First batch of Sakura!

Went around the base to view the first batch of sakura! Not all had blossom but it was beautiful! We discovered another park filled with sakura on the way to the Shimoda mall. We seldom take that way since we lived here and S started to take this route this year.... Imagine we have missed the lovely scenery 2 years ++ ago!

on the base

also on base

the park.

our first batch of mushrooms since we brought the log.

Ordered 20,000 yen from Hokkiado from the tax website. Ate the scallops and prawns, sashimi is the best!

Tokyo Day 3

Make our way to the remaining shrines after breakfast. The first shrine, suitenguu was so impressive. The architecture looked like a fortress for the outside and inside looks like a musuem! Never seen a shrine like this before! He brought me to Kanda to look for my JLPT books, our local book store do not carry many variety and ordering online need to pay for shipping fee. Went to the distributor and brought several books back.  As we made our way to last shrine, we happened to meet my father in law and both of them went ahead as my leg was aching. Refuse to follow anymore lol! I rather walk and shop around in the station. That marked our final day in Tokyo and we were freezing when we reached in Towada. 

Bye Bye my comfy bed

suitenguu

so modern! and its earthquake resistance!

Matsushima shrine

Koami shrine

taiwanese lu ruo rice

Takeout 

Tokyo Day 1 Part 3

Went to Shibuya to meet our dear friend! Or actually S's best buddy when both were studying in Singapore. Its been 2 years since we last saw him! Its not easy to from friends to meet each other in Japan since all scatter in different part of Japan and they need to book plane or take hours to come over or even pay hotel to stay overnight. Hence unlike in Singapore, S only could meet his good friends once in long time as most of them are working in cities like tokyo and we are staying in countryside.

I went back to hotel alone as the boys went for their next gathering with others. Had expensive dinner with my parents in law hehe (6000yen set) at the hotel. I finished up everything and both of then were astonished especially they knew i had a full lunch. Hahaha! I live to eat ^_^

Finally they met!

Tokyo Green Palace Hotel

Hotel dinning area

what a nice room and beds! so good that I refused to wake up 

dining area at night in the hotel

fil's sake set

part of the set

mil dinner set

my full course set that comes along with soup

sashimi 

fish

tempura

udon with egg

lastly dessert!

they were too astonished by my appetite 

Tokyo Day 1 part 2

Today's schedule completely followed S's plan. My only request was have a good lunch of my choosing. Ended up at Roppongi Hills since there were many cafes around and I chose Teppanyaki restaurant at Level 5. Ordered the most expensive lunch hehe 6000 yen (ard $80 sin).

spotted super cool car! 

tenshu shrine

not sakura but still pretty!

izumo shrine tokyo branch

starter: few types of sashimi

foie gras 

tomato was so juicy and sweet

Japan beef

dessert

@ 5th level roppongi hills

karasumori shrine

Tokyo Part 1

Set off early in the morning to Tokyo, thanks to okaasan's help, she mailed back one bag of our items back home so we did not have to carry them back and fro. S's had everything all planned which was his list of shrines to conquer. He had even indicated in his itinerary that if I am not angry.... We can go 1 or 2 more shrines.....!!! Faint!  

This time even my father in law become crazy about collecting shrines stamps, not sure why he started liking it but the way they planned the itinerary are almost identical.... Like father like son!

Dropped our bags at the Green palace hotel, looks very grand and set off to Harajuku area to go Meiji Shrine. Did not know it was just behind train station, many foreign tourists and even encountered Japanese shrine wedding ritual. Heard from S that holding such a ceremony at such a prestige shrine (one that is dedicated to Emperor Meiji) would cost the same like holding wedding in the hotel. Gulp! 

We also spotted Singapore cafe selling Laksa and chicken rice but we were too full to try. Not sure if it was opened by Singaporeans. Next went to Toga shrine also at Harajuku and discovered the shrine was selling Hello Kitty shrine book! Very rare and too cute to resist that even I was not a Hello Kitty or shrine collector fan asked S to buy it for me! My very first shrine book... maybe also the last lol...

heading from Fussa to Tokyo

Meiji Shrine

encountered Japanese wedding couple

Sakura ice cream

Spotted Singapore Laksa store! Just oppsite Johnny's store in Harajuku

Togo shrine

Togo shrine

Spotted Hello Kitty shrine book!

with exclusive hello kitty ribbon stamp! My first stamp that I ever wanted!

Nogi shrine 乃木神社

Nogi shrine 乃木神社