Event Announcement: Tokyo Street Pavilion is open!

Uhh... this is really a late announcement, considering that I got to know about it on the morning of the opening ceremony ^^;;;

Anyway!! Tokyo Street opened on the morning of Friday, 29th July 2011.

I went to check it out today at lunch! (long story on how that happened) It was not bad :) The Hokkaido Ramen place had a long queue, so we ate at Tokyo Don, which had pretty good tori katsu don. We also bought some pretty good mochi from Mochi Sweets.

While taking a brief look through the place, I noticed that there is a shop that's selling proper kimono items! Granted, I think they're overpriced, but the geta quality are at least better than alot I've seen. Also, considering that the shop is in Pavilion and has to pay their insane rental rates... Well, I kind of understand the prices ^^;

There are alot of nice places, including this nice-looking tea place and a few shops with really nice Japanese pottery and crockery, but I didn't explore much as I was short on time.

For those who are interested in checking it out, Tokyo Street is at Level 6, Pavilion Mall, Kuala Lumpur. That's right on Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Bukit Bintang, folks :) Across the street from JW Marriotts and Starhill Gallery.

On a separate note, I received by 20kg sea mail parcel yesterday!! It had my lot of 20 obi in it, as well as 2 new obi and a whole bunch of undies and accessories!! I'm way too excited about them! I'll probably wear a kimono with my new obi and one of my new hanjuban sets (purple!!) when going out with a friend this weekend ^___^

Take care and good night!

Event Announcement: Jusco Yukata Fair 2011 - Till Sunday, 17th July

Heya!

Jusco is having another yukata fair this year! It's abit of a late announcement, especially considering that they've been here since 4th July, but I'd only just found out a couple of days ago and finally had time to check it out today.

As before, the fair is at Jusco Mid Valley. Easiest way to get there is to enter through the Center Court entrance on the ground floor and just walk straight. Can't miss it!

The Fair will be here till Sunday, 17th July :)

I've already spent a fortune there on overpriced things, but anything to keep this fair alive and going! I'm hoping they'll have another one next year ^_^

I'll be posting about my loot next! Ta~

Event Announcement: 35th Bon Odori in Shah Alam, Malaysia

Just another quick post.

The Embassy of Japan in Malaysia announced the official date for the 35th Bon Odori in Shah Alam, Malaysia yesterday:

Date : Saturday, 16th July 2011

Time : 5pm - 9.15pm

Venue : Kompleks Sukan Negara (Former Panasonic Sports Complex)

Free shuttle bus : from KTM Shah Alam Station (Section 19) to Kompleks Sukan Negara and vice versa from 4pm to 11pm

Programme:
5pm - Gates open
7pm - Opening
9.15pm - Closing Address

Here's a link to the announcement page on the Embassy's website:
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/JIS/culturalevents/bon11/070611.html

And a link to the leaflet for the 35th Bon Odori in Malaysia:
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/JIS/culturalevents/bon11/35thbonodori_new.pdf

I most likely will not be going for this year's Bon Odori - last year was crowded enough, thanks very much! I'll probably still dress up that night though, just for the fun of it :)

Goodnight!

Event Announcement: Tokyo Street opening in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (July 2011)

This is a little bit of a late post, considering that this was actually officially announced two weeks ago, but Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will be opening Tokyo Street in July 2011!

According to various news sources and the Pavilion KL website, this street, located on the 6th floor of Pavilion, is inspired by Asakusa, Ginza and Shibuya and will host a variety of shops offering Japanese F&B, retail, beauty products and more.

So far, I have spotted a mochi shop, a proper green tea shop, an ice cream shop, a really nice cafe, a Daiso.... well, alot of things that I'm looking forward to, really!

If you would like to see more, the official Pavilion KL webpage for Tokyo Street is here:
http://www.pavilion-kl.com/content/precint.php?precint=tokyo_street

*squees in excitement* July can't come any faster!

Event Announcement: Yukata Fair at Jusco Mid Valley

Just a quick post ^_^

There's a yukata fair at Jusco Mid Valley (Ground Floor - just enter from the Center Court entrance and walk straight, and you'll bump into it). I went there yesterday to check it out, and they have quite a large selection!

Prices are quite decent - a yukata and obi set are RM129 for men and women, and RM89 for children's sets. You can also get an assortment of accessories - RM10 for an uchiwa fan, RM39 for parasols, RM20 for geta... There are also some bags, obijime, obi kazari and hair accessories, which really completes each set. I noticed some decorative lace for obi too.

If anyone wants to check it out, please do it soon, because it's only there till this Sunday, 4th July 2010. This is really a great opportunity to get some cheap yukata for Bon Odori or anime/cosplay conventions :)

I've bought two sets for myself and one for my brother already! I also got one for my niece, but it's a little big for her age, so I'm going to have to go back and look for another one her size XP And I got 3 pairs of geta, a fan, one obi kazari and two parasols. I'm in love! I'm planning to go back to buy more ehhehehe~ XP

On a side note, I've been pretty dead coz I was in Singapore for a Summer Wealth Management Program by Merrill Lynch for two weeks. It was really fun! Made loads of new friends XD Didn't really learn so much new stuff, but got to see another aspect of the wealth management industry hehehe. Will post on it sometime soon, if I remember!

