Kairakuen Blossoms

Starting this weekend until the end of March or so Kairakuen Park in Mito is open to the public as they have a pretty extravagant plum blossom festival taking place. It was the first time seeing any type of blossom as I wasn't in time for season when I arrived back in May of 2008.


Luckily the station was located on the same JR East line and I didn't even need to make any excessive transfers. I haven't ventured into Ibaraki before, as I really didn't know what was out there except for land. Two of my Japanese co-workers are from Ibaraki and they say there isn't anything really to see except for nature.


Even still, the nature is definitely worth seeing. Perhaps it's because they spend their entire lives growing up around this kind of thing so the sense of familiarity has grown upon them.


Can't wait until next month for all the sakura festivals that will be taking place. I think I'll be seeing as many as I can while I still have the opportunity.

Semi Random

Had a late lunch at a dessert joint which featured a chocolate fondue fountain. There were wafers, marshmallows, crackers, and pineapples to use alongside various types of sprinkles and chocolate chips. The actual chocolate spewing from the fountain was a little too dark for my liking but nevertheless it was still fun.


Stumbled upon a donut operation while wandering Kichijoji and it was literally a small room on the first floor attached to an apartment complex. It's called "Hara Donuts" and everything is freshly baked in a matter of minutes before your eyes behind the counter. Each donut is individually flavoured and topped off by hand with cream, icing, or chocolate. Yum!

Home Cookin'

Stayed in with a friend and concocted home made steaks for the first time since... well maybe the summer of 2007. Used the fish griller thing I have in my kitchen and came to the conclusion that it was time to test it out on steaks. Decided to pass on the Kobe beef at the supermarket, but perhaps next time since the test run turned out pretty awesome.


End result was probably the most delicious piece of protein I've ever made myself! Putting into consideration it has been awhile since having any real steak I might be inflating my own creation-- but it was quite honestly amazing! Going to have make an attempt at making an exact replication of it somewhere down the road. Itadakimasu!

St. Valentine's

Too sweet! From a few students, parents, and co-workers. Never been a fan for chocolate but I think I just might have to make a few exceptions. Sweethearts, all of them.

So over here in Japan the tradition is quite reversed as Valentine's Day is all for the guys; females are actually held accountable for giving their male counterparts chocolates, sweets, and other various gifts. This was news to me as I really had no idea as to how the holiday is celebrated over in this part of the world. Turns out next month though on March 14th there is something called "White Day" which is specifically for the girls.

Friday the 13th

Eeeeek! Never really got caught up in the Jason or Nightmare on Elm Street movies so today doesn't have an everlasting horror effect on me. Scary movies showcasing superhuman slasher-killers who can be run over by 18-wheelers or freight trains and still walk away unscathed never really stirred my interest. The sociopath tinkerers and anomaly ghost stories on the other prove to be much more intersting as thrillers.

On another note, I am looking forward to Valentine's Day tomorrow.. >=]

6 Pairs of Kicks is My Definition of 12 Steps

Another sweet weekend spent usually means there is some sort of hedonistic consumption or splurging of some type. While I don't really have six pairs of shoes here I think I definitely will by the time I leave. Even back at home in Toronto I kept about eight or so different pairs of shoes when I actually really only wore three of them. Was eyeing a pair of Nike Court Forces which were black and a darker green, but I decided to change it up and give the Vans a fair opportunity. Educated decision on my part as I'm certainly enjoying the style. Only issue is these shoes will perhaps be the first ones I've owned in quite some time that actually require me lacing up upon every occasion I decide to put them on.

Nice shoes are of importance. After all, our shoes are partly responsible for taking us to the wonderful places we'll be in life...

What Do You Want to Drink?

It's honestly completely unintentional that I have consecutive posts about alcohol consumption. I swear I'm not a closet alcoholic or binge drinker. I did just remember taking a picture of this at a bar I was at in Kumagaya recently. This was just one page of shooters, but the rest of the drinks in the menu were of an interesting variety to say the least.

Afternoon Glass.. Bottle

Upon further review having a bottle of wine at 4 o'clock in the afternoon wasn't one of my greatest ideas. The restaurant though had a comfortable ambience complete with their own wine cellar. It was a bit tiny but it was the first time I've been to any restaurant where I was escorted to a wine cellar to select a bottle of my liking. Ended up going with a bottle of red Riscal from Spain. Being sophisticatedly drunk during daylight hours and walking the flooded streets of Shibuya was an unfamiliar, amusing experience.

Outdoor Skating

Dropped by Roppongi Hills over the weekend and wasn't really too impressed with what it had to offer. Sure the mall was pretty structurally impressive but I definitely think the place is overhyped. Maybe because it's for the designer shops and brands but that doesn't really make my milk moo. The point of interest I found to be the most amusing was the outdoor skating rink just outside the Asahi TV station.


I'll admit I was definitely tempted to hop over the barrier and give it a whirl, but given that I haven't skated for like 4 years I wasn't ready to induce pain to myself and cause other multiple accidents with the innocent children within the confined quarters. The fact that the ice surface also looked like sand in a park was also a little discouraging. Finally, everyone intelligent knows that rollerblading is the only way to go. (Not that I have my rollerblades here though.. dammit >_<)