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	<title>Tokyo Kawaii, etc.</title>
	
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	<description>-Japanese kawaii fashion, kawaii shops, Japanese culture and more streight from Tokyo by a Japanese blogger!-　　 </description>
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		<title>I’m back from Gold Coast, Australia!</title>
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		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11131#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 May 2012 11:29:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11131</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finally, I&#8217;m home! I&#8217;m in Japan now and I can blog about what I found in Gold Coast during my holiday after my work. I was staying in Broadbeach. I actually liked it more than Surfers Paradise. I was staying in Meriton Serviced Apartment Broadbeach at a discount price, thanks to my local friend who [...]]]></description>
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<p>Finally, I&#8217;m home!  I&#8217;m in Japan now and I can blog about what I found in Gold Coast during my holiday after my work.  I was staying in Broadbeach.  I actually liked it more than Surfers Paradise.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/beach.jpg" alt="beach Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="beach" width="480" height="640" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11132" /></a></p>
<p>I was staying in <a href="http://www.meritonapartments.com.au/gold-coast/broadbeach/">Meriton Serviced Apartment Broadbeach</a> at a discount price, thanks to my local friend who found the great deal from a sort of last-minute booking site for me.  The room was quite comfortable to stay at, and the service was also great, besides the very convenient location.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" class='wp-smiley' title="Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" /><br />
<a id="more-11131"></a><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-studio-room3.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-studio-room3.jpg" alt="Meriton studio room3 Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="Meriton studio room3" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11133" /></a></p>
<p>The kitchen was equipped with microwave oven and dishwasher, although I was unable to use the dishwasher properly.  Well, you may not be interested in such information.  I like to see house interior, wall papers, furniture and etc&#8230;<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-studio-room2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-studio-room2.jpg" alt="Meriton studio room2 Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="Meriton studio room2" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11138" /></a></p>
<p>There was a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and gym inside the facility but I never used any of them.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-swimming-pool.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-swimming-pool.jpg" alt="Meriton swimming pool Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="Meriton swimming pool" width="360" height="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11135" /></a></p>
<p>It was nice the room had a balcony but unfortunately it was not very relaxing to stay there.  Maybe I&#8217;m not feeling calm when surrounded by the tall buildings.   The end of the street is the beach.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-balcony1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Meriton-balcony1.jpg" alt="Meriton balcony1 Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="Meriton balcony" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11139" /></a></p>
<p>I quite liked to go to Broadbeach, which was only 5 minutes walk from the apartment.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/broadbeach4.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/broadbeach4.jpg" alt="broadbeach4 Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="broadbeach4" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11140" /></a></p>
<p>There were many nice restaurants to eat in, but I didn&#8217;t because every meal looked too much for me.  I could share one plate with someone else, but I was travelling alone and I also didn&#8217;t have enough time to meet up with someone for a coffee after all.  One sandwich or some sushi rolls was enough to me as a meal.  </p>
<p>It was interesting I didn&#8217;t want food so much during my stay in Australia.  I was OK having 2 meals a day, without an effort.  I was supposed to <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/10946">experiment 1 meal a day</a> gradually by reducing from 3 meals to 2 meals, so it was good that I could live with 2 meals for most of the days there.  (But I&#8217;m not sure if I can continue this after I see yummy food in Japan!  I guess I missed Japanese cuisine a lot at the end of the day!)  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" class='wp-smiley' title="Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" /> </p>
<p>I really appreciated that a rolled sushi store was found at most of major shopping center.  Of course, the ingredients were not the same as what we can have in Japan, but I quite enjoyed them.  1 sushi roll cost nearly $3 (about 250yen), which was rather expensive thinking of the price we pay in Japan, but I did prefer sushi to kebab or pizza, after frequent sandwich meals.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/salmon-avocado-sushi-around-3AUD.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/salmon-avocado-sushi-around-3AUD.jpg" alt="salmon avocado sushi around 3AUD Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="salmon avocado sushi around 3AUD" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11142" /></a></p>
<p>I liked Broadbeach and the park next to it.  I saw many people walking dogs there.  It&#8217;d be so nice to walk there with Pi-chan&#8230;<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/park-next-to-Broadbeach.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/park-next-to-Broadbeach.jpg" alt="park next to Broadbeach Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="park next to Broadbeach" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11143" /></a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s so nice to have a city and nature next each other.  But I guess I like more big city that offers much more diversity of shopping and dining experience.  I&#8217;ve never been to Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, and Alice Springs in Australia, but I&#8217;ve been to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Cairns, and Gold Coast.  So far I think I like Perth the best.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/broadbeach.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/broadbeach.jpg" alt="broadbeach Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="broadbeach" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11141" /></a></p>
<p>This place in Surfers Paradise is nice, yet I prefer Broadbeach.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/surfers-paradise.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/surfers-paradise.jpg" alt="surfers paradise Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="surfers paradise" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11144" /></a></p>
<p>What a surprise!  I found <a href="http://www.global-sports.co.jp/brand/index.html">Temomin</a> massage salon in Surfers Paradise!!<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/temomin-in-surfers-paradise.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/temomin-in-surfers-paradise.jpg" alt="temomin in surfers paradise Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="temomin in surfers paradise" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11146" /></a></p>
