A Story of Yonosuke 「横道世之介」

  

A Story of Yonosuke was one of my favourite films of 2013. The film screened here in Melbourne late last year as part of the 17th annual Japanese Film Festival.

Set in the late 1980s, Kengo Kora (Norwegian Wood, Box!) stars as Yonosuke, a University student who has just moved to Tokyo from the port city of Nagasaki. As he settles into his new life in a big city, the quirky yet very agreeable Yonosuke proceeds to charm everyone he meets. The film periodically jumps forward 20 years and we are then given a glimpse of what has become of Yonosuke's friends. Based on the novel 'Yokomichi Yonosuke' by Shuichi Yoshida, it is a nostalgic film about old school friends taking a trip down memory lane.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

 

More images and potential spoilers after the jump!

Ayumi Burger Kidz

If you are fond of Japan and/or burgers I am sure you will enjoy watching Ayumi Seto's burger reviewing segment 'Ayumi Burger Kidz' on popular YouTube channel HARAJUKU KAWAii !! TV. 

Check out the episodes below:

The Great Burger

6-12-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo // (03) 3406 1215 // 11:30AM - 10:30PM
Check out Fashimi's burger review here!

San Francisco Peaks

3-28-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo // (03) 5775 5707 // Open daily 11:30 AM -11:00 PM

Burger Goods
Burger related collectables // Ayumi Kidz book // Village Vanguard Diner Cherry Bomb Burger collaboration


Fellows
3-8-11 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo // (03) 6419 7988


Whoopi Gold Burger
1F Shibuya 1-9-4 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo // (03) 3407 0232 
For more information check out another of Fashimi's burger reviews here!
And 8Tokyo's burger review here!

 For more on the adorable Ayumi Seto you can visit Ayumi's blog here and Ayumi's twitter here. 

Have a break, have a Kitto Katto! 「キットカット」

Nestle Japan have released an Adult Sweetness 「オトナの甘さ」line of KitKats which includes a Matcha Green Tea flavour. I happened upon these very KitKats while browsing the shelves of my local Asian Grocer here in Melbourne and being the Matcha enthusiast that I am, I couldn't resist sampling them.

This particular KitKat owes its flavour to Matcha from the Uji region of Kyoto, famous for their green tea. 「〜こだわりの 宇治抹茶〜」As the name suggests, the level of sweetness has been moderated to suit an adult palette and is marketed to us grown ups. 

The Kitkats I bought came in a pack containing 12 individually wrapped KitKats. They are perfect as omiyage (souvenirs) or just for sharing with friends. 

I really liked the level of sweetness but I found the Matcha green tea flavour a little too subtle. The green tea flavour is more of an aftertaste and the outer chocolate is really creamy.

お試しください !!

[Adult Sweetness Kit Kat TVCM staring Manami Higa who you may recognise from Tokyo Zenryoku Shoujo]

Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in TOKYO「イタズラなKiss～Love in TOKYO」Episode 8 Recap

Another Spring13 Japanese drama I have really been enjoying (along with Last Cinderella which I mentioned here)  is Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo. Based on the highly successful Japanese manga written and illustrated by Kaoru Tada, the popular  series has been previously adapted into various live action dramas. The remake stars Miki Honoka as our charming lead, Aihara Kotoko and Furukawa Yuki as her brainy boo, Irie Naoki. Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo is currently airing on Fuji TV.

Not having seen the previous Itazura na Kiss or its various adaptations (South Korea’s It Started With a Kiss or Taiwain's It Started With a Kiss and They Kissed Again) I am completely in the dark about what unfolds in the series. Aside from the obvious (Kotoko and Naoki get together) happy ending.

Lets recap on Episode 8. Screen shot spam and possible spoilers after the jump. 

Last Cinderella「ラスト シンデレラ」Episode 5 Recap

Japanese Drama makes a comeback with Last Cinderella

I have always enjoyed the work of Hauma Miura so I was particularly curious when I stumbled across the new Japanese drama Last Cinderella. Last Cinderella is currently airing Thursday evenings on Fuji TV. 

Before I begin, I must mention I have been a little disappointed with Japanese dramas of late. Just how many crime dramas can one nation produce? Countless... apparently.

Now, I'm afraid of my own shadow so the horror, crime and thriller genres are definitely out from me and I really don't really care for tear jerkers either (With the odd exception) so I had turned to the talents of South Korea to fill my drama void.

However, I am pleased to see Japan is finally making a comeback and one drama I am currently enjoying is Last Cinderella.

The series centers around Sakura Toyama (Ryoko Shinohara) and her clumsy attempt to find true love.  Sakura works as a hair stylist and thus far there are two possible love interests - Hiroto Saeki (Haruma Miura) the younger BMX bandit come playboy and Rintaro Tachibana (Naohito Fujiki) a co-worker she shares an amusing love/hate banter with.

So lets recap on episode 5. Images and potential spoilers after the jump! 

Hoops in HD!

Hi everyone! おひさしぶりですね。

So as I'm sure you have already noticed from the links above - I have started a YouTube channel! Please feel free to view my videos at your leisure if you feel so inclined.  Obviously I am just getting started so they are not the best but hopefully with a little practise I will improve. Fighting!!

At this stage, I think my videos will be predominately beauty related but I hope to include some Japan related content in the future. Perhaps even a video in Japanese? Hmm, maybe...? lol!

