tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172238302024-03-19T20:47:39.582+09:00Our Adventures in JapanKat & Satoshi's eating and traveling adventures around Japan (and sometimes Hawaii)K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.comBlogger5351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-15681222131976902692024-03-19T08:00:00.114+09:002024-03-19T08:18:52.597+09:0020167Since we would be staying in Kyoto on Friday night to attend FIL's memorial service the next day, Satoshi let me go earlier to go holo-holo (gallavanting).I was lucky to get to see Mount Fuji on the way.It was my first time back in Osaka since we moved to TokyoMy first stop was Chocolaterie Coco which I had only learned about after moving to Tokyo, apparently he has been in business since 2015.K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-1189930830760044552024-03-18T08:00:00.035+09:002024-03-18T15:51:52.417+09:0017 years + MIL's (part 4)Saturday, we got together for FIL's 17th memorial service.Seems like yesterday and yet not.Unfortunately BIL forgot FIL’s photo for the serviceAnd Satoshi forgot the arare that we planned to give as our offering for the serviceLunch was at Hyatt Kyoto's Touzan, we've eaten here many times over the years.Back up to Wednesday, BIL asks Satoshi if we can meet up on Sunday to discuss MIL's house...K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-56403190248513514552024-03-15T08:00:00.050+09:002024-03-15T08:00:00.133+09:00this and thatmade my own version of Bob Bagel's lox sandwich...salmon sashimi, cream cheese, capers, red onion and everything bagellunch one day...spam with shoyu sugar, kim chee and yakiimoiced matcha latteloved the organized painter's vanblooming kanzakurashared a scoop of matcha brownie from Baskin Robbins (31 as it is called in Japan) with Satoshifound 5 yen on the ground...Got a sad message from K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-1834225749660983932024-03-14T08:00:00.010+09:002024-03-14T08:00:00.133+09:00on the lanaithankful the cyclamen is blooming this year.was scared it wouldn’t recover after the building renovation the other yearwe'll have freesia in a couple of weeks too K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-51470478199678689982024-03-13T08:00:00.008+09:002024-03-13T08:00:00.132+09:00foodie saturdaySaturday I went to Ebisu to see this pop up...I've been following Sakura Hanafusa for some time now, she carves cats from pieces of woodIt was something to see up close.Ebisu...never noticed the beer lamp posts before...or the sakura lightsthe JR Ebisu station had cyclamen alongside the people movers (the flat type of escalators).Lunch: provencale sandwich from Le Grenier a Pain...tuna, olives, K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-14243513862710100672024-03-12T08:00:00.005+09:002024-03-12T08:00:00.243+09:001st world problems My Instagram account used to be able to upload to my blog’s Facebook page.Not sure when “the rules” changed but now only Pro Instagram or Content Creator Instagram accounts can link their Instagram posts to their Facebook pages…boo!Guess I’ll just have to upload the photos on to Facebook myself Thanks for taking the fun out of things...K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-9513981406121104502024-03-11T08:00:00.001+09:002024-03-11T08:00:00.233+09:00virtual hugs Thinking of the people of Tohoku, especially today.K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-32841549384437564222024-03-08T08:00:00.003+09:002024-03-08T08:00:00.142+09:00this and thatTokyo people: person on the left standing in line...person on the right, sees her friend and cuts in line!no shame, only got 10 more people behind me...so teenycan't remember when the fire was but this building is so close to the JR Keihin Tohoku tracks that they had to stop train service until the fire was outlove this "bubble" grate in front of the windowYou may or may not remember us going to K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-90331651800162751862024-03-07T13:00:00.001+09:002024-03-07T13:00:00.135+09:00end of an eraOne of the cake shops in our area is closing next Sunday.Enomoto has been in business since 1922!The building needs to be brought up to code, so the owners decided to shut down their cake shop and will eventually tear down the building.Sad to see them go.It was one of the first cafes we explored when we moved to Tokyo.Stood in line to get some cakes this morning.At 9:45 I was 19 in line...at 10:K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-39167782992508255402024-03-06T08:00:00.004+09:002024-03-06T08:00:00.136+09:00carrot miso soupWith some of the colorful carrots, I made this carrot miso soup the other night.When I peeled the reddish carrot, I was shocked that only the peel was red, the inside was orange.I immediately washed the peel and added it to the carrots I had prepared to roast in the ovenI sauteed some red onion in a pan, added 3 cups of water, some of the roasted carrots, and a dashi packetThen after the carrots K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-7290420264623222972024-03-05T14:30:00.012+09:002024-03-05T14:58:00.898+09:00tsukurouThe word for mending or darning in Japanese is tsukurou.I tried darning my socks the other day.Many moons ago my cousin had given me this wooden mushroom to mash garlic, I used this as my darning mushroomBought some embroidery thread at the 100 yen shop, they didn't have black, so I bought this gradient blue and gradient orange.Many moons ago I bought darning needles at the 100 yen shop K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-85000684521157355322024-03-04T08:00:00.047+09:002024-03-04T08:00:00.144+09:0018625Friday, I went to Bob Bagel, I bought a half sized lox sandwich, scone, chocolate chip cookie and blueberry bagel.When I got home, I noticed they forgot to put the blueberry bagel in my package...booSo, I called them, and the owner's wife said they would refund my money for it....I told her I would stop by the next day (Saturday)By the way, the sandwich was delicious...everything bagel, lots of K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-41018547878502203512024-03-03T08:00:00.031+09:002024-03-03T08:00:00.136+09:00katsuura big hinamatsuriNot sure if it was when we were living in Osaka or after we moved to Tokyo when I bookmarked this to see, and then the pandemic hit…on the spur of the moment I went on Thursday.I left the house at 8:45 and with the combination of super poor planning and also getting