<p>And Mos Burger!!!<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mos-burger.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mos-burger.jpg" alt="Mos burger Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="Mos burger" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11147" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pacificfair.com.au/">Pacific Fair</a> was also in 5 minutes distance from the apartment.  But speaking of shopping experience, I have to say it&#8217;s better to shop at <a href="http://www.robinatowncentre.com.au/">Robina</a> than malls and stores in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.  There was a bus to go to Robina Town Centre and it had more sophisticated shops compared with those in Pacific Fair or <a href="http://www.centrosurfersparadise.com.au/">Centro</a> and Cavill mall in Surfers Paradise.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pacific-fair1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pacific-fair1.jpg" alt="pacific fair1 Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" title="pacific fair" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11149" /></a></p>
<p>In the next post, I&#8217;ll share with you more on what I found in Gold Coast.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" class='wp-smiley' title="Im back from Gold Coast, Australia!" /> </p>

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		<item>
		<title>Sunrise seen from Gold Coast, Australia</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/U7Hty-ZVf6I/11119</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11119#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 11:07:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcement & Info.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is the sunrise I can see from the house I was staying at. You can see many buildings, that&#8217;s Surfers Paradise. It was taken around 6:30 or slightly before that in the morning. It&#8217;s so nice to start up a day with sunrise like this! My work ended earlier than expected, and so I&#8217;m [...]]]></description>
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			<a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftokyokawaiietc.com%2Farchives%2F11119"><br />
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<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sun-rise2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sun-rise2.jpg" alt="sun rise2 Sunrise seen from Gold Coast, Australia" title="sun rise2" width="640" height="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11120" /></a></p>
<p>This is the sunrise I can see from the house I was staying at.  You can see many buildings, that&#8217;s Surfers Paradise.  It was taken around 6:30 or slightly before that in the morning.  It&#8217;s so nice to start up a day with sunrise like this!  </p>
<p>My work ended earlier than expected, and so I&#8217;m returning to Japan earlier than planned.  I have a few days off to explore Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach before I go back to Japan.  It&#8217;ll be when I settle down in Tokyo that I can finally write more about what I found in Australia.  I&#8217;m going to be busy exploring the area, shopping souvenirs and chill out at the beach.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Sunrise seen from Gold Coast, Australia" class='wp-smiley' title="Sunrise seen from Gold Coast, Australia" /> </p>
<p>What kind of Japanese cuisine do I miss?  I miss Ramen badly~~~~! :p<br />
Cheers,<br />
Kirin </p>

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		<item>
		<title>Grocery stores in Japan</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/dO0zrSvjq-E/11045</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11045#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 11:03:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japanese foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grocery store Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supermarket Japan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11045</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Let me remember how groceries were priced in Japan. Now I&#8217;m shopping groceries in Australia, I find some things can be even more expensive than purchased in Japan. For example, I felt the salad bag is too expensive here. 1 bag is about 500yen? Well, maybe the bag is 5 times bigger than the equivalent [...]]]></description>
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<p>Let me remember how groceries were priced in Japan.  Now I&#8217;m shopping groceries in Australia, I find some things can be even more expensive than purchased in Japan.  For example, I felt the salad bag is too expensive here.  1 bag is about 500yen?  Well, maybe the bag is 5 times bigger than the equivalent product in Japan.  That&#8217;s possible&#8230;:p</p>
<p>One thing for sure is the prices certainly went up in general, compared with the time I was travelling around this country during 1999-2000.  It&#8217;s not too much to say that the prices are almost the same or even expensive than those in Japan.  Time has changed&#8230;</p>
<p>The following pictures were taken randomly in the local supermarkets near my apartment in Japan.</p>
<p>Bagel&#8230;1 bagel costs 119yen (tax included).  I really hate that bagels are expensive in Japan.  I know I can buy them at COSTCO, but <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/7879">my life is not compatible with it</a>. <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt="icon sad Grocery stores in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Grocery stores in Japan" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/grocery-store-Japan-1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/grocery-store-Japan-1.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 1 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-1" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11046" /></a></p>
<p>Natto&#8230;1 natto (with 3 packages) costs 88yen.  It&#8217;s pretty cheap!  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Grocery stores in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Grocery stores in Japan" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/grocery-store-Japan-2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/grocery-store-Japan-2.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 2 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-2" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11047" /></a><br />
<a id="more-11045"></a><br />
Tea&#8230;TWININGS Tea (20 tea bags) costs 399yen.  I found the tea bags sold in Australia are slightly bigger than ours in Japan.  Ours is designed for 160ml of water or something (not sure) but here it is designed for 220ml of water or something.  I guess 1 cup is bigger here.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Grocery stores in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Grocery stores in Japan" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-3.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-3.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 3 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-3" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11049" /></a></p>
<p>Rice&#8230;1880yen (5kg) and 3580yen (10kg).  In Australia, I eat SUN RICE that is about 500yen for 2kg.  Unexpectedly I don&#8217;t really miss Japanese rise so much.  It was good to know that it doesn&#8217;t have to be Japanese rice, as long as it&#8217;s a tasty rice.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-4.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-4.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 4 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-4" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11050" /></a></p>
<p>Japanese styled curry roux&#8230;178yen.  It was surprising that I found Japanese curry roux at a general supermarket (<a href="http://www2.woolworthsonline.com.au/">Woolworth</a> or <a href="http://www.coles.com.au/">Coles</a>) in Australia!<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-5.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-5.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 5 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-5" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11051" /></a></p>
<p>Cabbage&#8230;350yen (whole) and 178yen (half).  Sometimes quarter size is also available when the supermarket targets single or small family customers.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-7.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-7.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 7 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-7" width="360" height="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11052" /></a></p>
