Saint + Japan = <3

San-X rhinestone goods

2009-06-30T22:48:00.001-05:00

Have you checked out all the cute new rhinestone items from San-X? Deco is big in Japan now, and I guess San-X would be silly if they didn't cash in! Haha. I think the deco computer mouse with rilakkuma is extremely cute, but a bit steep for me at 3990Y.I could afford this Cat with white socks deco seal, I think it would look awfully cute on my DS which is also black and red.Sorry that after this

The Hikawa maru in Yokohama

2009-05-19T17:15:00.004-05:00

Back when I was living in Yokohama, I often passed by the Hikawa maru, and I didn't know a thing about the ship until I decided to do a bit of research today.The Hikawa maru was built by the Yokohama Dock company and was launched in 1929. Her first voyage was 5/13/1930 to Seattle, US from Kobe Japan as a cruise ship. Because of her lavish art deco interior she was referred to as the "Queen of the

Snack Review: Meiji Meltyblend

2009-05-15T12:45:00.002-05:00

Today I am snacking on Meiji's Meltyblend Fruity Strawberry メルテイーブレンドフルーテイーいちご flavor. I had heard about this chocolate on various Japan related blogs, and decided to try it out when I saw it on the shelves at Mitsuwa. This is a seasonal item, for the winter as evidenced by the snowflakes adorning the package. I got this awhile back so I can't say for sure if it's around anywhere now.There was a

Snack Review: G Fresh cola flavor

2009-04-26T21:41:00.007-05:00

For this next (long over-due) snack I have decided to introduce G Fresh gummis in cola flavor. Cola flavor gummis were a favorite of me and my ex-bf, and actually there's a couple different varieties to choose from in Japan. This type is covered with a slightly sour sugar coating.The inside is very mildly sweet, and once the initial sourness of the coating subsides, it becomes sweet and works

Snack Review: コーヒービート

2009-02-01T20:09:00.004-06:00

I first tried Coffee Beat last month while I was in San Diego, I picked it from the Japanese market Mitsuwa. In the past I never really like coffee or coffee flavored foods, but since my last trip to Japan when I ate some coffee flavored caked (to be reviewed later) I acquired the taste haha. I bought a mix bag of Coffee Beat, Apollo, and Choco Babies and bought a small tube of the Coffee Beat

Snack Review: まるでバナナパン

2008-11-22T13:23:00.014-06:00

This bread has the "real taste" of banana, and it's almost like eating a banana only much better and less healthy! ^^ The outide is very smooth, as if it is coating with something the way melon bread is coated. Besides being smooth, the outside is very cute and cleaver with it's banana spots! And as you can see by the picture the inside is very soft, and formed in soft little layer. The texture

Day 13 - Tokyo and Ikebukuro

2008-09-15T09:42:00.004-05:00

Day 12 - Asakusa, Odaiba, Yokohama

2008-09-14T09:40:00.004-05:00

Day 11 - Akihabara

2008-09-13T06:13:00.003-05:00

Day 10 - Yokohama

2008-09-12T06:29:00.006-05:00

Today we went to Yokohama, I was pretty excited to go back to Yokohama since that's where I live last year and as such it holds a special place in my heart despite the bad memories. We took the train from Shimbashi and it's about a 25 minute ride. It gets quite packed at peak hours so avoid them if you can, or grab a seat. When we arrived we quickly left the station via the west exit (I think),

Day 9 - Harajuku and Akihabara

2008-09-11T04:10:00.006-05:00

Today was a day I wanted to get some shopping done! So I picked out some stores I wanted to visit in Harajuku, I had been wanting to go to the Daiso in Harajuku since I went to the one in Seattle. I also wanted to go to UNIQLO UT and buy some shirts. When we arrived in Harajuku the weather was a bit cloudy and there were not so many people as the weekend so it felt much more comfortable.The

Day 8 - Shinagawa and Bic Camera

2008-09-10T19:20:00.004-05:00

Last time I was in Japan I ate at TGI Fridays in Yokohama with Shouma. Being someone interested in america/american food he really liked Fridays and wanted to eat there again this time. I suggested we go back to the one in Yokohama but for personal reasons he didn't want to so we decided on the one in Shinagawa. I had never actually stayed in Shinagawa longer then it takes to transfer trains so I

Day 7 - Ikebukuro and Sunshine City

2008-09-09T07:16:00.006-05:00

Today we went to Sunshine city, also a place I was looking forward to alot! We got an earlier start today so we got to the subway at 10am. When we arrived in Ikebukuro Shouma showed me some of the west side before we went over the the east side when the Sunshine City is located. When we got to the East side we went into the Parco and Seibu departo looking for some sunglasses for Shouma. I got a

