Friday, November 21, 2008

金閣寺 (Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto)

About one month ago I went to Kyoto. so beautiful city , still we can feel very old age of Japan, and there are so many old temples and shrines.I heard from the taxi driver in Kyoto there are more than 300 temples!!!!But as s tourist of course you have to choose ones.

Sometimes I am asked about sightseeing of Japan. From my friends from overseas , or sometimes readers of this blog.

So today I gonna show you one very famous temple that I went one month ago. I think if you go to Kyoto , you shouldn't miss this temple. Its real name is "北山鹿苑寺(Hokuszan Rokuonji)" in Japanese. But is well known as "金閣寺(Kinkaku-ji)" in Japanese. Because as you can see the picture , it is GOLDEN("Kin" in Japanese) . So in English it is called "Golden Pavilion" or "Golden temple".

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Hace más o menos un mes fui a Kioto , una ciudad muy bonita. Todavía nos sentimos una epoca muy antigua, y hay muchos templos y suntoísta . Me ha decho el taxista en Kioto que hay más 300 templos!!!!

A veces me ha preguntado sobre hacer turismo en Japón . Desde mis amigos extranjeros, y también la gente que ha leido este blog.

Hoy voy a presentar una templo super famoso que fui hace un mes. Creo que si vas a ir a Kioto no deberías pasarlo. Su nombre realidad es "北山鹿苑寺(Hokuszan Rokuonji)" en japonés , pero se llama "金閣寺(Kinkaku-ji)" . Porque el color es oro ("kin" en japonés).

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Another PEPSI / Otro PEPSI

I found another PEPSI. Well, this time "PEPSI WHITE".
ha ha ha
It's says "PEPSI& YOGURT FLAVOR" I really can't imagine the taste.
Looking Back I see that previous one was PEPSI BLUE HAWAII on July this year ,and PEPSI ICE CUCUMBER in last year.Always so characteristic....

To be honest, I didn't like the taste, it liked yogurt with soda. Do you wanna try??? I always am not care for those flavore special (I like normal one ),but I can' help trying new taste!!

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Entontré otro PEPSI. Aver, “PEPSI WHITE (PEPSI BLANCO)” ja ja ja
Se escribe “PEPSI & YOGURT FLAVOR (Sabor de Pepsi y Yogurto )” No puedo imaginarlo. Pensando el pasado , antes se venden “PEPSI BLUE HAWAII” y ”PEPSI ICE CUCUMBER.” Siempre muy characticos.

Francamente hablando , no me gustó la sabor . Como ácido carbónico con yogurto. ¿Quieres probarlo? Siemple no me gustó, pero siempre compré!!!!



Friday, October 24, 2008

Korean taste /El sabor de Corea

The other day I went to the Korean town in Shinokubo. In Tokyo many Korean people is living , I think. Shinokubo is a city that have very different atomosphere. There are a lot of the signs which are written in Korean letters. I can hear the people are spoken in Korean. Besides I feel smell of the city is not same as other city in Japan.

I went to one Korean restaurant where all waiter and waitress are Korean , although they speak Japanese very well. Normally I can't eat spicy food , so I don't eat so much Korean food, but Korean BBQ is another story , I love so much. Well, I have been to there several times , but they are always with my Japanese friends. But this time I went one Korean friend. It's much better, she know the food, how to cook ,and she could order that is not in the menu.
They were so delicious. I was really satisfied. =)
At the end , we got the discount of our check. ha ha he

I have been to Korea three times , it's so close from here. I feel like going there again!!!

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El otro día fui al barrio coreano en Shinokubo. Creo que la gente coreano viven mucho en Tokio. Shinokubo tiene ambiente muy special. Hay muchas señales se escribe en Hangul . Puedo eschar la gente hablan en coreano. Además huelen diferente.

Fui al restaurante coreano donde todo los comareros son coreanos, aunque ellos pueden hablar japones muy bien. Normalmente no puedo comer la comida picante, por eso no como la comida coreano, pero me encanta carne asada coreana. A ver, he ido allí varias veces, pero siempre con mis amigos japoneses. Pero esta vez fui con una amiga coreana. Más mejor, ella sabe la comida, por eso la pidió especial . Muy delicioso. Estaba muy contenta. Finalmente el camarero hacía algún descuentos. ja ja ja
He estaco en Corea tres veces . muy cerca de aquí . Me gustaría ir ya!!!!






