2012/12/31

Tsukiji Outside Market

December 31, the last day in 2012.
Is this year good for you? Or you want to change something in the next year?
Well, whatever on your mind, I wish you happy in the freshly, brand-new next year.

Today I went to Tsukiji Outside Market, for buying salmon roe, my special dish for tomorrow.
Tsukiji Fish Market has outside market where open for the public. There are fish shops, vegetable shops, sushi restaurants, groceries in narrow lanes.

beautiful tsukiji hongwanji temple with indian architectural motif,
which locates next to tsukiji station.
you can visit to this temple before go to tsukiji market.

2012/12/30

Fly to England-6 (Cotswolds-2)

Famous Cotswolds, famous Bibury.
A guide book said "the most beautiful village in England".

tourists from around the world gathered in this small village.
most of their activity is taking a photo!
it was a simple joy in this beautiful village.

2012/12/24

Tokyo Midtown@Christmas

Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, Tokyo.
One of the famous Christmas illumination spot in Tokyo.
Every year I visit to see this beautiful & fascinating place...

starlight garden in tokyo midtown.
illuminations start 5 pm, so it's better you arrive at midtown around 4 pm.
it's not so early, because really crowded and difficult to get this garden.

Tokyo Disney Land@Night

Today is Christmas Eve!
So, I wish Happy Christmas for all of you.

Do you have any special plan for today?

Tokyo Disney Land offers their special event "Christmas Fantasy" until 25th December.
Hurry up everyone!

twinkling christmas tree

2012/12/23

Fly to England-5 (Cotswolds-1)

On the 5th day, we started a day with delicious English breakfast.
Bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, black pudding, hush browns, baked tomatoes...
Eggs, bread, pastry.. fruits juice and tea. yogurt, fruits....

It's really enough for us!
Actually it's needed to start that day, because we had plan to visit to Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury!
Beautiful Cotswolds was waiting for us! So we charged energy by full-English-breakfast.


every morning we had English breakfast like Sherlock Holmes and Dr.Watson.

2012/12/19

Fly to England-4 (Chester-2)

One of my interest during my staying in England is watching show windows.

In Chester, I found a sweet shop. Colourful candies, chocolates was packed in pretty boxes and displayed. It was a real-"Honeydukes" shop! Even I didn't have an opportunity to enter that shop, still, I was so happy to watch lovely show windows.(No opportunity to take some picture too... just passing).

I'm so sure that visiting sweet shops will be my happy-to-do-list for next time in England.

Well,  another treat. There were many fantastic scene in this old town.

of course I love cake!
which should I choice for today's delight..

2012/12/16

Fly to England-3 (Chester-1)

On the 4th day, we were in Chester. Since I have had a kind of romantic images about this city, I felt so exciting to come. Such as castle, city wall, cathedral... pretty small shops... historical buildings..

And it was true. I could feel it and luckily we could have time to walk around this town.

angels in the cathedral.
I just felt so happy to meet them.

2012/12/14

Fly to England-2 (Lake District)

On the third day in England, we were in Bowness, Windermere. First, we visited to "The World of Beatrix Potter", and then to "Dove Cottage & The Wordsworth Museum". After lunch, we moved to Chester. We stayed at some hotel in Mollington, Chester.

early morning, after breakfast,
in the hotel's garden next to a lake.
we enjoyed freshly chill air!

2012/12/09

Fly to England-1 (Stratford-upon-Avon)

It was early November, I was in England with my mum.
12 hours in the sky, the time difference between Tokyo and London is 9 hours.
After such long time flight, we arrived in London, and then got on a bus to Stratford-upon-Avon.

guy fawkes night, near hotel@stratford-upon-avon
Stratford-upon-Avon

2012/10/28

From an Attic

Every time when I enter my apartment room, I feel like as if I am "A Little Princess".
Do you remember Sara Crew in "A Little Princess"? I really loved that story when I was a little girl.

In that story, little Sarah lived in an attic because she didn't have any money after her father died in India.

My room is on the 5th floor and last floor of this apartment.

now princess sarah have a bed.

Thank You!

A few days ago, my friend sent me an e-mail, she said: "I read your blog. Oh, it's so funny, you really took a photo of your toilet!?".

Yes, yes.. because I was so impressed with my apartment's really small toilet!

Even the toilet is pretty-little-sized one, what I feel right now is.. gratitude.

Feel like someone helped me with an invisible hand. Maybe it's my father in haven or angels who always with me.. or.. whoever.

this was wednesday's sky.
near my work place, around 5 pm.
I took lunch 4:30 at that time.



2012/10/21

First Step in my Apartment

It was Saturday, I came to my apartment with a pounding heart. Because there was no elevator?

Oh, No.

I had my lunch and hot tea in bottle, my bicycle in front of the building.. perfect.
Stairs to 5th floor.. it's ok.

