KAISO ---- Bakery in Shimokitazawa ( Chazawa Street )

You can eat here, there are a small table, but mainly, this is the place to shop and take them out.    This tiny, a retro shop across from Bamiyan  ( franchised Chinese restaurant) is my new finding.

It has the nostalgia for good old days..... a mini bench, a mini table and two small chairs.

Their bread tastes rich, not butter rich, but you can feel their time consuming, careful preparation on your tongue.

Yummmmm.  It is a 7 min. walk from the station.
Exit south, walk through between McDonald's and game centers, shops...... keep on walking.  When you hit Chazawa Street ( meaning the road connecting Sangenjaya and Shimokitazawa ) , turn right.  Stay on the road.  You will find Bamiyan on your left and soon, the shop will be on your right.

Benham no Koma, Shimokitazawa --- Wine Bar or 2nd shop of Jukuseishitsu

Do you know Benham's Top?  I just came back from Benham's Top.
Benham's Top, Shimokitazawa

There are so many bars on Ichibangai lately.... or 1st Avenue of Shimokitazawa.

Unfortunately, I just had an urge of having a few glasses of wine after work and went over there, so didn't have smart phone or camera......( I grabbed my wallet and walked over..... 3 min. walk )  

Next time, I will take some pics and show you.

Small, cozy bar ran by two women....the shop has only several counter seats and a few more by the wall.

Flavor cheese, crackers ( buckwheat, cilantro, plain etc... ) etc.....

Good wines...... I had two glasses of Richaurd someone...  ( organic wine.... from Cotes due Rhone ) and flavored cheese with crackers.

Cozy.... so relaxing.  I met a nice woman who is an editor.  I enjoy this kind of encounter.... I've been in content business and handling language, so there was something common we could share..... she loves eating, drinking.

We exchanged business cards and I hope we can get together at Benham's Top again.

Why they named this place " Benham's Top"?  They hope.... depending on the situation or the person, the shop looks different or the shop can be flexible to meet the expectation.

Will try to take a pic next time.  I promise.

Happy for Friends' Wedding. Enjoyed celebrating their Tying the Knot.

Cakes, Mousse and More

Center Flower & Food

Friends' Wedding @ Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi

Buffet @ Grand Hyatt

April 22 already.  In Tokyo, it was warm once and I was about to enjoy the spring weather, then it turned back to cold winter weather again.

It was so cold yesterday, so I couldn't wear the dress I planned for this wedding.

Forced to wear something plain, I wore a brownish golden scarf over the shoulder to add something festive and glam up.

It seems like they mulled it over and came to the decision to hold festive, yet progressive style party.


I've been invited to.... countless weddings, yet this was the first time to attend this friendly, buffet wedding @ five star hotel.  ( Yes, I 've attended casual buffet wedding reception at restaurants)

They are in 40s and they tried to make it simple, share their joy with their friends and show the appreciation to the friends.  Very nice and how can I explain the style they chose ?  Very 40s or mature.

Shrimp cocktail, roasted pork, grilled peppers..... everything was good.
And the dessert!    Will show you a few more pics.

Irish Stew w/ Irish Mashed Potato, Guiness

For 2013's St. Patrick's Day

Off Today.....

I wanted to upload some pic which I cooked last night for St. Patrick's Day.
Somehow, this web doesn't synchronize with my mobile today, so let me do it later.

I am not Irish, yet I enjoy wearing something green and eat and drink Irish thing.
Yes, I cooked Irish stew ( hard to buy block lamb meat here, so instead, I used beef) and had Guiness.

Nice Monday, which I set lately as day off.  Phew.  I can hear gusty winds are blowing outside, yet it doen't bother me when I am enjoying my private reading time.

My hay fever is getting better although I still need to take medication twice a day.

There are piles of books in my place still, which I don't mind, yet cannot finish reading them ever.   I keep buying and they keep coming in from some friends.

I just learned new word " Chick Lit " genre.  Apparently, working women's light, comedy novel is called like this.  i.e.) " Bridget Jone's Diary" series.

Am reading Jenny Colgan's " Talking o Addison" which I got from a friend of mine who lives close here.   She works for publisher/ major bookstore company and funny thing is sometimes I open the entrance and find a pile of books or paper bag filled with books.... thanks to her though.  I love reading.  Yes, they are English books, I mean books written in English ( mainly American English, some are British English :-) j

Jenny Colgan's is British one.....just like Bridget Jone's.

Well, let me save some energy today and will be ready to go on tomorrow again.

Shibuya Station, Toyoko Line

Shibuya Terminal on Toyoko Line
March 14, 2013

It's amazing..... the technology of Japanese railroads, this can be exported to overseas.

They change station overnight...... I took this photo on March 14.  Last night, meaning March 15, they changed and moved this station to the basement...... I have to go check and see how they look now.

Toyoko Line is now connected with Shin Fukutoshin Line.... meaning people living on Toyoko line can go onto Shin Fukutoshin Line with ease.....this connection makes it easy for people to visit Shinjuku , Ikebukuro area.....


The amazing part is Japanese railroads do not close the station for these kind of big change.  They prepare new station and connection and then overnight, they open the new station... just like " Ta-Dah!".

Next weekend is my area...... not a new connection, but Shimokitazawa station will be moved to the basement, so as next stations....Higashi Kitazawa and Shin Daita.

This will make Odakyu Line of this area quadruple track and railroad crossings will be gone.... no more waiting ... no more accidents.