Cool Cloths

These disposable wet towelettes are the best thing on a hot Tokyo day.

The "Ice-type" has a bit of menthol and keeps the cool feeling for quite a while.  The Biore Powder Sheets are made for the face.  They are damp and have no fragrance.  The little bit of powder really does take the shine off a sweaty face and I love the way it gives a matte finish too.

Never tried these before and not one has even recommended these despite my complaining about the heat and humidity.  Perhaps it's a well-kept secret among Japanese women?  Not any longer.  I've been using them ever since I came back to Honolulu.  Our summer is lasting through September and these cloths really make a difference.  Can't be taking a shower several times a day!  Must keep these at my desk when I go back to work.  Freshen up after walking out to pick up lunch in downtown at the hottest time of day!

Didn't eat this....just looking

Tokyo Midtown is a a relatively new office/retail complex in Roppongi.  Have no idea what this building and grounds replaced but it's huge, with a train station in the basement.  It's filled with several floors of shops and cafes and even a dog grooming salon (Green Dog).  The rest of the skyscraper must be offices.  It was the week before Mother's Day and all the shops were featuring temptations aimed at your/our guilty feelings regarding mother.  These strawberry cakes and macarons sure looked yummy.  While our friends were in the sake shop, I was drooling at these pasteries.

Eating our way around Tokyo

 This is the famous waffle shop, Manneken.  Yes, pronounced like "mannequin".  Last year Susan and I followed a wonderful smell to a tiny shop in Kyoto Station.  We were transferring trains and couldn't resist.  Hot off the iron, crunchy and not too sweet.  Love at first bite.
So this year we tracked down this shop on Ginza 4-chome.  Got cookies to bring home and taste-tested a creme-filled version.  Can't beat the original, plain.  I wonder if there is always a line; this was Sunday, Mother's Day.

Ameyoko-cho is what I think of as "shita-machi"  old town Tokyo.  Stalls selling all kinds of foods, fresh meats, fish, produce, clothing, shoes, luggage, sundry items, etc.  Crowded and noisy; an assault on the senses but great fun.  Luckily, I had the rolling cart, which was soon stuffed with goodies!

Re-purposing a Japanese Nobori

Many years ago, a friend gifted me with this vintage Nobori.  It hung outside in my back yard until I decided that I wasn't enjoying it because I couldn't see it
(lightbulb) It was getting thin and brittle so in handling it, I tore a section.  Not wanting to waste any of it, I turned it into a modified Noren...now I see it all the time and I remember fondly, Mike, who was a japanophile.

Summer Handbag from Japan

During my recent trip to Japan, I kept seeing these furoshiki-scarf-handbags.  From Tokyo to Kyoto to finally Hiroshima; I had to get one.  It is a very clever idea and practical too.  Took me a few days to catch on that this bag is perfect for travelling, it is flat and both the fabric and the handle are reversible.  It is a single layer of cloth, not two pieces sewn together.  The handle is a nice firm/stiff band and is very secure in hand.
Now I wish I had purchased the larger size too.

Found a source for the handles on Etsy.com.  Did a search for "furoshiki handbag" and there was one seller.  Their scarves seemed too lightweight for my purposes.  But the handles are leather and in solid white, tan and red.  Am anxiously awaiting the handle's arrival.  I have the perfect "nobori" banner to make into this bag. 

Day 5: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto

Going by train is such a civilized way to travel.  Our departure was early in the morning (7:30am).  Being Sunday, the station was empty and we had Green Car reserved seats.

The Shinkansen (bullet train) is so smooth-riding and fast!  There are rarely any bumps even though I could hear the train wheels on the tracks.  It glides so smoothly but does have a little side to side sway. The Japan Rail (JR) trains and system are notorious for running on schedule to the split second!

Arrived two hours later in Kyoto; before lunch and check in time.  Kyoto has somewhat of a casual vibe compared to Tokyo.  Since we couldn't check into our hotel, we stored our bags in lockers at the train station and took a local train and then a local bus to Mizu no Mori to see water lilies and lotuses.  Not lotus season yet! But the lilies were in bloom.  This was a healing and relaxing day.  The local bus wound through the outskirts of Kyoto and wherever there was space, a rice field was planted.  The homes are just like those seen on TV.

I was inspired to put colorful, seasonal plants outside my front door.

Back in the city we walked to Sanjodori shopping arcade.  This connects to Teramachi and many, many other covered arcades.

We met Susan's sister Nan and her  husband Ed, at Katsukura tonkatsu restaurant for dinner. 

Toyoko Inn is a cute little hotel, just right for overnight.  Breakfast in the lobby was perfect for us, onigiri, tsukemono and miso shiru.  Susan made a good observation that this little hotel caters to women by the following indications:

• Welcome packet of useful items, hairband, shampoo, conditioner etc.
• Breakfast provided in lobby
• Women clerks at Front Desk



Let the Adventure Begin-- to Hiroshima, Japan

As I age, time does seem to fly by; maybe the earth is spinning faster???  Made it through another Legislative session at the Capitol.  This one had me working harder and learning many new things.  I even got to enjoy reading bills and began to understand the state procurement process!  How's that for crazy?

As a reward and to decompress and detox, I am traveling to Japan this month.  My good and patient traveling friend, Susan has planned a fabulous: 3 days in Tokyo, 2 days in Kyoto and 4 days in Hiroshima.  Having not been to Japan in 17 years, I have been anticipating this trip for the last month during the waning weeks of the session.  It was the 'carrot' that kept me going through those long days and nights. 

It is also another campaign year and the usual fundraiser, sign waving, brochure writing and walking the district is waiting for me when I return.  But for now, I will escape to a foreign land.

My Bow Wow micro Bistro blog is finally got a look.  The logo is finished and the "branding" will now begin.  (Watch this space)