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[pmok]

[pmok]

@omakasebyaung with @andrianiwd hands down one of the best omakase I’ve had. A simple space with delicious sushi and elegant finishes, reminiscent of an intimate dinner among close friends at the richest one’s house. Thanks dongseng @doppioconpanna for the intro! (at Honolulu, Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqEWbSIv--B/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Wish you were here #honolulufestival #honolulufestival2023 #honolulufest #nagaokafireworks #nagaokahanabi #japanesefireworks #호놀룰루페스티벌 #호놀룰루축제 #호놀룰루 #호놀룰루불꽃놀이 #hawaii #hawaiilife #oahu #oahuhawaii #oahulife #luckywelivehawaii #luckywelivehi (at Honolulu, Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpuWbU7ufDO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Wish you were here #honolulufestival #honolulufestival2023 #honolulufest #waikikifireworks #nagaokahanabi #nagaokahanabi2023 #phoenixfireworks #almostbestbdayprrsentever (at Honolulu, Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpuU5EJOCCH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Pu’u Ohia Trail I’m puu’d ohia after this hike Swipe to end for Tantalus Lookout redux #puuohia #puuohiatrail #mounttantalus #mttantalus #tantaluslookout #tantalussummit #ilovetheseviews #luckywelivehawaii #hawaiilife #hawaiiliving #hilife #hilifestyle #hawaiilifestyle #hawaiilife🌺 #oahuhikes #oahuhiking #oahuhike #hikeoahu #hikehawaii #hawaiihikes #hawaiihiking #hawaiihike #oahu #oahuhawaii #oahulife #oahuphotographer #oahuisland #hiking #hikingadventures #hike (at Puu Ohia Hiking Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpbmV5MrEW1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’m gon take my hoss to Old Pali Rd I’m gonna Hike til I can’t no mo #nuuanupali #palilookout #nuuanupalilookout #hikeoahu #oahu #hawaii #honolulu #aloha #hawaiilife #luckywelivehawaii #oahuhawaii #hawaiistagram #hilife #hawaiilife #hawaiiliving #nakedhawaii #explorehawaii #oahulife #travel #bigisland #beach #ocean #hawaiian #islandlife #nature #supportlocal #photography #paradise #kaneohe #luckywelivehi (at Nuʻuanu Pali) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpbk812rXmI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Tantalus Lookout with @mikkcin & his wife #tantaluslookout #hawaii #oahu #aloha #honolulu #hawaiilife #luckywelivehawaii #travel #beach #hawaiistagram #love #waikiki #ocean #hawaiian #nature #surf #photography #hilife #sunset #islandlife #instagood #usa #surfing #oahuhawaii #supportlocal #art #paradise (at Tantalus Lookout) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpHU0KdMf_F/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Happy Korean American Day to my fellow Korean Americans! I am currently living in Hawaii, where Koreans first arrived in America to work on the plantations, and my father transited through Hawaii when immigrating to the United States, so I feel like I can appreciate the 120 years of Korean American history more than ever before. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnYGepdshLc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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For those of you who’ve been following me, yes I moved to Hawaii for work. Please don’t say you’ll visit unless we’re close like that. (at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmrxbFVv93r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Don Quijote aka Donki. Though not to be confused with Don Quixote, the caballero andante (knight-errant) of literature and his comic exploits, Don Quijote is a Japanese supermarket chain that, true to its name, seems quite quixotical. Inside, you can find anything, from your standard groceries (meat, vegetables, fried foods, but also Sanrio and Tomy tots, cute kitchenware, household items like vacuums, brooms, and towels, and also a wide selection of alcohol (subject of another post). If you’re looking for anything household-related, come here first. #japan #japantravel #japantravels #lifeinjapan #일본 #일본여행 #일본생활 #일본일상 #日本 #ドンキホーテ #白金台 (at プラチナ ドン・キホーテ 白金台店) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClUDBtBOJzJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Now wearing my new kimono, I decided to visit the Kanda Myoujin shrine. Following the locals, I bowed on my way into the gate. There were already families gathering and taking pictures around the temple, giving offerings and making prayers with incense, and writing wishes on wooden charms. I was tickled to find that many of the wishes contained the names of idol groups and had manga characters drawn on. Bowing on my way out, I was reminded of my taekwondo days of bowing when entering and leaving the dojang. (at 神田明神) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkeScj-vYoq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I had made an appointment for my bespoke