Samgyupsal BBQ
They cut pork with scissors!!


sea food Jijimi
I love it . We have similer food called Okonomiyaki in Japan , but taste is differ.


Tteokbokki
We ate this in the street!! taste at first sweer and then spicy!!!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Yojiya

The other day I had a cup of "Macha Moca (Mocha green tea ,抹茶モカ)" at Yojiya in Tokyo Haneda Airport. Yojiya is well known as a cosmetic shop in Kyoto, especially one of their products "Abratorigami (Oil- Blotting Facial Paper)" is very popular among women. I guess all young women know about it!!

Although I didn't know that they have some coffee shops in Kyoto and Tokyo. But when I saw their symbol at airport, I recognized at once, because it is also well known.

As you can see in these photos, the face of the top of the drink is the symbol of the Yojiya.
Anyway, the face is pretty , isn't it??? If you have a chance to visit Kyoto or Tokyo(only Haneda airport), I think it's nice to visit, especially for women!

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Otro día tomé una taza de "Macha Moca (té verde Moca 抹茶モカ)" en Yojiya en aeropuerto de Tokio Haneda , Yojiya es muy conocido por una tienda de cosmética en Kioto, especialmente el producto "Abratorigami (no sé como se dice en eapañol , pero en ingles se llama Oil- Blotting Facial Paper)" es muy popular entre las chicas.
Creo que toda chicas lo conocen.

Entonces la cara de bebida es muy bonita. Si tenéis una oportunidad de visitar Kioto o Tokio (solo en el aeropuerto de Haneda ) , creo que es bueno visitar.



Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Festivals in Tokyo/ unas fiestas en Tokio

As I wrote many times in this blog, we can taste many kinds of food in Tokyo. Yes, we are luckey! Not only in restaurantes, but also in festivals!
Last weekend two festivals were hold.
One in Vietnam festival in Yoyogi park , Tokyo, and the other one is Mexican festivai in Odaiba , Tokyo.

I went Vietnam festival on Saturday , and Mexican festival on Sunday. Both were interesting , they sold thier typical foods, and showed some cultural aspect like dancing , singing and so on.

I just show you some photos.

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Como escribí unas veces en esta página, podemos encontlar diferentes sabores en Tokio. Sí, ¡tenemos suerte! Hay muchas fiestas aquí.
El fin de semana pasado hubo dos fiestas en Tokio. Una fue la fiesta vietnamita en el parque Yoyogi , y la otra fue la fiesta mexicana en Odaiba.

Fui a la fiesta vietnamita el sábado, y a la fiesta mexicana el domingo. Me interesaron ambas. Se vende la comida tipica, y puede divertirme el baile o la musica. Aquí unas fotos!!


【Vietnam Festival/La fiesta vietnamita】
Only I had a few time, quickely I bought some food and ate. But it was so nice. Recently I am a bit crazy of eating vietnamies food!!! I really like it! There many women put on their nacional costume called "ao dai (áo dài)". They were so beautiful. One of my friends is going to Vietnam for her vacation. Lucky her!!

Sólo tuve un poco de tiempo , compré y comí la comida de prisa , pero estaba muy delicioso . Últimamente estoy loca por la comida vietnamita. Me encanta.
Vi unas mujeres vestidas con la ropa nacional que se llama "ao dai (áo dài)". Ellas son muy bonitas. Una amiga mía va a viajar a Vietnam de vacaciónes. ¡Qué envidia!


Spring Roll!/Rollito de primavera!



So many people!/Mucha gente!




【Mexican Festival/La fiesta mexicana】

I can't eat spicy food, so it made me a bit difficult when I went to Mexico, but the Mexican people were always nice to me. That's one of the fascinating point of them. Listing music like Mariachi reminds me of my mexican friends!
Well, unfortunately the day I went , it was heavy raining, but still I could enjoyed a lot!

