Erika Sawjiri actress of many tv shows with Fuji TV ..  and endorsing big brands like Pepsi, Sony Ericsson  & Kanebo, you wouldn’t not know her .. if you are a Japanese or a fan of Japanese stuff.. like myself.  And yes.. you heard right .. only 22 of age, she is getting married later this month to hypermedia creator .. who is 44 yrs of age .. Tsuyoshi Takashiro.  Looks like the engagement ring was specially designed for her by her future husband too.

Looks like the age difference didn’t deter Erika from falling in love with Tsuyoshi.. and in fact she feels it is a good match.  Of course, this marriage is highly different from those China brides or Russian brides or even Filipino brides .. who meets an old man online.. and jump onto the next flight outta the country.

And Erika has all her plans set to study graphic designs in Barcelona before returning to act again next summer.  With that said, don’t expect an all white kimono for Erika’s wedding, for she wants some roses in it too.  She chose a Japanese wedding .. just because she is japanese.  I can’t wait to see her in her wedding dress.

I was quite sad to learn from Hitomi-San today that my favorite Almond Cafe in Roppongi had shut down after 44 yrs in this location.  For anyone who had been to Tokyo.. you can never missed the pink color sign of the cafe.. right smacked in the middle of the business station of Tokyo.  The cafe is a year older than I am.. and is opened everyday faithfully from 9am - 5pm.

You can go in and have a snack/pasteries.. or asked for take outs, and don’t you worry .. even though they had been in business for so long, they are very modernised and uses  barcode scanners.  The queue is always long.. and you always see a crowd of people at the front door.. but don’t be intimidated.. because they are very friendly people inside. So the next time you and I go to Japan.. donch forget they are in their new location… a min away from their present location.. i’m sure if you ask anyone on the street.. they will know.

The cafe will relocate on Jan 9 to a store about one minute from its current location.The company that runs the Almond cafes was founded in 1946, and is said to be the first food and beverage business in Japan that handed out “oshibori” - moistened hand towels - to customers before they ordered.

I kid you not .. this ice bar was opened in 2006 and my girlfriends from Tokyo .. had called me and send me pictures of the place.. during the launched. At -5C, it sure feels like here right now.. without the windchill.  I heard from my g/fs that the interior was made from Scandinavian ice .. so i guess the japs are getting a little of Sweden in Tokyo. Have some vodka .. and enjoy hugging together in this freezing temperature.. may not be the thing for me..  but for the crazy  japanese .. heheheheh!! yes.. my g/fs.. they were gamed to try just about anything.

I hear that the bar was truly awesome.. to begin with .. with tables and floors all translucent.  I had asked the g/fs if they tripped.. because of that.. they laughed so hard at me.. saying that the floors weren’t made of ice.  They have some little alcove corners with sofa like seating. .. and lots of fur throws around.. it seems.. and some standing bar tables too.  Holds about 50 people at a time.. you only get to stay max - 45 mins.  I guessed 45mins of below freezing point is enough for most ppl.

There you have it.. Ice Bar, Tokyo.

Ok. .Miko - San and her friends can watch Gem of Life Episode 45 already.  I found the download link for it.  So head over to this blog and get it, I know this person will have the online version up soon.  Hurry! and go there and check it out.

Adulthood day is actually like the official day where one can start drinking alcohol and vote and anyone turning 20 between April 2nd the previous year and April 1st this year is entitle to celebrate it.  Also known as coming of age day, this is a Public holiday.

Different culture has different age for this milestone and generally it is 18 or 21.  To the Japanese this is a very important milestone because this one is a legal one.  While for others in different country, at the age of 16 one can drive and 18, you can get drafted and vote and also marry without parental consent and to be legally tried as an adult.  But for some places only at 21, you can drink alcohol.

As a japanese, you are considered an adult when you reach 20 yrs of age and what does one do when you reach adulthood and how does the japanese celebrate it.  Well.. many of these japanese will take part in ceremonies at the city halls, temples and even at the Tokyo Disneyland.  The gals are dressed up in colorful kimono and the men are dressed up in suits or tuxedos.  On this auspicious occassion, you see many of these pretty gals, all walking around in their finest.  I was very lucky to witness this occassion during my stay in Tokyo.

I hear from a co-worker in Japan that, it is quite a tedious event for those involved in the day’s event.  For example before the day arrives, the parents of the 20 yrs old will make reservation to have their hair and make up done professionally and photo taken.  In April, Japan can still be very cold, but the girls can only wear their kimono and some flurry stuff to keep them warm… while they go about their activiities. I guess the only consolation for these to be adults is to be able to meet with old friends.. and to drink.

Gem Of Life Episode 42 With English Sub For Japanese Friend is what i am looking for, so that Miko-San can stop bugging me.. muahhaha!!!  Usually i can find it at this blog and I will quickly checkif Miko-San is online or not, if not, I will post up a post for her here, so she can see it when she goes online.  You can’t imagine why my Japanese friend is a die hard fan of Gem of Life right?  That’s because her mother is from Hong Kong but her father is Japanese.  We met during my 6 months stay as an exchange student many moons ago and had kept our friendship going for 20 yrs now. Ganbate Miko-San, today is our 20 yrs anniversary when i first set foot in Tokyo, Japan for the first time.

Updated :  Miko-San and Hitomi-San, Gem of Life Episode 42 is ready for downloading.

The Japanese are definitely somewhat strange . .but very creative.  This is a Jury bra .. because it can be turned over.. and look like a balancing of something. .and represents the statue right outside the justice center. Made by Triumph of course.. and not sure if you can get it anywheres else.

Miko - San had been on msn asking if I found Gem of Life Episode 40 or not  . .now she can watch it at my buddy’s blog.  Head over .. Miko San.. Gem of Life Episode 40 with Eng sub can be found on this blog.

The Japanese are mainly Buddhist and believe in Buddha and you do see them at the temple a lot during the weekends or any kind of holidays.  And they are very much into the drinking of the holy water.. or washing your hands and face with the water.  What amuses me is .. you don’t see many people smoking near the temples.. but the Japanese are heavy smokers.. even the ladies.  I bet smoker life insurance must be really popular in Japan.  Unlike the Westerners, the Japanese take good care .. not to have smoke smell on their clothes.. and breath.  Now if only the people here could do the same… i would be really happy.  You see why i love my japanese friends so much now.