Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog

It was my day off yesterday and I went to see the colorful autumn leaves.
My home is close to Mt.Takao and it became very famous
after it appeared on The Michelin Guide in 2007.

When I arrived at the station there were already full of people...
BUT, I know the best spot for walking around and enjoy autumn leaves with no people;)
If you are interested in and would like to go, I'll let you know!
It is also good for cherry-blossom viewing in March and April♪

Do you know Jiu-Jitsu?
We have a big tournament in Tokyo today and tomorrow.

This is the second time to welcome the fighters from Guam for this tournament.
Though they are strong fighters (looking scary?), they are soooo polite and friendly.

Sakura Hostel Asakusa is now full of fighters!!

Do you like Winter?
I do not...:(
But I like sleeping with warm futon;)

Today, warm&confortable futon arrived for our guests.
Tsuyoshi and Naoto delivered them to each rooms.
Now, we are ready for the cold winter.

On the next day of all-in-one party, we had the other event at 300 bar in Ginza.
Our Ebi-chan was invited as a DJ and played with Mr Paul Dateh!!

How cool he is!
Unfortunately, I couldn't see him playing at that night
but I definitely go the next time;)

We had a really great time with a lot of people on 21st of november.
After Asakusa guided tour, everyone gathered together at Sakura Hostel.

#1 Origami lesson♪

Looks difficult?
No, not at all.
Just follow the teacher and you can make it☆

#2 Wear Kimono♪

Learn how to put Kimono and tell your friends when you go back to your home.
It's not so hard as you think.

★Three beautiful girls★

#3 Sushi Party!
Enjoy Arai-san's hand made sushi roll.
It's so lovely and taste so gooood!

Let's make your favorite hand-rolled sushi.
The most popular sushi item was tuna-mayo (tuna with mayonnaise).

#4 Paul Dateh's Live
Have you heard of his music?

Check it out↓↓

They played twice for us!

We'd like to say thank you for all the people who joined the party:)

When I came here this morning, I found these cute chocolates:)
As I was off yesterday, I had no idea to who these are belonging...

If I eat them without my co-worker's ”ＯＫ”, I would get some terrible punishment...:(
Now I know that these are from Andrea to Naoto.

Thank you, Andrea, I got his OK and gonna eat them up:P

One night, Johrel found clay at the office.

He made a cute elephant (for me?) and po-de-lion.
Hmmm, I can guess he was hungry at that night;)
What do you think the object behind my elephant?

One day, our cleaning staff (Arai-san) showed me this lovely sushi roll.
We call it "emaki-zushi" and it sometimes can be smiles, animals and so on.
She said she would show you how to make if she is free on 21st at the event.

The only sad thing was those were for her lunch, not mine...:P

This morning, she gave us some candies to us when she left:)

She gave us two different tastes.
I wanted to have lemmon flavor's one.
So, I took it.
Then, Naoto suddenly grabbed my arm and took it...:(

Poor me.

Today, Mama Tomo explains how to reuse bread crust.

1. Chop up bread crust into small pieces

2. Microwave them for 2 min.

3. Fry them up with butter or olive oil (You can add salt if you want.)

4. Microwave them for another 2 min.

That's it!

Taste it. Is it crunchy enough? Then you are a good chef :)

My hand-made crouton comes with soup for breakfast every morning♪

Have you ever seen Mt. Fuji from the top?
I was on the airplane on the way to Taiwan, I looked out of the window, there it is!
The highest mountain in Japan.
What are the chances huh? I was lucky (^o^)ノ
Maybe I'll climb the mountain next year when the weather is nice and see the sunrise from the top.
That'd be awesome.

By the way, doesn't it kinda look like HERSHEY'S KISSES?

I'm in the mood for chocolate now♪

They are from J:COM, one of the CATV companies in Tokyo.

As they came in the morning and I couldn't talk with them so much.
I think they introduced our hostel to the audience.

Her voice was very cute☆

From 5AM to 11AM, it is our breakfast time:)
Every morning, fresh breads are derivered for it.

