Having a ball (and chain)

And the Japanese brand invasion in Manila continues.

Now, the much loved casual bag brand from Tokyo has arrived in Manila.

"Ball and Chain" is a quirky and utilitarian bag that's a favourite pasalubong from people traveling to Japan.

Now, you don't have to go far to actually get it.

Sugoi ne!

Tako-yummy

Do my eyes deceive me?

Will our fave Takoyaki chain in Japan finally open near me?

Here's the answer:

February is a few weeks away.

Let the countdown begin.

Year end. Bookend.

Mark and I started our travel year in Japan.

Last January, we went to Makuhari in Tokyo,  and had a grand time there.

Now, we're back for our last international trip for the year.

Makuhari never disappoints. And Makuhari will always be one of our go-tos in Japan.

Fresh(ness) in my mind

Yes. I'm old enough to know that Freshness Burger was once here in the Philippines.

Their first shop was near Makati Cinema Square, which was fitting because it was where all the legit Japanese restaurants were. 

Then, they opened a branch at the 6th floor of Shangrila Mall, and I used to eat there with Mark if we wanted a legit Japanese burger.

Quietly, it disappeared. Maybe the concept was ahead of its time.

So, I'm hoping that with Mos Burger and Masajiro Burger in MNL already, they'll follow suit and reopen here.

That's a fresh idea.

Masajiro lies in you...

The Japanese brand invasion continues in MNL.

Another iconic burger brand just opened its first store in Glorietta 2.

Yup, Masajiro burger is here.

With Mos Burger and Masajiro Burger now in the Philippines, the triumvirate of good Japanese burgers is almost within reach.

Hopefully, Freshness Burger goes back to the country soon. That way, the trio will really be complete.

Rice above the rest, part deux

It's still about rice, but not about Mango Sticky Rice.

This is about my favourite Japanese tea.

Our neighbour always gives us this whenever her daughter comes home from Japan. It's a rice tea that's best served cold - which, incidentally, is my preference.

I'll take this rice over the conventional one anytime.

Sukiya Shocker

As a country that's known for their safety and adherence to the highest sanitary and health standards, this piece of news really comes as a shock.

Sukiya is one of Japan's most famous beef bowl restaurants. Mark and I would eat the their branch just above Higashi-Koenji station, and this brand brings back a lot of good memories of our meals there. So, I'm hoping that this issue is resolved and they won't have to make any drastic measures.

Hopefully, the next time Mark and I are in Japan, Sukiya will be back on its feet and we'll be able to dine in there again.

Meals with Mark: O Genki Desu

Despite the fact that we were just in Tokyo last January, Mark and I still can't get enough of all things Japanese.

So, for one of our dinners, we decided to eat at an uber popular Japanese sushi chain that has branches here in MNL.

Genki Sushi!

Aside from the food, this restaurant is popular because of the fact that your food is served by trains. Yup, the Shinkansen looking trains travel from the kitchen, straight to your tables. Very Japanese!

But of course, the food is very Japanese as well. From the miso soup, tuna gunkan and green tea, it brought us pack to Japan, despite the fact that we're just in Cubao.

Sugoi ne!

Spice of life

You can't go to Japan without checking out McDonald's for their Japan-only menu.

There were a couple of interesting and promising options, but this is where I started:

Spicy Chicken McNuggets with 4 cheese sauce!

It's. So. Good!

Has Mark try it, and it's Mark-approved as well.

Please bring this to the Philippines!

Arrrr you sure?

They say that the Japanese language uses a lot of letter "r"s, especially when they speak English.

Guess they're taking that too seriously.

Saw this at Shisui and couldn't help but chuckle.

I'd ask for a proofreader, but this isn't their native tongue, so it's okay.

Taste of tradition

Aside from the very convenient location, here's another reason why my stay at Toyoko Inn was worth it:

Traditional Japanese Breakfast!

In lieu of the usual Western Buffets, they served traditional fare. 

This is another good reason to go back.

Eleventh Hour

Of course, no trip to Japan would be complete without the mandatory 7-11 food shot.

While at Shisui Outlets, saw a 7-11 tucked in one of the corridors. After realising that I haven't had a 7-11 meal yet, it was clear that this was the time to do it. Ended up with a sandwich, onigiri and - of course - Fanta Grape!

Convenience really is more delicious in Japan!

Meals with Mark: Tako-yummy

Well, this isn't really our first meal. It's more of a first appetiser.

At Aeon Mall, we spotted Gindaco at the food court. Since Takoyaki is one of our go-to snacks in Japan, it's what we decided to have.

Just like how we'll never get enough of traveling to Japan, we'll also never get enough of Takoyaki.

Hope Springs

Nope, this isn't about that Meryl Streep film.

It's about the fun of staying somewhere new in a familiar place.

Like Hotel Springs Makuhari.

On this trip, Mark and I stayed at Makuhari for the first time. It's an area nearer Narita Airport, and it's a pretty quiet but complete. It has a lot of restaurants, a big supermarket, a major train station, and an outlet mall.

Yes, an outlet mall just 5 minutes away from the hotel.

This place is so nice, we wouldn't mind staying here again. And hope that happens very soon.

Soba so good

One of the shocking things that happened during my last trip to Tokyo with Mark was the fact that Komoro Soba in Roppongi was closed!

Yup, that small, hole-in-the-wall shop where they sell super affordable Japanese fare is no more. 

Thankfully, Komoro Soba is still around in Megamall! And because of my Zaru Soba cravings, this is today's lunch place.

As usual, it's good as it is affordable.

Don't go anywhere, Komoro Soba!

GU are here now!

Mucho thanks to Kris, my GU x Rokh collaboration pieces are here!

I'm sure Ate Bullet will rock each piece!

Rokh it again!

After his collaboration with H&M early this  year, Rokh is back!

This time, he has a collaboration with GU.

The thing was, when we were in Shibuya, the collection wasn't launched yet. They only had a preview rack, and it allowed you to check out the clothes, but you couldn't buy it. Just yet.

It was frustrating because you could see how nice and different the pieces are, but you can't buy them because they're still a few days away from the official launch.

Good thing there's the GU x Undercover FW collection to help me not feel too bad.

Rockin' burgers

Speaking of outlets, this was a perfect opportunity to try new cuisine. 

We saw a burger joint called Rockaway Burger, and it was a Hawaii-themed resto. Since the vibe was nice and the food looked good, we decided to give it a shot.

Mark got the burger combo, and I got the Surfer Salad.

In terms of taste, value and overall ambience, this place rocks!

Spending time (and money)

Mark and I decided to spend our last full day at Shisui Outlets in Chiba.

Like other outlet stores in Japan, this is patterned after US Outlet Malls. From the look to the layout to the frontage - everything feels so American.

What we shopped for, though, was very un-outlet. There's popcorn.

And Fanta Grape Soda!

Yes, there were a few purchases from Coach and Michael Kors, can't leave without those.

Overall, it was a day well-spent.

Figuratively and literally.

Hooked on it!

Since they've discontinued Filet-o-fish in the Philippines, it's one sandwich that I'm constantly on the look-out for whenever my travels take me out of the country.

Luckily, they still have it in Japan!

Bonus, they also have sweet potato pie!

This meal got me. Hook, like and sinker.