Toodles~

Event Announcement: Japan Charity Fiesta & Bazaar 2009

Just a quick update on an upcoming event! ^___^ There are 3 in the month of November that I want to announce, but I'll start off with the first one. This event appeared in the newspaper a few days ago, but my sister found it a few weeks ago on the JCKL website.


Japan Charity Fiesta & Bazaar 2009
Date: 8th November 2009

Time: 11am to 3pm

Location: Grand Ballroom, Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Admission fees: RM12 for advance tickets, RM15 for day tickets, free for those ages 12 and under. Get advance tickets at Jusco (Mid Valley, Taman Maluri and 1Utama) and Isetan (KLCC and Lot 10)!

Note: There's going to be a yukata dressing corner!!!! ^_^

Website: (Use Google translate, and scroll down) Japan Club of KL


I really really want to go! Maybe my sister and I will wear kimono/yukata there too ^^ Anyone else planning to go?

Event Announcement: TAF UPDATE!

I found more info on TAF, so I'm going to put it in a new post rather than confuse myself with the old one ^^;;;;

TAF: Taylor's Asaban Festival 09
Date: Saturday, 26 September 09
Time: Morning Session (ACG Convention style): 11 – 5pm
Time: Evening Session (Matsuri Style Fest.): 6 - 11pm
Venue: Taylor's Main Campus (TUCMC), SS15, Subang Jaya
Admission: RM7 for day event, free for night event

Description: TAF is an event aiming to further promote the modern J-Visual Culture in Malaysia by letting visitors themselves indulge in the said experience themselves.

(The event is still in its preliminary stages of execution and are subject to changes without prior notice)

Activities include:

Day Event: Japanese Visual Culture
•ACG Booths (DDR, Osu, etc.)
•Dounjinshi Booths
•Singing Competitions
•Art Competitions
•Lucky Draw
•Performances by Spirit of Music
•Cosplay Cafe

Night Event: Matsuri (Traditional Japanese Festival)
•Performances by Spirit of Music
•Japanese Food Stalls featuring snacks, meals and desserts; here's your chance to chomp on temakis, teppanyaki, unagi, tempura, salmon, sushi rice, Matcha green tea, Azuka beans and mochi.
•Traditional Game Stalls
•Traditional Dance
•Cosplay Cafe
•Yukata Rental
•Japanese Tea Ceremony Demonstration

Website: Under construction
Contact: taylors.anime.society@gmail.com

Info source: Comic Fiesta forums, this site and this site

Omg, I'm really really looking forward to this one now!! ^________^ I'm especially in love with the activities lined up for the night event. Now, if only they'd do that kimono wearing demonstration in the day event, then I'd stay there the whole day! Hahaha :D

I really wish my UK kimono buddies were here to enjoy this with me... :( Oh well! Maybe I'll bully my sister and her bf into coming along with me, just for the night event at least! ^_^

Random note no.1: I found out one of my colleagues also owns a yukata from when she went to Japan to teach English on a one-month volunteer program!! Where do I sign up???

Random note no.2: Phuket was hot. I'm sunburnt. I'm happy :D

Bye! ^_^

Event Announcement: TAF: Taylor's Asaban Fest

Just a quick update, but today I found out about this event that I'd really like to go to! I'm pretty sure I'm free on that day, but whether or not I go depends very much on transport >_<""

Details!

-updated in next post-

I really hope I can go! ^_^ It'll be nice to have a reason to wear kimono/yukata... I heard last year's one was kinda bad, but I wouldn't mind just going to see what it's like :D Maybe it's time to start socializing on the Comic Fiesta forums and making friends so it would be more fun there! XD

Oh! Before I forget, it's Merdeka weekend this week, so my family and I are taking a short 4-day holiday to Phuket from Saturday to Tuesday. If anyone wants to contact me during that period, I'm afraid I won't be available till next Wednesday!

Ta! ^_^

Event Announcement: Bon Odori 2009

I am not going to Bon Odori this year because I'll be in Pangkor Laut then, but I thought I'd post about it for other people who may be interested in going :)



Bon Odori Festival 2009 (Malaysia, Selangor)
Venue : Panasonic Sports Complex (formerly Matsushita Centre)
Address : Lot 4, Persiaran Perkilangan, Seksyen 21, Shah Alam, Selangor
Date : 18th July 2009
Time : 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets : Free Admission
Phone : 03-2274 2274 (Japanese Club of KL)
Transport : Free Shuttle Bus from Shah Alam KTM Station to Matsushita Stadium is provided.


ATTENTION
● Strictly no smoking except for designated areas.
● No high-heels allowed in the dancing field.
● No wearing stuff like Goth lolita and any stuff that are considered not polite. You wouldn't want people to insult your ancestors that way now, would you?
● NO COSPLAYING. Please show respect towards the Japanese culture and tradition.

