Friday, June 29, 2018

Namie Amuro x Kose Limited Eyeshadow Palette Is Going to Be Released in Japan!

        Kose is going to release new Visee eyeshadow palettes, Visse Namie Amuro Limited Palett, in Japan on July 1st officially! However, some stores already started selling them a few days ago. They will only release Visee Namie Amuro Limitted Paletts in a limited quantity, so if you are in Japan now, you should check them at drugstores!
Namie Amuro x Kose Limited Palettes
      As I mentioned in my previous entry, Namie Amuro (安室 奈美恵), a popular Japanese recording artist and dancer, announced that she would retire from the music industry in September of 2018. Many Japanese women have been inspired by her look since 90s. She has been in a lot of Japanese TV commercial such as Kose, one of the largest Japanese cosmetic companies. This is her last Kose's TV commercial.

Kose Visee Limited Palette



       As I mentioned in my previous entry, Top 3 Affordable Japanese Eyeshadows, Visee is affordable makeup brand of Kose. They will release three kinds of palettes! Each palette has four eyeshadow colors which were selected by Namie Amuro.
Namie Amuro x Kose Limited Palettes
Visse Namie Amuro Limited Paletts
2,300 yen for each palette
Can be purchased at drugstores and discount stores in Japan
Namie Amuro x Kose Limited Palettes
      As I mentioned above, many Japanese women have been inspired by her, and I guess that her last Kose's palette will be sold out very quickly (especially in Tokyo!). Indeed, they are already sold out at some stores. Many people said the palettes were sold out on the day the drugstore released them. If you want to get one, you should purchase it as soon as possible, or if you live in Japan now, I recommend you to order one at your local drugstore in Japan. Good luck!  :) 
Namie Amuro x Kose Limited Palettes




     These are my entries you might like.
5 Best Japanese Eyebrow Makeup Products

3 Best Japanese Eyeliners 

Top 3 Best Heroine Make Products - Japanese Makeups  

Top 3 Best Japanese Double Eyelid Glue/Tape Products 

Top 3 Affordable Japanese Eyeshadows

Top 3 High-Ends Japanese Eyeshadows

Top 3 Most Popular Japanese Eyelash Curlers

7 Best Japanese Beauty Products 2016 Hall of Fame  

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

4 Best Japanese Anti-Aging Creams And Serums 

3 Best Japanese Nyueki, Japanese Facial Lotion 


Top 7 Japanese Facial Sheet Masks That Rescue Your Dry Skin  
 
3 Best New Facial Sheet Masks in Japan 

7 Most Popular Japanese Facial Cleansing Wipes for Removing Makeup 
 

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

The Best Japanese Shampoo And Conditioner Won Beauty Awards in Japan - Kao Asience Meguri



     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.





Thursday, June 28, 2018

Driving A Rental Car in Japan, 6 Things You Should Know Before Driving in Japan - New Year's Japan Travel Day 7

     My husband and I traveled Japan during New Year's holidays. As I mentioned in my previous entry, after purchasing some souvenirs at Tokyo Haneda Airport, we finally flew to Fukuoka, where is our hometown.
Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan

     The flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka takes about one hour and 45 minutes.


     Fukuoka is a prefecture of Japan on Kyushu Island. Around Fukuoka Airport, there are so many large billboards. When I see these billboards from the airport, I feel that I finally came back to Fukuoka!
View from Fukuoka Airport

      When we visit our hometown, we usually take a highway bus. Then, our family pick us up at a bus stop. During our staying in Fukuoka, we sometimes ask our family if we could borrow their car. Unlike Tokyo, we need a car in the countryside!  This time, we booked a rental car in advance. ;)
At A Car Rental Nearby Fukuoka Airport
      When we lived in Osaka, Japan, we owned our car and had Japanese driver's licenses. We really loved road trips in Japan. :) Right before we moved to the U.S. from Japan, I gave away our car to my father. My parents were glad that they got the car for free! ;) After living in the U.S. for years, our Japanese driver's licenses were expired. Actually, we renewed our licenses once but finally decided to give them up because we live abroad and we cannot visit Japan only for a driver's license renewal. When I decided to give up my driver's license, I was so sad because getting a driver's license is not easy in Japan. ;(


Getting A Driver's License Is Not Easy in Japan
     When I got a driver's license in the U.S., I was very surprised at how simple it is to get a U.S. driver's license. I only went to DMV twice to take the writing test and the road test, and it cost about $35! Unlike the U.S., getting a Japanese driver's license is not easy at all. It usually costs about 200,000 yen, which is equivalent to about $2,000, and you need to go to a driving school, take so many classes and must pass some examinations. I went to a driving school almost every day for a month and a half (I tried to complete classes as faster as I could.), and I paid 220,000 yen or so to get a Japanese driver license. Because driving in Japan is not easy, if you want to get a Japanese driver's license, you need to learn how to drive properly in Japan at a driving school.


