Family Mart

Konichiwa,

Today’s topic is about a Japanese brand of convenient store called Family Mart (ファミリーマート). If you have never been to a convenient store you are missing out.

Family Mart was first opened in Japan on September 1st 1981 and it is the third largest chain in Japan behind 7-Eleven and Lawson. They currently have franchise locating in Thailand South Korea, Taiwan China, United States Vietnam and even in North Korea.

The following are some photos of family locating in different countries please guess the country that each Family Mart is located in and the answers will be up in a few days! Feel free to leave your guesses as comments to this blog!

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Toshio Suzuki

Konichiwa minasan,

Today we are here to talk about a very special man. Toshio Suzuki is key person for Studio Ghibli and also a long time colleague. Toshio Suzuki is a producer for so many Studio Ghibli films and also know Hayao Miyazaki very well. Toshio Suzuki assisted Hayao Miyazakito turn Nausicaa of Valley of the Wind into animation film, and to establish Studio Ghibli.

In a interview I see with Mr. Toshio Suzuki he mentioned about the way Mr. Hayao Miyazaki smoke his cigarette and eat the bento packed by his lovely wife. It’s so nice to see a man and long time good friend know so much about Hayao Miyazaki.

Here are some photos of Mr. Toshio Suzuki.

Here is an intrusting interview I found on Youtube of Mr. Toshio Suzuki. I think Toshio Suzuki touched on a lot of philosophy of Japanese animation and Studio Ghibli. This man is of the many Studio Ghibli geniuses. Please check it out.

March Favorites Relating to Japan

Hello!

Looks like we have reach the beginning of April! Yes, it’s time for another favorites blog. This is favorites for March relating to Japan.

1. Mentholatum Acne Medicated Make-up Removal Wash:

This is an excellent face wash that not only help to fight acne but also good for removing your daily make up. I use it to remove most of my makeup because it make my task a lot easier later! You should check it out for sure if you have never tried it before!

2. Omi Brotherhood Menturm Medicated Stick:

This is an wonderful chap stick that is healing dried, chapped and cracked lips. I find this product to not be overly greasy on my lips, but rather gentle. You can apply it as often as needed your chapped lips will be gone soon! Hooray!

3. D Concealer:

This is a brand I brought in the 100 yen store, Daiso. I am loving this product because it’s cheap and works great. It cover up small problematic areas well. Cheer for good cheap Japanese brand!

4. Furuta Green Tea Cookie:

OMG! This has got to be one of addiction for the month. I am in love with this cookie. I love green tea cookie. Daisuki! I first spotted them in Daiso, 100 yen store and later I spotted them in another shop (which is cheaper than Daiso). OMG! They are just heavenly goodness! You need to find it and try it out! It’s time for you to fell madly in love with Japanese green tea cookie like me!

5. Dimension 0f Love (Tenchi Universe song):

I was listening to some of the songs from Tenchi Muyo and Tenchi Universe and I have to say that Dimension of Love brought back so much great memories of watching the series Tenchi Muyo and Tenchi Universe with my younger sister. That was one of the memorable of my wonderful childhood. I am certain that all the Tenchi Muyo and Tenchi Universe lovers will agree that Dimension of Love is an wonderful song for the anime series.

Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd

Hello,

Not too long ago I brought you a Japanese company called Fujiya and today I am bring you another brand Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd (Meiji) (明治製菓株式会社). Meiji was originally founded on October 9th of 1916. That means the company has been around for 97 years. Another old and good company. Meiki manufacture all kinds of foods. The following are some picture example of some of the delicious and mouth watering foods from the Meiji company.

Please take a loot to see what type of food will be your favorite!

Anime Theme Song Voting

Konochiwa,

Since I know a lot of anime is near and dear to many people’s heart, so I thought it would be a neat idea to have a voting time for some Japanese anime. Please look at the following list and vote for your favorite! Please note that voting must be based on the songs present in this blog post. I understand that some anime has other theme songs, but please base on the theme song presented below.

