Anpanman Museum

Anpanman is a cartoon that kids in Japan love to watch. Anpan is a very popular sweet bun in Japan. An means red bean jam and pan means bread from the French word pain. Anpanman’s head is made of Anpan.

Anpanman is the hero like Superman and he fights against his rival Baikinman. Baikin means germs and he tries to spread cavity in Children’s teeth. When Anpanman is injured(being bit in his bun head) he goes back to the bakery to get a new Anapan baked. His friends are Currypanman and Shokupanman. What a creative story!! I think his round face makes him a very popular character with children just like Doraemon and Cabbagepatch.

Tokyo Commercial Rocks

Looking at the commercials here in this part of Canada and then comparing this commercial made in Japan and obviously very thoughtfully made - this commercial definitely puts the commercial here to shame.  Most of the time - when I watch a commercial here in Canada - i would only shake my head - and wonder - what the *@%$ were they thinking.  But watching this gas commercial from Japan warms my heart.  It talks about how this mother makes a bento for her teenage son everyday to encourage him - and in the end - the son said “thank you” and apologizes for not saying it sooner.  Heartwarming to see a mother cook and prepares lunch everyday for her son - everything so prettily made.  In Canada, most working mom would just pack a sandwich lunch - or frozen food for their kids  - I wished my kid would start eating sandwiches soon - that way I can cut out cute bread patterns for her.

Band On Airplane

Actually i read about this on Japan news a few weeks ago - and then a friend reminded me about it today - so I thought some who are fans of Arashi band would love seeing their idols on the Arashi Jet when they are flying on domestic flights. It is said that Japan Airlines which is undergoing some sort of restructuring due to financial woes are getting help from the band to boost business.   The Arashi jet is actually Boeing 777 and the images of the band is on the plane with the title of their latest album - how corny?  Only domestic flights folks - so if you are leaving to Osaka - yes! chances on going on the Arashi Jet is possible.

For The Love Of Gundam

We received these noodles in the mail from a dear friend in Japan all because she knew that my spouse loves Gundam.  So sweet of my girlfriend eh !  Last autumn - when we saw these being recommended on the net - the Char Aznable’s Custom Red Curry - the spouse said we had to get this already but when the 30th Anniversray where they had Gunpla as gift - a Gundam plastic model - the spouse was definitely eying on it then.  Thank you so much, my dear friend - now the spouse is a happy camper!

“Cup Noodle Char Senyo Chilli Tomato Noodle (Chilli Tomato Noodles for Char)” will hit the stores on August 2, 2010. Comes in three variations: “Chilli Tomato Noodles”, “Three-times-hotter Chilli Tomato Noodles”, and “Red Cheese Chilli Tomato Noodles”.

Enoshima Aquarium

If you wanna see some really cool stuff in Japan that your tour guide wouldn’t include in your tour while you are in Japan - it’s the Enoshima Aquarium that you shouldn’t missed. I recommend it everytime - someone come to visit me when i was in Japan.  Enoshima Aquarium is located at the Enoshima island of course and it’s got some of the most wonderful and colorful marine creatures there.

Actually the aquarium is not on the island but just before the bridge into the island.  The entrance fee is like 2000 yen for an adult - so about $20 USD - pretty ex eh..?? but for kids - they are like only 600 yen.  They have some dolphin shows there but they are all in Japanese and it’s always crowded but if you have been to the one in Hong Kong - then you didn’t miss anything.

You can also get to touch some small sharks and some really huge turtles - and it’s really an amazing sight.  Love the huge tank !

The funny thing is - i always go to the aquarium whenever i go to the island - i never seems to get enough of the exhibits.