No puedo comer algo picante. Cuando estaba en México de vacaciones, fue un poco duro para mi.
Pero los mexicanos eran muy amarbles, creo que esto es una fascinante de esta páis. Escuchando la musica en la fiesta ,recordé a mis amigos mexicanos. Lo pasé muy bien , aunque llovía mucho.


Tacos, please , but without spicy sause!!! PLEASE!
Un tacos , por favor ,pero sin salsa, POR favor.




I can't wait!!!/No puedo esperarlo.



Mariach!!

Friday, August 08, 2008

Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Gobierno Metropolitano de Tokio


The other days some friends of my mexican friends came to Japan.It was first time to see them , but I showed some torist place in Tokyo.I live in Tokyo, but in normal life I don't go so often torist place.Well, some of place was the very first for me, too. It has been so hot, it was har to walk around during day, but it was so fan anyway!!!!

I took this picture from the building of Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It's open for everybody, We can go inside the builging as a visitor, and also to the observation deck which is the forty fifth froor (hight 202 meters ). As you can see this picuture(although it's not so good),greart view from there. Besides it7s free , open until 23:00pm(Door open until 30 minutes before.) I think good place to view Tokyo.

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Hace unos días los amigos de mi amiga mexicana vinieron a Japón. Primera vez verse para mí , pero yo fui a alugun lugares para turismo. Vivo en Tokio , pero normalmente no los fuia menudo. A ver , alugun lugares son primera vez para mi , tambíen. Hace mucho calor, y es duro caminando durante los días , pero lo pasé muy bien.

Saqué esta foto desde el edificio de Gobierno Metropolitano de Tokio en Shinuku, Tokio. Está abiertto al público y se puede subir al 45 piso(202 de alto) donde es el mirador. Puedes ver la foto (aunque no es buena ), la vista desde alli es magnífico. Además, es gratis. Abierto hasta 2300 Te ricomiendo ir. Es buen lugar.

Monday, July 07, 2008

tanabata----

The papers are hangged by people with written thier wish.
Los paperes colgado con escrito sus deseo.



Today is Tanabata festival, although it is raining and cloudy! Two years ago I posted about Tanabata as follows. (Just copy and paste!!!) Well, today I should write in Spanish, too.

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Once upon a time a beautiful woman lived in the bank of the Milky Way which shined in a night sky, her name was Orihime , and a daughter of an Lord of the Heaven. She followed orders of her father ,and worked very hard as a weaver every day.

As for the cloth which Orihime weaved, it was wonderful, and the Lord of Heaven admired her working.But to his pity, the daughter worked too hard to spend time for herself- like putting on her make up, and dating with a boy friend.

So he decided to let her marry Hikoboshi who was also hard worker ,lived in the west of the Milky Way ,and a cattleman . Then Orihime and Hikoboshi began new life in this way.

However, after their marriage , they were enjoying everyday, actually it was too much, they didn't work any more. At first the Lord of Heaven let them do, but finally he got angry, and said to them to live separately - made Orihime live in the one side of Milkyway ,and Hikoboshi live in another side. And the lord of Heaven said to them "If you work very hard, I will let you meet at the night of 7th July "

Orihime was so sad, but decided to work very hard, Hikoboshi as well.

However, when it rains on July 7 when two people longed for it, the volume of water of the Milky Way increases, and Orihime cannot go to the opposite bank.


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Quiero escribir sobre Tanabata en español, tambien, pero demasiado difícil para mí. He usado pagina de free traducción en mayor parte.

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Érase una vez una hermosa mujer vivió en el banco de la Vía Láctea que brilló en un cielo de la noche, su nombre fue Orihime, y una hija de un Señor del Cielo. Ella siguió las órdenes de su padre, y trabajó muy con ahínco como un tejedor cada día.

La tela que Orihime tejió fue maravilloso, y el Señor del Cielo admiró su trabajar.pero la hija trabajada demasiado dura y pasó tiempo bastante- como no tuve un novio.

Así que él decidió permitir que ella casarse Hikoboshi que fue trabajador también duro, vivido en el oeste de la Vía Láctea, y de un ganadero. Entonces Orihime y Hikoboshi empezaron nueva vida de esta manera.

