Review: November Tokyo Treat Box

Hi everyone and welcome back to another Tokyo Treat review!

If there is one thing I love its when my Tokyo Treat box arrives each month but what I hate even more is when it doesn't arrive which was nearly the case with this box. It took over  35 days to arrive hence why this review has fallen in to December rather than November.

Usually my box arrives between the 10th and the 20th of the month but Tokyo Treat advise that the boxes could come anytime between the 20th and 28th so as is got closer to the 28th I grew more and more concerned that it wasn't coming  and I could see by the likes of social media that I wasn't alone.

I started this subscription back in March and it has really zoomed by and I have enjoyed every box so far its just filled with a great variety of snacks and candy which I would never choose myself. This months theme is all about Japan's most Iconic Snacks that have been Japan's favourites for years!

As always here is the booklet which they provide so you can see the full descriptions of the items along with my thoughts and comments below;

Items Received:

 Instead of writing in"Italic" what the products are as mentioned in the little book provided I will just give my own comments along with pictures and a rating out of 5 so here goes ...

Baked Limited Edition Sweet Potato Flavour (5+)
I love sweet potato fries, mash and everything sweet potato but when it comes to snacks that are made out of sweet potato it kind of freaks me out haha and that's just because its a bit weird. These though are amazing and I wouldn't even say they tasted like sweet potato but they tasted very sweet and were crispy on the outside but soft on the inside!

Chocolate Pie (3/5)
Looking at the packet it looks like a sausage roll from the outside haha but its actually the same consistency pastry wise but is filled with chocolate. It was nice but there wasn't enough chocolate for my liking!

Calbee Seaweed & Salt Chips (5/5)
Calbee are my favourite brand of Japanese chips what ever the flavour they just taste amazing. These are just a simple chip that are salted and have a hint of seaweed. Simple but really tasty.

Baked Sweet Potato Yokan
OK so I haven't eaten this one yet! Its currently just sat there staring at me and the though of eating makes me feel weird especially when you can feel the consistency through the packet and the photos I've seen online I just don't know haha.

Whistle Ramune (5/5)
These were great fun and tasty. Ramune is one of my favourite flavours and the added fact that they are a whistle is amazing even though if its a high pitch irritating noise.

Mayotara (0/5)
Eww Eww Eww! The only good thing about this is the mayonnaise as for the dried fish it was chewy and tasted awful.

Coris Fruit & Vegtable Shop Chewing Candy (5/5)
Yaya another DIY kit that I actually was able to do and didn't end up just eating the contents and not actually make anything. I loved that if you mixed some of the chewy candys together they made other colours and tasted yummy.

Caramel Corn Apple Pie Flavour (10+)
After having Peach Caramel Corn in my first  box back in March I was super excited to see that they have included the seasonal edition of Apple Pie it did not disappoint at all. They are kinda like a corn puff snack that packs flavour and just melts in your mouth very addictive.

Umaitama - Chocolate (5+)
So the popular company that make Umaibo which are amazing released a new snack in Japan recently and Tokyo Treat managed to get they're hands on some for the box and I am so glad they did. Essentially these are like Profiteroles but without the cream and are little bites of heaven I'm gutted I shared them haha.

Shigekix Mikan Gummy (5/5)
I've actually had these before but in Cola flavour. These are an orange flavour and taste amazing but are so sour and bitter, your face does actually go like the character on the packet ha especially if you eat a few at a time ha.

Kinako Stick (0/5)
So according to the description this is a semi soft chewy candy which is covered in roasted soybean flour which tastes awful and to the fact that it went right in the bin. It tasted like fish and it threw me right off and it didn't really smell all that nice either.

Re-ment Omusubi-Kororin Mascot (5/5)
One of Japan's many blind boxes and one of the first I have ever had. I am happy with the one I got its good quality and I have actually put it on my handbag.

Fujya Nectar Peach Juice (5/5)
So many of my friends have travelled to Japan and said how much they loved this drink and how much of it they drank when they were visiting so when Tokyo Treat decided to included this in they're box I was super excited to give it a try as I wasn't really sure what to expect. I've never had fruit juice in a can so wasn't sure how it was going to tasted or whether it would be fizzy or flat but it didn't disappoint it was lovely and sweet and very refreshing.

Morinaga Milk Caramel (5/5)
I KNEW I HAD SEEN THESE BEFORE!!!!!! I am a massive Ghibli fan and when I saw these were being featured I was so excited as there has been many occasions that I have nearly purchased them in a different variation with the little girl from Totoro on the packet. These were also mentioned in the movie as well.

These were amazing and the packet was full to the brim as they are small little chewy caramels which were very soft and not hard like other ones you can get. When you see the packet its very small but once you open the packet you are actually quite surprised at whats inside.

Genji Pie (5/5)
I was kind of expecting this to be like a pie in the way of constancy which in a way it was but deep fried? Like you could see layers of pastry through out the biscuit as I called it because to me that is what it was and very creamy. What was great that there was two inside which I didn't expect so was easier to share about. Very sweet in taste and would happily have this again.

