Jonelle Patrick's Blog, page 53

Peonies Big As Dinner Plates!

If you could smell these right now, you’d be in heaven. Nishiarai Daishi Temple, Tokyo

Not to be outdone by the cherry blossoms, azaleas and wisteria, the peonies of Tokyo come into their glory in May and June! First the big boys, like these at the Hama-Rikyu Garden, then the lovely fragrant ones at Nishiarai Daishi Temple.

Hama-Rikyu Garden, Hamamatsucho

Hama-Rikyu Garden, Hamamatsucho

Hama-Rikyu Garden, Hamamatsucho

Hama-Rikyu Garden, Hamamatsucho

Hama-Rikyu Garden, Hamamatsucho

Hama-Rikyu Garden, Hamamatsucho

Blooming plants get their own parasols at Nishiaria Daishi Temple.

More Japanese flower goodness here:

Hanami Blitz: My Picks For The Best Cherry Blossoms In Tokyo

Cherry Blossom-O-Rama

Once Again, Plum Blossoms Do Not Disappoint!

Better Than Cherry Blossom Season

Early Spring At A Beautiful Garden

Azalea Mania

So How Come Azaleas Are Chopped Liver?

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix. 

Wondering Where One Might Wear A Garment Like This…

…but failing.

I spotted this, er, striking piece of clothing at the Men’s 109 in Shibuya, at the Wild Party boutique. Maybe Japanese people would be just as surprised if they saw a t-shirt in America emblazoned with that famous painting of The Death Of Buddha, but…

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix. 

Furry Elephants. With Claws.

Do you think the artist who carved these beasties had ever actually seen one? I guess it doesn’t matter, as long as the guy who paid the bill hadn’t either.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix. These elephants are carved on one of the main buildings at the Tōshōgū Shrine in Nikko, built by the first shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa.

Haagen-Dazs Veggie Ice Cream?!

“No rice until you finish your dessert, young lady!”

From the land of snacks with tentacles and fish bone crackers comes the latest healthy food disguised as a snack: carrot and tomato ice cream! Haagen-Dazs Japan hit the subways with a “secret” poster campaign this month, introducing the latest way for even the most dedicated junk food addict to get some stealth vegetables.

The carrot one is mixed with orange, the tomato one with cherry. And what’s the verdict?

My inner suspicious child gives them an “A” for nicely matching the colors of the fruits and vegetables, but the taste fell a little short. Okay, it was actually on the “grimace” side of the smile-o-meter. The carrots were pretty well disguised by the orange, but the cherries could have worked a whole lot harder to hide the tomato-iness. If they come up with one that makes kale taste like chocolate, though, I’ll be first in line.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.

But Will They Come When You Call?

Behold the latest pet craze to sweep Tokyo! Now you can have your very own jellyfish aquarium, complete with disco lights! You can pick up everything you need at (where else?) Tokyu Hands, including jars with little brown jelly babies.

I’m naming mine Spot.

Disco tank cycles through all the colors of the rainbow. Suitable also for aqua-unicorns.

Like humans, most jellyfish do not start out life as blondes.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.

Beware Of Ghost Owls!

I saw this sign, and was quite nervous that Arisugawa Park was suffering from a dangerous infestation of owl ghouls, just waiting to swoop down on unsuspecting walkers’ heads waving their ghostly yuurei hands. While this might be preferable to Inokashira Park’s haunted toilet, I was relieved to discover that this rather cryptic graphic actually warns of falling branches.

Yuureis of yore. Bed head and limp wrists are a sure sign you’re being haunted.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.

The painting on the left is by Maruyama Oukyo and the woodblock print on the right is by Yoshitoshi.

Blue Cafe Latte

Coffee + Milk + BLUE CURACAO? With a LIME on top? Okay, I admit, I’m still gathering the courage to try the latest entry in this season’s unlikely flavor-combo coffee drinks of Tokyo. Partly because I’m frightened of any food that’s BLUE, but also am deeply suspicious of anything I have to google to find out what flavor it is. (Come on, admit it – no matter how many Blue Hawaiis you’ve downed while belting out AKB48′s Heavy Rotation at the local karaoke joint, you don’t know what flavor it is either, do you?*)

* Haha, bitter orange, for the record.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.

Taco Dispensary

Where’s my medical taco card when I need it?

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.

Pre-Trashed Suitcases

You know that depressing feeling when you spot your brand new suitcase bumping onto the baggage carousel, and after one measly trip through baggage handling hell, it looks like it’s been drop-kicked from Tokyo to San Francisco and clawed by a rabid pack of velociraptors?

Well, next time I get a new one, I’m buying one of THESE.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.

Yes, This Is One Plant!

In case you need proof that “the harder a garden is to get to, the more spectacular it is,” look no further than Ashikaga Flower Park. Two solid hours from Tokyo by car (or two and a half hours hopping on and off four different trains), I didn’t believe any flowers could be worth the trip.

But as you can see, I was oh so wrong!

Here’s the entire plant at night, reflected in a nearby pond!

Size matters: these wisteria flowers are over a meter long!

White ones, over a bridge at twilight

Yellow ones, trained to make a tunnel

Up close, they’re beautiful too.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.