Day 6 - Shimbashi and Odaiba

2008-09-08T09:56:00.006-05:00

The breakfast provided by Toyoko InnToday I went to visit Odaiba, I wanted to visit Decks and AquaCity and just see a place I had never seen before. We left a bit later then usual, at 12, and it was very hot! We needed to change trains at Shimbashi and Shouma suggested we walk around Hama Rikyu garden since we already there. It wasn't the best day for strolling through a garden however. There

Day 5 - Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza

2008-09-07T08:57:00.004-05:00

Today I had plans to meet up with a friend to walk around Harajuku with, however we ended waiting in different spots and missed each other completely. The heat was very bad, but still there were many people hanging out in Harajuku. I hung around the station for about 25 minutes before I turned around and decided to head to Ginza. Some harajuku fashionBefore I got to Ginza, Shouma took me around

Tokyo Day 3 - the Imperial Palace

2008-09-05T04:02:00.005-05:00

Today I woke up about 7am and went to eat the breakfast provided by Toyoko Inn. They have croissants and a savory type of bread. Shouma wouldn't wake up early so I went and eat by myself, it was kinda fun to be the only white girl amoung many Japanese business men haha. I didn't bring my camera so I don't have a pic of the food, but I will get one tomorrow. When I went back to the room I ate half

Tokyo Day 2 - arrival in Nihombashi

2008-09-04T05:22:00.005-05:00

Today I left my room at Holiday Day Inn Narita, I headed back to the Narita Airport and ate breakfast there. I had some zaru soba and a piece of stewed egg plant. Both were really good and I was really good so I forgot to take a photograph haha.I got to the Keisei express platform at about 11:30, and it was a pleasant ride passing many farms and small towns. Here is a short video from the ride,

Arrival in Tokyo

2008-09-03T06:42:00.005-05:00

So today I arrived in Tokyo at 4.30pm local time, an hour ahead of schedule luckily. I rushed through passport control and customs since I didn't check any luggage. Then I meetup with my...boyfriend, I guess I can still call him that for now, haha. We got on the free bus to Holiday Inn Narita, it arrives at the # 16 bus stop every 20 minutes during the afternoon hours. The ride to Holiday was

Exploring the neighborhood

2008-08-10T22:30:00.004-05:00

With the launch of Google street view in Japan, you can now explore all the great sights of Tokyo. I found this to be especially useful when locating my hotel in Nihombashi. I'm going to be staying at the branch of Toyoko Inn in Hamacho, a residential area. So now I can take a nice tour of my soon-to-be temporary home in Japan. I'm glad there's plenty of conbini within walking distance and a

Snack Review: Riska Corn Potage chips

2008-07-23T14:17:00.007-05:00

I bought this snack on a whim just to try a new flavor that I never actually tried in Japan. I had noticed corn potage fairly often in Japan, but I was never really sure of what it was. I assume its some sort of corn soup, as pictured on this package.Anyway this product is a puffed product, so it has a texture similar to puffed cheetos, but softer. It still has a crisp, but not a crunch haha. It

Waves & Rocks

2008-07-22T22:51:00.003-05:00

Something from Umi no hi

Snack Review: LOOK premium chocolate apricot flavor

2008-06-17T16:34:00.018-05:00

This review is coming in very late, I'm not sure why I had put it off for so long, but better late then never I suppose. Today I am reviewing LOOK premium filled chocolate apricot flavor. I bought these at a local shop that sells cute goods from Japan and Korea. They have a tiny section of snacks, but often have things that you can't find elsewhere (in MN) my mom choose this from their

Creating Dreams - Osaka hosts

2008-06-11T19:45:00.006-05:00

The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love ThiefNumber 2, Owner and Number 1If you haven't seen The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief, but have an interest in the slightly odd facets of Japanese culture and nightlife I say it's high time you give it a look.Official synopsis - The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief introduces an extraordinary hidden world of

Tragedy - 7 killed randomly in Akiba

2008-06-08T10:07:00.009-05:00

Today, Sunday, A 25 year old man, Tomohiro Kato from Susono Shizuoka, was arrested by police after he drove a rental van into a group of pedestrians on Chou-dori in Akihabara. This area was closed for vehicle use. He then exited his car and began to stab bystanders. Totalling in 10 injured and 7 dead including 5 men aged 19, 20, 29, 33, 47, 74 and one 21 year old woman.For more information on

Kumamoto City View

2008-05-27T00:21:00.002-05:00

From inside a car!

