Month: February 2015

Tokyo brunch: Ruby Jacks

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Great brunch to be had at Ruby Jacks. It will set you back some money but well worth it if you’re in the mood to splurge.

On weekends, they offer a brunch course menu, but with drinks ended up quite pricey.
The brunch course came with starter options, a main dish and tea/coffee. I added on a bottle of wine to share and an extra cocktail. And dessert. So yeah, I guess that adds up.
It’s a fancy venue though. Service was exceptional.
Although pricey, would totally go back. Great service and the food was top notch.

Had the fried prawns as a starter:

From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch

And I went the steak sandwich for mains. They do have more breakfasty options, but this place is a grill bar, so supposedly do good meat – steaks and the like. The lamb looked really good.

From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch

The dessert was amazing. Carrot cake – my absolute favourite. Served with peanut butter ice cream, which was genius, not to mention delicious.

From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch
From Ruby Jacks brunch

Nozawa again

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Life has been kicking me in the arse lately. Or rather, work has.
No time to blog, no time to exercise. Barely enough time to sleep.

The last three weekend’s straight have been spent snowboarding – two weekends at Nozawa and one at Myoko.

Last weekend it snowed non-stop. The powder was amazing.

Here are some snapshots.

From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend

Powderhounds:

From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend

Snow-covered apples:

From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend

Sky skis:

From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend

My favourite onsen at Nozawa:

From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend

The original Apple Store:

From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend
From February Nozawa weekend

Nokonoshima: flower park

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Last autumn, whilst down in Kyushu, I took a half day trip to the island of Nokonoshima – just a short train and boat ride away from Fukuoka. I was in Saga at the time, so had got up early to travel from Saga to Fukuoka and then to the boat port.

Nokonoshima is a very small island. The only thing I saw there was the flower park, which is what the island is famous for. The park occupies much of the island.

From Nokonoshima

Highly recommend going when the flowers are in season. I was in luck. Even though it was November, I managed to catch the field of cosmos flowers. Weather was surprisingly gorgeous and the view of the surrounding waters from the island was really nice too.

Enjoy the colourful flower photos:

First, the boat ride:

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

And if all that water makes you wanna pee, follow the signs once at the flower park:

From Nokonoshima

Once you arrive at the port at Nokonoshima, you need to take the local bus to the park. It’s all uphill, along windy narrow roads, so a rental bike is not really recommended.

The flower park is at one of the highest points on the island. Great views:

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

The park is quite large. There are different sections for different flower fields. There is even a small animal/farm section.
Saw me some goats….I’m not kidding!

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

There’s even swings for the kids:

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

The highlight was the cosmos field:

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

And these flowers were cool too, really bright:

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

Allow yourself a few hours to walk around the park. It’s super relaxing and peaceful. Take a book, chill out, pack a picnic or eat at the restaurant there.

From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima
From Nokonoshima

I managed to spend a couple of hours here, and then made my way back to Fukuoka for my afternoon flight back to Tokyo.
All in a day’s work.

Ogasawara Islands: Miyanohara beach

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

One from the archives – return to Ogasawara Islands.
One of the most amazing trips I did last year was to the Ogasawara islands.

Here are some pics from one of the many beaches I went to – Miyanohara beach. Chichijima island was amazing – so many amazing beaches and very few people. Practically had almost every beach to myself.

I walked to Miyanohara beach in time for a sunset swim.

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

My own private beach:

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

Coral not so colourful but there were some fish:

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

A giant fish right here:

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

Ogasawara: snorkeling (again)

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

The snorkeling was so amazing at Ogasawara that on my last day there I decided to do the snorkeling tour again. I booked with a different company that took us to the same spot. Photos from the first time here. On my last day at the Ogasawara islands, before boarding the afternoon boat back to Tokyo, I went on the snorkeling tour. Couldn’t get enough of this place. The bluest of waters and so many fish. Truly unbelievable.

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

Out on the water:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

This is out on the water in front of Miyanohara beach (the beach I visited here):

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

It was like I was plonked into an aquarium:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

An interesting-looking flat fish:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

This fish was feeling blue:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

Fifty shades of blue:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

 

Ogasawara Islands: Miyanohara beach

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

One from the archives – return to Ogasawara Islands. One of the most amazing trips I did last year was to the Ogasawara islands. Here are some pics from one of the many beaches I went to – Miyanohara beach. Chichijima island was amazing – so many amazing beaches and very few people. Practically had almost every beach to myself. I walked to Miyanohara beach in time for a sunset swim.

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

My own private beach:

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

Coral not so colourful but there were some fish:

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

A giant fish right here:

From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach
From Ogasawara day 3 – sunset beach

 

Ogasawara: snorkeling (again)

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

The snorkeling was so amazing at Ogasawara that on my last day there I decided to do the snorkeling tour again. I booked with a different company that took us to the same spot. Photos from the first time here.

On my last day at the Ogasawara islands, before boarding the afternoon boat back to Tokyo, I went on the snorkeling tour.
Couldn’t get enough of this place.
The bluest of waters and so many fish. Truly unbelievable.

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

Out on the water:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

This is out on the water in front of Miyanohara beach (the beach I visited here):

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

It was like I was plonked into an aquarium:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

An interesting-looking flat fish:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

This fish was feeling blue:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day
From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day

Fifty shades of blue:

From Snorkeling Ogasawara – last day