Sin embargo, después de su casamiento, ellos disfrutaban en todo los diás, realmente fue demasiado, ellos no trabajaron más. Al principio el Señor del Cielo permitió que ellos hacer, pero por último él se enojó, y les dijó a ellos vivir separadamente - Orihime hecho vive en el un lado de Milkyway, y Hikoboshi vive en otro lado. Y el señor del Cielo dijo a ellos "Si usted trabajan muy duro, permitiré que usted encontrarán en la noche de séptimo de Julio"

Orihime estuvo tan triste, pero decidió trabajar muy duro, Hikoboshi también.

Sin embargo, cuando llueve el 7 de julio cuando dos personas lo desearon, el volumen de agua de los aumentos de Vía Láctea, y de Orihime no puede ir al banco del contrario.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Screamers

Yesterday I watched the movie"Screamers" at the Refugee Film Festival.I won't write political stuff on this blog, bacause I think I can't exprees my real feeling and detailed thought by my English. Just two things I want write are ...that I felt I need to know about the words more, and that I liked the music of "System of a Down " -that I listened for first time.

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Ayer vi una película "Screamers" en la fiesta de peliculas de refugiado.No voy a escribir impresión mía, porque no quiero escribir unas cosas politicas y mi español es suficiente. Pero quiero escribir dos cosas. Yo creo que necesito más sobre mundo, y me gustó la musica de "System of a down"

Thursday, June 26, 2008

JERO

Recently one american guy is rather popular in Japan. I watched him on many TV shows. His name is JERO, born and grow up in Pittsburgh, USA. As his late grandma was Japanese, he started listening "Enka" when he was little. (*Enka is one type of Japanese Music, which is popular among old people. )

After his graduation of the University. He decided to come to Japan to be Enka singer. Wow I know some Enka songs, but never had interest on it . Actually many yong people prefer Pops , Hip Hop , Rock and so on. This year his dream came true, he has become "the first black enka singer"! His first single "Umiyuki" was accepted by not only old people but also young people. He sings with hip hop street fasion.

I lisetned his song, seemed by Japanese. His Japnese is so good , too. I could see he respects the songs and culture of Enka so much. Yesterday his first mini album was launched out. I bet he' s gonna remarkabe more and more.

The JAPEN TIMES



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Últimamente un estadounidense es bastante conocido en Japón. Se llama JERO. Él es primer Enka cantante negro. Como su abuela fue japonesa, de niño, comenzó escuchar Enka(una tipo de musica japonesa). Después sus graduación de universidad, él vino a Japón para ser un cantante de Enka . En febrero de este año hizo debut con la canción "Umiyuki." se vende mucho. Como canta y habla como japonés, creo que el estará más popular que ahora.
ipcdigital.com

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

PEPSI Blue Hawaii













Yesterday I found "Pepsi Blue Hawaii" in convenience store.(Last year they made Pepsi cucumber taste!!!! )Can you imagine the tasete??? Of course I bought one at once.The color is pure blue , as you see. Looks chemical!!!! It is said that the taste is pineapple and lemon.I tried, mmmmmmm,yes , it taste pinepple and lemon. But I didn't like very much, sorry. I think it is no more PEPSI already...I have read many people's blog writing about it. To my surprise, many people wrote that taste is OK. Do you wanna try? I don't know it is sold only in Japan or not, but anyway here sold during limited period. Hurry up!

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Ayer encontré "Pepsi Blue Hawaii" en tienda. El color es azul. ¿Puedes imaginar el sabor? Quiero probarlo. Por supuesto, compré enseguida. Se escribe "sabor de piña más límon". Probaré y no estuvo buena para mì. Pero según los diario, a la gente le gustó. Entonces se venden durante periodo límitad en Japón.  

Monday, June 23, 2008

GOYA




Do you know "Goya"?It's a kind of the vegitable, and is eaten very much in Okinawa where is an island in the south of Japan. When I was a child, I had never eaten. But this 5-6years, the dishes of Okinawa became very popular in Honshu(the main island on Japan. ) There are so many Okinawa dish restaurant in Tokyo now.
Recently I got some seeds of Goya , and now I grow them in the balcony.One of them has just sprouted out. I hope it will grow well.