Name Change

2008-04-24T14:23:00.003-05:00

Well I finally took the time to make a new banner image. I'm not sure how I feel about it, I like the colors and the pictures, but it doesn't feel very punchy or has any pizzazz. Oh well I will keep thinking about it.I have a snack review I've been meaning to do for 2 weeks now or so, I really will try to get that written up before the end of April. I feel kinda bad, I had 10+ entries for Feb.

Hotel View

2008-04-20T18:20:00.004-05:00

This is the view from the hotel that Shouma works at. Lovely, right? And he told me last night one of the members of SMAP is staying there. Which one, I don't know because he didn't want to tell me anymore about it after I said "Who cares? It's just an old dude." haha

Strap Overload

2008-04-08T15:20:00.010-05:00

Well I have few insatiable desires in my life, but one of them is the strong need to horde Japanese cellphone straps or keychains. Yes straps and keychains can easily purchased here in the US, but the designs... they just lack that certain something. Japanese straps and keychains are so cute, well thought out and there are just so many designs! There are straps for every conceivable character,

Pretty in pink

2008-04-05T00:21:00.003-05:00

Well I have been in a slump of sorts, I'm just not really sure of what to write lately. My next trip to Japan keeps getting pushed back further and further. Without being able to write anything based on first hand expirence I feel kinda...like I'm not contributing much with my blog.I have plans to change the name of this blog from Saint in Tokyo to Saint + Japan. I didn't end up staying in Tokyo,

Akihabara 2nd only to Kabukicho

2008-03-26T11:06:00.010-05:00

And we all know what Kabukicho is known for (no not that) - crime! Akihabara has risen to the 2nd most dangerous place in Tokyo due to the recent surge in weapons related offensives. The most common crime is extortion at knife point, aimed at the geeks who call akiba home. This has given rise to the term "Otaku-hunting". Another popular varient of this is called "maid-hunting" in which the

Milk flavor made me fat!

2008-03-24T21:17:00.003-05:00

Well what do we have here? Why it's Tohato brand Caramel Corn snack! This is a lovely snack encased in a cute package. The snack itself is similiar in texture to the Cheetos brand puffed snacks (not the hard crunchy ones) and has a nice sweet flavor. The original Caramel Corn is supposed to taste like caramel, thus it's name, but I'm not sure how caramel it tastes as much as it tastes sweet.

Ancedote for Easter

2008-03-23T11:57:00.006-05:00

Now really Easter and Japan have nothing to do with each other, but I thought a little story that is related to Easter would be appropriate for today. Well many people know about Peeps, they are a sugar coated marshmallow Easter treat that is shaped like rabbits, chicks, eggs etc. Well Shouma always likes to try American candies and I thought 'which is the most unpleasent candy we have?' - Peeps

Manner Police are on Patrol!

2008-03-18T09:00:00.008-05:00

Well this recent article caught my attention on the Mainichi daily news because it had Yokohama written boldly in the headline, so I surfed right over. The basic gist of the article is Yokohama is now employing a senior aged crew of 11 manner police, which will soon be released to work on the subway's afternoon routes.All the manner police will be escorted by subway attendants in case things get

I lived in Honmoku

2008-03-15T22:51:00.001-05:00

When I was living in Japan I stayed in an area of Yokohama known as Honmoku near the Sankeien garden. Honmoku is a very nice and pleasent area centered around a main street with shops along it. The main attraction I would say is the MyCal complex. I was looking at photos of it today and I wish I would have taken some photos myself because there is a real luck of them on the internet.The nicest

White Day

2008-03-15T09:31:00.009-05:00

Back in Feburary I blogged about Japanese style Valentine's Day, and now here we are a month later (so fast! I can't believe it) and it was just White Day on March 14th. White day was invented as a day for the man to return the favor to the women and give her some chocolate. Really it should be white chocolate, or perhaps marshmallows, because it's White Day and thats why the National

Cosplay Eikaiwa, Sign me up!

2008-03-14T20:31:00.004-05:00

Imagine it, you are working your cushy teaching English in Japan job. But now imagine doing it while dressed up as Naruto, Haruhi, or Amuro Ray. Pretty sweet huh?Well now you can really be doing it!Tomohiro Suzuki is founder of the Akihabara located Cosplish, a cosplay eikaiwa. I can't imagine anything better for all those anime obsessed gaijin seeking a job. Not only can they live in Japan, now

an Empty Road

2008-03-13T21:58:00.001-05:00

I like steak, I like hamburg!

