Fastest Train @ Expo

I was reading a carinsurancelist blog when i came across this picture that reminded me of the Aichi Expo that I had attended in 2005.  There were many pavilion at the Aichi Expo and the one I remembered best was the Australian Pavilion.  They had a mascot that was a platipus and there were many souvenirs to be bought at up to 75% discount.   Anyhow,  the above picture was on display and it was Japan’s crowning achievement in transportation.  Why?  because it is in the Guiness book of world records in 2004 for being the fastest train in the world.

And i remembered this guy from Turkey - making Turkey ice cream that was gooey and white in color and looked more like cream cheese to me - interesting eh.

Gadget Savvy Japanese Gals

If you think or in your mind think that all Japanese girls are demure and shy - then you are wrong - those that i know are very gadget and tech savvy and knows all about  car insurance and unlike me - who needs to wait for the spouse to do that for me.   When i was a kid, i had an exchange student in my class and she had all the cutest looking thing one can ever dream of.  And now - that same girl that I’ve known all my life - is the most tech and gadget savvy japanese gal I know.   The classic japanese gals in Japan has a HP notebook, and ipod touch, cellphone, digital cameral and of couse the USB key but of course they had to be cute looking - quality to a Japanese gal is more important than quantity - no wonder the Japanese has new stuff every year to satisfy the needs of the tech and gadget savvy Japanese gals.

Spring Flowers In Japan

As I scanned thru’ the pictures that my g/fs in Japan sent to me to remind me of all the spring activities in Japan as I was reading about prevera, I cannot help but remember the spring day I had many years ago - while working in Japan.  What did we do?  We went Spring Skiiing!!!  Yes! a little crazy at that time - now that I’m living in snowy Canada but nevertheless at that time - we wanted to catch the last snow.

We were in Asahi Daki - i don’t have the pictures anymore but I asked a girlfriend who was there with me - if she had some - this was the only one she found - we were there sometime in late May one year.   It was fun as far as I can remember - but some parts were really steep and I wasn’t too good at skiing , even though I’ve had done it a few times.  I had descended so good - I felt really good about myself - and went on skiing for longer than I had planned to.  It was like  spring skiing eden in Japan - i was flushed after the skiing.  There weren’t a lot of people anywheres except our group and it was pure amazing seeing the scenery and taking in all the breath-taking stunts my friends and I tried without embarrassing ourselves.  So if you are heading to Japan in late Spring - you can try that out yourself.

Kichijoji, Tokyo

If only I lived in Kichijoji area - i was telling my spouse - i wouldn’t need to look for treadmills because of Inokashira Park - Kichijoji is a really beautiful place.  With such a large park and its surrounding lake - i love when the cherry blossom comes to full bloom during spring time and even during autumn - you can see many artistes setting up and doing their painting quietly.  Of course Kichijoi is not only about the park but they have many small eateries there as well - for the ladies they have little boutiques to large departmental stores that attracts the young and old.  They also have a museum and a theatre there and a wonderland during mid October.

Japanese Magazines

You can find wrinkle serum in all the departmental stores in Japan but finding an English magazine - now that’s a hard one.  And if you are in Japan looking to find some girlie magazines - note that they are not sold openly either.  Well, not that i found it in the ordinary magazine stands in Tokyo but big bookstores like kinokinuya have some but not a lot either.  It’s kinda hard some 20 yrs ago - when i first arrived in Japan and just couldn’t find anything in English to read except the hotel’s copy of USA today - but I wasn’t interested in USA today !  i was interested in reading about where to get around in Japan and the best places to eat and to shop.  But my best friend who lives in Japan now  - tells me things are a lot different now.  I hope to visit Japan once again but this time armed with more info to carry with me to get the best outta Japan.

Sightseeing Buses Hello Kitty Style

In the land of the rising star is also the land of Hello Kitty and Sanrio Land - so when the girlfriend showed me tour buses with Hello Kitty theme - it didn’t surprised me at all. Car insurance cheap is also one reason why people can afford a car and turn them into Hello Kitty theme too - I’ve seen one myself - and it wasn’t even a Japanese car  - it was a Volkswagen. There are several buses in Japan with Hello Kitty themes now and some even have a Hello Kitty next to the driver seat - cute or corny - it’s up to the ones who likes and dislike them eh.

Chinese Food In Japan

Someone asked me the other day - if there were any Chinese restaurants in Japan and if there were some - to please give him the address.  Well, lots of ppl are mistaken that in Japan, you can only find Japanese food - but it’s not true.  There are over 200 chinese restaurants in Japan - and they are easier to spot and find in Japan then under eye cream.  My friend had also asked me if they were authentic chinese food and I’m pleased to report to you that some of these restaurants are owned by folks who were from Hong Kong and China.  So yes - if you are migrating or going to work in Japan for a long time - like i did once upon a time - head over to China Town in Japan and you will find just about anything there.

Nabana-No-Sato Park

The annual winter light up at Nabana no Sato theme park at Nagashima Resort is very exciting - many people travel just to see the lights.  The annual light show in the winter runs till March if i remember correctly.   The water illumination is out of this world. Here the beautiful sound of the river with vivid color changing-the-art LED technology enables a production of 64 billion colors.  So while i was reading about the  side effects of diet pills a friend in Japan sent this picture over  - how sweet of him eh.  So if you are anywheres near Nagashima Resort don’t forget to see this - starts at 5pm - i heard.

Japanese Sweets

When it comes to food and the Japanese - not just ordinary food but exquisite food, the Japanese are never far away from being mentioned.  Just like they have lots of motorcycle accident lawyer there - you cannot but stay in awe with the food they come up with.  From green tea kit kat to Wasabi ones and now crepes desserts like the ones below.

Even being a diabetic and all, I still wanna try this.  Found at the Plaisir - you have to try it if you are in Tokyo.

Homey Cafe In Japan

Japan or anywheres in tokyo is quite a trendy place .. but when you lived in Tokyo for as long as I did, you wanna try more homey stuff instead of those from the chain stores.  One can get starbucks anywheres in Japan..  but a homey cafe like this .. is not easy to find.  This cafe is a gem and was recommended by someone .. and even though it is in an old house, the food served was pretty nice. Nothing like sitting with old friends.. and enjoying a cosy conversation and looking up some  Black Friday deals or just chatting up the nice wait staff.  Located in Kitazawa - it’s called mois cafe.  Check it out if you are in the vicinity eh.