costco & enoshima

V and her daughter A are here

I was lucky to be able to meet up with them on Thursday 

We went to Kawasaki Costco

I had been to Costco when we lived in Osaka (pre-blog) at the time Japan didn’t have many locations, I think they now have 30 (maybe more)?! 

Anyway, there are a lot of similar items like the ones in Hawaii, but there are also many items that are unique to Japan

Costco has a little area that you can eat the food you purchased at the concession (some sit down tables and some stand up and eat type of tables)

A had their salmon poke roll and chicken mushroom soup.

V had their margherita pizza

Kat tried their bulgogi bake...this was delicious but HUGE! it doesn't skip on the meat...would get this again!

Afterwards we went to Enoshima since V mentioned that she had never been to this part of Kamakura

We took the Escar (escalators) up to the top 

You need to walk down the stairs, but these escalators really helped!

Had the weather been a little better, we could've gone up the Enoshima candle (tower) and maybe see Mount Fuji, but it was drizzly while we were at Enoshima...no rain no rainbow

Still, I hope they enjoyed Enoshima.

Thanks for today V & A!

Kawasaki Costco

3-1-4 Ikegamishinmachi

Kawasaki, Kanagawa

Hours:10:00-20:00

hinode ginza

Between Kamata and Kojiya is a tiny shopping arcade called Hinode Ginza.

If I am not mistaken, a lot of shopping arcades include the word "Ginza" in it as kind of a "good luck" charm in hopes of having the same "liveliness" of Tokyo's Ginza area.

I stopped into Boulangerie Mimolette.

If you remember, they make the bread for the cuban sandwich, that I had earlier this year. 

I tried their apple kouign amann...the caramel on top was a little to sticky for my liking.

The fish sandwich was delicious, with a little egg salad on there too.

Right across the street is Yaoseishoten, a grocer/fruit stand.

I had wanted to check them out because I had heard they make delicious yakiimo (roasted sweet potato)

The owner let me choose the one I wanted to buy, then he weighed it and I paid.

This beauty was 250 yen (tax included)

It was so sweet!

I'm glad I tried both of these places, and will be back whenever I am in the area.

Boulangerie Mimolette

2-8-11 Minamikamata

Ota, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays & Mondays

Hours: 9:00-17:00

Yaoseishoten

3-1-24 Minamikamata

Ota, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays

Hours: 10:00-19:30

*cash only

7799

Went to Shimokitazawa to check out Bio-Ral, the organic brand of one of the supermarkets in our area.
 

I just wanted to see what kinds of things they sold.

I ended up picking up some drip coffee and beer.

Love the "mall" that this market is in.

Another place I wanted to check out was Stock Mart.

Apparently these guys re-sell items from Costco, because not every one can go there and not many want the large sizes.

they sell some baked goods in half and smaller sizes.

I love that they sell half pizzas.

And I was interested in trying the Organic Loaf.

Total for both was 2171 yen (tax included)

Thankful they sell bags for the pizza too...18 yen (tax included)

AND thankful this box fit into my fridge!

Also thankful that most of the bread fit into my freezer 

Tried a slice for lunch with poached chicken and pickled red cabbage...delicious.

It was a really tiny shop.

I was hoping they sold more dried fruits and nuts but they don't.

The pizza reheated in the oven was crispy! and delicious.

Not sure that I would go back, but I'm glad we got to try these items.

9245

Been a pandemic and then some since I've been back to Shin Okubo

On that first visit, I checked out the Indian grocery and food shops, this time I went to check out the Korean and Asian shops
 

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower

Puchi Pura Cosme (excuse my finger)

Wanted to check out the tiny knit bags that they sell here

Saw Asia Super Store on social media and wanted to check them out too

Lots of different asian snacks and foods

Yes Mart changed their name to Top Mart

all things Korean here

Bought a bulgogi kimbap for lunch...800 yen (tax included)

so much sensory overload in this area

Bummed I cannot read Korean even if I'm studying it

Want to have bingsu (shaved ice) next time.

It’s a relatively short walk from Shinjuku to Shin Okubo so next time I’ll try walking this route

jason

On one of our walks, we stumbled upon Jason, a discount store chain from Chiba. (photo from the internet)

They sell all sorts of things and are known for selling beverages really cheap.

We didn't buy any beverages but did pick up snacks.

One thing I came across was this agroforestry chocolate by Meiji.

Apparently this a more ecological way to farm cacao.

It was my first time hearing about this form of farming and I look forward to trying the chocolate.

We'll be back to Jason whenever we are in the area.

Jason

4-17-16 Omorinishi

Ota, Tokyo

Phone: 03.3298.8500

Open daily 9:00-23:00

sea luck

Back at the end of December, we tried this fantastic katsuo chip snack.

Well, I looked online and found their website and ordered all sorts of things.

Packets of dashi (stock), different types of furikake and the katsuo chip snack.

One type of furikake has the katsuo chip bits, dried shirasu (tiny sardines), nori cut into different shapes and tororo konbu.

Each package is triangular shaped and labeled with 8 popular views of Mount Fuji.

Hamanako (Lake Hamana), Hamamatsu, Oigawa, Yaizu, Nihondaira, Mihon no Matsubara, Fuji and Izu...so cute!

The nori is cut into 20 different shapes that represent the specialty items to Shizuoka as well as some of Katsuokun's friends...(Katsuokun is the character of this brand.)

