snow, but he said it wasn't too bad.

Glad that his tour went well.

sakura walk (tamagawa, ikegami)

Today it was forecast for clouds and maybe some sun.

Unfortunately from tomorrow it is forecast for rain...so I got out and about to see some cherry blossoms.

I went to Tamagawa (Tama River)

It wasn't in full bloom, but it was still nice to see

A tiny pocket park nearby in Ikegami.

If there is a sunny day later this week, I'll try to check more cherry blossoms out

on the lanai

freesia starting to bloom

picked quite a bit on this day

love the fragrance!

this year seems to be a great year for our freesia, there are still more on the lanai to pick
 

ume no mi hijiki

Tried this hijiki that is mixed with karikari (crunchy) ume

Made by Etoya which is from Dazaifu, Fukuoka
 

They have other variations but I was interested in trying this one

It was good mixed in rice

And on eggs

I'm glad we got to try this and I would get it again if I see it at the market

umeya

Learned about Umeya from a television show

They have been in business since 1913 

Raw chicken is sold on the left side of the shop, yakitori and fried chicken on the right side of the shop (they also have a restaurant on the back side of the building)

I purchased 2 teba gyoza & 2 tsukune

the tsukune was meaty and super flavorful

unfortunately the teba gyoza was filled to the gills but was bland...I guess I should've eaten it like gyoza with some black vinegar and chili oil

I'm glad I tried this place, I'll be back whenever I am nearby to try other things that they make

Umeya

6-3 Yoshidamachi, Naka ward

Yokohama, Kanagawa

Open daily 9:30-18:30

yokohama

Yesterday was forecast for sun, so I made sure to get out and about

I debated about whether to check out the Royal Palace's sakura or go to Yokohama.

I decided to check out Yokohama, because I had seen something online about 800 trees along the Oooka River

The bummer thing about IG these days is that they got rid of the "recent" feature on reels, so you can't tell what is actually current

Anyway, Maita Park is located in a part of Yokohama that I hadn't been to before so I was interested to see what was what

Unfortunately not many trees were in bloom at the park, so I walked along the river

Luckily there were many early blooming sakura trees

I also stumbled upon some street art

This area was also part of their red light district so parts were a bit sketchy...

This year everyone’s cherry blossoms started early so the weather dude said by April it should be hot & humid (oh joy! not!)

With global warming all the “good” seasons (Spring & Autumn) seem to be getting shorter and shorter

The next couple of days are forecast for rain, so it was nice to be able to see some cherry blossoms

roppongi

Been wanting to check out Aono in Roppongi after trying the one in Akasaka

This Aono has been in business since 1856

Apparently they were both named Aono because they use the same mizuame (sugar syrup) by a company called "Aono" 
 

This Aono is known for their uguisu mochi.

A soft mochi that has powdered green azuki mixed into it to resemble the color of an uguisu (bush warbler)

This is filled with smooth sweet bean paste and covered with lots of kinako...delicious!

I loved their dorayaki...the "pancakes" were so fluffy and light

I had wanted to also check out a bakery and while I was walking I noticed this temple...Kosenji

The weeping cherry was more "colorful" from far away than up close

Unfortunately, the bakery I wanted to check out was closed on Mondays...I thought I had checked, but I guess I hadn't...boo!

Before jumping on the train to go home, I checked out Otsuna Sushi, which has been in business since 1875

I wanted to try their inarizushi and futomaki

I purchased the set that also had some kanpyomaki

The inarizushi is the "juicy" type and the "skins" are inside out

The pickled ginger (near the inarizushi) had kick!

I'm glad I got to try these places (will try the bakery another time)

Will be back to these places whenever I am in the area

Roppongi Aono

3-15-21 Roppongi

Minato, Tokyo

Hours: 9:30-18:00

Otsuna Sushi

7-14-4 Roppongi, Remm Hotel 1F

Minato, Tokyo

Hours: 10:00-22:00