The Reasons Why Driving in Japan Is Not Easy  
・There are narrow roads and one way roads.

・Japan has steep roads. (You should know how to start a car on an uphill.)

・It sometime rains a lot. (You should know the danger of aquaplaning.)

・Driving in snow is not easy at all. (I think that you don't want to drive on snowy and icy roads in winter.)

Nissan March


You Can Drive A Rental Car in Japan (without Japanese driver's license) If You Have Your IDP!
       In order to drive a car without Japanese driver's licenses in Japan, you need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your country. My husband got it at our local AAA office in the U.S. It was about $20. When you get a rental car in Japan, you need to show your IDP at a car rental.

       This time, we booked this compact car, Nissan March. We had three large suitcases, one large duffle bag, one carry-on bag and one tote bag, and we could pack all our baggage in this small car. ;)

       Did you know that the license plate with "わ" means that it's a rental car?
Nissan March

6 Things You Should Know Before Driving in Japan
1. Japan uses kilometers. (Japan does not use miles.)

2. You must drive on the left side of the road in Japan.

3. Japanese cars have the driver's seat and steering wheel on their right side.

4. You and all passengers must wear a seat belt.

5. Drinking and driving is illegal. (A drunk driver must pay a fine up to 1,000,000 yen, which is equivalent to about $10,000, or serve up to 5 year of in jail. Passengers must pay a fine up to 500,000 yen or serve up to 3 year of in jail.)

6. Highway is not free. It costs a lot to drive on. (That's why the highway is clean and well maintained in Japan.)


Starbucks in Fukuoka

     After we got on Nissan March, my husband told me, "Let's go to Starbucks nearby Fukuoka Airport before going to my parent's home." I'll write about it next time. :)




      These are my entries you might like.
What He Got at Haneda Airport, Tokyo International Airport - Japan Haul

Bic Camera at Haneda Airport Tax Free Service

Starbucks Japan Tumbler - Tokyo Haneda Airport Special Edition

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal

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

13 Muji Products I Purchased in Japan - Muji Haul 

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips
 
3 Best Facial Sheet Masks Loved in Japan This Year

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.





Thursday, June 21, 2018

What I Purchased at Tokyo Haneda Airport - New Year's Japan Travel Day 7

Tokyo Haneda Airport

            My husband and I traveled Japan during New Year's holidays. After we stayed in Tokyo for five nights, we went to Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal to fly to Fukuoka, where is our home town.  Today, I'm going to share four products I purchased at Haneda Airport with you. 
Tokyo Haneda Airport




1. Shiseido Parlour La Ganache (資生堂パーラー  ラ・ガナッシュ)
17 pieces
1188 yen 
Shiseido Parlour La Ganache (資生堂パーラー  ラ・ガナッシュ)
        As I mentioned in my previous entry, 6 Popular Products form Shiseido Parlour Shop - Shiseido Parlour Ginza Tokyo (Shiseido Restaurants, Cafe and Confectionery Store), Shiseido is not only a Japanese cosmetic company, but they also have restaurants, cafe and confectionery stores in Japan. In 1902, Shiseido first started selling soda fountain and ice cream in Ginza, Tokyo. In 1928, they also started restaurant business, Shiseido Parlour (資生堂パーラー).
Shiseido Parlour
      At Haneda Airport, Shiseido Parlour was selling their popular cheese cake, cookies and chocolate. I finally purchased Shiseido Parlour La Ganache there. :)
Shiseido Parlour


Shiseido Parlour La Ganache
     The packaging was so cute! ;) I think that Shiseido Parlour's confectionery is a perfect delicious souvenir from Tokyo for female friends. Indeed, I enjoyed these with my Korean friend, and she didn't know that Shiseido is making these chocolate candies in Japan. ;)
Shiseido Parlour La Ganache