I had my room key. It was the first day in my apartment room! That was the reason why my heart was pounding.

Well, let me open the door and introduce my place!

entrance from a corridor

2012/09/23

IKEA on Saturday

I have signed for an apartment. Now technically I can say, my old-lovely small room with a view apartment. 2 weeks later, I will have a new room key in my hand.

Many things I must to do, such as a notification of change of address in many places, an application in many places and shopping!

Well, I went to IKEA Funabashi Store.

3 minutes from JR Minami-Funabashi station,
near huge shopping center, LaLaport Tokyo-Bay.

2012/09/17

Lunch@A Small Place

Do you love to go to Ramen Shop?
Oh, I love to... but the problem is, ramen is one of high-calorie foods! Some diet-advisor says, you may enjoy ramen noodle but better not to eat ramen-soup!

When I found this cheese-tonkotsu(pork bone broth) ramen, I soon realized it was really difficult not to enjoy ramen soup.

Well, I just gave up.
Enjoy Ramen, both noodle and soup!


white snow like cheese on ramen!
miso-cheese ramen, 900yen@tukumo ramen

2012/09/07

A Small Room with a View

Today I went to see an apartment room. 1 bed room, 1 tatami-room, kitchen and bathroom. About 15 minutes by walk from the nearest station, 5 minutes from a beautiful sakura park and a super market.

It was built in 60's. The rent is low and the room is on 5th floor, no elevator!

A very old apartment, but it has a nice view and environment.

Take it, or Not Take it?

I have one week...


from bedroom's window.
this apartment reminds me the apartment where I spent my childhood.




2012/09/02

A Compass in Your Heart

Today I saw rainbows. It was long time ago since I saw a rainbow last time.

It was just so beautiful, then I called my mother  and brothers. We watched fantastic rainbows for a while.

yesterday, blue moon, today, two rainbows!


Today I decided to look for a new apartment. It seems take time until get it, but I never worry about it. Because I know I will get it.

You know, we all have our own compass in our minds. It means we know where we can find our happiness.

If you feel you are in confusion, just concentrate your mind and then ask to yourself.

"What make me happy?"

"What do I love in my life?"

I know many things make me happy, such as beautiful scenery, nature sounds, lemon glass and verbena scents, freshly camomile tea.. working, reading, traveling, painting...

Because I believe angels always with me, sometimes I feel angels say something to me.

They say, "Believe what you love and you know you should take which way".

A way which make you happy.



2012/08/26

Last Sunday in August

Still hot in Tokyo....really hot this summer,  there is no sign autumn is coming.

I enjoyed this weekend, first, I went to see a dentist(oh no...),  second, went to see an angel therapist(oh yes!) and then went to my favorite Ginza.

On Sunday my brother made lunch, iced lemon tea(fantastic!) and garlic buttered toasts while I went to buy sushi for dinner.

summer, summer, summer!

2012/08/22

Lunch In Odaiba

It was Friday. Since I got to work on Sunday, I had a day-off on Friday.
So, what should I do to make that day more lovely?

I decided to go to Odaiba for special lunch with my friend!

Odaiba is a small island on Tokyo Bay, it takes only 15 minutes by Yurikamome(monorail:Shimbashi to/from Toyosu). Yurikamome is one of my favorite transport in Tokyo. Feel like "walking on the sea",  I can enjoy exciting view from window! There are unique buildings in this area, such as Fuji TV Building, Telecom Center, National Museum of Emerging Science and so on. At evening, a night view from Odaiba is really beautiful.

shimbashi station for yurikamome

fuji tv building

lunch buffet at grand pacific le daiba.
5 star resort hotel in odaiba.
star road dining & bar(30F)
3,950yen for weekday,
4,750yen for weekend.
I booked via internet.
You have 2 hotel choices in Odaiba, Grand Pacific Le Daiba or Hotel Nikko Tokyo.
Both of them make sure for your special occasion.

a view from "star road".
rainbow bridge(center)
hotel nikko(near side building)

2012/08/18

Ready For Travel!

Vacance on November.  I got to work during this really hot and humid week while most of people had summer holidays "Obon"... a Buddhist festival to recognize ancestor's or family's who had passed away spirits.

But I am still happy. Because I have time to imagine how to make my trip more wonderful and to prepare for it.

On Saturday last week I went to Ginza to survey a new suitcase and other travel goods. My favorite, MUJI Yurakucho is always good choice for me. 3 minutes walk from JR Yurakucho station or 7 minutes from Subway Ginza station, MUJI offer simple and good design clothes, stationery, furniture, kitchen goods, groceries, cosmetics, travel items, and much more!

muji yurakucho, really easy to access.
why I love muji? because they offer my favorite colours,
black, gray and brown for all of their products.
And don't miss Cafe MUJI.

ginger ale and custard pudding.
these are amazing!