<p>Sashimi&#8230;380yen (1 package), 680yen (2 packages) and 1000yen (3 packages).  I like that we can get Sashimi very easily like this in Japan. <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Grocery stores in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Grocery stores in Japan" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-8.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-8.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 8 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-8" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11053" /></a></p>
<p>Green peppers&#8230;158yen for 1 package (normally contains 5-6 green peppers).  I hate this.  Why don&#8217;t they sell it by the kilo?  I don&#8217;t need 5 or 6 at a time always.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-9.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-9.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 9 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-9" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11054" /></a></p>
<p>Shimeji mushrooms&#8230;98yen for 1 package<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-10.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-10.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 10 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-10" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11055" /></a></p>
<p>Apple&#8230;198yen for 1 apple, not 1 kilo!  You can see how fruits are expensive in Japan.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt="icon sad Grocery stores in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Grocery stores in Japan" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-11.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-11.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 11 Grocery stores in Japan" title="CA390010" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11056" /></a></p>
<p>Banana&#8230;198yen for a bag of banana.  Do we need a bag first of all?  They could reduce the price without the bag or wrap, and that&#8217;s also eco friendly I guess&#8230;<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-13.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-13.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 13 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-13" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11057" /></a></p>
<p>Strawberries&#8230;598yen for 1 package (about 12 to 15 strawberries)<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-14.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-14.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 14 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-14" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11058" /></a></p>
<p>Snack-1&#8230;a bag of potato chips for 99yen<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-15.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-15.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 15 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-15" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11059" /></a></p>
<p>Snack-2&#8230;Pocky (9 small bags) for 238yen<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-17.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-17.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 17 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-17" width="480" height="362" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11060" /></a></p>
<p>Cup noodles&#8230;about 100-130yen per cup<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-18.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/grocery-store-Japan-18.jpg" alt="grocery store Japan 18 Grocery stores in Japan" title="grocery-store-Japan-18" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11061" /></a></p>
<p>Did I start missing Japanese food?  No, not really.  I noticed I will be OK as long as I can eat rice.  I mostly eat either sandwich or pasta when I don&#8217;t eat rice with curry or fried rice or whatever.  <strong>What did you think when you shopped at a grocery store in Japan?  Did you feel some products were way too expensive or very reasonable?</strong></p>

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		<item>
		<title>My life in Australia</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/lksqr97mq1g/11101</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11101#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 11:11:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Life]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11101</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[2 weeks have passed since I left Japan. Over here in Australia I am leading a very simple and healthy life. Due to the characteristics of my work here, I wake up before sunrise (5am) and go to bed before 10pm. Am I bored? No, it may sound boring but on the contrary I&#8217;m busy [...]]]></description>
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<p>2 weeks have passed since I left Japan.  Over here in Australia I am leading a very simple and healthy life.  Due to the characteristics of my work here, I wake up before sunrise (5am) and go to bed before 10pm.  Am I bored?  No, it may sound boring but on the contrary I&#8217;m busy and I definitely need holidays free from work before I return to Japan.</p>
<p>Somehow it took me a long time to be able to write a post to TKE.  (The last 4 posts were written beforehand to be scheduled for release automatically.  So this is the very first post that I write in Australia.) I don&#8217;t even know how to explain this feeling, but let me try.  Because the life over here is so much different from the one I had in Tokyo, I am not feeling that I am the same person who was in Japan.  Yes, I miss my little Pi-chan and I talk with my hubby over Skype very often, but the life which I had only 2 weeks ago now seems something irrelevant to me.  I had my husband and Pi-chan in the small apartment and I had a few good friends there and my social life was such and such&#8230;I feel all those things were what happened to my previous life and I can&#8217;t even remember it well.  That&#8217;s why I can&#8217;t regain the feeling as Kirin at Tokyo Kawaii, etc.</p>
<p>I have no idea what happened to me.  It&#8217;s not that I lost memory or somebody spelled me (lol).  Before I came here, I was willing to write many interesting posts from Australia, but I just don&#8217;t feel like that now any longer.  Maybe later, when I have some days off, I can find kawaii goods or interesting things in the city area and I may feel like writing a post.  </p>
<p>The environment changed from a crowded area with large population to a lot of space, green, and wild animals. (I saw 3 wild kangaroos in a morning!) The life style changed from late-to-bed and late-to-rise to the other way round.  My diet changed from eating 3 big meals to 2 small meals + some fruits, naturally.  I always tend to think too much, but over here I don&#8217;t. I think I&#8217;m more relaxed here.  It&#8217;s my work style from computer that is the same.  That&#8217;s the only common practice among all those differences.</p>
<p><strong>I may write a different taste of post for a while.  I&#8217;m feeling myself a different type of me.  In other words, if I were from Australia I wouldn&#8217;t write a blog with TKE&#8217;s taste.  I&#8217;m not saying good or bad, it&#8217;s just I feel myself different from the Kirin in Tokyo.  OK, I sound weird.  I know. :p  Have you had a similar experience in a foreign country?</strong>  BTW, I&#8217;m not homesick. lol</p>

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		<item>
		<title>Lolita Dresses -You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/vrqxd4XrM7g/11083</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11083#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:04:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Guest Post / Interview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cosplay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lolita]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11083</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The article is submitted by Katherine, on behalf of Miccostumes.com &#8211; a site sharing you costume ideas for adults, teens and kids. ===Guest Post starts from here=== Most people hold the opinion that once a girl puts on a black-and-white shirt and a checkedskirt, she has already been a Lolita girl. Also, there are some [...]]]></description>
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<p><em>The article is submitted by Katherine, on behalf of <a href="http://www.miccostumes.com/" target="_blank">Miccostumes.com</a> &#8211; a site sharing you costume ideas for adults, teens and kids.</em></p>
