Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Bic Camera at Haneda Airport Tax Free Service - New Year's Japan Travel Day 2

       My husband and I traveled Japan during this New Year's holidays. As I mentioned in my previous entry, we flew to Tokyo from Los Angeles and finally arrived at Tokyo International Airport, Haneda Airport, in the early morning on December 28.


Bic Camera at Haneda Airport
       First, we headed toward Bic Camera, an electronics retailer chain in Japan, located on the second floor in Haneda Airport International Terminal. As I mentioned in my previous entry, My Shopping List for Japanese Products (Stationery, Kitchen Items, Starbucks and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan, we wanted to purchase Sharp Healsio Gurie, a highend Japanese toaster oven.
Bic Camera in Haneda Airport International Terminal

     When we lived in Osaka, we sometimes went to Bic Camera Namba store, which was pretty huge. This store located in Haneda Airport was very small, but I was impressed that they had many small appliances including Healsio Gurie (Even though this store was small, there were all three colors of Healsio Gurie we could choose from!) and popular Panasonic Nano Care Hair Dryer. In addition, they carried many Japanese beauty items with pretty reasonable prices.




Quick Tax Free Service and 5% Off with Foreign Credit Card
       Now, in Japan, some stores especially ones located in Tokyo offer Tax Free Service. You need to show your passport with a valid entry stamp at the store where you want to apply for a tax refund.

      At this store, they offered Quick Tax Free service (8% off) and an additional 5% off with paying with credit card issued in foreign countries or bitcoin. Yes, Bic Camera allows payments in bitcoin at all locations! We didn't pay it with bitcoin though. ;) Their Quick Tax Free service was really quick. Because we went there in the early morning, there was no waiting line. :)  It took us only a few minutes or so to complete our purchase. Just show your passport, and they attach the receipt to your passport. That's it! You can check Japan's tax exemption program from here.

     Healsio Gurie AXH1 is originally 32,500 yen, but it was on sale for 20,180 yen because Sharp just released its newer model, Healsio Gurie AXH2, so AXH1 was on sale there! ;) We purchased it for 19,171 yen with an additional 5% discount with our credit card payment. It ended up being $170.45!

     Did you know why it's the best time to travel Japan? It's because the price of yen currency has been pretty low these years. (While one US dollar is 108 Japanese yen today, it was 76 Japanese yen in 2011!)  When we traveled Japan, one US dollar was 112 yen, so I felt like everything in Japan was bargain during our travel! Be sure to pay with a credit card with no foreign transaction fee when you purchase something abroad. You can check out my previous entry, What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips, about it.



Japanese Electronics Are the Best!
      I sometimes miss Japanese electronics so much such as a refrigerator and washer we used to use in Japan. A Japanese washer is incredibly quiet and works for so many years (It might work for as long as forever seriously.). However, we cannot bring heavily large appliances from Japan. Yet, we can still purchase small appliances in Japan and enjoy them in the U.S. ;) Next time, I want to get a high-end Japanese rice cooker in Japan!

     Anyway, we enjoy using Healsio Gurie at home now! It was one of our best purchases in Japan. I'll write about our Healsio Gurie in my future entries. :) 
Sharp Healsio Gurie

      After shopping at Bic Camera, we enjoyed Japanese foods at Haneda Airport. I'll write about it next time. :) 



      These are my entries you might like.

13 Best Japanese Products I Purchased on Amazon Japan! - Beauty, Kitchen and Stationery Items  

2 Convenience Store Skincare Products I Got in Japan - Japan Haul

13 Muji Products I Purchased in Japan - Muji Haul 

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips

My Shopping List for Japanese Beauty Products - What I Want to Get in Japan

My Shopping List for Japanese Groceries (Ramen, Sweets, Snack and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan  


My Shopping List for Japanese Products (Stationery, Kitchen Items, Starbucks and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan

Top 3 Japanese Powder Sunscreens  

3 Best Japanese Sunscreen Products to Try This Summer

3 Best Japanese Eye Creams Won Beauty Award This Year

3 Best Facial Sheet Masks Loved in Japan This Year

7 Most Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Wipes for Removing Makeup  


7 Best Japanese Beauty Products Hall of Fame 

Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products  

10 Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon Japan, You Can Also Purchase Them at Drugstores in Japan



     My entries related to Tokyo 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 beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.