2008-03-12T22:52:00.020-05:00

So whenever I happen to ask a Japanese male what his favorite food the answer often includes steak or hamburg, or both! I've never been a real big fan when it comes to red meat, so I just generally don't include it in my diet. But when living in Japan with a man who everytime you ask "What would you like to eat?" answers with an enthusiastic "Steak!" it becomes a bit difficult to avoid. The only

Award for Tommy Lee Jones

2008-03-10T22:36:00.001-05:00

Have you seen the Suntory Boss canned coffee commercial series featuring Tommy Lee Jones? Well if you haven't I would suggest surfing over to YouTube and searching for them, it's just a delightful little ad campaign!In the commercials Jones plays a coffee loving space alien who comes to earth to investigate it. In each commercial Jones is doing or working some traditional Japanese activity

My First Bento

2008-03-09T21:46:00.007-05:00

Well tonight I put together my first bento ever, yay!It did require a bit of work however. I made a fried rice and gyoza bento with hard boiled eye and orange slices. I spent a good hour or so getting everything together. So I really hope I don't find everything shifted around tomorrow haha.I'm not sure if this is really the most low calorie obento, but I tried to keep it low by using less oil,

Food Torment

2008-03-07T20:41:00.006-06:00

Who likes being woken up by a picture of a melon pan with Relax Bear on the package and the message "I'm eating melon bread. haha!" Well me thats for sure. >

Big snow

2008-03-05T22:35:00.004-06:00

This constitutes as a big snow in Kumamoto, hehe.

Write up: Hakkeijima

2008-03-04T12:52:00.011-06:00

Well this is my first writeup for my trip last Nov-Dec. Its rather late, but I just didn't seem to be in the mood to write any blow by blow recaps of my travel adventures. I got in the mood for it after visiting some other very nice blogs that featured many pictures and nice explantions of their activities. I became nostalgic for Japan and decided to go ahead and do some write up even though they

Kinda like chemical warfare

2008-03-03T14:04:00.005-06:00

The most recent event in the Sea Shepard Conservation Society vs. the Japanese whalers has a bit of a terrorist like feeling. Today the SSCS harrassed the whalers by throwing bottles of rotten butter and slippery oil on the decks of their ships. The rotten butter, besides causing a terrible lingering stench, also releases the chemical Butyric acid which is an irretant to the skin and eyes.A crew

Art Museum Trip

2008-03-01T20:00:00.005-06:00

Well one of our local art museums around here had a Japanese art exhibit as their traveling/special exhibit. I went with my mom to check it out, sadly it was mostly screens and kimono. The kimono were lovely, don't get me wrong, I was just expecting something a little more well rounded I guess.Also annoying were the sheer amount of older people, who didn't seem think it rude just to get closer

Plathora of Pan: a list of Japanese breads

2008-02-28T20:13:00.008-06:00

Okazu pan: any pan with a savory fillingCurry pan: this is in the Okazu category. Curry pan is filled with a thick, paste like version of Japanese style curry and is fried.Croquette pan: filled with deep fried mashed potato.Yakisoba pan: a long roll filled with fried noodles and pickled ginger.Spaghetti pan: similar to yakisoba pan, except with spaghetti!Mentaiko pan: filled with marinated

Conbini Food, Oh Oh!

2008-02-27T14:16:00.024-06:00

I'd have to say, by far, one of my favorite things about Japan is the food. Possibly that's the reason I gained about 4kg in Japan. And the fact I visited a conbini every 3rd day didn't help much at all.Well for those who may not know, conbini or konbini is the Japanese term for convenience stores. Conbini happen to greatly differ from their American counter-parts in the sheer amount and variety

Waiting in Ueno Station

2008-02-25T12:49:00.006-06:00

Book Corner: Confessions of a Yakuza

2008-02-20T15:51:00.002-06:00

I recently finished reading Junichi Saga's book entitled "Confessions of a Yakuza"I have to say, I found this book down-right delightful. The basic premise of this book is the recounting of Ichiji Eiji's life and rise as a Yakuza during the 30's and 40's. It is written as a dialog between and to the Doctor, as the author, and at time's it feels as though Ichiji is telling you directly the

