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Pocky Chocolate

Pocky was created in 1966 as the world’s first rod-shaped chocolate sweet. It is a rod-shaped pretzel snack covered in a chocolate coating, and it has a very pleasant texture. The combination of that delicious flavor with a way to keep your hands clean after snacking made them into a huge hit.

• Snacks

Pocky—the classic chocolate-covered biscuit sticks!
I’m sure lots of people are like me and only enjoy the chocolate-covered part. There are tons of different flavors, and pretty much everyone has tried them, right?
(Though honestly, I’m not a huge fan because I can never finish a box... I only eat a few sticks.)

Still, I have a little story about Pocky.
One day, I took a special trip to Yuanshan to visit a drink shop. Since it was also dinnertime, I opened Google and started checking reviews for a good place to eat. I’m so easily won over by five-star ratings...

I picked a nearby pasta place, and guess what!
As soon as I walked in, I ran into a guy I had a crush on in middle school, hahaha. I had barely been shown to my seat when he recognized me...
My mind completely froze. I looked pretty sloppy that day, and I was there alone... It turned out he was picking up an order because he worked there part-time. After washing my hands, I flicked some water on him. Just to clarify, we used to joke around like that in middle school!
I guess he was used to my personality? He didn’t say anything and just smiled helplessly...

He even gave me a JPY 20 discount and called it a small gesture. Of course I had to return the favor! I spent forever trying to decide what to get at the convenience store, and finally chose Pocky because he loves chocolate, haha.
I took it back and asked the woman at the counter to give it to him. And that’s how I ended up with this fun memory tied to Pocky!
Honestly, chatting with him was pretty awkward since we hadn’t spoken in such a long time. Just putting that out there first! 🤣

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

A dome-shaped museum located on the low hill near the center of the explosion displaying 1500 preserved documents and personal mementos. You can get an easy understanding of atomic bombs with a design of exhibitions performing a plot with wishes for peace and also describing the devastating terrors of an atomic bomb and the history of nuclear weapons.

• Nagasaki
• Museums

My friend wanted to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, and since I didn’t have anything planned, I tagged along. It also let me check off my second atomic bomb site.
I wasn’t that interested at first, but seeing so many international visitors reading everything so seriously, I ended up following along with the translations for quite a while.
The video showing the power of the atomic bomb left the strongest impression. Even after watching it two or three times, it was still pretty shocking.

Sensoji Temple

This iconic destination in Asakusa sees as many as 30 million visitors each year. It stands as a well-loved mainstay in Tokyo, all while hosting a number of annual traditions like the first temple visit at New Years, Setsubun and more across the year.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Shrines & Temples

Sensoji Temple is basically a must-visit photo spot in Tokyo. It feels like if you haven’t taken a picture at Kaminarimon Gate, you haven’t really been to Tokyo. The temple is huge and impressive, and it’s absolutely packed with tourists. There are also tons of people wearing kimono, and of course I had to join in too. I heard the omikuji fortunes here are really accurate.

The first time I went to Sensoji, my family and I somehow stayed for a full seven hours. We shopped, bought souvenirs, and had some amazing Taisho matcha ice cream. Time just flew by, and looking back now, I honestly don’t know how we managed to stay that long.

Of course, I also drew an omikuji. But two sticks accidentally came out, and I remembered both numbers. The first one turned out to be bad luck, so I quietly pushed it back in, haha. Then I opened the drawer for the second one, and although it wasn’t bad luck, all I could think about was that first bad fortune. I was afraid my mom would laugh at me, so I just pretended I didn’t see it.

When I went again the second time, I thought, whatever, good or bad, I’ll just accept it. It’s not a big deal. Plus, this time I was by myself!

I ended up drawing number 89, and I was like, 89? Is it secretly insulting me? But when I opened it, it was actually great luck! The fortune said I was like an unpolished gem and that I’d meet someone who would help me in the future. I was so happy in that moment. I was just about to enter the workforce and was honestly pretty anxious, so reading those words felt like a real confidence boost. I brought the great-luck fortune home to keep, and also to show it off a little〜🤭

It’s only been three months since then, so I haven’t met any special benefactor yet. But I heard omikuji fortunes are good for one year, so I hope when I look back a year from now, it really will have come true. I also hope I’ll have another chance to visit Tokyo again by then.

Cow Brand Red Box

This creamy lathering soap contains milk and squalene to help moisturize. It is a popular, long-selling product that has been on the market since 1928.

• Cosmetics

Does this soap have a fermented smell? It’s a bit like the smell of someone who hasn’t showered in several days.
Then it has a rose fragrance on top of that. To make sure I didn’t get a defective one, I even bought a second bar.
It has a carved cow and “COW” on it, and I actually really like that detail. It kind of makes me want to hurry up and wash it down until it’s flat, haha.
I think it lathers pretty well, and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling too squeaky-clean or tight afterward. Too bad I’m not sure if I’m just too used to synthetic fragrances, but I’m not really used to this scent. It’s a long-established brand, though.

Shiroi Koibito

Everyone in Japan knows Hokkaido’s sweets, “Shiroi Koibito.” Ishiya Co., Ltd.was an ordinary candy maker to begin with, but utilizing quality ingredients in Hokkaido changed them into the producer of the classic dessert. More than 40 years passed since its beginning, but it is still the beloved souvenir of Hokkaido to this day.

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

Shiroi Koibito was one of the souvenirs I loved as a kid!
It’s a super tasty white chocolate sandwich cookie.
It’s a classic choice that never fails!

Back then, whenever I craved it, I’d buy Oreos or a similar 4-piece pack from 7-Eleven for 25 dollars to satisfy the craving. But as a kid, that felt really expensive, haha.
Then when I actually bought some in Japan myself, I ended up letting them expire...? Such a waste...

The one in the photo was actually given to me by an auntie from my part-time job. I didn’t have a photo on hand, so I shamelessly asked her, “Could you bring me one to eat?” and she generously gave me one, hahaha.
So sweet... I feel like I’m getting old. I can’t handle really sweet cookies anymore.

I do have a sad memory about Shiroi Koibito, though. In elementary school, I went to a classmate’s house to play. I thought my best friend had gone to Japan and brought back a whole box for another friend. When I saw it, I started complaining, like, “Why does he get a whole box and I don’t? I only got one cookie...” Thinking back on it now, it’s so embarrassing.
When you’re a guest at someone’s house, you’re supposed to be polite. And it’s not like I didn’t get a cookie at all. Tsk tsk.
But it was just that kind of feeling, haha.
I just felt like, if I was supposedly his closest friend, why didn’t I get a whole box too? I don’t know why, but I’ve never forgotten that moment.