Shizuoka prefecture, Mount Fuji, mikan (tangerine), tea, wasabi, unagi (eel), strawberry, sakura ebi (Lucensosergia lucens), gyoza, sakura (cherry blossoms), castle, oden, melon, steam engine, katsuokun character, katsuochan character, magucchi character, hazesokun character, tororo konbukun character and shirasu taro character.

The katsuo chip bits are crisp and the nori shapes are fun to see.

I'm glad we ordered from them and will definitely order again when we run out of these snacks and condiments.

shopping

Just a heads up for those of you who come to Japan to shop.

At the 100 yen stores, food items are 8%..."things" are 10%.

When I went to the 100 yen store today, I bought some spacers for my shoe cabinet...these were 10% tax.

I also bought some ume candy...these were 8% tax.

Also, if you use your credit card at the convenience store, there is a little "discount" (I think 2%) off your bill.

Not sure how long this discount will be given though.

Just somethings to keep in mind when you shop here.

shop 'til you drop

Thursday, Val and I planned to check out to the shopping mall that is under Tokyo station.

On my way to meet her at her hotel, I witnessed the train staff "jamming" commuters onto the subway...it really does happen eep!

While roaming the many areas of the shopping mall, she bought some items and then we headed across town to Shibuya.

They have a One Piece shop located in the Marui Department Store.

One Piece is a manga (Japanese comic series).

She was interested in finding some souvenirs for one of her sons.

Then it was two doors up to Tower Records...it had been ages since I had set foot into a CD shop.

I was surprised that Tower Records was still around...though I have a feeling they only exists in Japan....

We were starving at this point and popped into J.S. Burgers Cafe for lunch.

I ordered the Maple Butter BLT...and was surprised that my BLT was topped with a pat of butter and drizzle of maple syrup...

I have given up on eating crispy bacon in Japan and accept the thick Canadian type of ham "bacon" that is served...

This had way too much grainy mustard in it but I was glad that the bread and fries were crispy...I want to go back to try the burgers.

And then it was back out for more shopping...

It was a whirlwind stay for Val, the weather was nice...I hope she had a nice time and was able to buy everything she came to Japan for.

J.S. Burgers Cafe (UPDATE:2021 no longer at this location)
1-20-13 Jinnan, G Building 2F
Shibuya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6415.2017
Hours: 11:00-22:30

playing tourist in ueno

Friend Val was visiting from Hawaii...she wanted to see the pandas at Ueno Zoo.

It was my first time to the zoo...and even on a weekday, there was a long line to see the pandas.

Before turning the corner to see them, there was a sign that said, "you have 1 minute to view the pandas...do not stop to take photos..blah blah blah" (WT!)

Well, when we turned the corner this is what we saw...the panda with its butt facing us.

How disappointing yeah?

We were like..."we stood in line for this?!"

The next two display areas were empty and we were feeling gypped.

Luckily, the panda in the next display area wasn't camera shy...

If you are interesting in seeing a really short video of the panda moving, click the link here.

Luckily, there were kanhizakura (a type of early blooming cherry blossom) just outside of the zoo.

Loved the dark pink color!

Lunch was at a place called Bal Pinolo...the pizza sauce was a bit watery but overall it was a nice lunch.

And since we were near Okachimachi, I took Val to Takeya.

They had everything she wanted and we were glad to be able to find everything in one place. (Thanks again V for telling me about this place! It is now Val's favorite place too!)

It was a beautiful day and it was nice to spend some time with a friend from Hawaii.

Ueno Zoo
9-83 Uenokoen
Taito, Tokyo
Closed Mondays
Hours: 9:30-17:00

Bal Pinolo
7-1-1 Higashiueno, Atre 1F
Taito, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00-23:30

rainy thursday

Yesterday was cold and rainy.

Met up with V for shopping and lunch.

Lucky for us we could get around with the subway so we didn't have to walk too much.

We started off at Tsukiji, then headed back to Yurakucho...unfortunately getting lost several times trying to get in and out of the stations (sorry!)

Then to Kanda and Okachimachi...V showed me a huge shopping area for food stuffs and other things that I'll need to go back to roam the aisles...Takeya! (Look for the purple buildings near Okachimachi station...)

Lunch was yakisoba...one okonomiyaki style and the other topped with kim chee at Ginchan.

Since moving to Tokyo, I haven't found "favorite spots" to take friends visiting from Hawaii (yet), so I'm glad this place turned out to be delicious...plus, it was nice and warm, perfect place to get out of the cold rain...

This place was small, but the food comes out pretty quick.

Can you believe this was their smallest serving? and it was quite filling...I hope V enjoyed this, I'll be back.

After lunch, we walked up to Yushima Tenjin (also called Yushima Tenmangu) to check out the ume blossoms.

I'm glad they were in full bloom.

The last time we were there, there weren't many trees blooming yet.

Check out the amount of ema ((eh-mah) good luck amulets)...it's entrance exam time in Japan, so everyone is praying to pass their exams...

This was the first time for me to see so many ema flowing all the way down to the ground.

Since meeting up with V last week, she went to Sogabessho (Odawara, Kanagawa), Kyoto and Kairakuen (Mito, Ibaraki) and spoiled us with all these goodies! (thank you!)

Despite the bad weather, I'm glad we got to do all that V wanted to.

Have a safe trip back and thank you for everything!

Shitamachi Yakisoba Ginchan
3-28-7 Ueno
Taito, Tokyo
Phone: 03.5812.8015
Closed Tuesdays
Hours: 11:00-21:00

Takeya
4-33-2 Taito
Taito, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3835.7777
Hours: 10:00-20:00