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.

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.

Originated in America, BilliKen is somewhat like a diety in Osaka and Shinsekai downtown area.  they say to touch its feet to bring you good luck.  Things as they are .. was what the statue represented i think.. something to do with the war .. and the american invasion some time in 1912.  So if you see one in Osaka, Japan.. take a picture.. don’t forget.  But note the the original one is made of wood and located on the 5th floor of the observation deck at the Tsutenkaku Tower.  The original Billiken in Tsutenkaku Tower is quite worn out .. truth be told.. and people even pen down wishes.. besides rubbing its feet .. like a few times.  It’s amusing to watch.  600 yen for a wish card.. to be hung beside BilliKen’s statue.

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.

Friends asked me all the time about the famous Love hotels in Japan .. and each time i tell them.. that they do exist.. and very popular not only with the tourist.. but with the locals as well.. they just can’t believe it.  No way..!! they said.   The japanese gals.. are so meek .. and conservative.  Muahahahah!!! wait till you meet them.. when they are vacationing abroad.  Most of my Japanese g/fs goes wild..!!!  i kid you not.  I love them a lot .. but you can never imagine.. how wild they get.. when they are out for fun.  For those who are not aware of this.. the Japanese girls.. love the darker skin men ..  truly i tell yer..  they have some sort of fascination for them.  No idea why.. but they just do.  My g/fs visited me in Singapore.. and  they ALL got hooked up with the malay boys back home.

The Japanese are a great bunch.. but they do love their animes and Hello Kitty a lot as you can see here.  This is found in a love hotel in Osaka. Adonis Love hotel.  But having said that..  Love hotels in Japan are not only for those who wants a quick romp in bed with their lovers, it is a place for being romantic even with your legal husband and wife.  Why i hear you asking.. and scratching your heads.  Well.. in Japan land is really precious .. therefore it is not surprising to find someone living with their in-laws.. and their grandparents-in-laws.  So to be romantic.. at home, it can get quite impossible.  Therefore, sometimes couples choose to go to these love hotels.. and pay for them for a few hours.  To them .. it is not a Love Hotel .. it is a Rest Hotel.  Couples typically stay for a few hours.. because the wife/girlfriend.. like to relax after the romp and most Love Hotels .. cater to this need for the men with big screen tvs.. dvd players and even video games.  Have i been to any love hotels..?? you are prolly asking..??  No price for guessing it right.. hahah!!!

Souvenir stores like these in Tokyo Disneyland are aplenty.  These one not only sell cute souvenirs.. they also have  promotional pens to those who visit their stores.   And these kinda stores are usually swarmed with visitors that arrive at the Disneyland.  If you are wondering why even on weekdays, DisneyLand is still crowded, it is because the Japanese comes from all over Japan and visit this Disneyland.  So they are technically on holiday as well.

Japan has their own Disney Land & Sanrio Land, therefore when my Japanese friends are in the US, whether for vacation or for business,  I recommend visiting the  best water parks in New Jersey instead.  It’s different and it’s new to them, and absolutely loads of fun. If you know the Japanese friends I have, you will know that they are into anything that is called fun and filled with excitement, they can’t stand boring stuff.

They have rides for just about anyone at any age group and you can check out their season passes and weekly specials.  For those looking for a beach vacation with the whole family, young and old included, Jersey Shore beach vacation is the best getaway and I really recommend it because it’s one of the largest amusement piers in the world. Kiddie rides, roller coasters and the seaside amusement park are the places where the kids never want to leave.

And don’t miss the snake slide & boardwalk attractions while you are there, you can order your season passes and tickets online to give as gifts for this Christmas, I know my Japanese friends in NJ or in the United States would appreciate them.  It will be a vacation they can plan ahead and look forward to.  Ordering online is easy and secure, gift cards start from as cheap as $25, hurry now!

Many of you would know by now that I have been to Japan and lived there for 6 months with a host family - Miko san.  My host family is everything that a foreign worker like myself would be grateful for and they treated me so well that I’m still very much in contact with them even after so many years.  One thing you learn about a Japanese family (or any Japanese) is that they are the type of people who love quality things, not quantity.

Therefore whenever I look for a Christmas gift for them I make sure I get quality gifts, like this  pearl necklace I saw online.   These pearls not only symbolize purity but elegance and beauty and are affordable for gifts for friends and family.  You can choose from earrings, necklaces or even pendants made of pearls.  If you don’t know by now, pearls can be worn anywhere and on any occasion, you wouldn’t believe how many times my pearl necklace saved me from changing out of a working outfit to a cocktail one when I needed to entertain clients right after work.  If you are looking for any pearl jewelry as a gift this Christmas, visit The Pearl Outlet, they have something for everyone at a price range you can be comfortable with.  Shipping is made affordable here too, now that is awesome! And look at the gift box it comes with, I know Miko-San’s mummy would love it.

Sorry .. !! i couldn’t post up any more pictures about this Manga Museum.. Ghilbi because they don’t allow any pictures to be taken.  Bummer eh!  but the Museum was awesome .. and they did have some cool exhibits.  It was kinda magical for my kid.. and she really like the Totor Zoetrope with its 3D effect and the lights and all.

What a cute looking bus for the Ghibli Museum right..?

A museum that is interesting and which relaxes the soul
A museum where much can be discovered
A museum based on a clear and consistent philosophy
A museum where those seeking enjoyment can enjoy, those seeking to ponder can ponder, and those seeking to feel can feel
A museum that makes you feel more enriched when you leave than when you entered!

The sign that lead us to Ghibi Museum.  Their open everyday except Tuesdays and the opening hours are from 10am to 6pm.  Check out their Straw Hat Cafe while you are there.  Hayao Miyazaki is the Executive Director of Ghibli Museum.

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.