<p>===Guest Post starts from here===<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1-225x300.jpg" alt="1 225x300 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="1" width="225" height="300" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11084" /></a></p>
<p>Most people hold the opinion that once a girl puts on a black-and-white shirt and a checkedskirt, she has already been a Lolita girl. Also, there are some people think Lolitadoes not only refer to a kind of costume style, but also a sort of spirit. Generallyspeaking, the concept of Lolita originates in the palaces of Europe. Princessesare fond of doll-styled clothes. And then, this clothing style spread to Japanand was carried forward there. Finally, it became a fashion style!</p>
<p><strong>Three Main Streams in the Lolita Dress Industry</strong><br />
<a id="more-11083"></a><br />
All Lolita dressesare divided into three categories, including sweet love Lolita, elegant gothic Lolita and classic Lolita. They attract different people and feature diverse appeal. Each year, there will be some new arrivals that lead the trend in the fashion world. Below, you will get an approximate definition of these series.</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2-268x300.jpg" alt="2 268x300 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="2" width="268" height="300" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11085" /></a></p>
<p>Sweet Love Lolita -pink, light blue, white etc are main colors in this series. Velvet is the most popular cloth. To be cute and romantic is the motif embraced by designers. Most girls love sweet clothes. So, sweet Lolita dresses are the most prevailing category. The well-known Japanese star Kyoko Fukada is definitely a devotee.</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/3.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/3-300x274.jpg" alt="3 300x274 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="3" width="300" height="274" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11086" /></a></p>
<p>Elegant Gothic Lolita &#8211; black and white are most frequently used here. They stand for mystery, terror and death. Girls who don’t like sweet clothes styles always tend to be fascinated about these simply colored dresses. In most cases, crosses silverware, black fingernails and eye shadow are often matched with these dresses. Wearers impress people by mysterious and graceful charm!</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/4.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/4-200x300.jpg" alt="4 200x300 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="4" width="200" height="300" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11087" /></a></p>
<p>Classic Lolita &#8211; they are basically similar to sweet Lolita dresses. But simpler colors are adopted. Designers tend to express their understated yet elegant fashion concepts. So, tan and white are always found. Less lacework is used on skirts. But lotus leaf becomes the most obvious feature. Since the design seems a little unadorned, these dresses more fit newcomers for the Lolita world.</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/5.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/5-300x289.jpg" alt="5 300x289 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="5" width="300" height="289" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11088" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Lolita Isn’t Equal to Cosplay!</strong></p>
<p>Gothic &#038; Lolita refers to a kind of clothing style. Cosplay means a sort of roll play activity. Don’t mix them up please. To be honest, a lot of people misunderstand this because many anime roles appear with gothic &#038; Lolita clothes. For example, Sakura Kinomoto from Card Captor Sakura, Chii from Chobits etc are popular characters in anime. Both of them wear gothic &#038; Lolita clothes. This undoubtedly directly causes the misunderstanding.</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/6.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/6-200x300.jpg" alt="6 200x300 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="6" width="200" height="300" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11089" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Lolita is the Gadget for the Aristocratic?</strong></p>
<p>In the drama, Peach wants to spend huge sums on buying Lolita clothes. This is just because she isfascinated about the brand of Baby. In Japan, these Lolita dresses are always sold on prices more than one thousand. However, there are many girls in Japan and Hong Kong who love to make Lolita clothes personally. The cost is about 100 dollars. This price is much lower than many branded clothes. So, it just dependson whether you are interested in doing it!</p>
<p><strong>Do Lolita Dresses only Attract Attention from YoungGirls?</strong></p>
<p>In Japan, except young girls, many mature females are also attracted by Lolita dresses. Pink House is exactly a brand loved by a lot of Japanese moms. It roots in a Canadian movie “Anne of Green Gables”. But it has been Japanization. Original countryside and graceful style has disappeared.</p>
<p><strong>Lolita is the Gadget for the Aristocratic?</strong></p>
<p>In the drama, Peach wants to spend huge sums on buying Lolita clothes. This is just because she is fascinated about the brand of Baby. In Japan, these Lolita dresses are always sold on prices more than one thousand. However, there are many girls in Japan and Hong Kong who love to make Lolita clothes personally. The cost is about 100 dollars. This price is much lower than many branded clothes. So, it just depends on whether you are interested in doing it!</p>
<p><strong>Do Lolita Dresses only Attract Attention from Young Girls?</strong></p>
<p>In Japan, except young girls, many mature females are also attracted by Lolita dresses. Pink House is exactly a brand loved by a lot of Japanese moms. It roots in a Canadian movie “Anne of Green Gables”. But it has been Japanization. Original countryside and graceful style has disappeared.</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/7.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/7-225x300.jpg" alt="7 225x300 Lolita Dresses  You Will Fall in Deep Love with Them Since Today!" title="7" width="225" height="300" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-11090" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Psychology of Lolita Girls</strong></p>
<p>Like it or not, Lolita isn’t only a kind of hot clothing trend, but also a way for the young to express their emotion. Or, it’s a method for people to make up their confidence and protect themselves. Like psychologist Erickson say, the young is in aperplexing condition. They have dense innocence and dreams. They desire to get rid of the limitation of the reality and be noticed, understood and accepted.</p>
<p>Step into the Lolita world, you may also find one touching your heartstrings there!</p>
<p>===end of the guest post===</p>
<p>Kirin&#8217;s opinion<br />
I&#8217;ve always wanted to write something about Lolita but it&#8217;s just too difficult for me because I don&#8217;t dress like that myself.  As for myself, I&#8217;m not wearing any of those Lolita styles or dresses from <a href="http://pinkhouse.jp/brand/pinkhouse/">Pink House</a>. haha!  But yeah, I know someone in her 40s in Japan who loves the dress from Pink House.  </p>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/DQ2nkf3QlNcUlr6nUSw5TxZqix0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/DQ2nkf3QlNcUlr6nUSw5TxZqix0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/>
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		<title>Japanese cheap cosmetics store</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/0U3lGNtgwv0/11023</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11023#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:20:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Kawaii Shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bihada ichizoku]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan cosmetics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan make up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan makeup]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11023</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[cheap cosmetics and some apparel zakka store It&#8217;s DEMO store locations: various places in Japan (the pictures for this post were taken at the store in Shinjuku Myload.) It&#8217;s DEMO is a kind of store similar to Sony Plaza, for example. Hmm&#8230;maybe smaller than Sony Plaza, so it&#8217;s closer to Mini Pla maybe? You can [...]]]></description>
