This is Keiji’s interpretation of Mario’s World.  You know Mario, right?  Every boy in elementary school here (and some  kindergardeners) has a Nintendo DS.  We happened to have one which wasn’t being used. It was a Christmas gift Yuki  had gotten at his previous job. We decided to let K use it on the 13-hour flight to NY. He’s gotten into Mario games ever since. I admit at first he was easily hooked for hours playing, but we’ve since set a limit on it, keeping it away out of his sight during school days.  So fortunately it’s not a big problem getting it away from him.

The 2 story building facade looks a bit love-hotel-like with life-size paintings of Egyptian sphinxes all over.  I wouldn’t have thought to go  there if we hadn’t seen the TV show, but it’s quite fun to go through all the rooms full of optical illusions – paintings that look 3-dimensional and rooms that play tricks on the eyes.  The kids really enjoyed, too.  It’s best to bring a camera or video and have lots of memory because it’s fun to take so many pics since you really notice the 3-D effect much more in photos.

I’m very grateful that Auntie Jackie and Grandma insisted we take the kids to the 5th Avenue FAO Schwarz. The last time I went there was when the store was going through some financial difficulties so the store was scaled down and seemed sparse, from how I remember it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the store is still quite magical and things are so delightfully displayed.

Ever watch the movie Big? If you did, then I’m sure you can recall the scene where Tom Hanks and his friend play the giant piano on the floor inside FAO Schwarz. The piano is still there. And there are many newer things: apart from the blocks, trains, specialty stuffed animals like life-size dragons and dinosaurs, there are other novelties like a place where you can build your own Jim Hensons muppet of your own, a studio where you can choose from a selection of clay items to paint and have it glazed and baked in a kiln, a doll section of all makes and sizes and dream houses, a lovely princess section where bright and sparkly tulle and tiaras line the walls and areas dedicated to the long-loved brands like Barbie, Lego, Hot Wheels. The kids were literally all over the place for hours.

To get there by subway, take the N or R to the 5th Avenue station. If you have a stroller, you’ll need to be prepared to walk up quite a few steps.

Fifth Avenue is always appealing to shoppers visiting NYC since all the designer shops can be found on this long avenue that runs Uptown to Downtown. Fortunately for shoppers with children, there are lots of appealing places for the younger ones too. In the 57th street area you can find the Central Park Zoo, FAO Schwarz and the Apple store (fun for all ages!) a few blocks south, and the Disney Store a few more blocks south from there. Here’s Keiji in front of the Apple store, taking a little break from afternoon affairs.

We didn’t make it to Chidorigafuchi or Naka Meguro this year to see cherry blossoms there. From reports I heard, it was very beautiful but also crowded, as expected. We’ll try to make it there one year. We did make it to Yasukuni, but it was too early and the cherry blossoms weren’t in full bloom. So instead, the kids rode their bikes along the Tama River to view the cherry blossoms.

When I used to watch Japanese TV dramas that Yuki would rent back in NY, the dramas often had scenes of uniform-clad school kids walking home from school along a path that looked like it was on top of a long, grassy hill. Now I see where they were walking.  In every town in Tokyo a river is always nearby. Along the top of these river banks, or dote どて (for example Arakawa dote 荒川土手 means Arakwaa River banks) is a paved path for joggers, cyclists, or people going for a stroll. You could literally follow the path and go to every town that the river connects. The kids love to go walking along the river. You could kill lots of time there since also along the banks are playgrounds and grassy fields where you’ll find many people practicing sports, flying kites, skating, having picnics or fishing. Time always seem to go by more slowly along these peaceful river banks.

Jagabata じゃがバター Steamed potato with butter

Yaki ikaやきいか　Grilled squid

Okonomiyaki おこのみやきJapanese style pan-fried “pizza” with ingredients such as cabbage, pork, shrimp, octopus, squid (okonomi means “what you like” and yaki means “grilled”)

Takoyaki たこやきPan-fried balls with octopus pieces and veggies inside, usually topped with sauce, shaved bonito flakes and Japanese mayonnaise

Holding あんずあめ anzuame (apricot candy)

Jagabata じゃがバター Steamed potato with butter

Yaki ikaやきいか　Grilled squid

Okonomiyaki おこのみやきJapanese style pan-fried “pizza” with ingredients such as cabbage, pork, shrimp, octopus, squid (okonomi means “what you like” and yaki means “grilled”)

Choco Banana チョコバナナChocolate covered banana

Kakigori かきごり Shaved ice with fruit-flavored syrup (and sometimes condensed milk)

Yakidango やきだんご Grilled sweet, sticky rice (mochi) balls on a stick