Friday, January 26, 2018

13 Muji Products I Purchased in Japan - Muji Haul

      As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I traveled Japan during this New Year's holidays. Because I love Muji products so much, Muji store is one of my must go to places in Japan. This time, I visited Muji Yurakucho (無印良品 有楽町), which is the Muji flagship store and the largest Muji store in Japan. You can check out my previous entry, Muji Yurakucho in Tokyo Japan - The Largest Muji Store!, for information about this store.  Today, I'm going to share 13 Muji products I purchased in Japan with you. By the way, Muji has more than 480 branches in Japan now. You can find these Muji products very easily at most Muji branches in Japan. :)   
Muji Haul





1. Muji Light Toning Water (無印良品 化粧水・敏感肌用)
980 yen for 400ml bottle
Muji Light Toning Water
     When I visit Japan, I always purchase Muji Sensitive Skin Care Series Light Toning Water, which has been my favorite keshosui for many years, and it's their best selling skincare product indeed. Last month, my husband also started using Muji keshosui, so I purchased three bottles of Muji Light Toning Water for him and me this time. :)  I found Japanese news related to men's skincare this year, and it read that 40% of Japanese men in their 20s and 30s use keshosui now!
Muji Light Toning Water Light 化粧水・敏感肌用 さっぱりタイプ
      I usually purchase Muji Light Toning Water Moisture ones (しっとりタイプ), but this time I also purchase one bottle of Light one (さっぱりタイプ).   
Muji Light Toning Water Moisture 化粧水・敏感肌用 しっとりタイプ

         If you are interested in Muji Light Toning Water, you can check out my previous entries related to this product.
■My Best Keshosui, Muji Light Toning Water

■Which Muji Keshosui Should You Choose? - Muji Toning Water Sensitive Skin Care Series




2. Muji Spray Head for Keshosui (無印良品 化粧水用 スプレーヘッド)
189yen
Muji Spray Head for Keshosui
      I purchased this Muji Spray Head for Keshosui for my first time. I really really love this product! With using this spray head, it's easier to apply keshosui on your skin. Indeed, my husband told me that this was the best Muji product we've ever purchased in Japan. ;) This spray head can be used for Muji Light Toning Water Light (さっぱりタイプ) and Moisture (しっとりタイプ). You cannot use it for thicker texture keshosui such as Muji Light Toning Water High Moisture one (高保湿タイプ).

      This spray head is perfect for their 400ml bottle of Light Toning Water. If you want to use it for Muji Light Toning Water 200ml bottle, you can cut the tube to 11cm long. Some people review that it's also perfect for 500ml bottle of Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
Muji Spray Head for Keshosui

Muji Spray Head for Keshosui

    I already replaced the cap of my Muji Light Toning Water to the spay head. :)







3. Muji Paper Powder (無印良品 紙おしろい)
210yen for 60 sheets
Muji Paper Powder
      Muji Paper Powder is kami oshiroi (紙おしろい), type of aburatorigami (あぶらとり紙), oil blotting paper. Oshiroi (おしろい) means makeup powders in Japanese, but this term is probably only used for abratorigami now. Japanese abratorigami has two types, abratorigami and kami oshiroi (紙おしろい). Regular one, which is called abratorigami, is non powder. Abratorigami with loose powder is called kami oshiroi.
     As I mentioned in my previous entry, 3 Best Japanese Oil Blotting Papers, Aburatorigami, many Japanese cosmetic companies including Shiseido are selling kami oshiroi, but Muji one is affordable and more popular in Japan.
Muji Paper Powder
      As I mentioned in my previous entry, Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products, I always keep oil blotting papers in my on-the-go makeup bag. I have purchased their regular abratorigami many times in Japan, but this was my first time to purchase their kami oshiroi. :) Actually, I really like it. It absorbs oil and leave a little powder on my face. I don't have to carry your setting powder around anymore. ;)
Muji Paper Powder
     This is my entry related to Muji kami oshiroi.
■3 Best Japanese Oil Blotting Papers, Aburatorigami