24 Hrs Macdonalds

15 yrs ago - when i visited Japan for the first time - they already had a 24hrs Macdonalds right in the center of Tokyo - Shibuya.  I still remembered it because I could see Tokyo Tower where I was standing in Shibuya and it was darn crowded.  Those times were the ones where everyone in Asia were crazy about the Hello Kitty in different country uniforms and I had gotten my Japanese doll in this exact Macdonalds.   Right around the corner here was a eatery on the second floor where I had my first japanese dinner - but mannn!! it was not a very nice meal - hahah!  but that was my first and last horrid meal - because those days were the ones I went with a tour guide.  Never again - would i rely on a tour guide and make sure when you go to Japan - you go with someone who really knows Japan.

HRC & Tony Romas

I wonder why i never talked about the Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas In Roppongi - Tokyo - afterall, I used to be fascinated with HRC and collected teddy bears from all the HRC that i go to - i have like 28 bears from different countries from HRC.   But it was the buddy in tokyo who bought some Kwikset locks in Roppongi that got me thinking of Tony Romas as well - because they looked exactly like the door locks i saw at Tony Romas.  How do i know?  well, silly me one day went to get something to eat on my own but the restaurant wasn’t really opened for dinner yet - and i yanked and yanked on the locks and it just wouldn’t budged - and i thought it was stuck.  Hhaaha!  until a waiter came out and unlocked the door and told me that they weren’t opened yet.  How embarrassing right?  That was how i recognized it when the buddy from Japan showed me a picture of it.   And i had exclaimed !!! oh!! from Tony Romas!!!!  next to Hard Rock Cafe right?

Anyhow - there is a Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas in Tokyo - if you are missing Western food a lot - and if you are anything like me - you would wanna get your western food there only - because other “western” restaurant in Japan - just cannot be compared to good ole Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas for the baby ribs. But Hard Rock Cafe Roppongi wasn’t called that when i was in HRC Japan in the 1991 - it was the only Hard Rock Cafe there - and unlike the above picture given by the buddy in Tokyo - it had a gorilla hanging on the window and not the huge guitar.

Like any Hard Rock Cafe - it will be another Hard Rock Cafe - so you will pretty much get the same menu all over the world but try their vegie burger that is new i heard - but don’t quote me the next time you are there - and yes they still have the metal rock music there.   There are also more than one Hard Rock Cafes in Japan now - in fact there are 8 I heard.  So if you are in Japan - don’t worry about missing out on Western food - just head to the nearest HRC.  Good luck !

StarBucks Japan With LCD TV

One would think with Japan being so high tech and having one of the largest electronic stores there - an LCD TV inside Starbucks Japan wouldn’t be a bad idea right?  I had written a comment on one of their comment card many years ago - but i see they didn’t take me seriously at all.  But look out for their flavor of the month for this summer - dark mocha & orange Frappie.  Yums!  And if you are wondering about prices for some starbucks caffeine - check below.

One Short Ice/Hot Coffee of Starbucks Coffee in Tokyo is ¥290

One Tall Ice/Hot Coffee of Starbucks Coffee in Tokyo is ¥340

One Grande Ice/Hot Coffee of Starbucks Coffee in Tokyo is ¥390

Coffee Jelly Frappuccino  (Tall ¥480, Grande ¥530)

One thing about Starbucks anywhere in the world - the employees are all so chic and hip.  Don’t you agree with me?

LaQua

it is free to enter the La Qua at Tokyo Dome city - but you have to pay for the rides and the attractions. Opens from 11am - 9pm daily- the LaQua has many good food places to eat and the largest natural hot spring spa in Tokyo.   You have to check out their specialty stores and many games and rides to go on.  Move aside Disney Land - move aside Sanrio Land - this place is great for both adults and kids.

Tokyo Dome

Never heard of? don’t blame you - neither did i till i lived in Japan for 6 months for work.  Tokyo Dome seats 55,000 people max and home of the Yomiuri Giants.  The NBA, NFL games and other pro wrestling games are held here.  But what one should be interested in is the amusement park LaQua - that will be for another post.  But to get to Tokyo Dome - take the JR line and get off at Suidobashi station.