Tuesday, October 31, 2017

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips

     This winter, my husband and I are finally going to visit Japan, which is our home country. We grew up and worked in Japan, and now we are living in the U.S. Obviously, Japan and U.S. are very different countries such as languages, cultures, laws and etc. If you are planning on traveling Japan for your first time, perhaps you have already read some articles about Japan travel tips. Yet, I will share with you my real Japan travel tips. Today, I'm going to share four items you should take to Japan with you. :)



1. Wash Cloth or Handkerchief
My Wash Clothes or Handkerchiefs
      It's no joke! Don't forget to take some wash clothes or handkerchiefs to Japan. Regardless of age and sex, Japanese people always keep one in their pocket or handbag when going outside. After washing your hands, you need it to dry your hands with your own handkerchief. Well, some public bathrooms have hand dryers or paper hand towels, but not all bathrooms have those. Even though I never carry around wash cloth nor handkerchief in the U.S., I always keep one in my handbag in Japan.
Handkerchief
     I have ten wash clothes and handkerchiefs now, and most of them were gifts from my friends, colleagues and so on. In Japan, those are perfect as a gift because everyone needs one. Indeed, handkerchiefs are also one of the most popular gifts for mother's day and father's day in Japan. :) I remember that I bought this Celine wash cloth for my mother-in-law at a department store when we traveled Osaka. I loved that it has very cute loafer patterned embroidery, so I also bought one for myself. :) In Japan, you can purchase wash clothes and handkerchiefs at department stores, Muji, Daiso, some clothing stores, gift shops, and so on. It's usually 100 yen to 1,500 yen.
Wash Cloth
   By the way, handkerchief is called hankachi (ハンカチ) in Japan, and wash cloth is called towel hankachi (タオル ハンカチ) in Japan.






2. Cash
      In the U.S., most stores accept credit cards. Even if I only have less than $5 cash in my wallet, I think it's still okay in the U.S. because I can use a credit card. However, in Japan, you should put more cash in your wallet. When I lived in Japan, if I had less than 10,000 yen (about $88) in my wallet, I started to think I should add more cash in it. (By the way, when I travel Japan, obviously I put more money in my wallet.) Some Japanese people always have more than 100,000 yen in their wallets, and it's not unusual in Japan. One of my Japanese friends told me that he had 400,000 yen in his wallet, and I thought it's too much! It depends on how much you spend until you add cash in it next time.  By the way, there is no tipping in any situation in Japan. 


Credit Card Acceptance List (◎Accept  vs ×Don't Accept)
 
Convenience Stores - Most stores accept credit cards.
Department Stores - Most stores accept credit cards.
Discount stores - Many stores accept credit cards. (◎Donki)
Supermarkets - Some stores don't accept credit cards.(◎Aeon and Ito Yokado  vs  ×local supermarkets, smaller supermarkets)
Drugstores - Some stores don't accept credit cards. (◎Matsumotokiyoshi and Kokumin  vs  × local stores and smaller stores)
Restaurant - Some restaurants don't accept credit cards. (◎Royal Host, Skylark Group Restaurants vs × local restaurants and smaller restaurants)
Food Stalls - Most food stalls don't accept credit cards.
Gift Shops - Some stores don't accept credit cards. (◎Gift shops located in airports     vs  × small local gift shops)
Transportation (Train) - Some companies don't accept credit cards. (◎JR)
Transportation (Bus) - Some companies don't accept credit cards.    
Transportation (Taxi) - Some drivers don't accept credit cards. 
Hospitals - Some hospitals don't accept credit cards. (◎larger hospitals     vs ×smaller hospitals)
Post Office - They don't accept credit cards.

***Some stores accept credit cards only when you spend more than minimum amount, which might be 500 yen to 3,000 yen.  




3. Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fee
       Foreign transaction fees are charged by most credit card companies on purchases made in abroad. Many of them charge a 3% foreign transaction fee. Check your credit cards if you have a 0% foreign transaction fee credit card. If truth be told I had never thought about it until last year, and I always paid a 3% foreign transaction fee when I used my credit card in Japan (I was an idiot!). I wish I could have known it earlier. This year, I finally got a Capital One Quicksilver credit card. It's a 0% foreign transaction fee credit card, and I can earn 1.5% cashback rewards on any purchase. I like the fact that its annual fee is free.  I think many airline credit cards also offer a 0% foreign transaction fee.