Malaysia
In Malaysia, Bon Odori Festivals are celebrated every year in Penang and at the Matsushita Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor. This celebration, which is a major attraction for the state of Selangor, is the brain child of the Japanese Expatriate & Immigrant's Society in Malaysia. In comparison to the celebrations in Japan, the festival is celebrated on a much smaller scale in Penang and Selangor, and is less associated with Buddhism and more with Japanese culture. Held mainly to expose locals to a part of Japanese culture, the festival provides the experience of a variety of Japanese food & drinks, art and dance.


Map




(Info from Tourism Selangor)
(Map from the Comic Fiesta Forums)

Go HERE for a flyer.

Event Announcement: SFX Family Day 2009

Just a quick post before I sleep, but my church is having its annual Family Day this Sunday. If you're in the area and free, do come and contribute to the church, as well as various charities and fundraising organizations :)

Here's details:



Location:
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Address:
135 Jalan Gasing,
46000 PJ,
Selangor

Date:
12 July 2009

Time:
8.30am - 2pm

We're "going green" this year, so please bring your own (empty) lunchboxes if you want to takeaway food! :)

Oh, and sadly, I will not be wearing yukata, because it's really really hot, and this year's theme isn't Japanese. I'm absolutely dying to wear one, but I won't have an opportunity to until we go to Pangkor Laut. Will blog more about that later.

Okay, am very tired now. My sister and I were up till 1am baking cupcakes as a test round for what the RCIA is selling on Sunday (no, we don't man the RCIA booth so we won't be there to take questions :D Lucky) and I have to get up early for work tomorrow.

G'night people! :D

Event Announcement: UNIQLO yukata

They've already been up for sale for at least a week, but UNIQLO has started selling this year's yukata already! Or, at least, they're selling the women's yukata already :)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO SITE

Usually, I'd be drooling over everything, but for the moment, only one or two sets actually appeal to my taste. *determined* I will keep checking for updates!! Maybe they'll have some nicer ones later on in the season :D

They usually sell men's and kid's yukata sets too. I'll post something when they start selling them :)

For those who want to start wearing kimono, these are actually really great. Yukata are the easiest form of kimono you can wear, excluding jinbei, and are the best for beginners. The sets from UNIQLO contain almost everything you'll need for wearing yukata, including an instruction booklet on how to put them on! Plus, they're really cheap ;)

For women's sets, they come with two himo (the ribbons you use to secure the yukata in place), the yukata, a matching obi, and a matching bag. All you need are shoes (you can use nice sandals) and undies, which can just be a spaghetti strap top and a thin knee-length skirt slip. I think the instructions booklet is easy enough to understand, but then again, that may be because I already know how to wear a yukata haha!

I can't wait till they start selling men's yukata sets again. I really really want to buy a nice set for my brother, and UNIQLO sets are always so comfortable and they look good. Here are a few pictures of me and my friends and family wearing UNIQLO yukata:

Liss and I at home, on Christmas hols '07. I think these two sets were from the '06 UNIQLO yukata season.




My sister is wearing a red bunny UNIQLO yukata. The set it came in had a different obi, but this obi is the same one I'm wearing above. I bought this set second hand, so I don't know which season it's from.




Mel (on the right) is wearing my black bunny yukata set from the '08 UNIQLO yukata season.




I bought this one second hand, too, so I don't know which season it's from either. But isn't it soooo cute???? :D




Some of my most comfortable and most loved yukata too :D I have a second-hand hanabi (fireworks) motif yukata that I bought second hand, but it wasn't in a set. I've got a few outfits for it, and I'm planning to wear it to Bon Odori this year! But I'm not sure if I should keep "saving" it for then. There are soooo many beautiful outfits Hong and I have created out of that one yukata, and it'd be nice to wear it out to London one day....

Anyway, this post turned kinda long, even though I just wanted to let people know that UNIQLO is selling yukata again ^^;;;;;; I hope more non-Japanese people will buy them and post lovely pictures for us to see! (*hint hint hint....*)

Event Announcement: Japanese Jamboree

Location: Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX
Date: 13th September 2008
Time: 11am - 5pm
Entry fee: FREE
Website: here

Events:
12 & 2pm Wakaba Kendo demonstration
1pm Giant Japanese Flower Arranging
3pm Giant Japanese Ink Painting performance
4pm Kakehashi Koto Ensemble workshop concert

Summary from site:
"On the eve of the Japanese moon-viewing festival, Tsukimi, enjoy a free and fun-packed running programme of activities and demonstrations for everyone with Japanese games, origami, manga-drawing, storytelling, taiko drumming, kimono, and calligraphy workshops. Come and see the creation of a giant Japanese flower arrangement, and an amazing giant Japanese ink painting by 70-year old master painter Soho Nakano."

I want to go! And I'll probably wear kimono or a dressed up yukata too! :D