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<p><span style="color: #ff00ff;"><strong>cheap cosmetics and some apparel zakka store</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><a href="http://www.world.co.jp/itsdemo/">It&#8217;s DEMO</a></strong></span><br />
store locations: <a href="http://www.world.co.jp/search/shop/result/?b_id%5B%5D=71">various places in Japan</a> (the pictures for this post were taken at the store in <a href="http://www.shinjuku-mylord.com/">Shinjuku Myload</a>.)</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo5.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo5.jpg" alt="Its Demo5 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo5" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11024" /></a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s DEMO is a kind of store similar to <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/4520">Sony Plaza</a>, for example.  Hmm&#8230;maybe smaller than Sony Plaza, so it&#8217;s closer to Mini Pla maybe?  You can find one of the most popular cosmetics among hundreds of thousands of them in the market.  But if you want to see more products, I recommend you should check out <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/4909">Tokyu Hands</a> or <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/kawaii-shop/loft">LOFT</a> instead of this type of small store.  </p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo1.jpg" alt="Its Demo1 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo1" width="480" height="308" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11025" /></a><br />
<a id="more-11023"></a><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo2.jpg" alt="Its Demo2 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo2" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11026" /></a><br />
You can see a small crown shaped sticker labeled on each product.  That means the product received a high evaluation at a reliable cosmetics review site such as <a href="http://www.cosme.net/">@cosme</a>.  I never fail to check out this website whenever I try a new cosmetics brand or skin care product.</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo3.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo3.jpg" alt="Its Demo3 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo3" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11027" /></a></p>
<p>24-hour foundation is very popular.  It&#8217;s considered natural cosmetics.  Because the ingredients are considered not stressful to our skin, we can wear this foundation even while we are sleeping and there should be no problem.  You may think why do we have to wear a makeup even while sleeping?  I think this product is created for the women who don&#8217;t want to wash off makeup when they spend a night with a boyfriend.  ^ ^;;  Then how about those who don&#8217;t mind washing it off?  They can still enjoy this product because it&#8217;s gentle to the skin as much as to be worn a whole day without any skin trouble. </p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo4.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo4.jpg" alt="Its Demo4 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo4" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11028" /></a></p>
<p>Oh yes, I&#8217;ve seen this product everywhere!  It&#8217;s so so popular, I know that.  I have a lipstick (the right one in the picture) but I don&#8217;t see what&#8217;s so good about it.  I don&#8217;t think I will buy it again.  I have a lip gloss produced from <a href="http://www.savior-mall.com/fs/contents/c/bizen">Bizen</a> series and that will do.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo6.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo6.jpg" alt="Its Demo6 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo6" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11029" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo7.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo7.jpg" alt="Its Demo7 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo7" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11030" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://bihada1.com/top.php">Bihada Ichizoku</a> brand.  Somehow I&#8217;ve never tried any of their products yet&#8230;Bihada Ichizoku products are usually quite popular.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo8.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo8.jpg" alt="Its Demo8 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo8" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11031" /></a></p>
<p>Isn&#8217;t it funny that they even created an anime!  I didn&#8217;t know that~~  XD<br />
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8lAu1Srd92o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dejavu-net.jp/">Dejavu</a> brand is also popular with its mascara.  They can be removed with hot water very easily.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo9.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Its-Demo9.jpg" alt="Its Demo9 Japanese cheap cosmetics store" title="It&#039;s Demo9" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11032" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Again, same as Sony Plaza, it&#8217;s simply fun to check out the store to see what&#8217;s new and popular, even though I&#8217;m not so much into makeup.</strong>  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Japanese cheap cosmetics store" class='wp-smiley' title="Japanese cheap cosmetics store" /> </p>

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		<item>
		<title>Weekend Dinner 4 &amp; 5</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/CYCrLxJ4zb4/11006</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11006#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:10:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Japanese foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japanese cuisine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japanese food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japanese home cooking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japanese soup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miso soup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nikujaga]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=11006</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My husband enjoys cooking so much now. Everything he cooks taste better than what I cook, and these days he cooks every weekend and even some weekdays when he has free time. I feel that I can&#8217;t cook any more, when he cooks much better. :p So this is the dinner I had several days [...]]]></description>
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<p>My husband enjoys cooking so much now.  Everything he cooks taste better than what I cook, and these days he cooks every weekend and even some weekdays when he has free time.  I feel that I can&#8217;t cook any more, when he cooks much better.  :p</p>
<p>So this is the dinner I had several days ago.<br />
<strong>Weekend Dinner 4</strong><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner04012012-1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner04012012-1.jpg" alt="dinner04012012 1 Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" title="dinner04012012-1" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11008" /></a><br />
<a id="more-11006"></a><br />
1: Tonjiru<br />
You can think of it as a miso soup with ingredients like various kind of vegetables such as Daikon (Japanese radish), carrot, Gobou (burdock), green onion (Japanese leek), Konnyaku and thinly sliced pork.  It can be a main dish.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" class='wp-smiley' title="Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" />   I personally like to put some thinly sliced ginger when I cook it, but my husband didn&#8217;t.  He cooked large amount at a time with less miso, and each time when we heated it, we added some miso.  By doing that every time we ate it, the soup smelled nice, nevertheless it was made and preserved in a fridge.  The point is &#8220;Don&#8217;t boil the soup after miso is added, because the good smell will fade!&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner04012012-2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner04012012-2.jpg" alt="dinner04012012 2 Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" title="dinner04012012-2" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11009" /></a></p>
