Saturday 7 January 2017

4 Oct. 2016 (Reunion with Kato family)

Today started with Aloysius going to meet his church friend who was studying in Tokyo and Aleo lepark in the apartment. For Kellie, it was time to look for special buys at Daiso and other ¥100 shops in Tokyo!

Since their last visit to Singapore years ago, Mr & Mrs Kato (Yoshiaki & Makiko) were meeting Kellie, Aloysius and Aleo after a long time. They found that the boys have grown up.

We were treated to a fusion dinner at the Orange at the Midtown, which we all enjoyed.
















3 Oct. 2016 (Kappabashi & Akihabara)

After a well deserved rest, we travelled to Akihabara for lunch before Aleo stayed on to check out the IT shops as he is interested in self-assembly of gaming computer and also see the manga shops.




With the 3-day (72 hours) pass, Kellie, Aloysius and I took the subway to Kappabashi.


From the junction, the cups on each level of this building marked the start of "Bakery" street - a long stretch of shops after shops selling bake wares, crockery, all kinds of chef knives, etc.

Some of the purchases made here:
1. Super-conductor butter knife
2. Super-conductor ice-cream scoop
3. Rectangular stone slabs for food display
4. Warabi mochi powder


Saturday 10 December 2016

2 Oct. 2016 (From Osaka to Tokyo)

Early in the morning, after breakfast prepared by Mama, we strolled to the Ibaraki JR station with our luggage in order to reach Shin Osaka station for the reserved shinkansen trip to Tokyo.



From Shin-Osaka to Tokyo station, we spent 3 hours in the bullet train. Then we rode the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (subway) to Roppongi Station and from there, we went out thru' the stairs of Exit 5 and strolled to our AirBnB apartment within 5 min. An easier route using elevator or escalator is located at Tokyo-Midtown (Exit 8), however it would take another 2 more min. to reach our apartment.



The apartment is off the main street of Roppongi Dori - very convenient. As my family rest in air-conditioned comfort of the apartment, I went to buy the 3-day Tokyo subway pass from BIC Camera shop as most travel agencies like JTB, HIS, Kinki, etc. are closed by 6pm. Important note is for all passports to be brought along in order to buy these passes which cost ¥1,500 each.

Back at the apartment, we gathered and then took subway to Oshiage station for dinner at an udon restaurant as we were all so hungry.















Wednesday 7 December 2016

1 Oct. 2016 (Dinner)

After meeting Mama at Ibaraki station, we walked through a shopping street to this Japanese restaurant - Naritaya (成田家).




Taking a group wefie while we waited for the kaiseki (懐石料理) to commence.








One skill that we picked up from Mama was to remove the backbone of the grilled ayu without breaking up the body before eating the whole fish - from head to tail. Wow!

We all strolled back to "Yasuki Hotel" after a super satisfying 懐石料理 dinner.












Monday 28 November 2016

1 Oct. 2016 (Day trip to Kyoto)

We checked out from Hotel 1-2-3 Kobe and took the train from Sannomiya to Ibaraki station and Mama was there to take over our luggage and convey back to "Yasuki Hotel". Then, we made our way to Kyoto.

Upon arrival, we went for lunch at Ukiyahonten (有喜屋 先斗町本店)


 













As we reached the bridge near Gion machi, we went to get the 抹茶 (matcha) that Aloysius wanted to buy.

 

There was something else caught my boys' attention in Gion - the traditional kimono.




These ladies in kimono (着物) or yukata (浴衣) were strolling a narrow street in Gion, so Aloysius took a quick snap as after so many days in Japan, we saw these traditional costumes for the 1st time.

The following photos of the real gems; the Maiko (舞妓) were given by Mama when we showed her the shots taken by Aloysius. The elaborate head-gears & kimono were simply beautiful.





Before travelling back to Ibaraki to have dinner with Mama, we stopped by this dango shop.