Bunny Drop「うさぎドロップ」

Based on a josei manga series by Yumi Unita, Bunny Drop was released in Japan back in August 2011. Kenichi Matsuyama (Norwegian Wood) stars as Daikichi, a young and hardworking office worker who unexpectedly finds himself as the adoptive guardian of six-year old Rin (Mana Ashida) the illegitimate child of his late Grandfather.

Bunny Drop screened here in Melbourne late last year as part of the 16th annual Japanese Film Festival and I was lucky enough to win tickets. Japan Film Fest, ありがとうございました！Bunny Drop was my favourite film of last year's festival and one of my favourite films of 2012 so if you get the chance definitely check it out.

Spoiler Alert: The following images may give away some of the best parts of the film so continue at your own risk. 

K-pop Jams

So, it’s been a while between posts huh?

I have been super busy with work… and I have to admit, a little distracted with my newfound love – Kpop! In the last couple of months I’ve become completely obsessed with it. (♡_♡)

I’ve always liked Asian pop but in the past I’ve mainly listened to Japanese music (surprise, surprise) or the ‘Japanese versions’ of K-pop songs.

An exciting new world of music has opened up to me and I’m constantly discovering new favourites. Do you listen to K-pop? Any recommendations?

I particularly enjoy K-pop music videos and above are some of my favourites. Enjoy, xx

映画 ホタルノヒカリ Hotaru no Hikari - The Movie

Matching outfits? Too cute!! (Albeit a little bit creepy/gross)

"Goro, goro, goro"

Really, loach dancing again?

Naww! 

Oh my gaddd! Hotaru no Hikari - The Movie?!!

So, Hotaru no Hikari has long been one of my all time favourite Japanese drama series. (I know, big call!) And while I knew the movie was in the making, I have to admit I sorta lost my s**t with excitement when a friend in Japan sent me a photograph of one of the promo posters. 

Hotaru no Hikari, The Movie was released in Japan yesterday, the 9th of June 2012. WAA! I NEED TO SEE THIS SO BAD!

Adapted from a manga by Satoru Hiura, Hotaru no Hikari is the story of Hotaru Amemiya who leads somewhat of double life - part dedicated and hardworking interior design company employee and part ‘himono-onna’  or ‘dried-up woman’, wearing dirty sweat shirts, drinking canned beer and falling asleep under newspapers on the lounge room floor. Unforeseen events see Hotaru Amemiya and her boss, Seichi Takano or ‘buchō’ living under the same roof and at the end of first series the unlikely couple are totally in love.

The film is set two years after the second series. After discovering buchō, played by Fujiki Naohito, has always dreamed of visiting Italy Amemiya, Haruka Ayase, sets about planning a ‘Roman Holiday’ honeymoon. 

Have you seen the movie / watched the series? What are your favourite Japanese Dramas? Recommendations are always welcome homies. xx

Himmo-Movie Twitter / Himmo-Movie Facebook

Q-Pot Golden Burger

King of Burger

Queen of Burger

Ms Summer Burger with plumeria flower crown

Mr Summer Surfing Burger: limited edition, Hawaii exclusive charm

Captain Burger: The Hero voyaged the seven seas

(Source: Fabio Lendrum)

I am more than a little obsessed with Q-Pot especially the Golden Burger collection of stackable jewels. So Amazing! Q-Pot is available online at Opening Ceremony.

What do you know about heart shaped food?

Did I mention I'm crazy for heart shaped things? And food... I'm quite fond of food too.

Dominos Pizza Japan Happy Valentines Day set / Quick 40th Anniversary 'Love Giant' Burger /  Dunkin' Donuts Cupids Choice donut / Dunkin' Donuts Royal Wedding donut / watermelons from Fukuoka, Japan / tangerines from Hyundai department store Apgujeong,  South Korea

Purikura / sticker photos

So, my best gurlfriend Courtney and I caught up for a boozy dinner earlier this month and this is what eventuated...

It was the very first time I had won anything from a UFO Catcher / Claw Crane gaming machine. Needless to stay we were both super pumped and there was a whole lot of squealing, clapping, fist pumping and hi-fiving going on. wooOoot!! 

For some tips and tricks on how to win at UFO Catchers click here. 

Clara H x Tsumiki Design & Melon Magazine

Melon Issue 88

Melon Issue 89

Last month the fabulous Clara H and Japanese hair salon Tsumiki Design were featured in Melon Magazine. 

The nails Clara created for the shoot were crazy! A pretty, pastel animal print base in Artistic Colour Gloss Gel Polish colours La Ti Da, Java Java and Mocha Chino, decorated with sculptured 3d flowers, tiny gold Eiffel Towers and lots of sparkly gemstones!  How you say, AMAZING?! 

So I'm a hand model now, just like Costanza.

Director Taka Nishimura created some big, super glam hair for the shoot using L'Oreal Professionnel Techni Art Super Dust Volume & Texture Powder, a product that promises to transform you into your 'super hero alter-ego.' Sounds fun right?! Check out the video below to see Taka San work his magic on ma hair.

And one last photo... out to dinner with ma BFF Courtney. xx

Hoops x Nail Burgerlar II

So this happened... forever ago. But I was on Nail Burgerlar again! Woot! Birthday burgers at Huxtaburger with my girl Kingy. The best! 

Et al Autumn I Winter 2012 Look Book

So I recently took part in the Et al Autumn Winter 2012 Look Book shoot and the photographs above are part of the finished result. There are some really beautiful pieces in the collection so check it out! x