Our trip to Japan (August 2013) 猛暑日の続く日本に行ってきました~(汗)

We just came back from our short family trip to Japan. As you may know, summer in Japan is super hot and humid, and it was no exception during our stay... (Over 35C or 95F degrees every day with very high humidity... >o<) 

I'm still feeling a bit exhausted and jet lagged... so let me quickly show you some images from our recent trip! 

短い間でしたが一家で日本に帰省していました。ご存知の通り、今年の日本の夏は猛暑日続きで連日35Cを上回る暑さに、もうバテバテ(汗)。こちらに戻ったばかりで、通常のボケ・・・に加えて時差ボケ・・・もあるので、今日は簡単に日本滞在中の様子をご紹介させて下さいね!


We visited the Character Park at Kichijoji, Tokyo with my girls, where we found tons of Japanese *kawaii* character goodies, including our girls' all time fav, Rilakkuma and much more!

まずは娘達と一緒に、東京・吉祥寺のキャラパークへゴー。娘達お気に入りのリラックマ以外にも、これでもか!というくらいに各種キャラクターグッズ満載の楽しいショップにキャラ好きのママも興奮(笑)。



Tokyo Tower

ご存知東京タワー。こんなに近くで見たのは初めてだと思います。




Outside the crowded Shibuya station of Tokyo

いつも人でごった返している渋谷駅周辺。



Statue of the influential samurai, Saigo Takamori, with his pet dog (lol) at the Ueno Park, Tokyo.

上野公園の西郷さんとワンちゃんの象。


Went fabric shopping at Nippori Textile Town of Tokyo on a very hot day...

どんなに暑くても、布地のショッピングには日暮里繊維街はハズせません。でもやはり暑かった・・・。


And if you ever have a chance to visit Nippori Textile town, you can't miss this discount fabric store called Tomato! 

日暮里繊維街でのお目当ては何といっても「トマト」さん。生地が豊富で割安なんですよ~。


1 meter = 105 yen (a little over $1) fabric sale at Tomato!

1階の安売りコーナーでは1メーター105円の生地がたくさんありました。



And guess what?! I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted my book at Kinokuniya bookstore Shinjuku store's Foreign book section!  Of course, I had to place it on the top shelf facing the customers (although no one seemed to care)... lol!

娘の参考書を買いに立ち寄った新宿紀伊国屋書店の洋書コーナーでは何と私の著書を発見して感激!もちろん目立つように勝手に配置し直してきました(笑)。本屋さん、ゴメンナサイ!



Bunch of character socks sold at a local department store.

デパートにはキャラクターの靴下もたくさん・・・。



You'll find lots of mass produced zakka everywhere in Japan!

雑貨屋さんの店頭で。



Traditional Japanese scenery at Gifu, Japan.

友人と訪れた岐阜県・馬篭ではディスカバー・ジャパンできました~。



Women only passenger car in Osaka, Japan...

東京や大阪では女性専用車も多く見かけました。




Enjoyed "Cream Soda" at our local coffee shop of my hometown, Nagoya!

地元名古屋の喫茶店ではクリームソーダをいただきましたよ♪



Green tea shaved ice is the best on a hot and humid day ;D

暑い日は、やはり宇治氷に限りますね~。名古屋高島屋の赤福にて。



You may not believe it, but "Eel bowl" is actually really tasty!

うな丼もはずせません~。



Cold soba (buckwheat noodles)

こちらはおそば。


Fried shrimp in rice balls. My all time favorite :D

地元名古屋の天むすび^^


Hamburg steak (with soy sauce based dipping sauce) at Japanese Denny's.

デニーズではハンバーグステーキを。



Ramen noodles, pot stickers, and shrimp dish at a Chinese restaurant.  Oops... Excuse me for posting too many images of food on a (craft) blog!! 

中華料理もいただきました。というか、手芸ブログだということを忘れて(?)食べ物の写真ばかり掲載してしまいましたね!食いしん坊なものでつい・・・(苦笑)。



Actually I had some business to take care of during our Japan stay, and the trip wasn't all about vacation, but we still had great time meeting up with our family members and friends and enjoyed lots of good food despite the heat and sweat!! 

今回の日本滞在、実はいろいろと用事を兼ねていたので完全に休暇というわけではなかったのですが、それでもやはり久しぶりの日本ではおいしいものを沢山いただき、家族や友人と再会できたのでとても充実していました。あの暑さにはお手上げでしたが・・・!

 

Finally, "Bye!" from Tracky, the team mascot of Hanshin Tigers of Osaka, Japan.

If you have a moment, check out my facebook page and instagram that I regularly post, even when I don't have time to update my blog. Thanks for visiting and enjoy your rest of the week!

最後は、大阪の阪神タイガースショップにいた「トラッキー」君で締めたいと思います~。
もしよかったら、私のフェイスブックインスタグラムも覗いてみてくださいね。 ブログ更新ができない時にも時々写真をアップしています♪ では皆さんもお元気で~^^

***Love, Amy***




8 comments:

Unknown said...

This was such a Fun post to read! Thank you for taking the time to share so many wonderful photos + food!

Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts said...

Haha, I love that you called it "Japanese Denny's" - I was on my way to my "local" Yuzawaya this morning and passed a Denny's and thought to myself, it really is nothing like American Denny's!

Christine said...

I think the food you were eating looked pretty crafty to me. I could look at those food pictures all day.

Moster Lene said...

NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....it's TORTURE to show a picture of a fabricstore, with fabrics THAT cheap!!! *giggle*

I'm in pain right now :oD

Barbara O. said...

... true enough, showing fabric and all this delicious food. Japan's on the list. ;-)

Bobbypin Bandit said...

Your trip looks like great fun! The green tea shaved ice looks amazing! I love anything green tea flavored and that seems like it would be a great treat for the 100F+ degree heat in Southern Arizona.

I totally want to eat everything and roll around in the fabric store!

Thanks so much for the gift you sent. I am in LOVE with the fabric and look forward to making a little pouch for myself with the flex frame... using the pattern from your book, of course!

Thank you thank you!

AND... thanks for sharing photos of your trip!

pratima said...

What a nice trip with yummy food and visiting your favorite and nostalgic places. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. Hope you have recovered from the Jetlag :)

etsu said...

Amyちゃん、日本帰国道中、お疲れ様でした。カードを書いておいたのに、プレゼントに付け忘れていた私・・・トホホ。
日暮里で トマトにまで行っていたのね~。今度 反対側の谷中の古い町並みを私とぜひ散策しようね~。

ではでは、、、また会える日を楽しみにしています~。

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