Aerosmith Japan Tour 2011

For those who wants to catch the Aerosmith Japan Tour 2011 – you still got a few more days before the tour ends.  The band started their tour in Japan in late November and has 8 dates to their concert and tomorrow the legendary band plays in Nagoya – Japan.  Aerosmith bass player Tom Hamilton  was said to have bought a special Fender Precision Bass for this tour and why not right?  since his first bass guitar was a Fender Precision – one that he borrowed from a friend – so he said in an interview and he later bought it from his friend.  Of course, now he doesn’t have to buy it from a friend nor borrow a Fender Precision because he can afford any Fender Precision Bass.  Anyhow, it’s an honor to be able to see this legendary band play – so for those who are in Japan – go see them – in Nagoya or Sapporo.

Cosplay In Japan

Cosplay in Japan is a huge thing – from kids to adults – and if you think that Japan is a conservative country – you will change your mind once you’ve seen this.  They gather around Tokyo – from harajuku to Jingu Bridge – that connects to a shrine in Meiji.  But having said that – you can also see come cosplay in Akihibara.

There are many cosplay cafe in Akihabara – fans of cosplay goes there to see cosplay waitress serve them.  They are also known as Maid cafes.  But be careful which Maid Cafes you go into – because some of the waitresses are quite skimpy dressed.

These cosplay folks love the attention – and if you have a camera – they will post for you.  I’ve heard that some don’t like pictures taken – but I’ve never come across them.

Cosplay is not cheap at all – as you can see here – the Japanese takes them seriously and wear everything to detailed.

Very colorful cosplay costume here.

Kids may be a little freak out by the costumes but we loved it.

Disney Hotels

For those who’ve been to any disney hotels you know that you would love the ones in Japan too – I’ve compared the ones in Japan to the ones in USA – and they are definitely from the same brand of hotels.  From the restaurants to the service – to the room decor and furnishing plus not forgetting the cute mickey mouse toileteries.

My kid loved the toileteries so much, she asked if we could buy some home – which we did – but we didn’t need to buy them – the housekeeping department was so nice – they gave her some to take home.  The hotels service was good – and the restaurants were definitely catered for children.

Look at the Mickey mouse pancake and you will see how thrilled a kid can get in the morning for breakfast – and even for a fussy eater like mine – she woke up the next day – and dressed up in a hurry to have her mickey mouse pancake again.  We always have a good time in any Disney hotels – be it in USA or in Japan or anywhere around the world.  I’m glad we stayed within the Disney grounds every time we are in Disney for a vacation.

Choya – Japanese Green Plum

One of the desserts I missed a lot from Japan is the Japanese green plum dessert – also known as the Auome.  Found in most confectionery or cake shop in Japan – these are just exquisite.  Made from Japanese green plum of course – it’s very tasty and not too sweet nor sourish.

I was actually introduced to these Japanese green plum thru’ these choya drinks and fell in love with it.  If I ever go back to Japan for a vacation – I would buy a dozen of these  to share with people here.

Hilton Tokyo

Hilton Tokyo is definitely a great hotel to stay when you are on vacation – we stayed for a few days when I first arrived in Japan and it definitely was expensive – but worth it. Located near Shinjuku – so it’s a great location if you are on vacation and doing a lot of shopping.

I loved that the bed was huge – and if you look at the windows – you would know that you are in Japan – I really loved the way the window folds – to block the sun.  Compared to the Hyatt Hotel – the Hilton seems to have bigger rooms.

Like all hotels in Japan – the bathroom is a wee bit small – but still very nice.

A view from our room.

From the Hilton Tokyo – the subway is about a 10 minutes walk – a good stroll for us – that’s for sure but some folks like to use the complimentary shuttle provided by the hotel.  The hotel staff were all very nice and very professional and speaks well in English – so you don’t have to worry if you need any help within the hotel.

Meticulous Work With Japanese

If you’ve been to Japan – you know how meticulous japanese are – whatever they do – in regards to eating – preparing food – wrapping of presents and even with presenting a report or giving a speech – everything is done so professionally – one has got to admire them for being so meticulous.  Although, we cannot be compared to the Japanese work ethic – I know that we could use a report designer for our report presentation to our bosses which I had picked up when I was working in Japan.   But it’s not only the Japanese who worked with report designer now – here in the West a lot of us – use the report designer now – for all our business presentations and other sales report.  I’m happy that I’ve learned all the good stuff from my Japanese co-workers in Japan many years ago – and was able to bring this knowledge home with me.

Deepavali In Japan

I didn’t think they celebrated Deepavali in Japan – but they do – in fact in Yokohama – with such a diverse multicultural residents – it was only too easy to enjoy the celebrations with our other Indian friends living there.   Deepavali – or Diwali as they called it – is the festival of lights.  In Japan – they have the street celebration and lots of Indian food you can purchase to try out.  They also had dances and Bollywood songs that they dance to.  Diwali is celebrated in October in Yokohama.

Health Plan For Spinal Injury

My girlfriend who’ve migrated to Japan many years ago – is coming back to the United States because there is no health plan for spinal injury in Japan to have her surgery done in United States instead.   In fact, she prefers to have it done in America because now there is this laser spinal surgery which is said to be less invasive – and I cannot agree with her more.  If she needed to pay for that spinal injury/surgery – she might as well get it where she knows she is in good hands and less invasive is definitely best.   She said she can get back to Japan sooner than she she would have been – if it was done in Japan.  So I’m looking forward to hearing all about her laser spinal surgery, it can be hard if you are living in chronic pain from the spinal – I do have a little pain – not chronic – so I can understand what she is going thru’.

End Of Obon In Kyoto

I was in Japan, Kyoto to be exact in August one year and learned of a festival that was celebrated in Kyoto with intense.  This festival I heard was all about the ancestors of the Japanese people who they claimed will be visiting them during this Bon festival. At the end of the festival/celebration – up high in the mountains – 4 mountains if i am not wrong – they have these Japanese words placed and a bonfire lighted to show the word – big and a few other words that I cannot remember now.  Street lights are turned off – so that people can see the bonfire from the streets.  It’s a massive turn out if you are in Kyoto – so sometime in August if you are in Kyoto – this is one festival you shouldn’t missed.

Dango

I do not recommend the dango if you have caps or fillings in your teeth – because they can be so chewy and hard at times – your caps or fillings may come off while trying to chew it.   Dango is made of flour and it can be sweet or savory – so you can choose which type you want to pick and try.  Dango comes in different colors too – and they are like candies to the kids – till they try it.