Veganism in Japan: Vegan Gourmet Festival

Last week I went to Vegan Gourmet Festival in Tokyo's Kiba Koen.

There was a lot of stalls from all over Japan.

It was in the park so on open air but the weather was perfect

what created a very nice atmosphere to enjoy all food.

It was much bigger that vegan festivals I attended in Poland

but of course comparing to other western events it was probably small.

There was considerably a lot of people

(not only foreigners, more Japanese!)

but still considering the crowds in some Japanese events

it was not that popular.

It was very visibly that almost all people there 

looked healthy, sporty. 

I do not think that I even saw one obese person.

Here is one big difference comparing to West.

In Japan veganism is considered healthy.

In Poland when I say that I am vegan

everybody starts worrying about my protein insufficiency

(all this experts eating in McDonald's)

but in Japan people usually react with a response

about how healthy my lifestyle is.

The cause probably lies in the fact that soya, beans, tofu

are very popular here and the diet based on it is

considered as a nutritious meal.

I also attended vegan meet-ups group picnic

and talked with a Japanese girl

who lived in Australia.

She tries to turn into vegan

because of health benefits

and said that the conviction

that Japanese eat healthy is a myth.

They used to in the past, not anymore.

After going back from Australia and

looking at her parents meals she realized that

there is nothing about health in it.

With Alex my vegetarian friend.

She is American and said that her church

encourages people to go vegan/ vegetarian.

Church! When I compare it to Polish case...

Oh Poland you are so pitiful sometimes >.<

I ate a lot.

Lots of yummy food.

One interesting fact is that all food on the fest

was free from refined sugar.

And really you could feel eating it that

they did not use any sugar at all

not only refined one.

I ate lots of sweets

(crepe, donuts, dorayaki)

but felt really good.

I was full but no trace of this unpleasant taste in mouth

which I have after eating wagashi from kombini.

Once again it shows:

in Japan veganism and healthy lifestyle

are directly connected.

Matcha, azuki, chestnuts crepe.

Omg I would give everything to eat it again!

There were so many tastes.

Even with hijiki xD

It is a black seaweed

usually sold in black strips.

You have probably seen them

as they are popular in Japanese cuisine

but in donuts :D ?

Black burgers are famous in Japan.

They appear during Halloween etc.

Sometimes even in McDonald's.

But here is a vegan version <3

This kind of meat sticks are a popular street food in Japan.

For the first time I could eat it too.

It was such a strange feeling.

And this sausage was so convincing

that if it was not a vegan fest I would doubt if its vegan xD

I hate meat taste so it was probably my last time to eat even vegan one.

Chocolate ice cream, ice chocolate latte

and mango kakigōri <3

So refreshing on this sunny day.

And for the end the festival's hit

Ballerina vegan dorayaki.

And it is not that they had hundred patterns

and I chose this one.

They had one and it was ballerina.

I am a lucky girl indeed.

Here are my shopping:

soya meat

(cheap 500 yens for three of them!)

and mayonnaise <3

For the end one more thing.

I said that in Japan veganism

is mostly about healthy 

(usually as on this fest accompanied by yoga workshops)

but animal rights consciousness is also increasing.

On the festival there were representants of vegan society

and vegan projects.

They try to make lectures about animal rights

as well an introducing vegan food

to restaurants, canteens in schools and companies.

I also bought manga about animal rights

and the base of vegan diet.

Very easy but convincing.

Believe me very convincing.

I could not stop my tears...

I have to work hard on Japanese to be able to translate it.

Versailles in Marui

I would like to share some pictures from an amazing day which I owe to my favorite band Versailles.

They have (end on 23.09) their small exhibition (well just some pictures, drums, throne- perfect picture spot) and temporary shop in Shibuya's Marui. 

Above everything there were some following events: autograph sessions, cheki shooting 

and talk show which you could enter by buying stuff in the shop.

Everything is a kind of preparation before a dream day which will come in February:

their life in Budokan. It is like a dream also for them.

They made it big.

I want to read it as a good sign for all visual kei.

I have already posted my shopping and exhibition picture in the previous post so here is the result: an amazing day with a talk show, long waiting (well...) and cheki shooting. I was also able to meet some other Versailles fans and as usual I was not disappointed. Love for Versailles is a way to meet best people. Btw I even met my best friend thanks to Versailles even though it was by the Internet.