modern kimono fitting at Y. & Sons a week before leaving for Tokyo. I corresponded with a staff member about which products I wanted via LINE messenger, took my own measurements, purchased them via an online link, and scheduled an appointment to try it all on. I had read about Y. & Sons through the @lonelyplanet Tokyo guide, which I found to be very helpful in planning my weeklong trip. Y. & Sons (@yandsons) is the modern offshoot of Yamato, a multi-generational kimono maker established in 1917. Y & Sons is located next to the Kanda Myojin shrine in Sotokanda, Chiyoda. All in all, I was very pleased with the quality of my T-Kimono and haori, along with the kimono band and brooch that holds the haori in place they managed to sell me on. If you are looking for a modern Kimono, I recommend Y & Sons. Ask for Masato Kawasaki, as he was very helpful to me! (at Y. & SONS) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkeP2f_vfI7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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After partying at the club until 5am, I took an Uber back to the @sheratonmiyakotokyo_official. I couldn’t fall asleep, so I opted for the free hotel breakfast. Today, I chose the Japanese breakfast at Cafe California. Included in the Japanese breakfast: rice, salmon, sweet tamago, various marinated mushrooms, okra, sautéed bamboo and carrot shoots, some kind of seaweed jelly, steamed salmon roe, and what I believe to be seitan with ikura. Also included were exactly two grapes, natto and mustard, soy sauce, a refillable cup of green tea, pickled vegetables, and a red miso soup. Although the portions were small, it was a filling, satisfying breakfast, and I had a great view of the greenery outside. (at シェラトン都ホテル東京　Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkdiKWaMUta/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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After checking into the hotel, I headed to Roppongi to see what the nightlife was like, and ended up at SEL Octagon, a foreigner-friendly big-room club that was a little difficult to find (basement level). This night, they were playing Cyber Bounce as they do every Friday night with the Watanabe Sisters. It was a lot of fun! So much fun, I ended up dancing and partying until 5am, when the club closed… (at SEL OCTAGON TOKYO) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkJo0DvyOvJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I love skyline views, so the first thing I did when I arrived in Tokyo was book it to the Andaz Hotel rooftop bar so I could get a good view of the city. As soon as I sat down on my couch, complete with blanket and pillows, @drdre & @snoopdogg’s Still D.R.E. came on, which might as well be my theme song. It was an amazing view, but I found an even better view on my way to the restroom, I saw a blocked off area with a view of Tokyo Tower, and had a staff member take my photo bc #justtouristthings. The food and drinks were great, the music was bumping, and the crowd sophisticated. Highly recommend and will be back. (at ROOFTOP BAR ルーフトップバー) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkJQmnOLXTV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Okay #Japan posts start now. In August, I was offered the opportunity to consult for an environmental, health, and safety firm based in Okinawa thanks to my experience in AE government contracting with the military and extensive network. I learned of a SAME conference in Tokyo and encouraged them to attend, and they in turn invited me to attend as well as a company representative. This was while Japan still only allowed tourists who booked through approved tour operators or by company sponsorship. I went through the eVISA process and obtained my visa, only for Japan to say, “Visa-free from October 11!” 😂 I arrived at Haneda Airport an hour late, as the plane had to fly around Russian airspace (fuck you Putin). We all had to submit proof of 3x COVID vaccination or a negative PCR test, both which I obtained just before leaving the US. While the route to the quarantine area was labyrinthine, Haneda is a no-frills, calm airport, and I would recommend flying into HND over NRT, especially if one visiting #Tokyo like me. One thing that surprised me was the number of ads for Korean products like Jinro Soju and Shin Ramen. I was warned of discrimination against Koreans, but these gave me a sign that even Japan is not immune to the Korean Wave. I hopped into an Uber and rode to my next destination… (at Haneda Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkJNe4JrLnV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It was an honor and pleasure to attend Jisu and Lenna’s wedding #JisuAndLenna #2Pak4Lyfe #bestweddinghashtagever (at LA Celebration Hall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkCrNwzLXgI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=