Japanese Popsicle

The next time you are in Japan - I urge you to try the Japanese Popsicle - they are really unique and quite colorful and they don’t taste bad either.

They make the ice cream the way the Japanese liked them of course - from red beans to milky white milk outside from Meiji.

Or the watermelon shaped Popsicle are refreshing too - kids loved this one.

The blue one tasted like mountain dew.

And of course the creamy type of soft ice cream is to die for when you are in Japan - from Lavender to roasted coffee and green tea - are the few common ones.  But i loved the strawberry ones - and the yam ones too.  They do have some really exquisite food in Japan - even the ice cream and popsicle.

Outdoors In Japan

If you think that Japan is all about sushi and shopping - boy ! are you wrong.  My girlfriend who is in Japan permanently is doing more outdoor stuff than when she was in the West - and she had photos of her going for white water rafting, atv rides, snowshoeing and hiking and camping outdoors as well.  Just the other day - she wrote to me asking me to look for atv winches for her - as well as hiking stuff.  So if you are heading to Japan - you may want to try doing one of these sports if you haven’t - they are quite fun.   As for myself - I haven’t done any of it in Japan - like most people we go shopping and eating in Japan - and enjoying the scenery - but I would love to go for an atv ride - or white water rafting sometime.

Ice Bar In Tokyo

I’ve not been to the Ice Bar in Tokyo - but there is one - so if you are in Tokyo - don’t forget to give it a try - it’s an experience alright - if it is anything like the one in UK and Stockholm - a 45 mins visit - should keep you really cold and a nice drink after you pay up 3500 yen.  I loved the colorful drinks that they served and if I am not wrong it was - 0 degree down there.  For those who love the novelty - why not eh.

Missing Japan’s Food

I have been missing real japanese food for months now - and been thinking of visiting Japan again.  But as you all know - going to Japan is going to be really expensive - so some savings need to be done.  And after checking on my insurance quote on  Wholesaleinsurance.net and saving some on my insurance this year - I might just have enough to go - for a week.

I would definitely  not mind eating all these again.

A visit to my favorite sushi bar is a must - and like I said - it’s not going to be cheap - so I’m glad I’m paying less for insurance and have more money for food hunting in Japan for my Japan vacation.

And of course - a visit to the longest sushi bar in Japan is a must - Kaitan I think that was the name.  You see what I mean by needing to spend more money than most places I’ve been to?  The spouse told me - you can do whatever you want - but make sure our insurance is intact and that it is paid before you go anywheres.  So yes!  I luck in - by finding Wholesale insurance - I get to compare rates before buying my insurance - that way I can get the cheapest - why pay for more when you don’t have to right?

Traditional Hotels In Japan

There are many kind of hotels in Japan - but even the most expensive ones will not give you the exact traditional feel of Japan till you’ve stayed in a Ryokan - a traditional japanese hotel - also known to as a B & B in the West.  Each ryokan is unique in their own ways - but most are beautiful with flowers, trees and shrubs all around the property  - some hanging on iron s hooks - while others are just potted around the ryokan.

Some even have an open air spa - like the Asaba Ryokan in Shuzenji Izu Japan - but this is a luxury ryokan and of course - it’s not cheap.  But most ryokan like the Asaba are pretty old and handed down for generations.  All of these ryokan - or traditional hotels are very personable and clean and comfy and all of them served breakfast - lunch and dinner.

Most ryokan have hot springs - not all but most - and I loved it so much - it was definitely an experienced for me.  The hot spring water is so good for your skin - so I’ve heard.

This is another Ryokan in Hakone  - it is called Hotel Senkei  - this place have a very nice hot spring.  And in all the ryokan that I’ve been to - they always provide you with a yukata.

I’m not very good sleeping on a tatami mat - truth be told - I rather a modern bed - that’s my only dislike of a ryokan.

Kyoto Famous Tea House

Famous for its tea since the 1900s - this teahouse called the Kaboku in Ippodo in Kyoto is a must to visit and not as gloomy as it looked from the outside.  Tea making workshop is also available here - but if you want to have a piece of cake and some good tea - here is the place.  It’s bright and modern inside - well not exactly modern - but nice and japanese modern.

Matcha

tea setting

Sumo Show

I found pictures that was taken many years ago - when I was still living in Japan for 6 months while working for a hotel chain in Asia.  i remembered vividly - how excited i was when my co-workers told me that got me tickets to see a real sumo wrestling show in the sumo stadium called the Kokugikan.  I had never seen a sumo wrestling show before - so I wanted to take lots of pictures and experienced it for myself.

It was a full house night that night and the banners on top of the stage - was the Japanese sumo wrestling association thanking the patrons for filling up the seats.  I saw many tourists and foreigners like myself - and my co-workers were very kind to explain what was going on during the whole event.

I wished we had better seats but for $50 - you can’t really asked for a lot.  The capacity for the stadium was said to be 10,000 - and it sure looked like there were that many people there.  Taking the subway to the stadium is not difficult at all - check with your concierge - and I was told not to book a tour - it’s a waste of money.  Don’t forget to visit the Sumo Museum while you are there - entry is free - but so small - not really worth going - but only my personal opinion.  But I did have fun - even though I didn’t really understand all those huge men trying to throw each other down.

Toy Store - Blister

Massive figurine toy store - in Shibuya - check it out.  So if you want to carry Yoda or Darth Varder home - this is the place to be.   Anime fanatics will be right at home at this place.

Driving In Japan

I learned very quickly that driving in Japan is quite different from driving in Canada -  for one - it’s very busy in Japan and the roads are quite packed and jammed up during peak hours.  I don’t know how truck drivers in Japan do it - but they sure know how to maneuver the truck - for I’ve seen a couple do it so well.  In Canada, it’s easy to find a  trucking gps system and even though in Japan they have some gps system - they are all in Japanese.  So if you are thinking of buying a GPS system in Japan - you better check about the programing.

In Canada - the roads may be uneven - but at least you don’t need to worry about having no space to turn around or stop in case of emergency because in Japan - if your truck breaks down - or you need to rest - there is absolutely no space for you to stop your truck or car.  Driving in Japan is certainly not easy - I’m just glad I’m not in Japan - but in Canada with my GPS system.

Veggie Menu In KFC Japan

This woman was a bikini model - and she sure don’t look 34 !  now if only i could look this young.  But I guess all Japanese woman are young looking and good looking.  Anyhow - lets get back to KFC having a Veggie Menu - so I read on the internet today.  I don’t know how it would work - but I guess everyone wants to be as healthy as they can get - but for those who’ve eaten KFC before - you would know that it is greasier than our Western counterparts.  So these next generation KFC stores will have a veggie menu for those who wants to stay healthy but yet eat KFC?  hmmm… wonder how it is going to work.