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¿Conoces "Goya"? No es sobre un pintor. Es una tipo de verdura se comen mucho en Okinawa donde es isla de Japón.Otro día me dio unas semillas de "Goya". Ahora estoy criandolas en balcon de mi casa. Ha echadad un brote. Me alregre verlo. Espero que crezcan buen.

Greeting from Japan/ Saludo desde Japón

Wow!It has past a quite long time since I posted last time.
Well, I am fine. Nothing has changed , I mean , I "STILL" live in Tokyo.

Thank you very much people who sent me messeages and left comments. Sorry if I made you worry about me. I am fine. Just fine. Just these few months I have made my time for struggling spanish. So I might have give up to think in English.(Studying two languzges made me confused a lot! ) As for my spanish level, it's like a baby, just started. But since now I wanna write some note in spnish too. I don't think I can post so often as before, but I will try!


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¡HOLA! Soy Kazumi.
Gracias por vistar mi diario. Hasta ahora yo voy a escribir en español también. Aunque mi español es no suficiente, pero tengo ganas!

Monday, October 29, 2007

English,,,,and

I wonder how much have I spent on time and money to have a good command of English. I don't know the exactly answer and to tell the truth, I may be afraid to know that , but anyway a lot. It's hard to imagine how difference I am now if I had'nt studied it.
Thank you for English! Now I don't "study " English especialy -as taking English classes, but I am trying to put myself in "English circumstance" -for example, watchind dvd in only english, reading English novels and I am using English at my work.

Just like I was, there are so many people who want to be able to speak English in Japan. To our pity, it is difficult for us to speak it fluently only by school education. We may have " admiratuin" for English and native English speaker. There are ao many English school here, I can't miss the advertisement of the English educational materials in the magazine or internet.

On october 26 2007 "NOVA" filed for court protection ,which is the biggest english school with more than 300000. students and 5000 teachers at about 800 branches. The school is closed until another sponcer will appear.

Most of students has paid their school fees in advance (some of them paied more than 600000 yen ) , without new sponser they can't expect their money back , on the other hand many teachers and staffs hav'nt get their wages more than 2months. According to TV news some of them don't have money only to go back their countries. Some of them are trying to get another job,(actually they need another job to stay in Japan for visa or work permit) but it is not so easy. I don't mean there are no jobs. The creterion for being a techer at NOVA was actually low, even you don't have a licence to teach, if you are native English speaker, they accepted. But at some English school , the licence is required.

I am really sorry the teaches ,students and staffs.
Because of NOVA, some of the students may feel no more English.
Because of NOVA, some of the teachers may think no more Japan.

If so , that's pity.

The annoucement from NOVA

British embassy

Austrarian embassy

Friday, September 07, 2007

Dojo ....

Sometimes many people in Europe or America doesn't care for eating what Japanese (or Asians prpbably) like to eat.
For example, Sushi. Yes I know . Sushi became already a kind of famous international food, although still many people might refuse to try that.
Maybe Unagi(eel) less popular than Sushinbut still known to many people. I know eel souceis popular/

Well, how about Loaches (Oriental weatherfish)? We call them "Dojou(or Dozeu)" in Japanese.
There is one long river (acctually second longest) called "Tonegawa" Kanto region where is the easy place to catch Loaches So that's why since long time ago many people prefer to eat Dojou( Loaches) near Tokyo.

Yesterday I went to one famous Dojou( Loaches) dining place which has more than 200years history in Asakusa- downtown area in Tokyo. The building is old enough to imagine an old period ,and atomosphere is nice. It was first time to have Dojou(Loaches) for me.I was satisfied the taste more than I imagined ,because I was afraid of the appearance. So soft that I could eat up bone, too. If you don't mind fish, I think it's worth trying. Well, Dojou has aboundant of collagen ,calcium and vitamin.



Dojou pot tasted soysause

Fried Dojou










Besides Dojou, they serve whales dish, too. I know many countries are against whaling . But the people roughly over 25years old had been provided whales dishes as a school lunch in Japan. So we know taste. Really delicious.

If you have a concern, try Dojou and whales wih Japanese Sake!!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Czech experience.