As they are long loaves, there are two crusts at both ends and
we usually throw them away...
One day, Mrs. Arai (our cleaning staff) brought them to her home
and made snacks for us;)

She fried until crisp and glaced.

Thank you Arai-san!
We enjoyed them and we hope you could make it again;P

Here in Japan, most of us have our own personal seals (hanko).
It's just like a signature and when we need to put our names on something,
we often use it.
For example, official documents, certificate of receipt and so on.

One day, our guests went to hanko shop
to make their name engraved on the surface of one end.

These would be good souvenirs☆

It is said that there are about 291,000 family names in Japan.
Which family name do you think is the most common name?
The answer is.........
Mr/Ms Satoh!!
If you call this name in a loud voice in Shibuya, two or three people will turn around:P

We have Mr. Satoh here;)

What do you think they are doing here?



They are shooting as you can see.
We only have little information about that movie now, so I'll let you know when I get more details.
I thought I could see some actors but I didn't...

Last Tuesday was a cultural day(national holiday) and we had an event around us.
As it was a beautiful day, I took a walk to take some photos♪

On the way to the festival, I found Ninjya!

Actually, they often appear around our hostel.
If you see them, just say hi or ask for a photo;)

Jidai Matsuri (Tokyo Historical Parade) is a costume procession which recalls
Tokyo's history and culture from the Heian era to the Meiji era.

They are from Army Procurement Agency of Japan↓↓

He is Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo government.

On my way back, I found "Mito-Komon" and his delegation.

They are very very famous characters among Japanese irrespective of age and sex.

I took a few days off and went to Kamakura last week.
As Johrel's suggestion, it was really nice place to visit.

Here is the best temple I've ever been↓↓
It's Houkoku-ji temple, many many bamboos are growing close together.
So, we call it "bamboo temple"

Can you see a small house behind?
You'll be served green powdered tea and sweets there.

The light falling onto the stone statue through the bamboos.

A few minutes from Houkoku-ji temple, there is another temple called Jomyou-ji.

This temple also has a big tea-ceremony house.

People sit here with Matcha (green powdered tea) and great view from there.

When you mount a hill, you'll find a lovely cafe☆

Not only people but cats also can be relaxed...

Fresh fish are must-to-eat!

Only one hour train takes you to this "little Kyoto".

We've served instant soup for a breakfast but from yesterday,
Tomo's home(hostel?)-made soup is available♪

Don't be afraid and just try:P
You'll be surprised at that great taste!

Take a look at how she cooked.
?Chop, chop and chop.

?Sizzle, sizzle

?Ta-dah!!

Look delicious♪

First victims...oops!
First tasters↓↓

Hot hand-made soup make you get warm;)

If you'd like to make effective use of time in Asakusa,
this is it☆☆

As you can see, we have a fun event on 21st of November.
Asakusa guide tour→Sushi Party→Mini Live.
You'll be 100% satisfied with it♪

Even though it's called "mini live", Paul Dateh is the great artist.
Click his name and you'll love his music.
You shoudn't miss it if you are in Tokyo;)

Have you ever seen a movie called "Spirited Away"?

I went on a trip to Taiwan and went to a place called 九份 (Jiu fen).

A small town in north Taiwan.
Famous Japanese film director, Miyazaki Hayao got an inspiration and modeled this place for his famous film, "千と千尋の神隠し (Spirited Away)"

The weather was cloudy, but I was able to see the beautiful scenery, just like in the movie.

The place made me feel somewhat nostalgic.

If you ever have a chance to visit Taiwan, I recommend going to Jiu fen.
It only takes a little more than 1 hour by bus from Taipei city.

Hi, Nienke!
How are you doing?
Your dad told me that you are working very hard;)

He gave me lovely ceramic box today.
I'll put some pierced earrings in it♪
Arigatou...

I like talking with you every morning☆

Next time, you should come with him!

Have a nice day!!
Matane...

Not Michael Jackson, but Michael James is our friend.
He dropped by this morning with doughnuts after watching Bledisloe Cup last night:D
Unfortunately, his country (AUS) lost the game but he is a half kiwi,
so he doesn't care about the result so much.

You should come again before going back to Melbourne；）