<p>2: simmered Kabocha, <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/8640">as in the cooking tutorial page</a></p>
<p>3: Natto</p>
<p>4: steamed rice</p>
<p><strong>Weekend Dinner 5</strong><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-1.jpg" alt="dinner14042012 1 Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" title="dinner14042012-1" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11010" /></a></p>
<p>1: Nikujaga, <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/8313">as in the cooking tutorial page</a><br />
This was yummy!  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" class='wp-smiley' title="Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-2.jpg" alt="dinner14042012 2 Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" title="dinner14042012-2" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11011" /></a></p>
<p>2: steamed Hijiki and vegetables (Hijiki-ni)<br />
This tasted so much better than the one I&#8217;ve cooked so far or even the one his mother cooks!  I honestly thought he could change my preferences.  I thought I didn&#8217;t like Japanese cuisine so much but he could change that.  I seriously think so!  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" class='wp-smiley' title="Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-3.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-3.jpg" alt="dinner14042012 3 Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" title="dinner14042012-3" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11012" /></a></p>
<p>3: Enoki mushroom and wakame seaweed salad<br />
I loved this too!  He said he put too much seasoning but it was very tasty.  According to him, it&#8217;s very easy to cook.  Soak the cut Enoki mushrooms and dried wakame seaweed in some water to cover them, microwave for 2 minutes, squeeze water and mix with Chinese chicken soup stock, soy sauce, sake, and mayo.  He said he put a touch of Chinese chill bean sauce and sesame oil too.  Easy huh?  But tastes good!  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" class='wp-smiley' title="Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" /><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-4.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dinner14042012-4.jpg" alt="dinner14042012 4 Weekend Dinner 4 & 5" title="dinner14042012-4" width="480" height="360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11013" /></a></p>
<p>4: steamed rice</p>
<p>I feel as if I were a husband of him, being attracted by his cooking.  I mean, people here say that house wives must be good at cooking in order to keep her husband all the time.  <strong>Good cooking will make husbands return home earlier and stop them from flirting with other women.</strong>  I didn&#8217;t understand it so well because I believed there was always better food outside served in a fancy restaurant, for example.  But now I feel for the first time in my life what that really means.  </p>
<p>At first I was satisfied with being served by him.  <strong>But nowadays I totally love and enjoy whatever he cooks and I&#8217;d rather try to eat at home than outside!  So this is it!</strong>  (I&#8217;m not flirting with other man, so no worry for that point. lol)  My mother was very poor at cooking (luckily my father didn&#8217;t leave) and my cooking is just OK.  So I didn&#8217;t really pay much attention to home cooking.  But home cooking can be so tasty, never make us bored, and much healthier.  (I&#8217;m impressed he often simmers finely cut onions instead of stir-frying it, or also boils meat first to reduce fat!) I never expected to be kind of hooked by his food!  :O  <strong>His cooking has totally grabbed my heart (stomach)!  Do you have a similar experience?  I wish I were good at cooking as much as he is!</strong></p>

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		<item>
		<title>Skewered Food in Japan</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/gI4V4z4dbd8/10993</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/10993#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:10:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Apple</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Japanese foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kushiage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kushikatsu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[yakitori]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=10993</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Apple&#8217;s food post from Kansai! ===Apple&#8217;s post starts from here=== Of course I was in Kansai, and I ought to write about their specialty food&#8230;food like Kushiage! However, when my friends brought me to an izakaya, what caught my interest more was Yakitori. There is Yakitori sold in my country (Singapore) too. However, you would [...]]]></description>
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<p>Apple&#8217;s food post from Kansai! <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Skewered Food in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Skewered Food in Japan" /> </p>
<p>===Apple&#8217;s post starts from here===</p>
<p>Of course I was in Kansai, and I ought to write about their specialty food&#8230;food like <a href="http://team-foodies.blogspot.com/2010/12/kushiage.html">Kushiage</a>!</p>
<p>However, when my friends brought me to an izakaya, what caught my interest more was Yakitori.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/556989_10150666180470233_612895232_9688514_660144390_n.jpg" alt="556989 10150666180470233 612895232 9688514 660144390 n Skewered Food in Japan" width="384" height="288" title="Skewered Food in Japan" /></p>
<p>There is Yakitori sold in my country (Singapore) too.<br />
<a id="more-10993"></a><br />
However, you would only find popular parts like chicken thighs, chicken wings, minced chicken balls, chicken karaage, chicken skin and some pork meat with fat in the yakitori stalls in Singapore.</p>
<p>So my idea of yakitori was Japan&#8217;s version of chicken kebabs or satays.</p>
<p>In my first trip to Japan some years ago, I was in the basement supermarket and there was this lovely sweet smoky aroma which led me to the Yakitori stall. I was about to buy it when I realised the range of choices was huge there!</p>
<p>I had no idea what they were at all, but with my limited Japanese vocabulary knowledge then, I recognised the words &#8216;heart&#8217;, &#8216;neck&#8217;, &#8216;gizzards&#8217; in some of the descriptions of each stick, and I stopped, and I walked away.</p>
<p>Fast forward to now, I was sitting in an izakaya with my Japanese friends, and they ordered Yakitori for us!</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re wondering why Yakitori offers you strange chicken parts, it&#8217;s because in the past, chicken meat was very popular and expensive. So, clever business-minded stall owners decided to use the bits and pieces of chicken discarded by high-class restaurants and sell them in skewered sticks!</p>
<p>So, basically, you can eat Seseri (neck), Hatsu (Heart), Muneniku (Breast), Tebasaki (wing), Teiru (tail), Sunazuri (gizzards), Momo (thigh), Kawa (Skin)&#8230; There are also livers, the bottoms, soft bones, Tsukune (Chicken meatballs), and most of the times there are pork parts too.</p>
<p>I still do not dare to give strange chicken parts a try, but that night, my friends highly recommended trying seseri (neck) and soft bones. It was delicious. Seseri tastes just like chicken meat, except it has more muscles. You should try it! And soft bones are chewy and crunchy and goes well with beer.</p>
<p>Yakitori is more of a Kanto (Eastern part of Japan) food. While Yakitori was popular in Kanto, because of the abolishment of the regulation of flour in the Kansai (Western part of Japan) area in 1951, the use of flour flourished in Kansai, and popular foods like Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, and Kushiage were born.</p>
<p>Kushiage was also skewered meat and vegetables on a stick, somewhat the same idea as Yakitori, but Kushiage is covered in batter, deep-fried in oil, and usually eaten with different kinds of sauces or salt.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/529243_10150666181020233_612895232_9688515_2103215362_n.jpg" alt="529243 10150666181020233 612895232 9688515 2103215362 n Skewered Food in Japan" width="384" height="288" title="Skewered Food in Japan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">Here is Kushiage.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">It really is very popular in Kansai. You can see many Kushiage stalls and restaurants everywhere.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">I prefer Yakitori to Kushiage though. I&#8217;m not a fan of deep-fried food.</p>
