It’s Halloween tomorrow so suddenly I would like to jump to another place – Ishigaki Island in Okinawa which I have stopped posting a while ago but actually I haven’t finish writing it yet. (It often seems to have a long way to go for each place). Because Halloween is coming! So I guess it would be great to post something related which is chocolate!! Probably you have prepared lots for kids – trick or treat tomorrow! 🙂
If you have read my previous posts of Ishigaki Island (if not just click to the side bar), though it is a small island but lots of exciting things to do and eat! There are a few dessert places which I highly suggest to go after dinner or a place to chill. Unlike normal dessert store, it looks more like a magical chocolate factory to me! and interior looks like a scenery in Harry Potter!
When someone mentioned about Okinawa, it reminds me all about the lovely sea and all the great seafood and fruits as well! Continue from previous page, the 3rd Okinawa post would definitely introducing the yummy fruit tart in OKINAWA in OHacorate in – Urasoe shi. There are 5 branches in different location, we choice to visit the branch in Urasoe shi because it is located in minatogawa stateside town.
Just a bit background of minatogawa stateside town, as you may know from the history, due to the face that U.S military bases in Okinawa, hence there’s a minatogawa stateside town. It is used to be a hosting area for U.S members before returned to Okinawa. The lovely little houses had given a new lease of life which converted to lovely cafe, gift shops, wedding shops and restaurants. From the below photos, each of the little houses were repainted in various colours which resulted an ideal IG backdrop for tourist like me to check-in! 🙂
So let me bring you to one of the lovely cafe situated in the stateside town – OHacarte!
I can’t believe the previous post that I wrote was already a month ago!! LOL . I did posted this passage in my Facebook page but haven’t update it in here. Sorry guys! so here you are, today I would like to introduce the ‘MUST EAT’ in Okinawa – AGU PORK!
There’s always a few MUST EAT in different places while you travel. And… you definitely will follow what other bloggers / friends advice. Thus I would like to advice you the most famous food in Okinawa -Agu pork! As mentioned from other passage said it was originally from China! (What a surprise!) I’m from Hong Kong but never have a chance to taste this in China. Just a bit background of the Agu pork, people said the cholesterol compared to normal pork was 1/4 only and high protein as well!
Happy Chinese New Year! as a start of the new post in the year of Dog, I would like to introduce this amazing earliest Cherry Blossom that I’ve seen in last month, located in Okinawa.
When someone talked about Okinawa, what immediately pop into your head would definitely be the summer of amazing beach with perfect blue sky. However aren’t there can be more than that? Today I will bring you to the other side of Okinawa in winter. After you read this post, it might change your mind to go in winter rather than in Summer!
If you have ever seen the movie ‘Somewhere in Time’, this hotel looks like back to the 70s in the movie. It’s a movie in 1972 which I haven’t born yet. This is one of the timeless and the best romantic movie I had ever seen. So backdate from my last year end trip in Hokkaido – Sapporo. It was quite rush and we only have 1 day to stay in Sapporo. The weather is pretty bad and it even delayed our schedule. Hopefully I can stay longer next time. Lucky enough we picked the hotel which is the closest to Shinkansen, it takes only approximately 10 mins walkable distance.
When someone ask what’s the best in Tokyo? I would definitely say they have various cosmetic skincare products, great food and of course their famous pancakes! Unlike the western pancakes – a thin layer with maple syrup. I would like to introduce this lovely cafe offers pancakes that is super-fluffy and melt in your month instantly in Jiyugaoka 自由が丘- Tokyo.
A little background of Jiyugaoka before show you the inside of Flipper’s. Jiyugaoka is one of my favourite place in Tokyo. Unlike the cities, Jiyugaoka is a place where can ignored by the bustles and city crowds. There are lots of various cafes, restaurants and little shops in alleys. I love to spend my afternoon here almost 10 years ago with my boyfriend (my husband now!) while he was studying in Tokyo. There are lots of memories when I stepped here again after 10 years during my business trip! I love the ambience here, people walk slowly, relax and enjoy their time just sitting at the bench. It is a great place to chill with friends in the afternoon. Anyways, let me introduce this place in my next post and sure you will love it too! Especially it’s not far from Tokyo! (just 15 mins from Shibuya station)
Continue from my previous post of the Day Sakura, this post I don’t have much to write but to show you the night of blooming Sakura in Kawazu. As mentioned in the previous post, this was my first time visit in Kawazu and also seeing sakura in real life. Actually I visited the night sakura before the day time but I think would be better to show the Day one first as it give you a big difference from the night view. So here you go!