4. Muji Instant Matcha Latte (無印良品 宇治抹茶ラテ)
380yen for 100g
Muji Instant Matcha Latte
      This is instant matcha latte powder. Its matcha was produced in Kyoto, Japan. Just put 3 teaspoons of this instant matcha latte powder and 120ml (4 fl oz) of hot water in a cup, and stir them thoroughly. You can add more powder according to your taste. I put milk instead of hot water. If you love matcha, you probably love this one. :)





5. Muji Instant Roasted Green Tea Latte (無印良品 ほうじ茶ラテ)
380yen for 120g
Muji Instant Roasted Green Tea Latte
     This is instant hojicha latte powder. Hojicha (ほうじ茶) is Japanese roasted green tea. Hojicha looks similar to black tea, but it's more flavorful and savory. The taste of hojicha is not close to black tea nor regular green tea. If you are a tea lover and have never tried hojicha before, you should try it. I think everyone likes it. These years, hojicha latte has been popular in Japan. Indeed, Starbucks also serves hojicha latte in Japan. Last night, I finally tried this Muji hojicha latte for my first time. Just put 3 teaspoons of this instant hojicha latte powder and 140ml (5 fl oz) of hot water in a cup, and stir them thoroughly. You can add more powder according to your taste. Its hojicha aroma was so good! If you love hojicha, you should try it. :)






6. Muji Drip Coffee Original Blend (無印良品 ドリップコーヒー オリジナルブレンド)
390yen for 10 servings (7g x 10)
Muji Drip Coffee Original Blend
      This Muji Drip Coffee Original Blend has 10 bags of fresh coffee. It's very affordable. One cup of coffee only costs 39 yen! Drip coffee bags have been common in Japan. It's not instant coffee. Each bag has fresh ground coffee and a holder. You can brew perfect coffee wherever if you have hot water and a cup, so these were cleverly made to make perfect brewed coffee very easily.
Muji Drip Coffee Original Blend
       I enjoyed this Muji coffee at home. It was pretty good. I would like to purchase one again when I visit Muji store in Japan next time. :)
Muji Drip Coffee Original Blend
      If you are interested in Japanese drip coffee bag, you can check out my previous entry.






7. Muji Japanese Plum Cracker (無印良品 梅せんべい)
100yen for 55g
Muji Japanese Plum Cracker
      These are Muji Japanese Plum Crackers, which have been my favorite Muji snacks since I was a young girl. :) When I go to Muji store, I always buy one. These crackers are slightly sour and salty and have plum (ume, 梅) tastes. I don't know if you like these crackers. These might taste too Japanese to you. However, one bag of Muji Japanese Plum Cracker only costs 100 yen, so why don't you try it? ;)
Muji Japanese Plum Cracker





8. Muji Mini Ramen Soy Sauce (無印良品 ミニラーメン こがし醤油味)
120 yen for 4 servings (120g)
Muji Mini Ramen Soy Sauce
      Muji Mini Ramen Soy Sauce is also one of my favorite Muji snacks. You can make instant ramen noodles with it, but I like to directly eat it as snacks (no cooking). If you love Baby Star Ramen Sanck, you might like it. Muji has four kinds of Mini Ramen (Soy Sauce, Kimuchi, Chicken and Tom Yum Goong), and I always love their soy sauce flavor. It's actually browned soy sauce flavor (こがし醤油).     




