ritual costume

trendy chocolate

I found this chocolate store headed by Japanese chefs. La Chocolaterie is in Richmond inside a new Japanese market place. I tasted the smooth ganache. The Japanese style chocolate is to die for. They have 27 flavours and a few more seasonal favours. I got Kiwi as seasonal flavour. It is very unique and tastes very good.

Hina Festival

In Japan, the Doll Festival is coming up in March. I have these new friends given to me as present recently. Thank you! I love the candies and the cute stuff animals.

Spring Vacation

2012 Spring Vacation: Japan

April 13 (Fri) YVR to Tokyo Narita

April 14 (Sat) Arrive in Tokyo, Shibuya Carnival (12-10), Big Gym Ueno, Asakusa Blue Wave Inn

April 15 (sun) Jindai Botanical Garden, Kitarochaya, Sarasakan, Kasoyo for afternoon tea (closed Tue, Wed, holiday), Ginza Mariage Freres, Fucha Ryori Bon at Iriya (5:30pm start)

April 16 (Mon) Koishikawa Botanical Garden Glasshouse, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Ryoguchiya

Korekiyo, Laduree afternoon tea, Nihonbashi Takashimaya Moroeya for Wabi, dinner at Yurakucho (5-10:30 pm)

April 17 (Tue) Tokyo to Kyoto early in the morning, put luggage away at the station. Take bus

to Kitano Tenmangun Oimatsu (daily 8:30 to 5), Kamahachi Roho (daily 8:30 to 6:30), Toraya,

then to Ryokujuanshimizu Konpeito (closed Wed and 4th Tue), Jidaigireya Bon (10-6 closed Sun), then back to station to pick up luggage to go to hotel, then shop at Sanjo Dori: Sanjyo

Damascene, Koromo Kyoto, Asutarute Shobo (12-7 closed Thur), Kinokuniya, Masune Wagashi (11-8 closed Thur), Chicago Vintage Clothings Kyoto Store for vintage kimono, Lupicia tea, Kyoto Rumie on Kawarimachi, Nomura Tailor on Shijo, dinner at La Papaya Verte Vietnamese food (daily 5:30 to 10:30 pm)

April 18 (Wed) Ishida Mansen Koujo, make Obi, Sanjyowakasaya (9 to 5:30 pm daily), Yurino Incense pouches (daily 10-6), Gensui Wagashi, Nishiki.

April 19 (Thur) Ishida Mansen Koujo, Chiso Yuzen Gallery (closed W, 10-7 daily),

Oryuri Mitsuyasu Vegetarian Kaiseiki (6-10 pm closed Sun, need reservation)

April 20 (Fri) Ishida Mansen Koujo, Konjaku Nishimura (10-7 closed Wed),

Chingireya daily (9-7:30), Takashimaya on Shijo Kawaramachi (closed 7:30 pm)

April 21 (Sat) Toji market, Sasayaiori (daily 9-5), Kameyamutsu (8:30-5 closed Wed),

Kanshundo Honten (daily 9-6), Shouhin Wagashi (9-6 daily closed 2^nd and 4^th Sun), Yamamoto

Wagashi, Kiyomizusaka, Minatoya Yurei Kosodate Ame Honpo candies (10-4, closed M),

Kiyomizudera,Gyoza Shoentei (4:30-9 pm daily) Ninesaka, Kodaiji, Maruyama Koen, Yasaka Jinja, Gion Koishi (daily 10:30 to 7:30 pm), Eirakuya (10-8)

April 22 (sun) Kyoto Botanical Garden Glasshouse (daily 10-4), Chokyudo (daily 10-8),

Kitayama Malebranche afternoon tea, Sou Sou, Italian dinner at La Verde Trattoria (11-11) or Santa Maria Novella Tisaneria (6-10 pm closed Mon)

April 23 (Mon) Ishida Mansen Koujo, Kameya Yoshinaga (8-6, closed Sun, 1^st, 3^rd

Wed), see gold leafing studio

April 24 (Tue) Check out from hotel, go to Kyoto Station, put all luggage away for 2 days or

send 1 luggage to Tokyo’s hotel, then, take train to Nara, Koriyama Honke Kikuya Wagashi, afternoon Kasuga Taisha, Shinen, then Nara Park, stay at Matsumae Ryokan

April 25 (Wed) check out from hotel, JR Nara to Sakurai to Hasedera, go to Kyoto Station Isetan’s Malebranche, the Cube, go to Tokyo, stay at Blue Wave Inn

April 26 (Thur) Asakusa, Kappabashi shopping for wagashi stand and senbei, then go to Narita and to YVR

new kain design

I am working on this new kain design. Just a little detail here to show.