Pocky Soft Milk Flavour (3/5)
Everyone loves Pocky and the random flavours that it comes in so that's why I really love seeing the different variety in my box from time to time. This months box we saw Soft Milk flavour Pocky and I did like it and the packaging was really cute but it tasted really plain? Like it was an overpowering taste. I would buy it again but I did enjoy it.

With it being December next month it only seems appropriate that the theme for the box is Christmas and I cannot wait to see what Christmas snacks will be inside. I have seen a spoiler for the box already and that is the drink which is Cream Stew Ramune flavour and to be honest the thought of this makes me feel sick haha but I will give it a try and see what I think!

You can read my other Tokyo Treat box reviews for March, April, June, August, September and October here:)

Thanks for reading. I purchased this with my own money and I was NOT paid to review this by Tokyo Treats.

Berlin - November 2014 - Part Three - Computerspiele Museum

With mine and Joel's passion for games when we stumbled across an advert for this Computer Museum it was a must do and with it being Joel's birthday it was the perfect treat.

The Museum of Computer Games is full of nostalgia as soon as you walk through front door, you are greeted with childhood memories from the past and present which is why it makes it a great museum for anybody to visit.

The Museum is the first one to open in Europe and has a wide variety of classic games and consoles dating back from 1975 all the way up to the 21st Century and a lot of them in good working order with over 300 objects in the whole exhibition.

One of my favourite things I loved about the museum was the wall of historic development highlighting 50 famous games dating back in 1975 and it included ones like "The Sims" from back in 2000 which you all know made me super excited that it got a mention along with PacMan, Grand Theft Auto and Super Mario. There were a lot of games I didn't really recognise as they were a bit before my time but it was great to read about them,

As we got further around the exhibition I spied one of my all time childhood classics ... THE DANCE MAT! and it was even working and had my favourite disc playing so of course I had to have a go and it was amazing brought back so many memories and as it was quiet the day we went I didn't mind having a play.

Another section of the museum was set up like children's bedrooms or living rooms from past decades each containing a different working console along with loads of different games, posters and books from that decade and it was brilliant. To look at some of the super old computers and consoles that my parents would have played on was amazing.

To my delight when I was walking around the museum I spotted my passion in life Disney! The main man himself Walt Disney got his own special mention on the wall, it was so long ago that we went that I can't quite remember what section he was in but Disney was there!

I have to say if you are ever in Berlin and love video games or just fancy something different to do then I really recommend it. Not one wall or space in the museum was bare there was always something to look at, read or interact with. The cost to get in wasn't even that much only €8 per person and considering what was there it was worth every euro and they even had a shop at the end which was great.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

When can I go and see this again? Because honestly I don't think I can wait for the DVD or Blu Ray to come out which currently doesn't have a release date on Amazon (yes I have looked hehe) at the moment.

Before going to see the movie I asked for the book of the script along with some other items for Christmas as with being a Harry Potter lover and reading the text book of this I just had to see the movie. And I wasn't disappointed at all I fell in love instantly with Newt played by the lovely Eddie Redmayne who I have watched in numerous movies before which was another reason why I had to go and see this movie.

I'm not going to spoil anything here because I want everyone to experience it for themselves and me myself avoided anything other than trailers before seeing the movie on Sunday. What is great about the movie is that nobody knows what is going to happen because the book it relates which is written by Newt is just a textbook rather than a book so the only thing you do recognise is the creatures from which he has written about. That is why I am so happy that JK didn't release the script before the movie came out.

The story in this movie is brilliant full of such amazing characters and creatures which I really hope do stick around for the next films or at lease make appearances because I fell in love with them. Now Harry Potter is over I feel like I have something else to obsess about for the next few years and I can just feel like I am already! Seriously can the next one just come out already ;)

Have you seen it yet? What do you think?

Berlin - November 2014 - Part Two - Fassbender and Rausch

What is Fassbender and Rausch you say? Well Fassbender and Rausch is any chocolate lovers dream and is somewhere that cannot be missed on your visit to Berlin.

The family run business has been in operation since 1918 and they opened they're chocolate house and restaurant in Berlin in 1999 which has become a very popular destination ever since. The business is currently in its 5th generation being run by father and son.

Being a massive lover of chocolate when I saw this come up on google prior to our trip I just knew it was somewhere we had to go after looking at the variety of the chocolates and goodies on offer as well as the menu from the cafe upstairs.

Upon arrival you are greeted with the beautiful exterior of a very traditional building with huge bay windows decked in all the most wonderful creations and chocolate sculptures you could imagine. As soon as you enter the store the smell of chocolate hits you right away and it was incredible.

We headed straight upstairs to the chocolate cafe for some cake and hot chocolate and it was the best thing I have ever tasted and even 2 years on its still been the best hot chocolate I have had. We both decided to go for the Orange Hot Chocolate along with two tartlets. He choose the White Chocolate and Raspberry and I went for Orange which we both decided to share.

The whole presentation in the cafe was beautiful from the view out of the window to the staffs uniforms. The food we could see being delivered to other's tables looked incredible but me and partner are cake lovers so stuck with the dessert which was just incredible.

