San Francisco x Cherry Blossom Festival

Hello,

I recently attended the San Francisco Cherry Blossom festival with a group of friends, would you like to see the festivities for yourself?

If yes, do continue reading, brace yourself for quite a long blog entry! :)

If no, well, you can't be serious? We all know that would be quite a lie, lol.

Previously the night before, I purchased a gift for myself! Are you familiar with this camera?
It's quite wonderful, honestly, carried it the entire trip.
Ironically enough, I asked Yvonne to snap the photos.

Maple secretly took this photo during the ride to SF, I only slept about 6 hours previously the night before. I was too busy obsessing over the the new gadget (camera) I purchased the night before.
 I am wearing the Tonymoly Panda's Eye Dream Patch in this photo, funny how you can see Monica watching me .
On another note, I did write a review on the product on my new, second blog. [The Way of Yin]
Do feel free to check that out too!

We've finally arrived in J-town! Quite nice, always love being in the area.
Personally, I feel that Japantown has a peaceful, festive atmosphere surrounding it. 

A wild Domo has appeared! What will you do?
a) attack
b) flee
c) slowly approach and take a photo with Domo

Taodiego x Maple #sugoiduo
We came to an agreement with the last option, but we kept wondering why Domo appears as if he's eating Mapes?

I'm back at Daiso, as always. I've mentioned Daiso before in a previous blog entry, click here to see the [San Francisco x Japantown] entry. Everything except a few items are $1.50, as you can see Monica, Maple and I took this moment seriously. 

Daiso customers are eager to shop as well, but I'll claim the items before them! Haha

After daiso, we were waiting for Elizabeth to finally meet up with us! While we were standing around, I noticed a tea shop that captivated me. It's called Mitsu Teahouse and it's absolutely heavenly, located inside the Japan Center (next to Daiso, located in the East Mall) for your convenience. As you can see it's quite the attractive attraction, beautifully decorated.

I could stare at it all day, definitely can see that Mitsu Teahouse cares about it's appearance and overall quality experience!

Photo of the menu for your convenience, naturally it is subject to change anytime. Apologies for the photo too, lighting interferes with the menu a bit. 

Mitsu Teahouse sign! Isn't it just a captivating sight? 

It's neatly decorated inside as well, friendly (service) employees are always a bonus!

Ta-da! I ordered the Mango Green Milk Tea with 1/2 sugar, quite regretful that I didn't order a large size! And yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, there's really cotton candy that can be purchased along with the drink!
The drink was quite refreshing, even had real mango bits on the bottom! Definitely recommend everyone to try this phenomenon if you're in the area!

Yvonne saw me with my tea. . And couldn't resist the urge, she purchased one too, look how happy she is! Yes, my friends love tea just as much as I do. 

Taodiego takes blogging very seriously, absolutely love Mitsu Teahouse and will return soon! 

The owner, Aqua is a very kind individual! I had asked him if I could take photo's for my blog, and he was very grateful! He even offered my drink on the house, but I respectfully declined and told him I would gladly pay.
I did request if  I could add Cotton candy onto my tea, and he graciously obliged.
He was very grateful and gave me two completed stamp cards, assuring me that the next two drinks are free!
I do hope Aqua happens to read this, thank you so much, once again. 

Ah yes, the aftermath. . Forgot how much I love the taste of sweet cotton candy, if too much sugar is a concern, do remember you can request the amount of sugar in your drink! 

Hadn't noticed that the plaza has a Ichiban-kan inside! I'm in heaven, first Daiso and now this fateful encounter.
This is all too much to handle, always love to visit this store.

Rabbio air fresheners are too かわいい!

Maple was accompanying me, we were picking out items.

Ichiban Kan was very packed, but then again. . why wouldn't they be? Quite the interesting finds here, it's a must when I visit J-town. 

Front entrance of the store, I always spend quite a bit here. #noregrets

The entire plaza was packed, I couldn't turn in a single direction without running into plenty of people.

Ah yes, Seoul Garden looks quite tasty.

Very long wait for a restaurant we went too, Katsu Donburi as always! Unfortunately, not one of the best servings of Donburi. It wasn't anything more than average, and quite pricy too. . bit of a let down.