There aren’t many people (actually a few at the back), but since I arrived a bit late. Checked-in from Imaiso Hotel and just rush to the Kawazu station immediately after my dinner. As Night Sakura only last until 9:00 p.m! (you probably have to check out their schedule from official site) They will turn off the light so it’s impossible to take any photos. Lucky me I arrived at 8:30 p.m and I got exactly half an hour to record the beauty of night sakura.
I’m sorry I haven’t write any post since Mar due to my busy days in the past 2 weeks in L.A ! Of course I will share my L.A post later once I catch up all the post from my FEB trip in Japan and Bangkok! ahh.. it seems to take me forever!
Anyways let’s continue from my previous post of Imaiso Hot spring hotel. As mentioned this year, the cherry blossom blooming was a bit early, when I was there it was around 18th of FEB but base on last year, it’s a month earlier! Lucky me during my business trip, I can arrive 2 days in advance to Kawazu. Just a bit background of this place. it is located about 2 hrs 40 mins from Tokyo, each year of the sakura (cherry blossom) blooming period, many people come to visit from all over Japan. as it takes only around 3 hrs from city to a countryside to enjoy such a brilliant view. If you were the first time to Tokyo, highly suggest to take some time from Tokyo to here during this period and stay for a night. There’s not only cherry blossom but also famous onsen, some great sight seeing spot as well!
I have added this link below from the official site of Kawazu. The seven waterfalls of Kawazu is the most famous!
So the next morning after my delicious breakfast in Imaiso Hot Spring Hotel, I decided to go to Kawazu river for some nice shot of Cherry blossom in Kwazu river.Since there is free shuttle from hotel, it took me directly to Kawazu station within 10 mins! How convenient this was! Once arrived, there was a guy wearing the pink Japanese outfit guiding people to Kawazu river. Believe or not, it was my first time seeing Sakura in real! I can’t tell how excited this was!
The 2 Japanese statues in front of the station. It’s also a great spot for photos!
I didn’t plan where I should go but only walk along the Kawazu river as I knew the two sides are full of blooming Sakura! Once I crossed the road, not only sakura but also little yellow flowers along the street! I really love the combination of the pink and yellow! It formed a pretty live painting!
Each year during March to April, is the peak season of Japan’s cherry blossom. Many tourist and locals spend their time either to travel out town or in town to appreciate the beauty of the Sakura.
Throw back to my Tokyo business trip last month, I decided to arrive 2 days in advance to Shizuoka due to the blossom Sakura period in Kawazu. I made this last decision only 2 weeks in advance! I finally decided to go without accompany because I have never seen this in real life except in photos from friends. Since I made this decision very late and due to the cherry blossom peak season, there’s not much choice for hotels. Literally almost 98% were fully booked except this one – Imaiso which is quite convenient and only a station to Kawazu. Most of the hot spring hotel offers meals in the package if any of you have experienced, so it is not surprise this hotel do offer the same.
Before introducing this hotel, would like to tell you a bit background of Kawazu, it is a very small town located in the east coast in Japan with only approximately population of 7000 and a couple spot for hot spring. This year, Kawazu is the first place to have Sakura fully blossom in Japan and it is even earlier than last year. When I was there it’s around Feb 18 and it was suppose to be end of Feb! So guess what, I’m just on the right time and this is not really plan at the beginning! yea Bingo!
In terms of transportation to Kawazu, it takes approximately 2-3 hours by high speed train (Shinkasen) from Tokyo. I would highly recommend those who plan to visit this little city shall check the time table of the high speed train and buy the ticket in advance especially in a peak season like this! As the last train to there was 15:00 which was out of my expectation! I was supposed to take the high speed train to Kawazu however due to the delay of my baggage I had missed it!!! It finally took me 4 hours to arrive at 07:00 p.m at night (1.5 hours later than original time). Anyways, thanks God I was just on the right time to catch the night view of Sakura.
I was supposed to take this train however I missed that because of the delay of my baggage…sigh..
I saw this train high speed train heading back to Tokyo from Kawazu. I shall take this when I am back the next day.
Throw back to my previous Tokyo trip in Nov, we went to the Planetarium in Sunshine City. I marked this place for a long time when I heard Konica had launched this in Tokyo.
It is not only a theatre but it provides both educational / entertainment show with aromatic smells for healing experience. It is direct managed by Konica Minolta of the planetarium technology. You can enjoy and relaxed under the starry sky and aromatic smells. Because healing planetarium show is targeted for adult only, so small children are not allow for healing planetarium. So let’s see how it’s actually works.
NOTE ON LIFE WITH ME 11 