After we had finished we actually ended up spending a good half an hour deciding what we were going to buy for family and ourselves mostly ;) there was so much choice it was extremely hard to choose. I can't quite remember what we brought with it being 2 years ago but I know they're was truffles and boxes of chocolates involved.

I really recommend coming here if you do love chocolate, even if you don't make it to the chocolate cafe just the sights and smells of the chocolate shop downstairs is amazing and I would love to go back. Maybe I might have to make a purchase online.

Berlin - November 2014 - Part One

So I'm not really sure why I never blogged about my trip to Berlin in Germany back in 2014 but it occurred to me that I hadn't.

Can't believe its 2 years a go today! I can't quite remember what we ended up doing on each day but I thought I would just do a generalised post about our adventure out there and share some of our photos. I have to say that this was the first time me and Joel have been on holiday together and we had the most amazing and I would love to go back but maybe in the Summer time.

We travelled from London Gatwick to Berlin in Germany on Saturday the 8th November and due to the Thomas Cook flights we ended up getting a super early flight and arrived in Berlin early morning. 

Now me being Miss Organised I had everything planned on where we needed to go and what trains we needed to get which would have been straight forward if the websites prior to going had been updated. Our journey to our hotel was going so well until we reached halfway through and had no clue where we were going because the train we originally wanted wasn't running so we had to speak to the lovely lady on the help desk who gave us instructions of how to get there via bus which all I am going to say was a nightmare on a busy Saturday at this point afternoon.

So after arriving in Berlin around 10am finally by 2pm we were checked in to our Hotel and by that time we had already decided on a taxi back to the airport as we weren't doing that again! As by this point we hadn't eaten anything all day apart from sweets as we skipped breakfast because of an early flight we decided to head to Dunkin Doughnuts as there was one right by our hotel before going back for a long nap.

Hotel: Ku' Damm 101

After finally making our way to the hotel we were so glad to check in and get to our room. The staff on reception were so lovely and helpful they even recommend places for us to dine at on our first evening. The hotel was located just of a side road along one of the main streets that connected everything in Berlin which was great as we were right next to a small supermarket, lots of quirky shops which were right up my street and lots of love restaurants that we did dine in.

The room we stayed in was perfect it was big and spacious. It had a desk with a chair, an awesome retro style square TV and then a double bed well two singles that were pushed together. When we first saw the beds they were a little odd but actually very comfy.

We didn't try the breakfast as we decided it would be cheaper to grab food out and to try some of the pastries that were on offer and I am so glad we did because they were lovely. They did try to charge us for breakfast at the hotel when we were checking out but I advised them that we had never set foot in the breakfast room and didn't even know where it was haha.

If I was coming back to Berlin or knew anyone that was then I would definitely recommend staying here due to the good location, friendly staff and the hotel quality its self.

Sightseeing:

What I love about writing this post is that I get to relive my trip to Berlin and remember all the things we did and beautiful places that we saw it is truly a beautiful place.

Brandenburg Gate

When we arrived in Berlin this was one of the first places we took a wonder towards although I didn’t get to see it properly as there was some sort of musical festival going on and we couldn’t understand any of it with it being in German but the music was pretty good. We stopped here for some food where we actually ended up with 3 currywurst rather than 2 but that wasn’t an issue haha as it was so good we ended up eating it all.

Reichstag Building

  This building is so beautiful to look at with its mix of old and modern with the 360-degree viewing dome on the top. This building is actually the parliament buildings in Berlin and to gain access to the dome on the top you have pre-book in advance and it free but the security and checks in place are very tight. The view from the top is amazing and just the general structure of the place.

Berlin Wall

During our visit to Berlin we were lucky to catch the end of the 25^th Anniversary where they marked out the original placement of the wall with poles with balloons on the end which they lit up when it got to the evening. We didn’t walk the whole wall but we did walk most of it to the point where we ended up stopping and get the underground back to the hotel as our feet were so sore we needed a break. Shame I didn’t get to visit the gift shop as it would have been nice to get a memento of this occasion. I did enjoy doing the walk as it took us to areas that we wouldn’t have usually seen.

Potsdamer Platz & Alexander Platz

Now these two areas of Berlin we found our self stumbling across a lot of the time when we were in Berlin as in both of these places there were lots of things to see and do as well as places to eat and shop.

We took a look around the Sony Centre which at the time was holding a movie premiere but we didn’t have a clue what it was for shame it wasn’t for something like Hunger Games would have been amazing to hang around then. We decided in the end not to do TV Tower as a lot of the days were very overcast and the sights wouldn’t have been that great. TV Tower is this massive circular building which rotes a full 360 degrees and gives you some of the best views of Berlin during the day and evening.

Victory Column

After a lovely morning at the Zoo we decided to take a stroll through the parks until we came across the Victory Column which was right in the middle of the roundabout and we decided to take a look as you could see people were up the top. To get to the top you did have to pay as there is a museum beforehand which we did take a look around and I found it very interesting. At the top the views were beautiful and the tower its self as well.

 With how much stuff we did in Berlin in such a short space of time I thought I would split up the blog posts in to two or three just to keep them short and not to long hehe. So hopefully see you soon for part two.