http://www.akiodesigns.com In The Land Of Sushi Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:35:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en While everyone associates pearls with Japanese ladies - this year the  teardrop beads are commonly seen amongst the younger generation and the trendiest for the lot in shinjuku.  Every Japanese that I've come across are always so well-dressed and absolutely well maintained and they may not have gone for facials ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/01/latest-fashion-trend-in-japan/ I've always loved the new part of Japan but loved the old ones as well.  The old buildings in Japan fascinates me immensely - my mom used to say that I should have been an architect but I can't even draw a straight line - so not good being an ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/01/old-meets-new-in-japan/ Photo credit :  Tokyofashion.com Valentine's Day  in Japan 2012 is very popular in Japan but this is not just because you get chocolates, flowers and gifts - because in Japan, they celebrate it differently.  Now like I said before on Valentine's day in Japan - it's only the women who give ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/01/new-for-valentine-in-japan/ Located at 154 Noboribetu Onsencho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido 059-0592, Japan - this is an Onsen actually - a hot spring Onsen to be exact.  It has an indoor and outdoor onsen. The outdoor hot spring were called, sulfur, salt and iron hot spring. Rooms were nice and spacious but please keep in ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/01/noboribetsu-grand-hotel/ New Hankyu Hotel Osaka is located at 1-1-35 Shibata, Kita-ku Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-8310 Japan - and most people I'm sure chose this hotel not because the rooms are pretty small but because it's a hotel that is near a bus station that takes you directly back to the airport.   ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2012/01/new-hankyu-hotel-osaka/ While I missed the pool and bbq parties back home where the children can play around the pool safely because of having swimming pool fencing. We can do this here I mean the pool fencing  - but since it is Winter, no one will be having a pool party here.   ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2011/12/pool-party-for-christmas/ Remember the movie - The Grudge?  yup that one !  if you are into that kinda movie - then you have to go for the spooky tours in Tokyo - or was it called the haunted tours?   Entrance is at 3000 Yen and you have to take off your shoes ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2011/12/spooky-tours-in-tokyo/ We stayed at the Ryumeikan Hotel for only 2 days - and when we first booked it - we didn't really think that it was a boutique hotel - looking at its picture - but we were quite wrong.  The entrance of the hotel was quite plain as you can ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2011/12/hotel-ryumeikan-in-japan-tokyo/ Beppu famous for its onsen - it's a must to visit when you are in Japan - and one of the must visit attraction in Beppu is hells!  yes!  not literally but this volcanic lake is so hot - you an boil an egg in it I hear.  There are ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2011/12/ocean-hell-umi-jigoku-beppu/ So I have a lot of American girlfriends who are married or getting married to Japanese men - now why is that so I teased them ?  but yes ! it's not uncommon these days - so many Canadians and American women go to Japan for exchange programs and many ... http://www.akiodesigns.com/2011/12/getting-married-in-japan/