FUN DAY WALKING, SHOPPING AND A GREAT DINNER
26.12.2024
We both had a good night’s sleep, which we needed as we went to bed around midnight. I had a great breakfast, consisting of cereal, an apple, 2 pancakes with maple syrup (from Lawson), and a coffee. I think that pretty much covers the requirements for a balanced diet.
After breakfast, Youko decided Yoshi should not get preferential treatment and asked if she could also have a massage. She has pain in both shoulders and wants me to work on it. So I obliged and in amongst the cries of ‘“Itai” (it hurts) apparently she is feeling her shoulder is a bit better but she has pain in her neck. I gave no response to that comment. However I will do her neck tonight, like the good son-in-law that I am.
Youko had to go to a tyre shop to get winter tyres put on her car, so Mami and I decided we would walk to Sun Live (pronounced Sun Liv) which is another mall shopping centre. It was roughly a 5000 step journey making it a good way to start the day. I was the only one in Shunan wearing a T-shirt but the cold stops me overheating which is what I want. Youko will meet us at Sun Live when her car is ready.
There is a Mister Donut shop at Sun Live and Mami has put in an order for a Mister Donut’s Pokémon showbag costing 6000Y ($60). Not only do you get to know what’s inside of the show bags ahead of time, but apparently the show bag comes with 6500Y ($65) worth of donut coupons with heaps of Pokémon goodies. They’re also incredibly good value, says Mami.
The fukubukuro, or “lucky bag,” is one of Japanese unique New Year traditions offering shoppers the chance to score amazing bargains and exclusive products from top brands. This custom dates back to the Edo period, 1603–1868, when retailers first introduced mystery bags to clear out old stock. Today, businesses use these surprise-filled bags as clearance sales or offer exclusive, limited-edition items.
We left Sun Live to go to my preferred mall, Aeon Mall at Kudamatsu, where I can get a decent coffee, jazz music in the background and no screaming kids, at Hamamoto. Youko and Mami have just joined me for a coffee. As they had lunch in the eatery section, they could not bring their meals into Hamamoto, which is fair enough as it gave me the chance to get a good headstart on today’s blog without interruption.
Finished the relaxing day with another favourite meal of mine and Mami, Japanese Potato Croquettes, or “Korokke” as they are called in Japanese. It is a delicious fried food made from panko-crumbed mashed potato with carrot, onion, and mince. You can buy Korokke from convenient stores, usually kept in food warmer, but it is also one of the Japanese home-style dishes that can easily be made from scratch. Youko’s Korokke are definitely the best Korokke I’ve ever tasted!!!
We finished dinner and Youko and Mami lived up to their reputation with their korokke. We had salad with the croquettes and that was all we needed as they were very filling but we also wanted some left over for breakfast!
I did the dishes, allowing Mami time to have a chat with her mum and dad. It’s nice to see the mutual respect, pride and love they have for each other. It’s really important she gets to see as much of her parents as she can.
When I finished the dishes we all played a game of Quirkle which was fun. Mami won by a fair margin with me second, Youko third and Yoshi fourth. The family likes to play games like this and it’s a lot of fun …. Except when Mami keeps winning!!!!
I’ve just finished Yoshi’s massage and he is asleep where I left him. It’s good to see him so relaxed. I guess I will have to do the same for Youko now. I think I’ve made a rod for my own back.
