The Japanese women are known for their smoking habits.  In Japan, the women are the ones with the highest smoking rate in any other developed countries in the world.  If you are as surprised as I am, well, you are not alone.  I was quite shocked to see a lot of my co-workers in Japan smoking every chance they get.  You don’t even want to know where they go and smoke, what a waste . .i tell myself.. whenever i see one of them doing it.. especially when they all looked so pretty.  i hope they bought some good term life insurance for we all know what cigarettes can do to people.

Trust the Japanese to come out with ideas like these.. especially for the younger customers with shopping parents.  Parents of teenage kids can now leave them for a few hours .. since there is wireless connection for the Nintendo DS.  The kids can sit and enjoy their food and game. without being disturb.

So if you are in Tokyo.. you can get wireless internet from their 21 outlets.  Plus you can browse Mcdonald’s website as well as download trial version of games here.  Hanging out in McDonalds has now taken a new meaning for the kids.

I need one so badly..!! if you ever tried a takoyaki before (octopus balls).. you would know you have to  eat it again.  And like right now..! i would kill to eat one . .hahah!! ok ok.. i was exaggerating.  Octopus Balls or Takoyaki are very popular not only in Japan.. but most parts of Asia.  You can find it at food bazaars or any food fest. It’s also cheap .. to buy them.. so you can imagine.. making them on your own.. can be really affordable.. once you know how.  Kids will love it… a great snack for after school..and they can even help out.. with cooking it.  Easy peasy .. at $159 .. i think it is a good investment.

Yes.. if you think the anime.. and the pachinko is weird.. in Japan.. well.. what would you think of ice cucumber .. by Pepsi..?? Pepsi has prolly gone too far this time. .to cater to the local taste in Japan. I wouldn’t drink it .. will you ..?? I wonder how it tastes though.. muahahah!!

The Japanese are full of wonderful food..but their sweets are even more interesting.. not only are they good tasting.. they are good looking too. .and with loads of nutritional value. The above is called a Torayaki, the name of this japanese sweets (dessert - Wagashi).  Normally, i like the red bean fillings but this time.. i saw a Maccha (green tea) ones.. so i just had to try it. I am a big fan of maccha.. because it is said to have good for health.  But it didn’t taste as good as i expected it to be.

When one is in Osaka, you’ve gotta visit the Osaka Castle. Touted as one of Osaka’s most famous and unforgettable landmark, the Osaka Castle is well known for its cherry blossom season. Many people from all over Japan and other countries flock here to see the cherry blossoms.. in April. There is an admission fees of course.. i think adults pay like 600 yen.. if i remembered correctly. Don’t forget to take a picture of the cannon outside of the castle.

Noren are decorative silk-screened curtains used for centuries by the Japanese as door curtains, wall hangings and window curtains. Traditional noren are split down the center - allowing a person to pass through from one room to another. Commonly found also in japanese eateries.

These imported Japanese noren are true collectibles - many produced on premium Japanese cotton and hemp fabrics and depicting kabuki and geisha images taken from ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints. Their beauty and style suit most modern decor and they can readily be mounted and framed or used as wall hangings in addition to their traditional use as room dividers.

Absolutely great.. for the kids.. to bring this to school.. for their lunch. A wee bit ex.. for my liking.. but if it keeps the juice cool.. and the stainless steel inner insulating chamber not only holds the juice .. they do not retain the odor or flavor of other drinks. The high quality resin used to coat on the inside is the reason why this is not only safe.. but absolutely great for your kids.

The 100 Yen shops are just like our dollar store here.. but of course 100 Yen is about a 89 cents here.  It sells a wide range of products .. for 105 Yen per item.. and everything.. i mean everything in the store.  5 Yen is for consumption tax.  It’s a great store for both local.. and travelers.. on a budget.

They are just about at every corner in Japan.  From multi storey stores.. to corner stores in the malls and expanding rapidly.  Check out the 100Yen store Daiso Harjuku in Takeshita Dori which is said to be one of the biggest.  They do have alot of awesome stuff.. and i did buy alot here.. for souvenirs and even food home.

I’ve always wanted one when i was a kid. Now i can get it for my own kid.. i know she would love it .. ! The Hello Kitty comes with wings .. because she is an Angel in the clouds. The wand would light up during any incoming calls. Caller ID display shows the name and number of calling party and you can select the display languages such as English or French. At an affordable price of only $39, I want to relive my childhood again.