Nail salon birthday party, Tokyo

So, it was the perfect birthday party for my 6 year old daughter. Friends, cake, games, accessory making, dancing.... And best of all-----manicures and pedicures at a nail salon. I'm talking REAL, professional mani-pedis, in a hip international salon that grown-ups go to!

Tri-lingual nail artist Lena, from Hungary, gives a manicure 

Pedicure

JoliNails (www.joliarts-salon.com) now offers birthday party packages, where girls can indulge in mani-pedis or mini facials. I rented the salon for 2.5 hours. 

There is a music and arts classroom JoliArts (www.joliarts.jp) on the first floor, where kids can do art projects (we used paper clips to make bracelets and had an origami making competition) and play games, listen to music, eat cake, etc.  There are options to have musicians come and perform too, since the parent company of JoliArts is a talent agency with loads of performers registered, (www.j-cast.biz)

1F party area, JoliArts www.joliarts.jp

The nailists took reservations in pairs. Two girls and their moms went to the 2nd floor salon JoliNails www.joliarts-salon.com , while the remaining kids played at JoliArts www.joliarts.jp.

I brought a home made candy cake and decorated the room. It was a lot of fun. 

How do you like my cake?

Actually, pretty easy to make. Separating the M&Ms was time consuming but it was good mother-daughter bonding.

We had about 20 kids but it was pretty crowded since most of the moms stayed. I think the space is more suitable for 10-15 kids for this kind of party. But, it was so much fun!

Facial room 2F

Party room 1F

Details: 

JoliNails, open Wed-Sunday

03-6721-9669

3-10-9 Shirokane, Minatoku

www.joliarts-salon.com

www.joliarts.jp

3 minutes from Shirokane Takanawa station

3 blocks from French Embassy and Sanno Hotel

15+ minute walk from Hiro station

Parking next door

Radiation-free, organic, groceries, baby formula, etc. from the States, free shipping to Japan. U.S. prices.

Living in Japan, where there is not only a big radiation concern, but there is not a very good selection of organic foods, I am a HUGE, HUGE fan of iHerb.

Not only are the prices the same as the States, but the shipping is free or $4 most of the time (it can vary with promotions).

With the radiation issues here in Japan, I take precautions. You must if you are living in Japan. That's reality. I won't gamble in this area, especially with children.

Everything I buy, other than raw food, is from overseas (I order veggies and milk from Kyushu but that's another story). I'm especially careful about infant formula and what my children consume. I want not only radiation free, but also organic, when possible.

I found this website iherb, based in the States, that ships EVERYTHING to Japan in just 3-5 days, with either FREE shipping or just $4. It's amazing. It has EVERYTHING from vitamins, honey, olive oil, sugar, flour, cereal, spices, shampoo, washing detergent, lotions, herb teas... baby snacks, kids snacks, health food, cough medicine, toothpaste, Chia seeds, nuts, grains, deoderant...

It's like an online whole foods.
I swear that I am their best customer. They even give me a 10% discount since I order regularly. Lots of perks.

Here are my tips for ordering:
1. If a message comes up saying that they cannot ship that product to Japan, try a different brand
(We had to go through 3 brands to get chia seeds)

2. Keep the order UNDER $160 per time, to avoid custom taxes

3. Use this code to receive $10 off your first order:  YUQ399

www.iherb.com

4. Before you go grocery shopping, make a list and first check if the products are on iherb. Chances are, they will be. I repeat EVERYTHING is on that site (paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, deoderant, make-up, all groceries other than raw foods).

I just visited my kitchen and took some photos of some products I regularly order from iherb. Excellent for those with allergies or special dietary needs. The prices are US prices. The formulas have not been modified to fit Japan so you can get things that are not available in Japan. These products will cost double or triple (IF you can find them) if purchased at an international supermarket.

pantomime show with violin and accordion for families

I had to post this. At the Nikko hotel in Odaiba, once a month, they have this amazing pantomime show with live violin and accordion music. They feature free food tasting as well. Aged beef and a selection of sweets. There is no entrance fee and it is open to the public. The entertainment is top class.