     By the way, the best credit card brands for Japan travel are VISA and MasterCard, but you can probably use JCB, Diners and American Express at many stores.
      
 


   


4. Your Favorite Deodorant
Shisiedo Ag Deo 24 for women
     While most U.S. deodorants are solid stick, most Japanese deodorants are spray. Moreover, Japanese deodorants are not as strong as U.S. ones. Indeed, U.S. deodorants are popular for some Japanese people who concern extreme underarm odor. They buy U.S. deodorants online such as Amazon Japan. You cannot find U.S. deodorants at drugstores in Japan. If you have your favorite deodorant, you really should take as many deodorants as you need to Japan.  However, if you are looking for the most effective Japanese deodorant, I recommend you to try Shiseido AG Deo 24. My husband loved this product and told me that Shiseido AG is the best Japanese deodorant he has ever used.  Shiseido AG Deo 24 has women's deodorants and men's deodorants.
Shiseido AG Deo 24 Men









       These are my entries you might like.
■My Shopping List for Japanese Beauty Products - What I Want to Get in Japan

■Top 15 Popular Posts from Best Japanese Beauty Products

■Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products   

■Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Bath Salt / Bath Additive Brands

■What I Bought at Japanese Supermarkets

■Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Japanese Supermarkets (for Beginners!)

■Don Quijote (Donki) Haul - What He Got in Japan

■8 Interesting Japanese Kitchen Gadgets!

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Snacks

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Sweets

■Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Foods 

■My Top 15 Must Eat Foods in Japan - My Favorite Japanese Foods


     My entries related to popular and cool Japanese products can be seen here.
 
     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japanese sweets and snacks can be seen here.

     My entries related to beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.

     My entries related to cooking can be seen here.





Monday, October 30, 2017

Starbucks Local Collection Double Wall Travelers 2017

     When my husband was on his business trip in Chicago, he found Starbucks 2017 local collection travelers, which are also called travel mugs or ceramic double wall tumblers, have finally released this month!  I remember that they also released 49 kinds of Starbucks 2016 local travelers around this time last year. Just like Starbucks You Are Here Collection Mugs, Starbucks 2017 Local Collection Travelers are only released locally.

    He found these Starbucks Illinois and Chicago travelers at Starbucks branch located in an airport in Chicago. :) 

Starbucks 2017 Illinois and Chicago Travelers
Starbucks Local Collection Double Wall Travelers 2017 - Illinois and Chicago


      I also found these 2017 Local Collection Travelers at Starbucks.

Starbucks 2017 Los Angeles Traveler
Starbucks Local Collection Double Wall Travelers 2017 - Los Angeles
         It's showing LA with fingers. It look like Los Angeles Dodgers sign.

Starbucks 2017 San Diego Traveler
Starbucks Local Collection Double Wall Travelers 2017 - San Diego
   It's a California Sea Lion! It reminded me of wild sea lions I saw in La Jolla, San Diego county!



Starbucks 2017 Las Vegas Traveler
Starbucks Local Collection Double Wall Travelers 2017 - Las Vegas
     It looks like Las Vegas show!


     These are my entries you might like.
■Starbucks Los Angeles Double Wall Traveler (2016)

■Starbucks California Double Wall Traveler (2016)

■Starbucks 2017 Anniversary Collection

■Starbucks 2016 Anniversary Collection Travelers

■Starbucks 2015 Anniversary Collection

■Japan and US - Starbucks 2017 Cherry Blossom Collection

■Limited Edition Lilly Pulitzer + Starbucks S’well Water Bottles

■Starbucks 2017 Valentine's Day Products 

■The Year of The Rooster - New Starbucks Lunar New Year 2017 Collection

■Starbucks Hawaii - Traveling the Big Island, Hawaii - Day 2-2/6

■What They Sell at Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room - Traveling Seattle, Day 2 - 5/9

■The Original Starbucks - Traveling Seattle, Day 1-6/7 



       My entries related to Starbucks can be seen here.

       My entries related to my Starbucks collections can be seen here.
 

       My entries related to Starbucks Japan can be seen here.