9. Muji Matcha Chocolate Coated Strawberry (無印良品 不揃い 宇治抹茶チョコがけいちご)
300yen for 50g
Muji Matcha Chocolate Coated Strawberry
     I love their chocolate coated strawberry series. They are dried strawberries coated with chocolate. Dried strawberries are sour and crunchy, and chocolate has just the right sweetness (It's not too sweet!) I've tried white chocolate one before. This time, I tried matcha chocolate one and strawberry chocolate one. :) . If you find these chocolate at Muji store in Japan, you should try them. :)




10. Muji Strawberry Chocolate Coated Strawberry (無印良品 不揃い ストロベリーチョコがけいちご)
290yen for 50g
Muji Strawberry Chocolate Coated Strawberry






11. Muji Baumkuchen Matcha (無印良品 不揃いバウム 宇治抹茶)
190yen
Muji Baumkuchen Matcha
     I purchased Muji Baumkuchen Matcha, which has many positive reviews in Japan. I haven't eaten it yet, but I think you might like it if you like matcha flavored confectionery.




12. Muji BaumkuchenSweet Potato (無印良品 不揃いバウム さつまいも)
150yen
Muji BaumkuchenSweet Potato
       This is Muji Baumkuchen Sweet Potato. I've already had it this week. :)
Muji BaumkuchenSweet Potato
       It had Japanese sweet potato taste indeed!  I really liked it. ;)
Muji BaumkuchenSweet Potato




13. Muji Chopsticks (無印良品 竹箸・10膳入)
450yen for 10 pairs of chopsticks
Muji Chopsticks
     I love Muji chopsticks which made of natural bamboo. I've purchased it so many times since I lived in Japan. Just keep in mind that you cannot wash these chopsticks with a dishwasher.






       If you are planning on shopping at Muji store in Japan, I also recommend you to try their retort curry. According to Muji, the most popular selling item in 7000 kinds of Muji products is Muji Butter Chicken Curry. This time, I didn't purchase any Muji curry because I purchased some retort curry pouches at another store in Japan. I'll write about it next time. ;)

      This is my entry related to Muji curry.
■Muji Curry - Handmade Naan, Keema Curry and Green Curry

This is my video, How to Make Muji Curry.





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.
Muji Yurakucho in Tokyo Japan - The Largest Muji Store!

Which Muji Keshosui Should You Choose? - Muji Toning Water Sensitive Skin Care Series 

14 Best Japanese Beauty Products I Purchased in Japan - Drugstore, Discount Store Loft Haul

13 Best Japanese Products I Purchased on Amazon Japan! - Beauty, Kitchen and Stationery Items

2 Convenience Store Skincare Products I Got in Japan - Japan Haul 

What He Got at Drugstore in Japan - Haul

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

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!)

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.




Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Star Wars ANA Jet B777-300 & In-Flight Meals - New Year's Japan Travel Day 1

      My husband and I traveled Japan during New Year's holidays. I'll write about our Japan travel on my blog sometimes. :)

     We decided to purchase airplane tickets four months in advance (It was in August!). We booked ANA, All Nippon Airways, flights this time. The reasons why we visited Japan were to have a complete medical checkup, to enjoy traveling Tokyo and to see our families who live in Japan. We took an appointment for the medical checkup, but other than that, we didn't make our travel schedule. Although we booked hotels in Tokyo for five nights. "We don't know what we will do in Tokyo, but we can decide where we go after arriving Japan".  :)    



Headed Toward LAX
     On December 26, we headed toward LAX, Los Angeles International Airport. We used Hilton LAX Parking this time. We arrived at Hilton Hotel Valet Parking at 8 p.m. Then, we waited for a shuttle bus for over 30 minutes.

    When we arrived at LAX, the ANA check-in counter had problem with its computer system. There was a very long line for flight check-in. The line didn't move at all for about an hour. I think most people in the line were waiting for the flight to Tokyo Haneda Airport. It was very late night, so some people looked tired and a little upset about it. However, the line moved a little by little an hour later. Our flight was delayed for about an hour, but we didn't mind it at all because it happens sometimes and safety is always the first priority. ;) Our airplane finally took off around at 1:30 a.m. on December 27.  (After arriving in Japan, I was surprised at the news that ANA flight from LAX to Tokyo Narita Airport ended up turning around about four hours after takeoff that day. I guessed that that's why the ANA check-in counter had problem that night.)