<p style="text-align: left"><strong>How about you? Have you tried either of these skewered food before? Which do you prefer?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left">If you haven&#8217;t tried them before, do they appeal to you? <strong>Would you be adventurous enough to try all the strange parts that are not commonly eaten in your country?</strong> <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Skewered Food in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Skewered Food in Japan" /> </p>
<p>===end of the post===</p>
<p>Kirin&#8217;s opinion<br />
I also had <a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/3620">Kushikatsu or Kushiage in Osaka</a> before, but if I compare it with Yakitori&#8230;I think I like Yakitori more.  But I like Karaage (Japanese styled fried chicken) more.  I didn&#8217;t know the reason why the use of flour is so popular in Kansai. Thank you for sharing the knowledge, I&#8217;m learning from you!  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Skewered Food in Japan" class='wp-smiley' title="Skewered Food in Japan" /> </p>
<p><strong>***Giveaway offered by Apple***</strong><br />
Apple has recently created a page &#8216;Happy Girls Cute Food&#8217;, where you can learn how to make cute, girly food. From now till 30 April, she&#8217;s doing a giveaway of some cute food items from Osaka! &#8216;Like&#8217; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/HappyGirlsCuteFood">her page</a> and you will instantly have a chance to win something for yourself! Go to <a href="http://www.happygirlscutefood.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-girls-cute-food-1st-giveaway.html">Happy Girls Cute Food</a> for more details~!</p>

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		<title>Pi-chan vs travelling</title>
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		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/11069#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:11:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kirin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcement & Info.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pi-chan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dog]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Pi-chan got a haircut lately. As always, some people will think it&#8217;s not appropriate for Shih Tzu dogs to wear such a short hair, but this makes her easy to walk in the sun during spring and summer season. Well, today&#8217;s post is not just that. I&#8217;m feeling so sad because I&#8217;m leaving for Australia [...]]]></description>
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<p>Pi-chan got a haircut lately.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Pi chan vs travelling" class='wp-smiley' title="Pi chan vs travelling" /><br />
As always, some people will think it&#8217;s not appropriate for Shih Tzu dogs to wear such a short hair, but this makes her easy to walk in the sun during spring and summer season.  Well, today&#8217;s post is not just that.  I&#8217;m feeling so sad because I&#8217;m leaving for Australia tomorrow.  <strong>I&#8217;m spending the next 40 days in Australia half for work, half for fun</strong>&#8230;but being separated from Pi-chan makes me so sad.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-2.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-2.jpg" alt="pi chan before I leave 2 Pi chan vs travelling" title="pi-chan before I leave-2" width="480" height="271" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11071" /></a><br />
<a id="more-11069"></a><br />
Everyday, I was thinking I&#8217;ve got X days more to be able to stay with Pi-chan.  I&#8217;ve tried to spend as much time as possible with her to remember how she looks, how she smells, how she acts, and etc.  Now I&#8217;ve got less than 24 hours from right at this moment when I&#8217;m writing this&#8230;  To be honest, I feel like crying.  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_cry.gif' alt="icon cry Pi chan vs travelling" class='wp-smiley' title="Pi chan vs travelling" />  I guess I&#8217;ve never been away from her so long and I&#8217;m too much attached to her in everyday&#8217;s life.  I&#8217;ve told her over and over again that I will come back about a month later and I am always thinking about her even if we are apart.  I believe she understands that.<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-1.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-1.jpg" alt="pi chan before I leave 1 Pi chan vs travelling" title="pi-chan before I leave-1" width="480" height="271" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11070" /></a></p>
<p>I&#8217;ve been wondering how I could say good bye just for now to Pi-chan when I leave home tomorrow.  But I know I should not cry in front of her.  It&#8217;s so tough to hold sadness and tears.  The sadness sets off the excitement and I feel numb or neutral.  I&#8217;m asking myself, &#8220;Didn&#8217;t I like travelling more than anything?&#8221;  &#8220;Wasn&#8217;t it my dream to become a world traveller and that&#8217;s why I&#8217;ve been struggling to work from internet so far?&#8221;<br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-3.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-3.jpg" alt="pi chan before I leave 3 Pi chan vs travelling" title="pi-chan before I leave-3" width="480" height="337" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11072" /></a></p>
<p>I&#8217;m getting confused.  <strong>What&#8217;s the real happiness to me now?</strong>  I used to like shopping kawaii clothing, furniture, zakka, cups, bags, shoes and etc. so much but lately I&#8217;d rather feel like spending that time with Pi-chan napping together.  I&#8217;m still confused with this change.  It&#8217;s not the first time to be separated from her due to my travel.  <strong>But now I wonder which is happy to me: to travel around the world or to stay at one good place with Pi-chan? </strong><br />
<a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-4.jpg"><img src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pi-chan-before-I-leave-4.jpg" alt="pi chan before I leave 4 Pi chan vs travelling" title="pi-chan before I leave-4" width="282" height="500" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11073" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Writing makes me calm down.  I feel better now.  That&#8217;s why I love writing.  Whenever I&#8217;m confused with sadness, madness, disappointment, anger, frustration, anxiety, depression or any negative feelings, I simply write them down and feel better.  I know this will be a fruitful trip and I&#8217;ll for sure update TKE from Australia so please remain tuned!  <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt="icon biggrin Pi chan vs travelling" class='wp-smiley' title="Pi chan vs travelling" />   *Wish me good luck~~*</strong></p>

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		<title>Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TokyoKawaiiEtc/~3/DsEEZDEqAlc/10988</link>
		<comments>http://tokyokawaiietc.com/archives/10988#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:12:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Apple</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kobe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tokyokawaiietc.com/?p=10988</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Apple&#8217;s post about her trip to Kansai continues. ===Apple&#8217;s post starts from here=== Kobe is a very beautiful place. If you are there, you may notice something slightly different about it. Firstly, if you go to Osaka first, then to Kobe, you can immediately feel the difference. The first thing you are going to notice [...]]]></description>
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<p>Apple&#8217;s post about her trip to Kansai continues. <img src='http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt="icon smile Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" class='wp-smiley' title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /> </p>
<p>===Apple&#8217;s post starts from here===</p>
<p>Kobe is a very beautiful place.</p>