There are a good bland of anime theme song, so I hope you will be able to find your favorite!

Sailor Moon

Dragon Ball Z

Cardcaptor Sakura

Pokemon

Akazukin Chacha

Doraemon

Chibi Maruko Chan

Detective Conan

Tenchi Muyo

Candy Candy

Heisei Period Dog Tale Bow

Ayashi no Ceres

Fushigi Yuugi

Anpanman

Hamtaro

Yumeiro Patissiere

Marmalade Boy

Hana Yori Dango

Ikyuu San

Azuki Chan

Fujuya

Konichiwa,

Today’s blog post is about A Japanese nationwide chain  confectionary store and restaurants in Japan called Fujiya Food Service Co., Ltd. The first shop was founded in Yokohama in 1910, meaning that Fujuya has existed for 103 years! Wow!

Fujiya often use Peko-chan and Poko-chan to advertise their product. There are very well known charatcers in Japan, like Doraemon and Hello Kitty.

 

Some facts about Peko-chan is she was born in 1950 and alway remained as 6 years old. She is a young girl who is 100cm in height and has a weight of 15kg. She love to play baseball and hopping. Her favorite animal is a puppy.

Some facts about Poko-chan is she was born in 1951 and alway remained as 7 years old. He is a young boy who is 100cm in height.

Aside from picture of Peko-chan and Poko-chan, here are also a picutre of the Fujiya shop.

Heisei Period Dog Tale Bow (平成イヌ物語バウ)

Hello,

Today’s blog is inspired by something I saw while eating brunch at the breakfast store. I saw a cute Bull Terrier while at the breakfast store.

Okay, this bring me to my topic today, a Japanese manga/anime called Heisei Period Dog Tale Bow. I used to read the manga more than watching the anime when I was young. I remember loving the storyline.

The storyline is about a a dog name Bow. Although Bow is a whacky stray bull terrier, but you will grown to like him. It is fun watching Bow interact with his family and friends.

Here are some pictures from the animation.

I found the opening and ending theme song on Youtube from the animation Heisei Period Dog Tale Bow. Please check it out!

Zojirushi Vacuum Bottles

Hello,

I am here to share a great Japanese vacuum bottles that I have been using all winter and now into the spring. I am in love with Zojirushi Thermal Bottle. I have to brag about the hours that your liquid is able to stay hot/warm. I have put some warmish/hot water into the bottle and six hours later it was still warm.

My bottle is black with some line design which is amazing. Here are some quick photos of the amazing vacuum bottles so please check it out.

I brought my Zojirushi vacuum bottles for about $25 online which is a very good buy in my opinion. You have never used a vacuum bottles and has a little money to invest please check out Zotirushi vacuum bottles!

Please check out the two videos I found on Youtube talking about Zojirushi vacuum bottle.

Japanese Traditional Snacks

Ichigo Daifuku

Daifuku consisting of a small round moichi stuff with sweet filling. Ichigo daifuku is clearly daifuku stuffed with strawberry. I have personally never had Ichigo daifuku before, but would love to try it out when I get a chance to.

The following is a video from Cooking With Dog video from Yourube on how to make ichigo daifuku. Please check it out!

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a Japanese fish shaped cake. Most of the taiyaki is red bean paste filling, but you can also find different flavors ones as well.

Here is a video from Cooking With Dog again about how to make Taiyaki. Please it out!

Dorayaki

Dorayaki is a Japanese style pancake filled with red bean paste filling. in the middle. Doraemon is very well known for loving dorayaki. I personally think sometimes the classic dorayaki with red bean paste filling is a bit sweet. I prefer butter or green tea flavor dorayaki better.

Here is a video from Cooking With Dog on how to make dorayaki. Please check it out!

Hope you find the above snack tasty and able to find time to make it yourself!

