Posted by: Chloe
(February 28, 2011 6:22 PM)

The other day we had customers who told me their passion about japanese dogs.

They're so cute aren't they !!

<

One of the most popular is the Akita dog, just like the famous Hachiko who has his statue in the entrance of Shibuya station.

They are said to be very intelligent and loyal dogs and lots of japanese family breed them as house gardien.

An other japanese popular breed is Hokkaido dog.

Everybody in Japan know the famous Hokkaido dog "Otou-san" (Daddy). He his the main character of Softbank (one of Japan biggest phone company) advertising campain.

Everybody love Otou-san and there are lots of goodies based on him.

I want an Otou-san like him !! >-<"

Posted by: Chloe (February 28, 2011 6:22 PM) | Permalink

Posted by: Victor
(February 27, 2011 11:47 AM)

During my holiday, I went skiing in Gala Yuzawa, Niigata
It takes only 1 hour to go from Tokyo by Shinkansen.
So, it is one of the most popular ski resorts in Japan.
The weather was so good.....
and the scenery was magnificent........ but...

Unfortunately, I lost control of myself.
The speed was too fast and I was a bit afraid.
My right arm was out of joint and it hurt so seriously!
...I should not have used my arm to stop myself.
I think the best way is to let it go ...

The medication was very expensive...
Can someone treat me meals in the following week?? XD

Posted by: Victor (February 27, 2011 11:47 AM) | Permalink

Posted by: Chloe
(February 25, 2011 1:21 PM)

Have you ever heard of Purikura?
It's a very popular Japanese photobooth / stickers machine.

The reason why it is so popular is probably because it automatically takes your best shot with perfect skin and cute puppy eyes. But you can also customize your pictures after the shooting : make up yourself, put some glasses or ribbons in your head, add some shiny stickers and you got the ideal souvenirs from your shopping day with your friends.

You can find Purikura machines in every game center in Japan.

Unfortunately, it’s all written in Japanese !!But you shouldn’t stop at this difficulty : just read my tips and try it !! You’ll have lot of fun for sure.

1. Enter into the shooting corner and prepare yourself (Attention, arrange your hair and clothes before inserting the coins because it will start very quickly!)
2. Insert coins, usually 400 yen.
3. Look at the tactical screen : it will ask you to choose the style, luminosity, size of the eyes and layouts for your pictures. You should choose quickly because it has a count-down who will choose for you when it ends up.
4. Shooting time ! Make fun poses, don’t forget you can put stickers and write on it after.
5. When finish, go to the other side of the machine to customize your pics (with tactical pens on the screen)
6. This is maybe the most frustrated part when you cannot understand Japanese but don’t panic : 2 people can customize on the same time. Select the pic you wants to make, then you should try to open all the little tags and see what you can do (there are pens, stickers, layout, make up…) You can also adjust the size of the item you selected, rotate it, and there is also an eraser so check up at the icons on the screen.

My last tip (but not the less, well I guess..) : try to choose a machine not too crowded, or try to go there on the morning on week days. The customize time has a count-down (generally 120sec, so very fast!!) but if there are no other customers entering the machine while you are in the customize corner, then the timer will stop and you can enjoy it as long as you want ^^!

Posted by: Chloe (February 25, 2011 1:21 PM) | Permalink

Posted by: Sariko
(February 24, 2011 10:24 AM)

Hola, Amigos!!
Do you have any plan for this weekend?
If no, we have good news for you!
Sakura cafe will have mexico party on Feb 27th, from 19:00.

Here is detail for the event.
Check check check!!

http://tweetvite.com/event/xuur

Travelers' Night is our new event for all the people who love traveling. Each month, we feature one country and prepare the country's special food and drinks for you.

Join us and meet new friends who have been to/will go to/want to go to/are interested in Mexico!! Mexican people are of course most welcomed.

http://tweetvite.com/event/xuur

Posted by: Sariko (February 24, 2011 10:24 AM) | Permalink

Posted by: Victor
(February 22, 2011 12:27 PM)

Have you ever seen Sakura?
Our group is named after Sakura, which is a famous flower in Japan.


Actually Sakura means Cherry blossom in English.
It is a kind of flower than can represent Japan since Japanese have special feelings
about Sakura. It is so beautiful, but only appears for a very short period in a year.
This has become a metaphor of men's life....

