Japan convenience stores can't do without foreign workers

In Japan, most convenience stores (Lawson, Family Mart, 7-11 etc) are operating with minimal Japanese staff. Of the 14 staff at one outlet, only one is a native Japanese according to a report. The job often involves long hours and night shifts which is unpopular among the Japanese. The foreign staff are mainly from China, Myanmar, Nepal and other Asian countries.
The foreign staff has been reportedly abused and discriminated by their customers.
For detail report read here 

Bara chirashi don...SG vs JP

My Singapore friend told me she paid S$26 for the above bara chirashi. It is too expensive even in a restaurant. I've got mine (below pictures) from a supermarket in Japan for S$2.60 (50% discount as it was evening time). I think there isn't much of a difference in taste but mine cost just 10% of my friend's!

Kakigori in Japan

Today is a warm spring day with the top temperature of around 30c. The cafe has started selling kakigori which is the equivalent of our ice kachang since last week. Kakigori is available only during the hot season.

KFC & Mister Donut Japan

I was curious how the KFC would taste like and so I ordered a 2 piece set which comes with fries and Pepsi Cola. I was rather disappointed because it tasted differently and not so yummy as the one in Singapore. The price was 680 Yen or about S$8.50.

Before ordering KFC, I had the cotton snow candy (melon) dessert from Mr Donut. It is shaved ice with syrup and small pieces of melon. It tasted quite good but a little expensive (slightly more than the price of KFC).

Takoyaki cooking set

My mum-in-law bought this takoyaki set. She has been thinking of making takoyaki for a long time so we encouraged her to get this set which may also be used for frying veggies etc. It is a multi cooking set. The takoyaki was made by her. It tasted good but a bit softer than the ones we ate at the cafe. Think she needs to improve in order for me to appreciate. This set cost S$150. We thought the price was reasonable until we located one at a different store selling for about $40. However, I must confess that her's is a branded one as compared to the $40 one which is a relatively unknown branded.

This is from the takoyaki stall

Curry udon for spring

Now enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Today's temperature is between 17c and 25c which is comfortable and nice. To celebrate the cool weather, we decided to have curry udon for our breakfast. Wish SG's weather is like this.

Cooking Fried Bee Hoon with BT

Bara chirashi and futomaki

Bara chirashi don is a dish of pieces of sashimi over cooked vinegar rice. Futomaki is also known as "fat sushi roll" or more commonly known as "California roll".
We bought them from a supermarket. They are delicious, appetising and fresh too. They are not expensive in Japan because they easily available in konbini (convenient store) and supermarket.
Each bowl cost 400 Yen which is about S$5. The futomaki is cheaper and is $4.

Preparing toasted bacon cheese sandwiches

Soak the slices of bread sandwiches of ham and cheese in egg & fresh milk mixtures. Then lightly fry the sandwiches in butter in a pan. Turn over the sandwiches when the first side is a little brownish. Dish out the sandwiches and place them in a side plate and you are ready to eat.

This cooker gas stove is the cheapest

After buying my gas stove at $24, I found there is another one which is $4 cheaper (above) in another store. Thinking mine was the cheapest in town, I must admit that I am quite disappointed. The most expensive is made by Iwatani and it cost about S$40. This is a simple straightforward and shouldn't cost so much.
Bargain hunting is one of my favourite pastime in Japan.

Portable gas cooker

Bought a portable gas cooker (S$24) and had sabu sabu at home. We decided on buying the gas cooker because our kitchen cooker is running on electricity. Just in case of a power failure, we can still cook using the gas cooker.

Ideal spring weather makes one happy

This is the chart for today and the whole week's weather. It is springtime and as you can see the average top temperature is around 23 or 24c and 17.5c during the night. It is almost rain free except for the weekend.
Most consider this period one of the most ideal and comfortable.
This ideal weather makes one feel good and happy. We go shopping, eating, walks, gardening and so forth.

Hair clipper

Not satisfied with the style of haircut by the barbers in Japan, I bought the above hair clipper and will ask my wife to crop my hair for me. In fact, I've visited the barbers here and they seemed not to know how to do a "slope" just above the neck like the Malay barbers do in SG.
Anyway it is worthwhile investing in the hair clipper (S$16+). I think my wife is a better hairstyler than most barbers in Japan. Will post the results here as soon as I get my cut from my wife.

Visiting the barbers in Japan

It is interesting visiting the barbershop in Japan. Unlike in Singapore, firstly a row of barbers (3 or 4) will be at the door to welcome you. Next, they will offer a hot towel and ask what package do you like to have. There are 3 types and I chose the basic one which is the cheapest, 1080 Yen (S$12.20). After the male barber has cropped your hair, the lady barber will take over and attend to you by cleaning your ear, face and head with a hot towel.
The haircut is neat but I still prefer the Malay barbers in Singapore whose styles are more suitable to me.

Garden table,chair and parasol set

Bought the garden table and chair set as well as the parasol for a song (S$200). It is timely we got them as it is now springtime and would be useful right until end of October or end of autumn.
Since we can't afford a bungalow house with a garden in the expensive island of Singapore, we are taking advantage of the relatively cheap house and land in southern Japan. After all, one should have some space to enjoy life during retirement.

Fried Bee Hoon

Planting summer vegetables

It is an exciting time for we have now planted the summer crops like cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, bitter gourd and other vegetables. In about 3 months time, weather permitting, we should start to see the fruits of our labor.