<p>If you are there, you may notice something slightly different about it.</p>
<p><strong>Firstly, if you go to Osaka first, then to Kobe, you can immediately feel the difference.</strong></p>
<p>The first thing you are going to notice is probably the cleanliness and the buildings of the city. It has many beautiful buildings, especially if you go to Kitano-cho, where you can see all the Western-style residences from the 19th century!</p>
<p>And then the second thing you are going to notice is the fashion sense of everybody there!</p>
<p>Now, I have to tell you, this is the only time I have dressed in a terrible manner when I&#8217;m in Japan. Hahaha!</p>
<p>I didn&#8217;t know it would be this cold when I went, and all I had were thin-material Spring clothes with me. The stores all sold Spring clothes too, and I was freezing all the time because I couldn&#8217;t buy any warm, thick jackets!</p>
<p>My thickest outer was this Rilakkuma outer, and that was what I wore most of the time when I needed to spend lots of time in the outdoors when I was in Japan.</p>
<p>I looked ridiculous but it kept me warm, so I wore it. Also, when I was in Osaka, it was no problem. Everyone dressed any way they like. I didn&#8217;t feel any stress for dressing in a ridiculous manner.</p>
<p>Then I went to Kobe, dressed in the same way too. My friend drove us around so I didn&#8217;t feel it immediately.</p>
<p>But when we got down the car and went down the streets&#8230;</p>
<p>I wanted to die.</p>
<p>All around me were superbly well-dressed people.</p>
<p>From young students to the old people. I wonder how the heck can a city produce every single person who dress so well!</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_01-thumbnail21.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-10991" src="http://tokyokawaiietc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_01-thumbnail21.jpg" alt="IMG 01 thumbnail21 Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="225" height="150" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><em>Hello I&#8217;m from Kobe and I&#8217;m stylish and I know it.</em></p>
<p><a id="more-10988"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left">I&#8217;m sorry I didn&#8217;t take any pictures of the people there. I was overwhelmed.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">And anyway, today&#8217;s post is actually about Kitano Ijinkan where all the beautiful foreign residences were.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">They are still there even though the owners are not. Many of the residences have now become museums and are opened to tourists to take a look around. The entrance fees range from 200 to 500yen.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/551724_10150666171775233_612895232_9688458_714260004_n.jpg" alt="551724 10150666171775233 612895232 9688458 714260004 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="384" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">Here&#8217;s a ticket counter!</p>
<p style="text-align: left">We went to one of the houses.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/545718_10150666194910233_612895232_9688584_1510959727_n.jpg" alt="545718 10150666194910233 612895232 9688584 1510959727 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="480" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">Because my friend told us they have some magical chairs inside!!!</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/553405_10150666173300233_612895232_9688469_272109510_n.jpg" alt="553405 10150666173300233 612895232 9688469 272109510 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="384" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">No! These are not the ones!</p>
<p style="text-align: center">So why did I put that picture?</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Because I took that picture. That&#8217;s all.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/522720_10150666173780233_612895232_9688475_1331635584_n.jpg" alt="522720 10150666173780233 612895232 9688475 1331635584 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="384" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">The owner of this house collected many different kinds of statues. Most of them look really strange to me. I wonder what kind of person this owner is. Who collects such statues?</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/559639_10150666193645233_612895232_9688580_1515628533_n.jpg" alt="559639 10150666193645233 612895232 9688580 1515628533 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="173" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">See all these statues!</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Right??</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/549763_10150666194445233_612895232_9688583_1662733690_n.jpg" alt="549763 10150666194445233 612895232 9688583 1662733690 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="173" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">Why do people spend good money buying strange statues that make your hair stand at night?</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Speaking of night, these are the lamps they use at night.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/551043_10150666193220233_612895232_9688577_227439071_n.jpg" alt="551043 10150666193220233 612895232 9688577 227439071 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="173" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left">However!!</p>
<p style="text-align: left">I forgive this owner for his strange taste in furniture, because he has these!</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/528889_10150666190975233_612895232_9688566_1893513639_n.jpg" alt="528889 10150666190975233 612895232 9688566 1893513639 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="173" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">These chairs!</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/398266_10150666174305233_612895232_9688479_1607438737_n.jpg" alt="398266 10150666174305233 612895232 9688479 1607438737 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="384" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">Of course I made a wish in the chair!</p>
<p style="text-align: left">So if you are in Kitano-cho, why don&#8217;t you check out this place? This <a href="http://alzoe.pixnet.net/blog/post/26245876-神戶北野異人館">blog</a> has beautiful places of the place!</p>
<p style="text-align: left">You should go if you like to look at beautiful houses.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">Finally, if you want to see how I was dressed:</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/528596_10150666201925233_612895232_9688614_469599570_n.jpg" alt="528596 10150666201925233 612895232 9688614 469599570 n Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" width="288" height="480" title="Take a walk in Kitano Ijinkan" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center">Yes, facepalm all you want.</p>
<p style="text-align: center">Beside me is my movie star friend. Told you everyone in Kobe dressed well!!!!</p>
<p>===end of Apple&#8217;s post===</p>
<p>Kirin&#8217;s opinion<br />
The weather was quite unusual while you were in Japan.  It shouldn&#8217;t be that cold.  I&#8217;m sorry you had to freeze&#8230;  Most of the shops sell clothing for the next season so there&#8217;s no wonder you couldn&#8217;t find winter clothing at all in March.  I guess early to mid February is the last chance to grab the winter clothes here, because they will start selling spring clothes since it&#8217;s still in the middle of the winter. lol </p>
<p>Yes, Kobe is like that.  Girls curl their hair well, dress well, and act elegantly.  Pretty much different from Osaka.  Those who like Kobe wouldn&#8217;t like Osaka and vice versa.  So I&#8217;m more like Osakan type of person who dislike Kobe.  lol  </p>
<p><strong>***Giveaway offered by Apple***</strong><br />
Apple has recently created a page &#8216;Happy Girls Cute Food&#8217;, where you can learn how to make cute, girly food. From now till 30 April, she&#8217;s doing a giveaway of some cute food items from Osaka! &#8216;Like&#8217; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/HappyGirlsCuteFood">her page</a> and you will instantly have a chance to win something for yourself! Go to <a href="http://www.happygirlscutefood.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-girls-cute-food-1st-giveaway.html">Happy Girls Cute Food</a> for more details~!</p>

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