You won't get full on the food, since it is just sampling, but if you do get hungry, they offer a 30%off coupon to their restaurant.

If you put your name down on their free club mailing list, they'll give your kids a teddy bear. Yes-one for each kid.

We went 2/11 and the next one is March 23rd, drop in anytime 11-4pm. First show 11:30AM. 

Dinosaur expo in Ueno (open October 2013 until Feb 23, 2014)

We had so much fun at the Dino expo in Ueno. I highly recommend it!

Amazing dinosaurs of the Gobi dessert

Tarbosaurus picture

Info:

http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english

Open until February 23rd 

9-5pm

9-8pm (Fridays)

Closed Mondays

1500 yen adults

600 yen, kids elementary school and up

English headset rental available for 500 yen.

These nails are hot IN Tokyo.

This season's nail trends:

Short nails

Lace, hand painted

Beige

I have to post my nails today. JoliNails head Nailist told me that short nails are trending now. This is great news for me because with three little kids, long nails are impractical. I was impressed with the design today. I thought that I'd be limited to a plain design, but my nails turned out elegant and in fashion! And, the cuticle and hand care was impeccable. I highly recommend JoliNails. It's by a lot of embassies (Shirogane/Hiro area)

www.joliarts-salon.com

Hours: 10-8pm, Tues-Sun. Closed Mondays. 03-6721-9669. English OK.

Here's a pic of my nails (on my sleeping baby)....oh---and there's childcare in premises for just 1000 yen/hr. During your treatment. Bonus! 

International nail, Threading, massage salon. Tokyo

www.joliarts-salon.com

Monkey show and other new year festivities until Jan 5

I'm blogging from Zojoji temple grounds, the temple by Tokyo Tower.

If you're in Tokyo this new year, I highly recommend paying a visit to Zojoji temple.

There are loads of people, food stands and a monkey show. It's traditional and lucky to bring in the new year by paying visit to a shrine. The monkey show is a tradition dating back hundreds of years

The show goes on continuously from 9-5pm Jan 1-5 at Zojoji grounds bad is free to watch (but you should donate something when they come around with a collection bowl).

Here's a video I just took:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7pphPHTBfQ

Ice skating, amusement park, Toys R Us, followed by an Onsen! Toshimaenamusement park in Tokyo.

Toshimaen is a place for everyone... And their dogs!

If you value rides more than parades, you shouldn't go to Disneyland.

I have to write about the most perfect day we had the other day at Toshimaen. We went ice skating, rode rides and then went Christmas shopping at a giant Toys R Us located next door.

Toshimaen is a classic amusement park in Tokyo (Nerima), with all the rides you can imagine. It's our amusement park of choice for several reasons:

When driving, the roads aren't prone to heavy traffic on weekends, by train, it's located right next to a convenient station, the ride lines require little wait time, the price is right, and there's a variety of attractions.

I loved the ice skating because it was very child friendly. 

For the small kids, the rental skates have double blades so its easier for small ones to keep their balance on the slippery ice. Plus there are helmets and pads for added safety. The workers give kids advice on skating and tips to improve.

There are also chairs with handles you can rent for 500 yen to push around the rink. Our kids had a blast getting pushed around the rink in the chair and it helped us from falling on our bums. Win-win!

In the winter, there's an ice skating rink and in the summer, there's a water slide park. There is a small petting zoo year round, beetle museum where you can hold giant beetles, outdoor and indoor playground, fishing, large dog park... (By the way, dogs are very welcome to enter the park)

It's a place for those who like Japanese anime and manga characters. There is a costume play club locatedon premises, so anyone who wants to dress up, can easily dress up as their favorite anime character or superhero and blend right in. It's also great for photos.

There are many shows on special dates, including Ultramen, Purecure, Kamen Riders, Doraimon and more.

Anyways, we frequent it regularly, so hope to see you there one weekend!

There's also an Onsen next door for persons 8 years and up.