Sunday, October 29, 2017

How to Make Matcha Warabi Mochi with Microwave Oven

     Today, I made matcha warabi mochi (わらび餅), a traditional Japanese mochi dessert and coated with kinako, roasted soy bean flour. It was incredibly so good! It had delicious rich kinako taste and slightly bitter from matcha powder. Obviously, it was the best warabi mochi I've ever had! If you love matcha or green tea, I think you might like this warabi mochi as well. :)   

    The reason why I made matcha warabi mochi was that I found this kinako matcha powder, Torokeru Kinako Matcha (とろける きな粉 抹茶), at my local Japanese supermarket today. When I found this, I thought that I should make warabi mochi with it. :)
Torokeru Kinako Matcha

        In addition to kinako powder, it contains brown sugar and matcha powder from Nishio city (西尾市), Aichi prefecture (愛知県). 
Torokeru Kinako Matcha

Torokeru Kinako Matcha

     I'm going to share how to make matcha warabi mochi with you. You can also check out my previous entry, How to Make Warabimochi with Microwave Oven, for regular kinako warabi mochi recipe.


Ingredients (8 Pieces)

For Mochi
2 Tablespoons of Katakuriko, Potato Starch
25g (0.8 oz) of Sugar (I used honey this time.)
90 ml (3 fl oz) of Water

For Coating
Torokeru Kinako Matcha, Kinako Matcha Powder (or Kinako + Matcha Powder + Brown Sugar)




1. Mix katakuriko, sugar and water in a cup.


2. Microwave it for 15 seconds. Stir thoroughly. (By the way, my microwave oven is 1000w.)


3. Microwave it for 10 seconds. Stir thoroughly. Repeat this step until it is thick and translucent.



4. Scoop small pieces of mochi with a wet tablespoon. Soak the mochi in cold ice water. 



5. Then, move the mochi into the kinako matcha powder. Coat the mochi with it.




6. Serve and enjoy! 



     This is my video, How to Make Easy Matcha Green Tea Warabimochi.



       These are also my entries you might like.
■How to Make Warabimochi with Microwave Oven

■How to Make Abekawa Mochi, Kinako Mochi 

■How to Make Ichigo Daifuku, A Japanese Mochi Dessert Stuffed with Strawberry and Anko

■Trader Joe's The Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets

■My Favorite Okara Chocolate Cake & Okara Recipes

■What I Bought at Japanese Supermarkets

■Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Japanese Supermarkets (for Beginners!)

■Don Quijote (Donki) Haul - What He Got in Japan

■8 Interesting Japanese Kitchen Gadgets!

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Snacks

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Sweets

■Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Foods 

■My Top 15 Must Eat Foods in Japan - My Favorite Japanese Foods

■How to Cook Japanese Curry

■How to Cook Miso Soup



    My entries related to cooking can be seen here.

    My entries related to my favorite recipes can be seen here.

    My entries related to foods my husband cooked can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japanese instant ramen can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japanese noodles can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.
 

    My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japan can be seen here.




Saturday, October 28, 2017

Muji Yurakucho in Tokyo Japan - The Largest Muji Store!

     I have loved Muji products since I was a child. When I lived in Japan, I used so many Muji products. I used Muji notebooks, erasers, pens, dishes, towels, bed, dining light, clothing, bags, skincare products, makeups and so on. I also loved their snacks and curry retort pouches. Even after I moved to the U.S. from Japan, I am still using some of Muji products such as Muji moisturizing lotion. That's why when I visit Japan, I always go to Muji store. You can check out my Muji entries, here.

     Muji stores are located everywhere in Japan. Now, Muji has over 300 branches in Japan. You can easily find branches in Narita airport. In addition to Muji branches, Family Mart convenience stores in Japan also sell some of Muji products. This winter, I will stay Tokyo for several days, and I am planning on visiting Muji Yurakucho (MUJI 有楽町), which is the Muji flagship store and the largest Muji store in Japan . If you are a Muji lover and planning on traveling Tokyo, you really should check this store.
Muji Yurakucho
1-3F, 3-8-3 Marunouchi
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo,
Japan 100-0005

Hour : 9 a.m through 9 p.m.





Muji Farmer's Market
       Muji Yurakucho also sells fresh vegetables including organic ones!



Muji Books (Muji Bookstore)


Muji Services 
     This store offers so many services. They also have embroidered design and printing services.  If you purchase Muji clothing or bags, you can use this service starting at 500yen.
 


