And so the final day of my 2015 Japan trip came. 20th December – my birthday – and I was determined to celebrate in style! That morning I woke up to the most gorgeous view of Mount Fuji as the sun rose above the harbour – what an incredible start to the day! I met … Continue reading
Filed under Starbucks …
Japan 2015: Christmas!
So, I’m back in the UK now after an amazing month in Japan, and Christmas has already been and gone. Japan was Christmas crazy whilst I was there, with festive tunes playing in every shop, lift and hotel, and Christmas displays everywhere. Everything was lit up, covered in santas and very, very sparkly. Christmas was … Continue reading
Japan 2014: Tokyo – Rain, Rabbits & Royalty
☆★☆ WARNING☆★☆ This is a long post full of lots of pictures that WILL make you wish you were in Tokyo! Sunday 8th June came and I had one final day left of my month-long trip to Japan. I was in Tokyo, and decided to spend the day in my favourite parts of the city: … Continue reading
Japan 2014: Tokyo SkyTree & Solamachi
When I was in Japan in 2011 I saw the Tokyo SkyTree standing in its full glory (634 metres), but it didn’t open until May 2012, more than a year after I had left Japan. I love a tall tower with a good view, so I knew I would have to visit the SkyTree on … Continue reading
Postcard from Japan: Classic Crossing
I know it’s a cliché, but I couldn’t leave Tokyo without spending some time sitting in Starbucks and staring at the Shibuya Crossing… Tomorrow I’ll be heading back to the UK after what has been the most incredible 4-week trip. I have taken over 7,000 photos, so please bear with me whilst I sort through … Continue reading
What if I woke up in Japan tomorrow?
I’m feeling full of a cold and struggling for inspiration tonight, but there are only four more posts to go before I complete NaBloPoMo, so I must keep going! I think about Japan pretty much 24/7 – at work, at home, everywhere – but this month I feel like I’ve devoted even more time to … Continue reading
Starbucks Japan – Christmas 2013
As soon as I see the red cups return to Starbucks I know it’s Christmas, and my mind instantly turns to Japan. Starbucks in Japan has some really inventive seasonal flavours, and Christmas time is no exception. This year’s offerings are クラッシュ マロン パイ フラペチーノ (Crushed Marron Pie Frappuccino) and クラッシュ マロン パイ ラテ (Crushed Marron Pie … Continue reading
A to Wa of Japan: Week 12
It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with こ (ko) and we looked at kotatsu (炬燵), koto (箏) and cosplay (コスプレ). This week we are looking at things beginning with さ (sa). A big thank you to everyone who joined in with suggestions this week: Jay Dee suggested sakura (桜 / cherry blossom), Saitama (さいたま / … Continue reading
Charity Gig: You Are Not Forgotten
Next Saturday, 9th June, there will be a small charity gig in North London to raise money for those affected by the 11th March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan. The gig, held in association with Seven Beach Aid, will be at Starbucks in Golders Green, and will feature music from O-ARC, Nicolas Bush, and ADOBO (Johan … Continue reading
Weekly Shiritori #22
Last week’s post was about Inarizushi (いなりずし / 稲荷寿司), so this week I need to start with し (shi). Thank you all for your suggestions: ラマタ with Shinjuku (新宿), japanaustralia with Shizuoka (静岡), Shibuya (渋谷), Shinjuku (新宿), shinbun (しんぶん / newspaper), shinkansen (新幹線 / bullet train), or shio (しお / salt), and itsumojapan shiki (四季 / しき / four seaosns). They were all … Continue reading