Star Wars ANA Jet     

     Our airplane was Star Wars ANA Jet Boeing 777-300! We didn't expected that! :) It was so cool!
Star Wars ANA Jet B777-300

Star Wars ANA Jet B777-300
        Paper cups, napkins and airplane headrest covers had Star Wars ANA Jet design! The flight attendants were wearing Star Wars ANA aprons. Moreover, the in-flight announcement was made by BB-8, a character in the Star Wars.  :) 
Star Wars ANA Jet B777-300 Drink Cup


In-Flight Meal (from Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda)
     The qualities of ANA in-flight meals (from LAX to HND) were very different from ones (from HND to LAX).  

The First In-Flight Meal (Snack)
ANA Economy Class In-Flight Meal (Snack)
    The first in-flight meal (economy class) was ciabatta sandwich (with roast beef and potato salad), onion potato chips and fresh banana. I had expected that economy class flight meal wasn't so good. Frankly, the ciabatta bread from the sandwich was the worst I've ever had. :( 



The Second In-Flight Meals (Breakfast)
      For the second in-flight meal, my husband chose this one, rigatoni bolognese, Japanese cold udon noodles, Greek yogurt and fruit. Rigatoni bolognese was pretty good.
ANA Economy Class In-Flight Meal (Breakfast B, Rigatoni Bolognese)

       I chose this soboro don one, which was salmon fakes over steamed rice, Japanese cold udon noodles, Greek yogurt and fruit. Soboro don tasted so so. The udon noodles tasted very Americanized. The firmness of noodles were too soft to me and didn't taste like udon. It tasted more like somen noodles.    
ANA Economy Class In-Flight Meal (Breakfast A, Soboro Don)



Arrived in Tokyo!
Star Wars ANA Jet B777-300
     We finally arrived in Japan at 5:30 a.m. on December 28. I will write more about our Japan travel next time. :)



     These are my entries you might like.

13 Best Japanese Products I Purchased on Amazon Japan! - Beauty, Kitchen and Stationery Items  

2 Convenience Store Skincare Products I Got in Japan - Japan Haul

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips

My Shopping List for Japanese Beauty Products - What I Want to Get in Japan

My Shopping List for Japanese Groceries (Ramen, Sweets, Snack and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan  


My Shopping List for Japanese Products (Stationery, Kitchen Items, Starbucks and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan

Top 3 Japanese Powder Sunscreens  

3 Best Japanese Sunscreen Products to Try This Summer

3 Best Japanese Eye Creams Won Beauty Award This Year

3 Best Facial Sheet Masks Loved in Japan This Year

7 Most Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Wipes for Removing Makeup  


7 Best Japanese Beauty Products Hall of Fame 

Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products  

Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Charcoal Soap

5 Best Japanese Facial Lotion (Toner), Kesyou-sui

The Most Popular Facial Sheet Masks in Japan

4 Reasons Why I Love Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil

10 Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon Japan, You Can Also Purchase Them at Drugstores in Japan



     My entries related to Tokyo 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 beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.



Friday, January 19, 2018

New Video, How to Make Coffee Marble Ice Cream - Vanilla Ice Cream with Coffee Swirl

     It's been over a year since I updated DIY video on my YouTube channel, Ringo and RINGO'S Coffee Channel last time. Today, I've finally updated new video, How to Make Coffee Marble Ice Cream.