Probabley you know , I like to travel , but unfortunately at present I am not able to take long vacation to go many contries. The easiest way to soak up the atmosphere to be in another country is to go to the restaurants. Tokyo is a very convenient city, really!, I mean , there are so many things to do, places to enjoy,and restaurants to eat..

The other day I went the Czech cuisine restaurant with my co-workers. Because we had a Czech trainee for last 2months. So it was very good time for me to try Czech cuisine for the first time. (Actually that country is one of the place which I wanted to go!)To my surprise, there is only one Czech cuisine restaurant in Tokyo, and only three in Japan.



Do you know "Budwiser" is not originally from U.S? It was from Czech!! Taste was more heavier than one I knew. In the ranking of per-capita beer consumption, the Czech Republic won first place for the 12th straight year. Wow, they drink beer a lot, aren't they?? I thought it is England ot Ireland.

Brambarak is like a pancake made of potates. I thought like Japanes Okonomiyaki or Korean pancake. It is a kind of home cooking the mom make.



This is a kind of Czech style stew called "Gulasch" in German and "goulash" in English. I ate with beef style of that with dumplimgs called "Knedlíky"  The stew was so tasty. I guess almost all Japanese people like this tasta, it is not too strong but have thick taste.

It is fun to try to eat different food. I really wanna have a oppotunity to go and eat real Czech food!

GOCHISOUSAMA (Thank you for the meal!)

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Atsuiiiii

Atsui ...atsui
Hot, hot everyday.......


Accroding to the annoucement of the Meteorological Agency, it was 40.9 degrees centigrade of today's highest tempreture in Japan (in Tajimi city Gifu pref. and Kumagaya city in Sitama pref. ) This is actually highest in Japan so far.

No wonder that it is too hot here in Tokyo!!!!
Need beer!!!!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Curry in Japan

If somebody ask you, "Do you know what is the most popular dishes in
Japan???" If you are not living in Japan, you may answer " SUSHI and TEMPURA"
Of course , we love Sushi and Tempura.In foreign countries they are known as typical Japanese food.

But I can say CURRY RICE and RAMEN are the most popular dishes for Japanese.
They are usually more casual , cheeper.


In paticular we are fond of CURRY RICE in the summer season, and Ramen in winter.So now a kind of the Curry season! To be honest , I don't care for spicy food so much, but I love Curry so much.


Curry- the cooking that stewed vegitables and meats with curry powder consisting of plural spices. Originally from India , but it is seen in all over the world now.

Speaking of Curry in Japan, it comes Curry stew and white boided rice with some pickles.

Just like this! ummmmm yummy

Friday, June 22, 2007

Can't wait tomorrow night !!!

Maroon5 is in Japan now ! They are my favorite, Actually I like them the best of the non-japanese singers. Tomorrow , I am going to their Live!!!Wow! Compare with their popularity , the capacity of the live place was so small that amde me difficult to get the ticket. But I am very luckey to be one of the audience. I like Adam's voice, feel very coolthie songs...etc.

About 3years ago I went to their live once in the U.S. So great. I can't find the exact words to express my feeling by my English vocaburary. It was so happy night!

I wish the member of maroon5 would read this blog, so they can know how much Japanese people are exciting. hehehe Anyway can't wait!

more lines

As I wrote the other day, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is very popular here. Still need to wait to get ones. Since one of my friend never tried yet, she really want some, I went there again. Sunday morning 9:30. I thought that I had to wait still now, but as it past already 6month since the shop opened, hopefully maybe 20-30minutes?

I was so surprised the situation, I could see much longer line than before.



Two hours for Doughnuts !!! For me inpossible. Gaveup at onece.
Maybe because they had special limited star-shaped ones!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Kanmi-ya~Japanese sweet parlor

I love to going to a Kanmi-ya which is difined "Japanese sweet parlor."

The other day I went to one with cozy atomosphere. The name of the parlor is "Irori" which means fire place in old Japanese houses. Recently there are only houses having Irori. Let me show you some photos.


Wow , there were many samples of the sweets, which made me difficult to decide.


This is the Irori, but normally it would be on the ground.


I had "Mitsumame" which is similar to Anmitsu , but without red bean paste called Annko.
Some fruits , some agars, cream some beans with syrup... Ummmm yummy. Decent time , isn't it????