"Hanami" is the centuries-old practice of picnicking under
a blooming sakura tree.
In Tokyo, one of the the most famous places for Hanami is Ueno Koen(Park).

People sit under the trees full of flowers, drink beers and have meals.

There are many websites that forecast when the blossoming begins.
You can see a graph like the one below.

This year, it is forecast that the blossoming of Sakura will begin on 26 Mar.
Please come that time to enjoy the once for a year event in Tokyo!

Posted by: Victor (February 22, 2011 12:27 PM) | Permalink

Posted by: Misol
(February 21, 2011 10:49 AM)

Tsukiji fish market is one of the must visit places in Tokyo for the tourists.

You could take a look of super fresh fish and lively people working hard around.

It's also famous for the tuna auction at dawn. The auction starts at 5:00 and 5:40.
Still, to get the entrance permit, you should wait on the line... from around 4:00~4:30.
(They accept about 140 visitors a day for the observation.
Should get hurry and early!)

Yet, since I am not an early birld kind of a person...T-T
, I gave up observing the auction,
and got a line for the sushi place.

There are two famous sushi restaurants at Tsukiji market,
Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa.
Both of the places are notorious for its long~~~~~ waiting time.
Fortunately, I waited for only an hour... ;D

I went to Daiwa. It's twice bigger than Dai,
so the line gets shorter comparably fast.

For me, it was the best sushi ever!!! How awesome!
I hope to visit there again possibly soon.. and will see the tuna auction as well.

Posted by: Misol (February 21, 2011 10:49 AM) | Permalink

Posted by: Sariko
(February 20, 2011 6:23 PM)

HELPPPPPPPP!!!!!
Chloe is shooting Kyoichi!!

************************************************************
Just kidding.
That is just toy from Edwards.

They are such a mischievous guests.
Thank you staying with us.

Posted by: Sariko (February 20, 2011 6:23 PM) | Permalink

Posted by: Misol
(February 16, 2011 10:38 AM)

As you know, Tokyo tower is one of the best view points for Tokyo city.
However, a sad thing is that you cannot see Tokyo tower itself at the observatory.
(Well... yes, it's obvious... hahah)

So here, I recommend Mori tower for getting the best view of Tokyo tower.
The tower is located in Roppongi hills near Roppongi station.
The entrance fee 1,500 yen includes the entrance of Mori art center.

Here is the view of Tokyo city and Tokyo tower from Mori tower.

Many people love the night view of Tokyo.
Yet the view on daytime is beautiful in its way.
I wish the weather would had been better. It was still very nice though.

On the same floor of the observatory, there is Mori art center.
There was an exhibition of Odani Motohiko. (till 2/27).

How did I like it?
was quite difficult to understand but still interesting... ;)
well, I think the most of Modern art is so.... for me...

With 300 yen additional fee, you could get into the outer deck.

Please check the detail through the links below.
Mori Tower: http://www.roppongihills.com/tcv/en/
Mori Art Center: http://www.moriartscenter.org/

then, Have a nice view~>_<

Posted by: Misol (February 16, 2011 10:38 AM) | Permalink

Posted by: Noriko
(February 15, 2011 6:23 PM)

Why do the women have to give chocolate to the men on Valentine's Day?
How about in your country?

There is a chocolate section at a department store in Ikebukuro.
Women are buying chocolate up and it turns into a battlefield for them.

We had a lot of snow and piled up pretty high in Tokyo yesterday.
It was beautiful and a quite rare occurrence that we had “White valentine’s day”.
However, it turned to slush and needed snow shoveling this morning. orz

Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro
http://www.sakura-hotel-ikebukuro.com/

Sakura Cafe Ikebukuro
http://www.sakura-cafe.asia/ikebukuro/english/

Posted by: Noriko (February 15, 2011 6:23 PM) | Permalink

Posted by: yumi
(February 14, 2011 5:47 PM)

Today, it's the last day of Kayoko, who has worked here for 2 years and a half.
She is always calm and kind and had a good relationship with our guests and all of the staff.

We are going to miss her but will cheer for her next step!
Kayoko, please enjoy your favorite job, things and life!

Although she will not work here anymore, her works will welcome you in the hotel.
(she is good at drawings)

By the way, she was late for work 2 days only in 2 years and a half,
coincidently the 2 days were the first day and the last day. That was her.

Arigato! take care!

Posted by: yumi (February 14, 2011 5:47 PM) | Permalink