3rd floor is for interior and furnitures.
I love to watch these silver stainless storage boxes from cafe.

cafe muji is a self-service cafeteria.
For reference, I also went to RIMOWA Ginza, they offered summer's limited colour, white!
So cute, so nice...

about 3 minutes from muji.
rimowa ginza.

I headed to Ginza station and met many people stopped ant take photos  LOUS VUITTON's show window!

louis vuitton offers collaborate products with artist, kusama yayoi.

imagine red polka dots louis vuitton bags!
it's so pretty!

Well, my plan is..
I will order via internet, MUJI's gray hard carry case before sold out, or I might buy it tomorrow after work!


2012/08/12

While Watching Olympic Games

I have enjoyed watching Olympic games for 2 weeks! It's so amazing!
But the problem is, I also have been really busy at work, and I needed to watch olympic games at every midnight.

Well, for me, the most impressive game was female football final. The game between JAPAN and USA.

I just want to say thank you to all players, not only Japan team, but also USA team. Because it was amazingly clean game! The game less foul. They did their best. Good game. Even I hoped our Japan team.. Nadeshiko Japan would win.

I feel power if people do something they love. They don't care they will get something or loose, because they just do what they love. It's so simple. Because of it, even if they loose something, they never regret it or blame someone.

Since it's really fun if people do something they love.

You know, sometimes people do what they don't love in social life, because it's needed. So do I.

But my angel told me,

"Life is too short, Lia. You should do what you really love."

I think that's in their hearts, beautiful and brave girls at football game of final.




2012/07/27

A "Helter-Skelter" Movie!

Before introduce Erika Sawajiri's new film to you, it's better to share some information about her.

Erika Sawajiri, born in 1986, actor and singer, played heroin "Ririko" in "Helter-Skelter" movie.
She has started her carrier as model at first after she graduated elementary school.
Then she appeared in TV drama in 2003.
In 2005, she played the leading female role in "1 liter of tears"(TV drama) and in "Pacchigi!"(movie), and she got several prizes in this year.
In 2006, she started her carrier as singer.

In 2007, an incident made her well-known. It was happen at the movie premiere for a movie which she played. She refuse to give any comment in this opportunity to promote the movie, so the media criticized her.
After that, Erika was a kind of disappear from TV or a movie theater.

This "Helter-Skelter" movie is a first movie after long absence.
Based on a legendary Kyoko Okazaki's comic, Erika tried to show us her best acting in this movie.
People might be confused, Erika is Ririko or Ririko is Erika?
Both of them are similar. They are so pretty, challenging, and scandalous.

Directed by Mika Ninagawa, photographer, and a daughter of Yukio Ninagawa, colourful imaged her world will be shown.

I felt story was slow and redundant at some part of this film. but still, I think you can enjoy to watch this movie.

Erika is fabulously pretty in various colourful gorgeous dress in this movie.

"I want to see Erika!"

That's one of the reason that people came to theater, I guess.




2012/07/22

A Taxi Driver Despaired

It was in Iwaki city in Fukushima Pref.. I took a taxi at the Izumi station. Because I had a reservation for a small business hotel near Onahama port where has been damaged by earthquake and tsunami last year.

A cheerful taxi driver chatted.

"You will be surprised, Onahama port was repaired. Have you ever been to Aquamarine before? It is a very nice aquarium, we're very proud of it. Before earthquake and tsunami, people came to visit many times from all over Japan. I think a director of the aquarium is a really smart person. Oh, it's about 10 minutes walk to the aquarium from your hotel..."

This taxi driver also gave me a information about "Iwaki La La Mew" where people can enjoy shopping and dining. He said only 5 minutes walk from the aquarium.

a small single hotel room, 5,680yen/night.
book a room via internet.

a small and compact bath room.

breakfast includes.
simple buffet, rice, bread, pork miso soup, vegetables, soup, egg...
orange juice and coffee.

I had lunch at La La Mew.

uni-ikura don (a sea urchin and salmon roe bowl),
crab miso soup. 2,500yen.
yummy!
A cheerful madame served with smile.

"Hello! Come in, this counter table is ok for you? Where are you from? Thanks to come to visit Onahama...".

And also I was enjoy shopping! I bought an alfonsino at small fish market in La La Mew. There was a cheerful madame too in the market.

"This fish is really yummy! Very nice price too, only 2,800yen. This fish is usually sold with about 6,000yen in Tokyo. How many person in your family, miss? We can cut a fish. Transport to Tokyo? Oh, no problem. We run a fish shop, we know how to send fish to other area. Tomorrow you can eat this fish at home. Well, do you like clam? "

But the last person, this taxi driver was not cheerful, actually he was a little bit despaired.