lost inside of Tokyo station, I arrived in Katsuura at 12:00-ishThere are 3 main areas where the dolls are displayed: A big display K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-73961515715075610832024-03-02T08:00:00.017+09:002024-03-02T08:00:00.242+09:00this and thatwas influenced by a tv showapparently this snack is super popular in Aomori.Choco Q suke is a slightly salty wafer drizzled with chocolateglad we got to try this echire butter’s butter sandwich…340 yen(tax included)shortbread style cookies with buttercream in the middle, delicious!and their madeleine..340 yen (tax included)Frou Frou’s beef stew, more like pot roast covered with demi glacé K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-19148270851252402962024-03-01T08:00:00.042+09:002024-03-01T08:00:00.148+09:0015501Wednesday, met up with V & M to show them to Fuchu City Local Forest Museum.The kawazuzakura was blooming in a tiny pocket park nearby.The girls day dolls were up. Luckily even after all that strong wind on Monday & Tuesday, there were still ume flowers on the trees.We even spotted Mount Fuji from a remote area of the park.Robai (waxy apricot) was still in bloomV treated us to ume K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-72974556839158084362024-02-29T08:00:00.034+09:002024-02-29T08:00:00.153+09:0010259Tuesday, our apartment building was scheduled to have the water turned off for an hour.During that time, I went to physical therapy and then decided to go holoholo (gallavanting) afterwards, Satoshi instead decided to work from home...sigh!I wanted to see the Aomori Antenna Shop, so that was my first stopAll sorts of food items as well as textiles and crafts from Aomori.I went back to Pain des K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-38643298983624222722024-02-28T08:00:00.008+09:002024-02-28T08:00:00.237+09:00ikegami baienMonday, went to check out Ikegami Baien.Was about a week too late though Not many trees left with flowers on it.The strong winds weren't too helpful either.Hello! (thanks for not barking at me)Even though there weren’t many flowers, it was still nice to check out this part of our areaK and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-79304182742837638182024-02-27T08:00:00.003+09:002024-02-27T08:00:00.140+09:00mil's (part 3)Saturday, Satoshi went to Kyoto to decide what things he will keep and what will be thrown out. Afterwards he met up with classmates for drinksThe next day, he and BIL met with the architect.He even had a “model” to show them.BIL has been talking with a different architect, so they’ll see what he/she comes up with then make a decision.K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-61768741565586313862024-02-26T16:00:00.006+09:002024-02-26T16:00:00.139+09:00pain au sourireOne of the places I checked out when I went to Shibuya was Pain au Sourire.Last year, they moved from their old location to this one.The old location was spacious with a tiny gallery too.Unfortunately, the building is slated to be torn down.This new location is just around the corner from the old one but is super teeny. I picked up their pain au chocolat, nice ratio of chocolate…320 yen (taxK and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-4823851910220732752024-02-25T10:00:00.002+09:002024-02-25T10:00:00.130+09:00shibuyaIt had been awhile since I'd been to Shibuya, Satoshi had stuff to do yesterday, so I went holo-holo (gallavanting) on my own.Taking in buildings that caught my eye, I might have posted some of these before... The last time I passed this area, I think they were fixing this building and had boarded up this sculpture by Taro Okamoto.I noticed the building in the background was vibrantly K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-6959423567728175862024-02-23T08:00:00.009+09:002024-02-23T08:00:00.341+09:00this and thatWith the warm temperature this week, the cyclamen on our lanai thought it was March or April...it started blooming!There was a huge rainbow on Monday! (had to use the video from IG because my original didn’t save properly and disappeared..booTokyo People: the fire people on patrolTokyo People: university cheerleadersaiyah cannot drive Tokyo People...she took so long to just reverse, even with theK and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-13171168098051834472024-02-22T08:00:00.015+09:002024-02-22T08:00:00.139+09:00thanks for todayTuesday, got to spend some time with V who is here for about a week with her friend MFirst off, Suitengu Shrine to pick up some omamori (lucky amulets)Then back to Global knife shop, Yoshikin in Roppongiloved the windows on this building! looked almost painted on And then lunch at Shake Shack at Roppongi Hills.The fries! so crispy! loveV gave us so many goodies!Thank you!And also from M! K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-89570545014143669032024-02-21T08:00:00.030+09:002024-02-21T08:00:00.133+09:00toba-nagoya-tokyoBreakfast the next morning was buffet style.I tried to take local dishes.Love okayu! (rice porridge)Not pictured: round 2 (coffee, yogurt with granola and mini croissants)Unfortunately, the weather was rainyStill, Satoshi wanted to go to check out the Yokoyama Lookout near UgataTo get up to the lookout, you need to go by taxi.On weekdays, the taxis charge only 500 yen, what the Japanese like to K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-28525427640431468362024-02-20T08:00:00.051+09:002024-02-20T08:00:00.147+09:00ise jinguBreakfast was huge the next morning After checking out we made our way to Ise Jingu to meet up with a tour guideIt was my first time to Ise Jingu, Satoshi’s last time here was in elementary school!We found another Pokemon manhole coverI loved how they decorated the shops with these flower arrangements along the Ise Geku Sando (walkway to Outer Shrine)This was our tour guide for the next 80 K and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17223830.post-73831746583134707292024-02-19T15:00:00.001+09:002024-02-19T15:00:00.244+09:00tokyo-nagoya-mieSatoshi has another potential tour, so we went to check out areas in Mie prefecture.First stop was Matsusaka.It was our first time here.But first lunch...The more expensive way to try Matsusaka beef is at Gyugin, where they serve sukiyaki and steak, but since our dinner was going to be French, we decided to try Matsusaka beef in a more "reasonable" way, as udon at Gyugin’s sister shop, Aoyagi.BuyK and Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15375282198168168331noreply@blogger.com2