Akazukin Chacha

Hello,

Today I’m here sharing with you one of my favorite childhood anime named Akazukin Chacha (赤ずきんチャチャ).

Chacha is a young magical girl who live on mochi-mochi mountain with her guardian and teacher Seravy. Chacha is clumsy in casting her spells and frequently mistakes, but she will always stand by love and justice. Together with her two best friends Riiya (werewolf) and Shiine (young wizard), they faced many difficult tasks.
Here are some character from the anime Akazukin Chacha;

Chacha (チャチャ)- Although Chacha may appeared to be clumsy, but she has a kind heart and always stand for love and justice!

Riiya (リーヤ)- Riiya always great appetite. He can eat a lot of food very quickly. Riiya can turn into a white wolf, which is often mistaken as a dog. Riiya and Shiine are always fighting over Chacha because they both strongly they are the better fit for Chacha!

Shiine (しいね)- Shiine is a young wizard who enjoy housework. He was left at Dorothy’s place by his father Access at a young age and very loyal to his master Dorothy. Shiine is always fighting with Riiya about who is the better fit for Chacha

Seravy (セラヴィー)- Seravy is Chacha’s magic teacher and guardian. Seravy is the greatest wizard in the world and it is often mentioned in the anime. Seravy has always loved Dorothy when she used to have beautiful blond hair. If Dorothy suddenly changed back into her old self again than Seravy would be the happiest man on earth.

Dorothy (どろしー)- Dorothy is Shiine’s magic teacher who always dream of being the greatest wizard in the world. She defeated Piikapon, which earned her the title of the greatest wizard, but was soon hit over the heard with a huge bouquet of flowers he conjured to congratulate her. Because of Seravy’s action he became the greatest wizard and really upset his beloved Dorothy. Because of Seravy’s action Dorothy turned her her hair red-pink hair which Seravy detests.

Elizabeth (エリザベ)- Elizabeth is Seravy’s favotite doll. Elizabeth is an image of Dorothy when she was young with her beautiful blond hair. Seravy often talk to Elizabeth and she often make fun of Dorothy in a variety of ways, often in reference to her hair, temper and habit of making Shiine do housework for her.

Yakko ()- Yakko is a black hooded girl in Chacha’s class. She always has a crush on Seravy and is often very envious of Chacha that she live with Seravy.

Marin (マリン)- Marin is a very selfish mermaid who cares about no one else but her love Riiya. Marin does not know that Riiya is a white wolf, so he often turn hmself into wolf to escape from her. Marin despise Chacha because she is so close with Riiya. Because Marin and Yakko both dislike Chacha they occasionally work together hoping to defeat Chacha.

Orin (お鈴)- Orin is a small, quick ninja who is also good with sword. Orin has a crush on Shiine and her face always turn red when he speak to her.

Riiya’s Grandfather- Riiya’s grandfather is a giant werewolf who served the king (Chacha’s father) and assisted Seravy escape the castle with Chacha during the takeover of the Dark Lord.

Principal Urara (ウララ)- Principal Urara is known for her pink dress and large eyes. Although she is very kind, but she is often very absent-minded.

Teacher Rascal (ラスカル) Rascal sensen is the teacher for Banana Class, which is the class with Chacha, Riiya Shiine and Yakko. Rascal sensei loves to whip his students into shape, but has a soft side too.

Teacher Barabaraman (バラバラマン) Barabaraman sensei is the teacher for the Apple Class, which is the class Marine is in. He can grow roses on his hair when he is excited and has thorns growing all over his body.

Access (アクセス) Access worked for the Dark Lord in the beginning of the anime because he imprisoned his wife. He was defeated by Phoenix Sword.

Doris (ドリス)- Doris is the younger brother of Dorothy who dress as a women and is obsess with Seravy. He is very jealous of his sister Dorothy of being in love with Seravy.

Now you know about some of the important characters from Akazukin Chacha, can you name and locate the different characters mentioned above in the group picture below? Have fun!