Another Poisoned Product

2008-02-19T14:07:00.010-06:00

I'm sure by now that everyone has heard of the 10 people in the Kanto region had been poisoned by gyoza manufactured in China.Well today frozen food company Takamatsu recalled 19 products processed on June 5th at two Chinese factories in Shandong Province. Poisoned frozen mackerel was impetus of the recall. The mackerel had been tainted with a pesticide apparently called "dichlorvos" and were

Onsen in Snow

2008-02-19T12:13:00.007-06:00

Japan FAQ

2008-02-15T20:40:00.004-06:00

Well honestly I was in a bit of a bad mood when I came up with this post, but I really want to post it as it amuses me so. Basically these are some questions that come up quite frequently on forums about Japan and sometimes I think they are just so silly. So please enjoy them, and know I am not trying to tease anyone, it's just some fun.Q: "I am _____ inches/cm tall, will I stand out in Japan?"A:

Giri-choco and Vday

2008-02-14T10:44:00.008-06:00

I think anyone who has interest in Japan probably know a bit about Japan's version of Valentines, but I will give a quick summary of it before I talk more heavly about it.Basically Valentine's Day in Japan is celebrated by girls and women giving chocolate to men. There is no boys giving to girls, and no classmates passing around paper greetings.There are levels of chocolate too. Honmei-choco (

Girl Bars

2008-02-13T19:26:00.004-06:00

So what business is giving Hostess bars a run for their money? Girl Bars of course.The basic concept of Girl Bars is you pay to talk with the cute girl bartenders. Typically you'll get in on a 1500-2000yen cover and then you'll be forking over 800yen per drink. For this low price you get the opportunity to talk casually with adorable young girls. Better yet, since girl bars are bars they can stay

Planning ahead

2008-02-12T14:09:00.004-06:00

I really enjoyed my last trip to Japan, which was my life-long dream, and now here I am planning my next trip to Japan. I honestly never thought I would make it there once but I am really happy I have the oppertunity to go there again.My tentitive dates for travel are within the last two weeks of may or the first week of June. Thanks be to the government in this case as I will be funding my

Gyudon Tonight

2008-02-11T21:48:00.002-06:00

Ah, one of my true loves from Japan - Gyudon. Today I thought, well I like gyudon so much and I can't just walk down the street and eat it at Suki-ya anymore so I might as well try making it. I reached some recipes on the internet and ended up using This One.Well it turned out tasting alright (besides the dashi releasing an eye watering stink in our kitchen, perhaps I will talk about the smell

Mt. Aso in the Distance

2008-02-11T21:45:00.004-06:00

Snow in Kumamoto

2008-02-02T12:35:00.004-06:00

Yesterday Kumamoto recieved a light dusting of snow, I'm not sure how much of Kumamoto actually got snow but I can safely say Aso City was white for awhile.Everytime it snows in Kumamoto Shouma makes sure he tells me asap. It seems he wants me to be sure that Japan gets snow too, like Minnesota. Well not like Minnesota so much haha.I never got to see snow while I was in Japan, I know the time

Tanuki

2008-01-31T20:02:00.005-06:00

Here is a short movie of the Tanuki in Ueno zoo. The sad thing about Ueno zoo is that all their enclosures are so small and out-dated. However besides the usual animals you see at zoos they had some interesting animals from Japan and other places I had never seen before.Ueno park is a nice place to visit, I hope next time I go it isn't dark and cold. But besides the park, Ameyoko-cho and some

Photos from my trip

2008-01-14T16:56:00.004-06:00

Well I'm back in the US again.The sad thing was I had unreliable internet access (locked with parental controls no less) at my place in Yokohama. Thusly I wasn't able to update at all.Now I've pretty much lost any interest in writting up a report.So please take a look at my pics from Japan!!Also feel free to browse the pictures at my Flickr album Here!!

Small update

2007-12-10T23:49:00.001-06:00

Haha, Its been so long since Ive written anything...Its kind of hard to know what to write now!Well I have had trouble accessing the net so thus my lack of updates but I have done many wonderful things! Living in Japan is very interesting.Ok I will talk about today then:First I went to the Volks Show Room in Yokohama, its really close to the west exit of Yokohama station so its not very hard to

Countdown

2007-09-23T03:29:00.002-05:00

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Plane Tickets

2007-09-22T23:26:00.001-05:00

Well I can say it's official: I'm going to Tokyo.I have my plane tickets which are non-refundable and cannot be canceled so I had better be ready to get to Tokyo on Nov. 2nd. This is my first flight alone, not to mention to a foriegn country. So I decided non-stop was the way to go, even though it cost a bit more.With plane tickets out of the way there are plenty more things to take care of, but