Didn't I mention the plaza was packed? Was quite a task to get back down with all the people coming up. 

And yes, the bottom floor is completely packed as well. There's really no escaping it, if they were zombies then we would of been done for. Haha

Finally came over the West Mall! There's so much to offer here, but it's even more packed then the East mall!

Time for purikura at pikapika! It's a tradition to come back here whenever I can, photos create a lasting memory. 

So many vendors set up for the Cherry Blossom Festival! Was quite the attraction for everyone, and offered a lot of anime related items for sale. 

Photo taken from the window of pikapika!
Can you spot the Hello Kitty? Well, there's also the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck on the bottom right too!
Unfortunately, because of the extremely long line, we didn't have time to make purchases. 

A crepe store that offers a wide variety, as well Green Tea ice cream! Because I had already spent money for the announcement I'll make at the end of this blog entry, I had to save my money and pass on the crepes. Although it was a huge regret, I should of just purchased the crepes as I always have.
It clearly states, "no photos" but one photo can't do any harm. At any rate, out of respect I won't be mentioning the name.

Ah yes, the scent of too many people put together in one mall. Quite funny because we all began to feel lack of air, and this overwhelming heat. 

pikapika was very packed too, everything was a lot more packed because of all the people attending the festival.

Inside our photo booth! Was quite spacious because it fit all of us, Elizabeth and Yvonne were working the booth. 

Made my way into the huge Manga shop, and what do I immediately see?
Psycho Pass manga! Has anyone seen the anime? I had just recently finished it before this trip, and I'm quite a huge fan. Would purchase them all if I could, but I don't read much Manga surprisingly. 

Can you spot the maid who so desperately enjoys reading manga too? Was going to ask for photo with her, but didn't want to come off quite odd. 

A lot of books to offer, if you're into reading books. . This may just be your dream come true, haha.

Had to stop by The Face Shop, must pick up my cosmetic essentials. I only bought a new toner to try, and was fortunate to discover I was eligible to receive $16 gift (free) in items in celebration of the festival! 

So much products to offers, all the girls were going insane.
They were playing so much KPOP, and I happened to know every song! The irony was that on the way to SF, I was listening to the exact songs. 

We made are way outside, but look who I happened to spot!
Yes, Naruto and Gaara must of left their villages to attend the festival too. 

So many people were dressed up for the celebration, it's difficult to see but those on stage are musical instruments. 

Ah yes, don't you love being surrounded by strangers? 

Made a stop at Forever 21 for the girls, I'm impressed by the appearance of the store.

- drooling uncontrollably -
I see chocolate covered strawberries on display, please feel free to share. 

In the mall that has so many different floors! It's practically never ending, just look how high up I am from the first floor.

Alas, our time spent was absolutely perfect. Honestly, can't wait until the next time we come back.
We patiently waited for the bus, and made our way to the station to return home.

All the purchases that I've made the entire day!

Taodiego loves Mitsu Teahouse! Will be returning in the near future, although the anticipation may drive me insane. 

Photo with the Mitsu Teahouse sign!
Do come and stop by, please let them know that @taodiego sent you.
Address: 22 Peace Plz, Ste 440
San Francisco, CA 94115
Japantown, Lower Pacific Heights.

Just taking a sip or two, okay I admit - about two hundred sips. 

Byron, Maple (red), Yvonne (army), Elizabeth (denim), and Monica (polka dot, glasses too)
Purikura and we're all together, throughout the day we split up inside stores because we all had to buy different things. But rest assure, we're all enjoying one another's company. 

Purikura Pt. 2, definitely look like a family portrait for a Chinese drama! Haha, my absolute favorite. 

Candid photo while I was shopping in Daiso!

The irresistible back of my head, and. . the others, LOL.
I'm kidding, very spontaneous photo in Forever 21! Look like a hotel in here, honestly can't believe it.  

Elizabeth has short hands haha, I took over since my arms a bit longer for the photos!
My first time using a selfie stick too, it was quite nice. Monica brought it from the Philippines and it even has a remote control that takes the photos. 

Elizabeth always ask me for photos when I come visit, I can't deny that I entirely am always up for it too. We've been doing this for years, we're quite the professionals.

until next time,

Taodiego