"You know, today many people visit Onahama, but still they are only from Tohoku area. People from Tokyo never come to visit here, they think Iwaki city is too close to the nuclear power plant. People don't want to eat Fukushima fish, because they are worried about radiation. But fish constantly move, so how can we recognize which fish is from Fukushima? "

"Decontamination takes a lot of money, I'm afraid the government will not be able to afford it. Recently I tend to think, I live here or I will move to another place is same thing. People worry about radiation, but another different disaster can be happen in another place. I don't want to move and honestly I don't feel I need to move."

"I think everything is depend on each other's thinking. There is no clearly answer. Well, I always try to think simply, do not need to do in complicated way... but still, I'm really disappointed. If people never want to come, how can I make living? I'm a taxi driver...."

Before arrived at Izumi station, this taxi driver apologized politely, because he thought he made me uncomfortable.

People I met in Fukushima have warm hearted hospitality and I can say they are honest.
I have not clearly answer too.
But still, this is a good experience to visit Fukushima, to think about them, think about us, and think about our future.


at onahama port, iwaki city, fukushima.
"Anti-nuclear Friday movement spreads beyond capital"(The Asahi Shimbun)






2012/07/20

The Nearest Station From Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

When I checked a train's timetable book, I realized that I have never ridden JR Joban line. So I started to follow the line, how far can I get to by Joban line?

JR Joban line connect Ueno and Sendai(Miyagi Pref.), but Hirono- Haranomachi, Soma- Watari, these 2 part(Fukushima Pref.) have been interrupted since earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

I remember that day. Japan has changed since March 11, 2011. Many people couldn't stop to watch TV news that time.  I felt pain in my heart to watch suffered people on TV news. I wanted to do something for them, but only I could do is, some donation.  I have another reason why I still remember that day. That day is the last day that my father could walk by himself. He had never realized what happen at that time. Even after earthquake, he tried to insist to go to a bank. From one day after earthquake, he had spent time in his bed until May.

So I decided to go. In this time, I watch by myself not on TV. My plan is going to Hirono first, and then to Izumi where Onahama port and Aquamarine Fukushima locate.

I got on the Joban line's train from Ueno station. The northernmost station from Tokyo by Joban line is "Hirono" station, and this station is also the nearest station from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

Ueno- Mito takes about 2 hours, Mito- Iwaki takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Iwaki- Hirono takes about 20 minutes.

JR Joban line

to iwaki, fukushima

iwaki station building,
there is a small department store near the station.
next station is "kusano"

a train leave iwaki
only 5 people got off the train at the hirono station.

the train can't leave for kido, next station.
because kido is in the restricted area,
the train just go back to iwaki.

hirono station building.
a taxi was in front of the station.
a resident came to pick up his family by car.
no convenience store,
no cafe, no restaurant.

Residents of Hirono were forced to evacuate following the government designation April 2011.
Hirono town's administarative office was relocated. First to Ono, and then to Iwaki. (The Asahi Shimbun "Hirono town hall reopens for business in Fukushima")

Now people who left the town started to return, but most of residents still difficult to choose to return.

The problem is decontamination. JR Hirono station is still the nearest station from Fukushima nuclear power plant and also restricted area.



it's time to go back,
only 10 minutes stay at Hirono station.

the train left Hirono station and started to go back to Iwaki.

A view from the train was beautiful country scenery, but it was difficult to find people in outside.
It was silence. Silence in the town, silence of the people.
There was a sign that people returned, but still long way to "everyday life".


2012/07/16

From An Aquarium To The World

Aquamarine Fukushima, it is an aquarium which locates at the Onahama Port, Fukushima.
It was 1 year and 4 month ago, terribly earthquake and huge tsunami hit this port on March 11, 2011.
Port and aquarium were damaged, lost electricity, most of sea creatures were died, aquarium was forced to be closed for 4 months.

It was 1 year ago, Aquamarine Fukushima was reopened on July 15, 2011.

Aquamarine held small event during 14-17 on this month, people gathered to watch beautiful movie at the entrance of the aquarium. "The magic of the great blue" by Darek Sepiolo was showed under the night sky.

I love this aquarium, this aquarium is really beautiful. Aquarium stands port side,  a triangle water tank, fish in humid tropical garden with sound of waves and peaceful music.

It is so sad, people avoid to visit this serene port town because they think Fukushima is not safe place.
Onahama port is not restricted area. Nuclear radiation is always monitored.
People still live and work in this place.

Event which Aquamarine held said "Beautiful sea, we will protect it".

"Revive Our Oceans".

Can you hear their voices?

aquamarine fukushima, main building.
same as before earthquake and tsunami.

from the opposite side of the port.

in certain area of the parking lot, still under construction.

aquamarine's truck.



photos on the wall.

"ganbappe" is same meaning as "ganbarou"

Japan Coast Guard's ship was berthed,
mother and kid enjoy to watch the ship.