Muji Bicycle Rental
     You can rent a Muji bicycle for 1000 yen for the whole day (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). You also need to pay a 3000 yen deposit and show your passport and your hotel telephone number. They will give the deposit back when you return the bicycle.
Muji Bicycle Rental


Muji Cafe&Meal (Muji Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant)
     The reason why I would like to go to this store is that they have Muji Cafe! As I mentioned in my previous entry, I went to Muji Cafe in Osaka twice four years ago, and I loved their foods. :)


     Muji Yurakucho has a bakery, so you can purchase freshly baked Muji bread in this store.

   They have many healthy deli meals you can choose from. Their deli meals are made from vegetables they sell at the store. A three-item combo (You can choose one hot deli and two cold delis. You can also choose white rice or bread.) is 850 yen. You can add miso soup for 150yen.  
3-item combo (1 hot deli + 2 cold delis + white rice or bread)

     A four-item combo (You can choose two hot delis and two cold delis. You can also choose white rice or bread.) is 1000 yen.
4-item combo (2 hot deli + 2 cold delis + white rice or bread)
3-Item Combo (1 Hot Deli + 2 Cold Delis + White Rice or Bread) for 850 yen
4-Item Combo (2 Hot Delis + 2 Cold Delis + White Rice or Bread)  for 1000 yen

Options : 
Miso Soup (Additional 150yen) 
Drink (Additional 200yen)
Choose 10-kinds of Grain Rice (Additional 100 yen)


     My husband told me that he would like to have their soft serve. It's 380 yen.
Muji Soft Serve
    He also told me that he want to have their cream soda. Ice cream soda, or float, is called cream soda (クリームソーダ) in Japan. The soda of Japanese cream soda is usually green and has melon flavor.
Muji Cream Soda (550 yen)

    I would like to have their yuzu drink, which is named Yuzu Squash (柚子スカッシュ). Yuzu (柚子, ゆず, ユズ) is a Japanese citrus fruit. In Japan, a drink made from carbonated water and squeezed juice is called squash such as lemon squash (レモンスカッシュ). Muji Yuzu Squash is made from fresh yuzu grown in Kochi prefecture.  By the way, I really love yuzu kosho, a spicy Japanese condiment made from yuzu zest, pepper and salt. :)
Muji Yuzu Drink (400 yen)

Muji Store Locator
https://www.muji.com/jp-en/shop/storelist?a=&s=




     These are my Muji entries you might like.

Must Go to Place in Japan - Muji Part 1

Must Go to Place in Japan - Muji Part 2

Must Go to Place in Japan - Muji Part 3

What He Got at Muji Store in Japan - Muji Haul (2016)

What He Got for Me at Muji Store in Japan - Muji Haul (2014)

What I Got at Muji Store in Japan - Muji Haul (2014)

What I Got at Muji Store in Japan - Muji Haul (Oct, 2013)

What I Got at Muji Store in Japan - Muji Haul (Jan, 2013)




     These are also my entries you might like.
Which Muji Keshosui Should You Choose? - Muji Toning Water Sensitive Skin Care Series 

13 Muji Products I Purchased in Japan - Muji Haul
 

 ♥What He Got at Drugstore in Japan - Haul

Japanese Drugstore Shopping List - 6 Best Japanese Products You Can Purchase at Drugstore in Japan!

What He Got at Haneda Airport, Tokyo International Airport - Japan Haul

Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Foods

My Top 15 Must Eat Foods in Japan - My Favorite Japanese Foods

Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Japanese Supermarkets (for Beginners!)

8 Interesting Japanese Kitchen Gadgets!

My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Snacks

My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Sweets

Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products 

Top 3 Daiso Beauty Products




     My entries related to Muji can be seen here.

     My entries related to beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.





Friday, October 27, 2017

How to Make Nitamago, Japanese Ramen Eggs

      This morning, I made nitamago (煮たまご, 煮卵), which is also called hanjyuku nitamago (半熟煮卵) and ajitsuke tamago (味付け卵). Tamago (たまご, 卵, 玉子) means an egg (eggs), and ni (煮) means boiled or simmered in Japanese. Hanjyuku (半熟) means half-cooked, and ajitsuke (味付け) means flavored. Thus, these are Japanese flavored half-boiled eggs. You can find nitamago at ramen restaurants in Japan. Many ramen restaurants serve nitamago as ramen toppings.

