I got some gifts of Niigata pref. from my friend.

They are ‘chamame-manju’ （steamed edamame bean-jam bun) and Japanese famous snack, ‘Kaki no Tane’ that is one of my favorite snacks.

Niigata pref. is a major production area of rice. Because of that, Niigata pref. produces a lot of products that are made of rice such as ‘Kaki no Tane’ and ‘senbei ( rice crackers).
Also, ‘chamame’ is one of kinds of Edamame which is mainly cultivated in Niigata.

I really had very good tea time with green tea!

naniwayaseika
Niigata Dasuke

&vege is a vegan restaurant in Shimokirtazawa.
You’ll find a tiny sign on Starbuck’s coffee’s side. Go through the narrow path, there’s &vege.

We had all handmade falafel plate. Falafel, salad and vege cheese were so good!

& vege (Japanese)

There is a room where is only permitted to take pictures, and we’ve found that Kaneda’s red motorbike is displayed.

We had very good time to see his handwriting pictures and drawings which are very very gorgeous.
It would certainly be worth it!

Katsuhiro Otomo Genga-ten
3331
Katsuhiro Otomo – Wikipedia

My friend and I went to ‘Katsuhiro Otomo Genga-ten’ at 3331 Arts Chiyoda in Tokyo.
It is held from April 9th, 2012 to May 30th, 2012.
‘Katsuhiro Otomo’, who is a very famous Japanese comic book creator, and also he is known as a film director.
A very popular comic,’Akira’ is his masterpiece all over the world. It is also made into a movie.

Katsuhiro Otomo Genga-ten
3331
Katsuhiro Otomo – Wikipedia

Hiding back of buildings, there is a old house with small garden.
Tiny sign is in front of that, it is DADA CAFE.

We spent cozy lunch time. I had creamy chicken curry rice.

DADA CAFE (Japanese)

This year, the event 365 Charming Everyday Things, which brought together a years worth (365 items) of made-in-Japan everyday things, was held in Paris and Tokyo.

At the event, 365 different kinds of everyday products were on sale, last but not least of which was the event’s catalog, in the shape of a daily calendar.

I didn’t go to this event but my friend gave me the calendar as a present.

Now then, I wonder what kind of everyday product will be featured today?

365 Charming Everyday Things

I got a couple of hair accessories from Marc by Marc Jacobs at Ikebukuro Seibu.
They are a very pretty chouchou and a band with plastic blue ribbon.

It is very difficult to see heart patterns in the chouchou, but I like it.

marc jacobs

torta is a soft cookie, got some hint from stroopwafel.
But it’s more soft, not chewy, and no scent of butter.
Instead of the caramel filling, vanilla, apple, and chocolate flavors are in.

torta
Stroopwafel

Ueno zoo is my favorite place and, it is one of very popular zoos in Tokyo.
Also, it is very oldest zoo in Tokyo.

My favorite animals are the Giant Pandas and the Western lowland Gorillas.
The two new Giant Pandas have come from China in February 2011, and then, they are very popular now in Japan.
We really missed Giant Pandas because the Ueno zoo had been without Giant Pandas for a while.

We are able to enjoy all day long at Ueno zoo where is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government with reasonable price.

Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo – wikipedia

There are many Pilot Shops in Ginza where you can get each prefecture’s touring information and purchase its local specialities.
Today I bought plums, dried pear, and fruit juice at a Yamagata shop.
It’s fun looking for yummy and cutely designed things.
Going around antenna shops is a simple way to enjoy the taste of touring.

Oishi YAMAGATA Plaza – おいしい山形プラザ
Ginza Pilot Shops map