       
      Actually, this video was recorded in my previous apartment before we moved into our current home. I was going to edit the videos and upload it on my YouTube channel, but my husband and I became busier than we thought after moving into this home because we needed to work on renovating our home. This week, YouTube announced new eligibility requirements for the YouTube Partner Program. YouTube channels with fewer than 1,000 subs or 4,000 watch hours will no longer be able to earn money on YouTube. If you have read current news related to YouTube, you know that YouTube has many problems they need to deal with, but I thought that YouTube is telling me that I am not working enough on my channel. We haven't finished our home renovation yet, but I will updated more videos on my coffee channel sometimes. :)



You can check out its recipe from my previous entry.
How to Make Coffee Marble Ice Cream - Vanilla Ice Cream with Coffee Swirl


Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hamamatsucho - Tokyo, Japan

     As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I traveled Tokyo from December 28 through January 2. This time, we booked our hotel two months in advance. For the first three nights (12/28 thorough 12/31), we stayed in Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia Gai (三井ガーデンホテル 汐留 イタリア街). From December 31 through January 2, we decided to stay in Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hamamatsucho (ホテル ヴィラフォンテーヌ東京浜松町) because Mitsui Garden Hotel was too expensive during New Year's days, and my husband had told me that this hotel served pretty good breakfast for free. Actually, I really enjoyed this hotel. :)
Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hamamatsucho

       It took us about 15 minutes to this hotel from Mistui Garden Hotel by walk. (By the way, it takes 10 minutes from JR Hamamatsucho Station to this hotel by walk.) When we arrived this hotel, it was about 11:30. It was too early for hotel check-in, so our room was not ready yet. We asked a front-desk clerk if they could store our luggage, so we were able to enjoy shopping and sightseeing in Tokyo. :) When we checked in to the hotel at that night, they had already moved our heavy luggage to our room. You know there is no tipping in any situation in Japan. ;)


The Room (Standard Room)
       We booked the Standard Room which had a semi-double bed (140cm wide), which is smaller than an US queen-sized bed but large enough for two people. The room was smaller than the previous hotel we stayed in, but it's still spacious enough for us. At least, we could open up our suitcase on the floor. ;) The room looked a bit dated but was nice and clean.

     There were a small writing desk and a compact refrigerator. There were two servings of instant green tea and hojicha powder in the drawer.

    The bathroom was also nice and clean.

     There were Mikimoto Cosmetic shampoo, conditioner and liquid body soap! Mikimoto is a Japanese company making and selling pearl jewelry. Mikimoto also makes high-end beauty products in Japan. You can find Mikimoto Cosmetics products at some department stores in Japan.


       There was a bottle of foam of facial cleanser / hand soap of Kracie. Their free toiletries included bath salts (forest scent!), toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps, hair brushes, Q-tips and razors.


       I also got this set of skincare samples when I checked in to this hotel.  A front-desk clerk told me that they were giving away the skincare samples to all female guests. I was happy that it was Minon products! :)

       It included Minon liquid bath salts, liquid body soap, Amino Moist Milky Cleansing (makeup remover), Amino Moist Clear Wash Powder (facial cleanser), Amino Moist Charge Lotion II (keshosui) and Amino Moist Charge Milk (nyueki)! As I mentioned in my previous entries, Minon is a well known brand which makes skin care products for people who have very sensitive skin. Many Japanese beauty products are usually gentle to the skin as compared to US products. Yet, I believe that Minon is the most gentle skin care product in Japan. If you have atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema, I recommend you to try Minon liquid bath salts (ミノン 保湿入浴剤), which moisturizes your skin well and is pretty popular in Japan. You can find the liquid bath salt at most drugstores in Japan. As I mentioned in my previous entry, 3 Best Japanese Nyueki, Japanese Facial Lotion, Minon Amino Moist Moist Charge Milk is also very popular in Japan, and I purchased it in Japan during this travel indeed. ;)



New Year's Eve
       On December 31, they gave away Japanese instant noodles, Nissin Donbei Kitsune Udon and Nissin Donbei Tempura Soba, to guests at the hotel lobby. On New Year's Eve, it's a Japanese traditional to eat soba noodles, which are called toshikoshi soba (年越しそば).

