Zojo-Ji, Minato, Tokyo

Another fine attraction in the neighborhood I'd neglected to post about is Zojo-ji, yes, that famous Buddhist temple next door to Tokyo Tower.

Let's just say I've been behind on things, because hubby and I have actually been there a few times, a couple of times on our own, then with my family last December, then the last time with mum and aunt-in-law just this past April. The below photos are from both visits, so if you notice there are no leaves on the branches in one photo and then greenery in the next, that's why :D

It was a gorgeous spring day when we walked mum and aunt around the neighborhood then to Zojo-ji.

Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Tokyo, Part II

It's been a while since hubby and I last saw Meiji Jingu, since 2010 when my sister and brother visited us in Yokohama! So we took mum and aunt-in-law there when they were here, and joining us was mum-in-law's old college roommate, Mrs. H.

Harajuku Station on a cloudy, cool day.

Suqqu Extra Glow Lipstick EX-01 and EX-02 Swatches

While I was out in Ginza swatching Lunasol Feathery Smoky Eyes, I also stopped by the Suqqu counter to swatch the Extra Glow Lipsticks in EX-01 蜜苺 (Mitsuichigo) and EX-02 蜜柿 (Mitsugaki). Why only these two? Because from past experience, the LE's are the more interesting ones.

***Screencaps from Suqqu JP.

Lunasol Feathery Smoky Eyes Swatches

I suppose it's been 2 months since I swatched the Isetan Exclusives Lunasol Feathery Smoky Eyes (EX01, and Full Glamour Lips EX08, will review both later). So two weeks ago when a reader asked if I'd gone back to see the regular lineup again, I was ready to give the collection a second chance.

Did I change my mind about this collection? Sadly, NO :(

***Screencaps from Lunasol JP.

The Temple Next Door, Seisho-ji, Minato, Tokyo

Last August when hubby and I first arrived into Tokyo and spent the weekend exploring our neighborhood, I posted on our neighborhood shrine, Atago Jinja. It took me a whole year later to realized I'd completely neglected to post on the neighborhood temple also. Actually, I should say temples, because there are a few, but the biggest one is Seisho-ji (not to be confused with Senso-ji in Asakusa).

My humble opinion is that Seisho-ji stands out for the reasons below:
- It's sandwiched in between 2 giant buildings, the Atago Mori building and the Atago Forest Tower where our friends live.
- There's also a board outside the temple gate where they write a weekly poem kinda-sorta in the form of waka.
- The temple tolls its bell at 6pm everyday and you can hear the bell blocks away!

Atago-jinja, Minato, Tokyo, Part II

Here are more photos of Atago-jinja in our neighborhood, courtesy of several people, including my family who visited last December and mum and aunt-in-law who visited this past April. 

Senso-ji, Asakusa, Tokyo, Part III

In April my in-laws came for a quick visit, and we took them on a comprehensive Tokyo tour, which of course includes Senso-ji. 

Those huge round things are senbei! And yes, we briefly entertained the thought of getting pulled around the area on the rickshaw but in the end decided against it.

Given it was April, the place was super crowded. Actually, what am I talking about? Senso Ji is always super crowded regardless of time of the year.

Here's mum and dad visiting this past December.

Afternoon Tea at the Oriental Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Part III

A week after our day trip to Nagoya, my in-laws came for a quick one week visit, partly because mum-in-law wanted to visit her old college roommate, Mrs. H with whom we've been acquainted since our days in Yokohama. Hubby has always credited his mum for his interest in East Asian literature. Thanks to Mrs. H who has kept contact with mum-in-law through all these years, hubby was exposed to "Asian things" from an early age.

Anyway, to fight off the jet lag, we brought mum and aunt-in-law to the Mandarin Oriental for a tea session, and they both loved it so much they wanted to go again. We picked a different place for our second visit though, because it's kind of embarrassing to return to the same hotel for tea twice in the same week LOL ^.^" Will post that soon too.

Nagoya Castle, Nagoya, Aichi, Part II (Picture heavy!)

Here we are, four years later visiting Nagoya Castle again, right in the beginning of April when the sakura just bloomed. This time, J. came along with us. I'd been talking nonstop about Yamachan, and being a fellow wings-lover J. had to come along and give it a try.

But of course we had to eat lunch first a Chinese restaurant called "想吃担担面" at Nagoya Station. We didn't expect much but it turned out better than we thought, especially the almond tofu and sesame tofu desserts. Totally delectable!

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Face Creme

More goodies from the Sephora Favorites Skin Wonderland set--a 7mL/0.25fl oz. jar of Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Face Creme. Here's a quick review for it.

This is a light cream I use for my daytime routine. It's light and absorbs quickly, and it smells mildly of coconut! I like it okay and it does its job adequately, but there's nothing special or impressive about it. Will not purchase full size.