Shiseido Parlour La Ganache

Shiseido Parlour La Ganache

Shiseido Parlour La Ganache
      It had two kinds of chocolate candies, dark chocolate and white chocolate.  They were less sweet, and I really loved them. ;)
Shiseido Parlour La Ganache





2. Edo Matsuri Ningyo Yaki (江戸祭り 人形焼)
10 pieces
702 yen
Edo Matsuri Ningyo Yaki

        Ningyo yaki (人形焼) is a traditional small molded Japanese cake originated from Tokyo and is one of the most popular Tokyo's souvenirs. It has sweetened red bean pastes in it. In Tokyo, you can find ningyo yaki at most gift shops in sightseeing spots or at train stations and airports.   

Ningyo Yaki
       Because I love ningyo yaki so much, when we have a chance to visit Tokyo, we always purchase one. ;) Actually, he also purchased Edo Matsuri Ningyo Yaki at Haneda Airport before.
Ningyo Yaki
        The package has the picture of Tokyo Edo Festival. You can see people carrying a Japanese traditional mikoshi in this picture.
Ningyo Yaki

          Each ningyo yaki has different shape such as mikoshi (神輿), lanterns (提灯) and men carrying mikoshi.
Mikoshi
      Mikoshi (神輿) is a portable Shinto shrine, which you can see during Japanese festival, matsuri (祭り). Edo (江戸) is former name of Tokyo. 
Edo Matsuri


Kanda Matsuri
        Kanda Matsuri (神田祭), Kanda Festival, is one of the three great Shinto festivals in Tokyo.

Sanja Matsuri
      Sanja Matsuri (三社祭), Sanja Festival, is a Shinto festival of Asakusa Shrine.


Man Carring Mikoshi


Ningyo Yaki


      You can eat them without cooking, but I toasted ningyo yaki with my Sharp Healsio Gurie, a Japanese highend toaster oven.
Sharp Healsio Gurie
       They turned out so delicious as if they were just freshly baked. If you love sweetened red bean paste, anko (あんこ), I think that you will like them. 
Ningyo Yaki




3. Tokyo Banana (東京ばな奈 「見ぃつけたっ」)
8 pieces
1029 yen
Tokyo Banana
        Tokyo Banana is also a very popular souvenir from Tokyo. It's fluffy sponge cake which has banana custard cream in it. I think everyone loves it regardless of race and age. We purchased Tokyo Banana for our family in Fukuoka. His three-year-old niece had one for her first time in her life and really loved it. ;)  
Tokyo Banana



4. Katsu Sand (カツサンド)
     Katsu Sand is a delicious Japanese sandwich, meat cutlet in between two slices of bread. In Japan, you can find katsu sand everywhere, but did you know that katsu sand originated in Tokyo in 1935?  We purchased some katsu sand for luch at Haneda Airport.

Kinsodori Katsu Sand (錦爽鶏 手作りカツサンド) : chicken cutlet sandwiches
650 yen
Chicken Katsu Sand, Chicken Cutlet Sandwiches
      These sandwiches were chicken katsu sand.
Chicken Katsu Sand, Chicken Cutlet Sandwiches


Hire Katsu Sand (ヒレカツサンド) from Yoshimi Sandwich Restaurant : pork fillet cutlet sandwiches
670 yen
Hire Katsu Sand, Tonkatsu Sandwiches
      Pork cutlet is called tonkatsu (とんかつ, 豚カツ) in Japan, and hire katsu (ヒレカツ) means pork fillet cutlet.
Hire Katsu Sand, Tonkatsu Sandwiches

       I also purchased this green tea, Ayataka (綾鷹). In Japan, I had many green tea and hojicha (roasted green tea). :)
Ayataka (綾鷹), green tea


      Then, we flew to Fukuoka Airport from Tokyo Haneda Airport. I'll write about it next time.



      These are my entries you might like.
What He Got at Haneda Airport, Tokyo International Airport - Japan Haul

Bic Camera at Haneda Airport Tax Free Service

Starbucks Japan Tumbler - Tokyo Haneda Airport Special Edition

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Domestic Terminal

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

13 Muji Products I Purchased in Japan - Muji Haul 

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips
 
3 Best Facial Sheet Masks Loved in Japan This Year

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.





Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Nakau, Japanese Gyudon Restaurant - New Year's Japan Travel Day 6

       My husband and I traveled Japan during New Year's holidays. As I mentioned in my previous entry, after enjoying seeing the beautiful Tokyo Tower, we went to Nakau restaurant for dinner on our way back to the hotel.

      Nakau (なか卯) is an affordable Japanese beef bowl restaurant chain. Nakau has 470 branches in Japan. In Tokyo, they have over 80 restaurants, so you can find Nakau restaurant pretty easily.


     As I mentioned in my previous entry, we also went to this restaurant on the previous day, but we went there again because it was very close to our hotel, and they have many foods we wanted to try. ;) They have beef bowls (牛丼), egg and chicken bowls (親子丼), pork cutlet bowls (かつ丼), beef curry (カレー), udon noodles (うどん), soba noodles (そば) and seasonal menu. You can check out official Nakau website for their menu and locations in English.

      In order to order your meal, you can buy meal tickets with a ticket vending machine. After purchasing meal tickets, take a seat and put the tickets on the table. A waiter will come and take tickets for you. Your meal will be served soon. :)
Nakau Meal Ticket Vending Machine
Nakau Meal Thickets
 



Deep-Fried Oyster Combo, Kaki Fry Teshoku (カキフライ定食)
     At that time, they had deep-fried oysters, which is called kaki fry (カキフライ) in Japan, as their seasonal menu for winter. I ordered this deep-fried oyster combo, which includes four deep-fried oysters, salad, white rice and miso soup, for 890 yen. I also ordered French fries for 190 yen.
       Oysters were larger than I expected. :)



Beef Bowl, Wafu Gyudon (和風牛丼)
      My husband ordered a set of regular size beef bowl and small chicken udon noodles for 670 yen. He also added a raw egg for the beef bowl. 
Small Size Chicken Udon Noodles , Udon Tori Shio (小 うどん鶏塩)

       After we had dinner at Nakau, we went back to our hotel. As I mentioned in my previous entry, Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Hamamatsucho - Tokyo, Japan, we enjoyed Japanese sake, which the hotel served to guests on the New Year's day.

       Next day, we headed toward Handa Airport to fly to Fukuoka, which is our hometown. I'll write about it next time. :)     




     These are my entries you might like.
Nakau, Affordable Japanese Beef Bowl Restaurant

How to Order Gyudon, Japanese Beef Bowl, at Matsuya 

Ringer Hut, Nagasaki Champon Restaurant

Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Foods  

Top 10 Japanese Beauty Products Loved by Foreign Tourists in Japan

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

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

13 Muji Products I Purchased in Japan - Muji Haul 

What You Should Take to Japan - Japan Travel Tips

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.




Monday, June 11, 2018

Daiso Haul - Daiso Soap Net Bag

      This weekend, I went to my local Daiso and found this one, Daiso Soap Net Bag (ダイソーせっけん泡立てポーチ).
Daiso Soap Net Bag (ダイソーせっけん泡立てポーチ)
      When I found it at my local Daiso, I though I should buy one! This one includes two bags. You might think, "What it's for?" This is just small bags for bar of soap. With using these bags, you can use every bit of soap.
Daiso Soap Net Bag (ダイソーせっけん泡立てポーチ)

       I put my leftover pieces of soap in the bag.

Daiso Soap Net Bag (ダイソーせっけん泡立てポーチ)

      It worked really well! You don't have to throw away leftover soap anymore. ;)   
Daiso Soap Net Bag (ダイソーせっけん泡立てポーチ)

     You can hang it over a faucet like its packaging shows. :)  When I was a child in Japan, my school actually had this kind of soap net bags hanging over each faucet, so children could wash their hands with the bar of soap thoroughly. Moreover, children never drop it or waste any bit of soap. ;)  
Daiso Soap Net Bag (ダイソーせっけん泡立てポーチ)


       These are my entries you might like.

■Top 3 Daiso Beauty Products

■4 Best Daiso Beauty Products You Can Find in the U.S.

■Top 3 Most Popular Daiso Hair Products

■Top 3 Cool Daiso Erasers

■4 Kawaii Daiso Kitchen Gadgets 

■ Top 10 Products You Should Buy at Daiso  

■Top 3 Most Popular Daiso Hair Products

■Top 10 Japanese Beauty Products Loved by Foreign Tourists in Japan

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

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

■Top 5 Japanese Sunscreen Products





     My previous entries related to Daiso can be seen here.
 
     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.