     We enjoyed instant udon and soba in our room. :) Eating toshikoshi soba and watching NHK Kohaku Utagassen were perfect for Japanese New Year's Eve! ;)




New Year's Day
     On January 1, they also served Japanese sake to hotel guests! They did Kagami Biraki, which is a Japanese traditional ceremony to break the lid of the sake barrel and drink sake for good health and good fortune for the New Year.

     It tasted pretty good and had woody aroma. :) 




Free Breakfast
       The reason why we decided to stay in this hotel was that my husband told me that this hotel served pretty good breakfast. :)

     I was surprised that they had Balmuda toaster oven! These years, high-end steam toaster oven has been more and more popular in Japan. The most popular ones are Balmuda and Sharp Healsio Gurie. I was glad that I could try Balmuda in this hotel!
Balmuda Steam Toaster Oven
     I toasted croissant with Balmuda. It was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. :)


       They have three kinds of pilaf and serve one of them each day. They also have 6 kinds of soup and serve two of them each day.  On the first morning, it was Japanese chicken pilaf, and I chose pumpkin soup. In addition to the salad, they have 10 kinds of salad toppings you can choose from. Their scrambled eggs were so fluffy and moist. 

      On the second morning, it was Japanese vegetable pilaf. I chose minestrone for the soup.  Their breakfast was so good! I ate a lot in the morning.


Soup (They serve two kinds of them each day.)
Pumpkin, Bacon and Carrot Soup
Zucchini, Eggplant and Tomato Soup
Sausage and Cabbage Pot-au-feu
Vegetable Beef Stew
Chicken and Okura Curry Soup
Minestrone


Pilaf (They serve one of three kinds each day.) 
Chicken Rice
Vegetable Pilaf
Curry Pilaf
Pilaf




Salad Toppings (They have 10 kinds of salad toppings.)
Chicken
Bacon
Grape Tomatoes
Corns
Sliced Onions
Steamed Broccoli
Steamed Cauliflower
Crouton
Mix Beans
Sliced Olive
Salad Toppings



    They had many kinds of bread, drinks, cereals, and some yogurt. In my opinion as Japanese, the quality of their breakfast was very good. Their soup had a lot of vegetables and looked like it was cooked by a professional chef to me. Pilaf tasted great as well. Coffee was fresh by the way. ;)




Overall
    I really liked this hotel because of their free breakfast. I also loved Minon Amino Moist samples! Because it was New Year's Days, we could enjoy toshikoshi soba and Japanese sake for free. Their hospitality was beyond my expectation!




Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hamamatsucho
1-6-5 Shiba 
Minato-ku Tokyo, Japan
105-001



     These are my entries you might like.
Hotel Room Tour and Review - Mitsui Garden Hotel Shiodome Italia Gai - Tokyo, Japan

Capsule Hotel in Tokyo - Review on First Cabin Tsukiji

13 Best Japanese Products I Purchased on Amazon Japan! - Beauty, Kitchen and Stationery Items  

2 Convenience Store Skincare Products I Got in Japan - Japan Haul

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips

My Shopping List for Japanese Beauty Products - What I Want to Get in Japan

My Shopping List for Japanese Groceries (Ramen, Sweets, Snack and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan  


My Shopping List for Japanese Products (Stationery, Kitchen Items, Starbucks and More) - What I Want to Get in Japan

Top 3 Japanese Powder Sunscreens  

3 Best Japanese Sunscreen Products to Try This Summer

3 Best Japanese Eye Creams Won Beauty Award This Year

3 Best Facial Sheet Masks Loved in Japan This Year

7 Most Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Wipes for Removing Makeup  


7 Best Japanese Beauty Products Hall of Fame 

Top 5 Life-Changing Japanese Beauty Products  

Top 5 Most Popular Japanese Charcoal Soap

5 Best Japanese Facial Lotion (Toner), Kesyou-sui

The Most Popular Facial Sheet Masks in Japan

4 Reasons Why I Love Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil

10 Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon Japan, You Can Also Purchase Them at Drugstores in Japan



     My entries related to Tokyo 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 beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.