Japan: Hakone - Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Kaiseki dinners

Now that all the Fashion Week(s) for Autumn/Winter 2010 are finally over, thought I would share some more pics of my recent trip to Japan, in particular, of Hakone. Hakone is 100km away from Tokyo, and is one of the most popular onsen spots of Japan, near Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. I absolutely loved Hotel Green Plaza, which I highly recommend, with its stunning view of Mt Fuji from my balcony and onsen (outdoor hot spring bath). If you are visiting Tokyo and have enough time to make a day trip (or preferably, are able to stay a night or two) to Hakone, I highly recommend doing so...


Mt Fuji view from my balcony - breathtaking (unfortunately pictures do not do it justice, it was incredibly majestic)

We stayed in a 'Japanese style room', where at night they move this table to the other 'room' to lay out your futon bed (so comfortable!)

The hotel also provides Yukata kimonos, vests & slippers so you can lounge around comfortably around the hotel as well as to and from the onsen.

These gardens must look spectacular in Springtime

If in Hakone, I highly recommend getting a Hakone Free Pass, which allows you to travel by cable car (as pictured above), boat (pictured below), train and local buses; definitely cost-effective.

The boat ride on the 'pirate ship' on Lake Ashi was an incredibly fun & beautiful experience, especially when seeing Mt Fuji from the lake.

My sister looked so cute in her outfit, I could not help but snap a pic, she is wearing:
Burberry tweed coat with bell sleevees
Burberry alpaca scarf
H&M hat (I think)
Burberry Beaton black quilted bag
Black leather riding boots (I forget by whom)
My Chanel sunglasses (I thought it went with her outfit)
Country Road ivory leather elbow-length gloves I gave her one year for her birthday

The Hakone Open Air museum was worth a visit (the wonderful weather definitely made the experience even more enjoyable)

The incredible stained glass in the 'lighthouse'

Loved all the colours...

Burberry Prorsum silk/wool quilted military coat
Akira silk/wool dress
Chloe flat buckle boots
Chloe 'Ava' bag in Mocha
Chanel sunglasses
SABA merino wool turtleneck (not shown) & Falke merino wool tights

Inside the cool wooden 'structure' above you will find:

This was an incredibly fun and beautiful part of the Museum, where children and adults alike had a blast...

Too cute for words

The highlight of my trip were the two Kaiseki dinners I had at the hotel, the beautifully presented dishes (almost too numerous) drew a sigh from me each and every time, shame I could not read the Japanese menu to know exactly what I was eating...

The attention to detail is incredible...cute Japanese paper under the little bowl on a carved tiny wooden tray.

This beautiful paper was wet and placed over a green ceramic square bowl, such a simple idea with a stunning effect...

I could seriously live in sashimi - love it!

There was a tasty and beautiful morsel in that cute ceramic 'container'

Every dish was a work of art...

These were beans!

Sake Ice Cream! It did not taste like Sake, but was so refreshing, light and absolutely delightful...

Japan: Tokyo Part 6 -Asakusa & Ginza

Apologies for the slow posts, the lack of replies to your sweet comments, and for not being able to visit your blogs (including my favourite blogs that I so miss visiting - time has been scarce)...I have been busy with my parents (who usually live in Brazil) and sister (who usually lives in London), as well as with finishing up work (yes, WOO HOO!), but hope that I will catch up soon...Thanks for your patience and for still coming to say hello!


Cool art exhibited near Takashimaya in Shinjuku

So I thought I would continue with my Japan trip, and move onto the older districts of Tokyo: Asakusa and Ginza:

Asakusa



I loved the 'Meron-Pan' - a delicious Japanese bakery good with made from an enriched dough covered in a thin layer of crispy cookie dough outside with a delightfully light and fluffy inside...

Whilst resting my feet in a nearby park I spotted this kid who was 'too cool for school', strutting his stuff around the playground just like this...too cute!



click to enlarge - Kokeshi dolls!!! I did not buy mine from this place, but later spotted the ones I purchased (in Kyoto) in this photo!


Asakusa is beautiful by night as well...I made two trips to this district, the latter trip being later in the day.

My one 'fashion' purchase from Asakusa - a cute kid's quilted kimono jacket - how cute is it?

Ginza

The shopping district of Ginza is filled with posh department stores and designer stores as well...


This window display was too cute for words

Cool windows


Look at the curve on that De Beers building!

Bought myself a Marni Laduree box - unfortunately there were no Marni Laduree macarons (only a few for display purposes) - but I thoroughly enjoyed eating these...

Japan: Tokyo Part 5 - Dinner at Gonpachi (take 1 at Nishi-Azabu - aka the 'Kill Bill' restaurant)

Two of our most memorable meals in Tokyo were both at Gonpachi, each one at a different location, the first meal being at the Nishi Azabu location, which also inspired a famous scene with Uma Thurman in a yellow tracksuit, Onitsuka Tigers and samurai sword in Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill 2' movie. The food at this Edo village decor restaurant was a delight and affordable, and such a fun atmosphere! I highly recommend going there!



I am glad I got to sit at the bar area, surrounding the kitchen...love watching chefs at work...

I wish I had taken a photo of this chef preparing a Japanese omelette, it was incredible!

Tanuki yakitori stick - Stuffed shiitake mushrooms

Wasabigamo - Duck breast with Wasabi

Sakiika Tempura - fried squid strip - so tasty and only ¥300, i.e. approx. US$3

Agedashi tofu


Sake...of course, vital in every Japanese meal (or Japanese beer...)

“Irrashaimase……!!” All the chefs behind the counter bar (and also floor staff) shout loudly, welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, and also when they leave.

The best/freshest/tastiest crab I have ever had.

Kobe beef - I thought it was quite pricey considering the size, but hubby insisted on trying it, not knowing if he would get another chance to eat this incredible Japanese beef (we did a week or so later, in Kobe itself...that was mindblowingly good!)

This was upstairs in the hallway above my head

Pumpkin & Coconut Zensai - with glutinous rice balls and vanilla ice cream

Hot chocolate fondant, sesame snap and sesame ice cream - amazing!