      Tonight, I had these half boiled eggs, which I marinated in soy sauce, mirin and sugar for 12 hours. These had savory soy sauce flavor and so good! Making nitamago is pretty easy, so today, I'm going to share with you how to make nitamago with you.

Ingredients (10 Servings)
5 Tablespoons of Mirin
5 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
11 Tablespoons of Water
10 Eggs



1. (Make Marinade Sauce) Put mirin, soy sauce, sugar and water into a sauce pan, and bring to a boil.

 Then, move it in a stainless steel bowl and place it over iced water. Let it cool.
Chill the Marinade Sauce





2. (Make Half-Boiled Eggs) Bring water to a boil. Put eggs in a boiling water. Cook them for 6 minutes.

Move eggs in iced water. When eggs are fully chilled, peel them.








3. (Marinate Eggs) Move peeled eggs in a glass container (I used a 7-cup Pyrex round storage.) or Ziploc Bag.  Pour chilled marinade sauce in it. Marinate it in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Flip eggs over a few times (If you use a Ziploc Bag, you don't need to flip eggs over.).





4. Enjoy!



       These are my entries you might like.
■Top 3 My Favorite Ramen From Marutai Kyushu Ramen Series

■Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Japanese Supermarkets (for Beginners!)

■Don Quijote (Donki) Haul - What He Got in Japan

■What He Got at Supermarket in Japan - Haul 

■8 Interesting Japanese Kitchen Gadgets!

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Snacks

■My Top 10 Favorite Japanese Sweets

■Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Foods 

■My Top 15 Must Eat Foods in Japan - My Favorite Japanese Foods

■How to Make Vietnamese Egg Coffee

■How to Make Tamago Kake Gohan - Raw Egg on Rice

■How to Cook Soboro Don - Japanese Scrambled Meat And Egg Bowl 

■How To Make Easy Garlic Soy Sauce

■How to Cook Miso Soup



    My entries related to cooking can be seen here.

    My entries related to my favorite recipes can be seen here.

    My entries related to foods my husband cooked can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japanese instant ramen can be seen here. 

    My entries related to Japanese noodles can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.
 

    My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.

    My entries related to Japan can be seen here.






Thursday, October 26, 2017

Starbucks US and Japan - Halloween Frappuccino

Starbucks US Halloween Frappuccino (10/26 through 10/31)
Starbucks US Halloween Zombie Frappuccino 2017
      Starbucks US has released Halloween limited edition Frappuccino, Zombie Frappuccino, today! It's a green caramel apple Frappuccino topped with dark mocha syrup and pink whipped cream. You can order this spooky Frappuccino at Starbucks branches in the U.S. through October 31.



Starbucks Japan Halloween Frappuccino (10/25 through 10/31)
Starbucks Japan Halloween Mystery Frappuccino  2017
       Starbucks Japan released Halloween limited edition Frappuccino on October 25. It's named Halloween Mystery Frappuccino. It looks mocha or chocolate Frappuccino, but it's not. That's why they say it's mystery. (Some people have already revealed that it's actually caramel Frappuccino topped with mocha whipped cream and mocha drizzle.)  The mocha syrup is drizzled like a spider web. You can enjoy this Halloween Frappuccino in Japan through October 31.




     These are my entries you might like.
■Starbucks 2017 Anniversary Collection

■Starbucks 2016 Anniversary Collection Travelers

■Starbucks 2015 Anniversary Collection

■Japan and US - Starbucks 2017 Cherry Blossom Collection

■Limited Edition Lilly Pulitzer + Starbucks S’well Water Bottles

■Starbucks 2017 Valentine's Day Products 

■The Year of The Rooster - New Starbucks Lunar New Year 2017 Collection

■Starbucks Los Angeles Double Wall Traveler (2016)

■Starbucks California Double Wall Traveler (2016)

■Starbucks Hawaii - Traveling the Big Island, Hawaii - Day 2-2/6

■What They Sell at Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room - Traveling Seattle, Day 2 - 5/9

■The Original Starbucks - Traveling Seattle, Day 1-6/7 


        This is my YouTube channel.
Ringo's Coffee Channel

       My entries related to Starbucks can be seen here.

       My entries related to my Starbucks collections can be seen here.
 

       My entries related to Starbucks Japan can be seen here.