My first piece of art!

Nepeta cataria by kozyndan. 

I fell in love straight away. 

Perth. Cats. Colour. Japanese. 

 I want the 'Uprisings' piece next. 

Outre Gallery is located at 260 William Street, Northbridge. 

PICA Exhibition

Yesterday I went to PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts) to check out the Alternating Currents exhibition. It was very much Japanese art - random, child-like and bright. The space looks like someone had a huge party and didn't clean up afterwards. I'm not saying that in a negative way - I like how obvious Japanese art can be. It was great walking through the space, on top of it, the strange feeling you get when you're stepping on someone else's work. 

My friend didn't see it like that - she thought it was awful. Some people's art is just ridiculous to others. Each to their own. I thought it was fine but nothing I am going to rave about. 

Afterwards we went to the Yellow Cake Street, a pop up coffee store that's in PICA's bar. It was extremely cute and yellow! It was shame not to see more people there. Perth people complain there is nothing new and exciting, yet there is so much happening if you just walk around and see!

The exhibition runs fro  12 November - 31 December 2011. Read more about it on the PICA's website. 

Japanese online shopping!

A couple of weeks ago, I treated myself to some goodies from Uguisu Online Store. I know it's not a shop in Perth but you can lay in bed, with a cup of tea and do some wonderful online shopping IN PERTH! 

I bought a beautiful three pack of washi mt tape; two sakura lanterns and my favourite thing - a Yoshitomo Nara diary. I love, love, love this! I don't usually use a hardcopy diary but I will definitely be writing in fun times in this one. 

Everything was wrapped in gorgeous paper, washi tape and  a very sweet note ws attached. 

Thank you Uguisu Online Store - you're my new favourite Japanese shop. 

Be sure to check out the new Christmas stock! Oh and the store's blog!

I heart Zakka Box

There is one shop that I go in to usually around once a week. I don’t always buy anything but I pick up everything and fall in love.

Zakka Box – all things Japanese.

Photo taken from Zakka Box's facebook page

Yuka, the lovely lady who owns the store is absolutely gorgeous! I email her asking her if she can get certain items in for me and she always tries!

I have bought some very fabulous things including my washi tape, bookmarks, jewellery, glasses case and Japanese paper!

Today I got two small birdcages. They’re adorable! I have hung them in my room and plan on putting mini plants or a mini owl in them. Not sure yet!

I love my usual weekend routine of Mt Lawley breakfast, picking up flowers and going to Zakka box. It’s a small slice of Tokyo right here in Perth.

'Like' Zakka Box on facebook or even better - go visit!

611 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley. 

Yoyo's Secret - nail salon

I feel so happy just being in the store!

Several months ago the most gorgeous nail salon opened in Perth. I walked in and gasped - I am in Shibuya! Not just Japan or Tokyo but Shibuya. For those who have been to to Shibuya, you will understand that it has a style of its own - almost an over the top Paris Hilton style. The thing I love about Tokyo is that each area has its own fashion style. Almost like in Perth you could look at someone and say oh you're a punk, an emo, a hipster, an indie etc but in Tokyo, it's according to district and completely different stereotypes. 

Pretty toes (if the polish had not smudged)

Anyway, I have been meaning to get my nails done at Yoyo's Secret for ages and today I finally did. I received a deluxe pedicure for $45 and paid $19 extra to choose a cool pattern. This was seriously the best pedicure I have had - all this attention to detail! When drying my toes I smudged two nails and the kind girl redid them. To my disappointment by the time I got home 3 nails had all rubbed off. I was devastated! They had looked so good ... but you can still kind of see the pattern from the photo. 

I encourage everyone to go there. I'm already dreaming of my next design! Yoyo's Secret doesn't have a website but instead 'like' on facebook and check out some photos!

Sushi train in Mount Lawley

A few weeks ago I received the Yuzu menu in the mail. I love reading new menus (such a foodie!). I went on their website (which has super cute music) and saw they had a great range of sashimi on the sushi train. It’s situated in Mt Lawley, right next Fresh Provisions and Brumbry’s – it’s funny that I never noticed it before!

Although it’s BYO, it would be strange drinking in such a small space. It only has a few tables on the side and the train in the middle. We tried several things including, unagi (eel) sashimi, salmon and avocado sushi and Takoyaki  “octopus fun bags”. The takoyaki was delicious. I felt they needed a bit more of selection on the sushi train (perhaps some more hot food?), so we also ordered some tempura vegetables. This was delicious – light and crispy. 

The bill came to over $40, a bit much for what we ate but sushi trains are always a bit pricey. Overall it was fine but I feel that I rather pay a lot less and go somewhere else (Takas?) or pay a bit more somewhere nicer (Matsuri?). 

Japanese takeaway!

Last Saturday I planned on dining in at Tanpopo. With the night turning out to be a lazy one and the restaurant only a 3 minute drive away – we decided to get it to takeaway instead.

Since moving to Mount Lawley, I have wanted to go to Tanpopo – I love any place that is cheap, quick and BYO! Although I was worried that it would turn out to be Taka’s crappier cousin.

