General Store and Cafe, LIVRE DE IMAGES

It's more than 2 months since the last update... To tell you the truth, I've changed my job recently. Today was my day-off, so I went to a fancy cafe, LIVRE DE IMAGES!! Look at the picture below! It's a cute general store and a cafe!

It was the first time for me to visit there, but I felt comfortable by the cozy atmosphere. There were varieties of goods sold at the store, and also, customers were free to read books on the bookshelf. (So, I read 2 books during my 1.5 hours-stay there.) 

I ordered a set of chicken breast saute with rice, besides, cheese cake and tea as a dessert. They were good!! :D

Most of the customers were female. Some came there with their girlfriends and others were with their children. I think many girls (including me!) love the store's atmosphere! I'm happy to have such fancy places for girls in this city... Yay! :)

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Hirosaki Castle

Winter in Akita has ended at last, and now we are awaiting for spring. Cherry blossoms in Tokyo are in bloom already according to TV news, but those in Akita are still sleeping because the weather or temperature here is not yet ready for them to bloom. In Akita, the northern area of Japan, cherry blossom usually comes into bloom at the end of April to early May.

Akita has a good cherry blossoms viewing spot in Kakunodate town, where visitors from all around the nation come in the springtime. Actually, Kakunodate is well-known as the major cherry blossoms viewing spots of Japan and is also called as a "small Kyoto" because there remains old Samurai Houses and traditional townscape like Kyoto.

Another popular cherry blossoms viewing spot is Hirosaki Castle in Aomori prefecture at the north of Akita prefecture. Cherry blossoms there are also beautiful, so I used to go there many times. The photos below are some of them that I took a few years ago. I believe they are still beautiful today.

You will be attracted by such beautiful cherry blossoms!! Its petals drop down on the pond to cover the surface in pink. This is really beautiful.

We are now awaiting for cherry blossoms' blooming in the northern Japan region. I haven't decided where to go, but am looking forward to see them again soon! :D

Do you like Japanese Ramen?

I know Japanese Ramen (noodle) is now getting familiar in the world. Many Ramen stores can be found anywhere in my hometown, but I especially like Miso (soy bean paste) Ramen of Genkiya. I used to go to the store in Noshiro City, the northern city of Akita prefecture where I lived for about 2 years in the past. And finally, I found its branch store in Akita City!!

This is a combination of Miso Ramen and Gyoza (dumplings). It's sooo good!

The above message is put on the wall inside the store. I think this is their policy, which says that Genkiya's Ramen give power and happiness to the customers. I like it and want to come again soon!

Warm restaurant, Pa-se-ri

A Happy New Year!! Wish you all the best!! :)

The first article of this blog in 2013 is about a warm restaurant, Pa-se-ri, which locates across a new complex named AREA NAKAICHI in front of Senshu Park in Akita City. So far, I just pass by this restaurant but finally I stepped into it. I felt like I made a right choice!

I tried a set of lunch as photo above. There are rice, miso-soup, steak, Japanese pickles and orange. Besides, free refill of coffee was also nice there. I will come again when I want to relax myself in a warm place... :D
If you visit AREA NAKAICHI, I recommend you to come Pa-se-ri, too!

Angela Aki's Live Concert in Akita!!!

My favorite singer is Angela Aki, who is half Japanese and half American and sings and plays the piano. She is famous for her beautiful voice, which has captured my heart for a long time... On the last weekend, she came to Akita City for her concert tour!!!

This was the 3rd time for me to enjoy it. The concert began at 17:00 and Angela Aki entertained the audience, including me, with her voice and interesting talk. I really love her friendly personality to make people comfortable.

She sang her hit songs from the oldest to the newest album as well as some cover songs of famous singers both from Japan and overseas. My favorite song is "This Love", which reminds me of my university days and my ex. :P
I couldn't stop crying when she sang it at the very end of the concert, but I felt really really really happy to hear my favorite one this time, too.

I hope to see her again in Akita some day! If you want to listen to her songs, please visit her website -> http://www.angela-aki.com/

French Restaurant, OISHIMBO!

There is a French restaurant, OISHIMBO, nearby my apartment in Akita City. It is not so big but comfortable dining space which may be suitable especially for someone's celebration. Me and my boyfriend had wonderful dinner there to celebrate our 2nd anniversary last year...

Where are we going for our 3rd anniversary this year? :)
Hope you will have a lovely time with the one who you love!

Bookstore Cafe in Akita City

I found a nice Bookstore Cafe in Akita City! It is "Shosai-Cafe" (Shosai means library or study room in Japanese). This cafe was recently introduced on TV and local magazines, so I had been interested in it so far. And finally, I could visit there and eat very-good gateau chocolat!!

This time, I ordered the cake and Earl Grey with soy milk. But next time, I will enjoy the coffee, too. By the way, the gateau chocolat of this cafe is the best, I think!!! The taste is unforgettable...

As this flyer shows, inside of the cafe is full of books. There are about 6000 books, I heard. You can see it from their website -> http://www.r2-design.com/c/index.html

I could forget my busy days once I step into there. I feel happy to have such nice and comfortable places in my city.