We ended up getting tuna sushi, tempura, teriyaki chicken and chicken karaage to share. Totaling around $26. Wow!

To be honest, it wasn’t the best Japanese I’ve had. Both the chicken dishes were huge in portions but a bit bland in flavor. I did thoroughly enjoy the tempura – very, very tasty. I plan on going back but this time with a bottle of wine. 

Japanese film screening in Perth!

On Wednesday I went to the preview of a Japanese film, 13 Assassins at Cinema Paradiso. A story based in 18th century, it tells the tale of a group of Samurais on a mission to kill an unsavoury lord. Although I'm not a fan of violent films, I went because it was in Japanese and I was hoping to see some beautiful landscape scenery. This movie was violent, with the beginning scenes showing some disturbing images of disfigured women and murdered children.

I must admit, I was in and out of sleep during the film but this is because I've been on pain killers and after a long day at work, I am out like a light. Alas, this had no reflection on the movie. I asked my partner what he thought and he said, "It was pretty slow for the first half, but picked up once the 13 assassins came together. It would be worth a watch for any kung fu or action movie fan. 3.5 stars." 


I do recommend this film to those who enjoy the era of the Emperor, samurais and Japanese history. I liked that it had beautifully dressed Japanese woman and that I learnt something more about Japanese culture. Besides that, I might stick to Studio Ghibli films. 


I found this short review, which is right on the mark and provides more detail on the film. 13 Assassins starts at Cinema Paradiso on Thursday 8 September. 

Japanese treats!

Work treats

Today I went to the newsagency and remembered that there is a Japanese treat shop around the corner. Situated in Cloisters Square, is a tiny store that's relatively new and sells Japan goods, such as noodles, snacks, chocolate, lollies and random bits and bots.

I bought some Pocky to share at work, Hello Panda for the weekend and something that I hadn't tried before, Gilco. Gilco is an ice cream shaped treat, made out of Aero type chocolate. It's definately one of my new favourites - the light and fluffy chocolate goes right through the cone!

Gilco goodness!

The gentleman working was so lovely and even gave me some free treats (one was covered in green tea chocolate)! I love Japanese sweets and they're not hard to find in Perth (expect sakura and green tea kit kats - someone stock them already!). Some of my favourite Asian grocers include a Seoul Mart on the corner of Hay Street and Pier Street, Hi Mart on Collins Rd, Willetton and of course, Nippon Grocery in Subiaco and Fremantle - but this store deserves its own post soon!

My new favourite sushi bar!

my oishii lunch!

William Street is certainly booming lately. I love seeing what new bars, stores and food places are going to be popping up soon.

I was so excited when I saw that Iku Sushi was opening up around the corner from my work. I get so jealous when I am in Melbourne and everywhere I step, you hear me saying “Oh look, another sushi store!”.

I only just tried Iku Sushi this week (two days in a row!), after a work colleague was telling me I must go because I would love it. And guess what? I did!

It’s the little things that make it special. The kawaii bag my lunch comes in; the Japanese treats (Hello Panda!) you can buy at the counter; the set up of the free (yes, that’s right, no 10c charge here!) soy sauces and the fake food displays (one of my favourite things in Japan were all the fake meals set up outside the restaurants).

There are a couple of tiny things that could be improved. They tape the flimsy lid on my udon and it always leaks in the adorable bag! I am also not too sure about one thing on the menu: the cheeseburger sushi. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Either way, I can’t wait to go back! 

Japanese music in Perth!

Some hipsters I found in Shinjuku.

Something that I have always shown an interest in is Japanese music. Whist I was in Tokyo, I searched for some underground female punk bands, but all I found were some awesome looking crowds.

With the Bakery open again, Perth has been blessed with a broader range of music from around the world. That’s how I discovered that Mono, an instrumental band from Tokyo, were coming to town.

Tokyo based band, Mono.

Although it’s not my usual taste in music (I like angry girl music), I quite enjoy their humble, delicate and beautiful sounds.

Mono will be playing on Saturday 9 October (the day before I go to China – eek!) at the Bakery. I hope to check them out and report back!

All Things Japanese

I started this blog because I wanted to record all the fun, interesting and memorable things I have been doing. But in the last year (since I wrote my first entry), so much has happened that I obviously have been too busy (lazy) to write about it. I’ve changed jobs, been promoted, moved house, been to all sorts of bars, pubs and restaurants, sobbed about all these natural disasters around the world and had some great road trips.

Me in Kyoto, 2010

In reality, the things I do probably don’t differ much from your average 24 year old (but perhaps involve a couple more glasses of red). So I decided to make my blog something that I would want to read about – something that I find hard to get information for.

All things Japanese 

in Perth.

Not just restaurants, but everything from food, shopping, beauty … things that make you feel like you’re in Japan. Because in reality, these are the things that I source and want to read about.

It’s a shame that I didn’t start this idea earlier because I have discovered some great Japanese gems in Perth. But alas, it gives me an excuse to go back to these places and report about them. And hopefully find some new things on my adventures.