We started a day with karaoke and ended it with a dinner to make some kind of frame for all the rest.

Window exhibition. They also appeared in the window themselves. 

We were a little too late and did not see all their show there xD

Parfait from Versailles cafe

Teru straightly from a fairytale rushing through Marui

Getting fancy before. Powder room.

On the exhibition

I really like this one.

We look like straightly from a French court portrait.

And cheki <333

Heart with Hizaki. Must confess that my thought when

doing it was: "omg your hand is so big and masculine, dear princess" xD

I always dreamed about having a picture with them.

All of them. And here is it and I must confess that

I am proud of my decision...

The decision of choosing this bolero.

This sleeve on the photo is the best thing that could happen to me xD

Daily life and small paradises

The weekend is before me and then Monday is free so finally some time to write a new post.

Two weeks of school is behind me. First one consisted mostly of orientations and on the next one normal classes have started.

There is so many things I could write and my head is so full of thoughts (both positive and negative) so I will try to make an order in all these stuff by writing about it. Maybe it will help me to accept the current situation and my own feelings.

First days were really difficult. They are always difficult. I feel really bad around many, many new people. It gives me the feeling of being closed in a cage. It is not only stressful but also tiring. I just feel like I need a corner to hide myself there. My summikkogurashi nature is on such moments in its full bloom. No matter how I try to be open it ends the same and after a while of trying I give up. In such moments I regret that I do not have this one friend who would take care of me, stay with me, talk with people and I would just do my best in smiling nicely. In other case I just finish as a weirdo, conceited princess or in best case as socially awkward.

Oh and by the way the all first day started with falling from the stairs. I want to believe that it is a sign of good things that are going to come. Here is the culprit.

Next thing is my Japanese. It is really bad. I was not even aware how much I forgot everything including speaking. I feel miserable with myself. And tests were really difficult. The feeling "what are you doing here asshole" has become my daily companion.

At least as I wrote in the previous post the area is pretty cool. Not only the building itself but also everything around. Being in such a place daily gives you a gleam of prestige and success which disappears as quickly as I reach school and remind myself how miserable I am.

And this amazement park just next to Pacifico Yokohama is the best thing ever. Just looking at this big merry-go-round gives me the feeling of fun which exists outside the school and which I can encounter later if I do my best at school in this moment. And there is a lot of to do. Believe me. I have never had so many homeworks in my all life. There are moments when I feel like crying because I feel so tired but still have to learn. In such moments I just would like to hide myself somewhere so all world would forget about me. Somewhere in a corner. 

Eating bento. Bento everyday because nothing vegan in a canteen.

Best thing is that on my way to the station there is Queen Square, shopping center with Sanrio, Disney and Snoopy store. I just have to pass next to them on my way every time. Sometimes just a look at these cuteness is a way to feel a little better. It makes my own hopelessness a little more acceptable.

Except it of course that still there is a lot of amazing things, some amazing friends, places

that give me power to go on. Seeing pics on my fbk or instagram people can thing 

that I live in paradise.

Well, not really my daily life mostly consists of hard work and continuing 

feeling of being a life failure xD

Some pictures from dream part of my life.

Visited my friend in his gothic bar Placebo in Yokohama. Small but coolest place you can imagine. 

He made me konbu dashi ramen and then foretold my future by tarot card. This kind of place, small, beautifully decorated, hidden somewhere you would never except them to be is my favorite. Small paradises you can hide yourself from all the world for a while.

Next thing was Voque Fashion Night Out in Laforet. I met Maki from Angelic Pretty, saw Minori again and above everything enjoyed watching beautiful people dressed perfectly in all details. For a while you can transfer to the dream fairy tale world with all gorgeous garments, princes and princesses and above everything you feel to be a part of it.

Vegan dinner and Yayoi Yumeji museum with a friend. So happy to become friends with a person I admired strongly before I had a slight idea I will meet him one day.

Yayoi museum has always something to offer. Old shoujo illustrations always make me feel nostalgic for no reason. 

Like I would miss something but I am not ever sure what it is. Something like a winter wind.

Last thing: Versailles exhibition in Marui in Shibuya. Drums, a throne and some pictures. Of course there is a store as well. And of course there are some following events as well. But this pleasure is still before me.

Yes, there is many pleasures but these are just whiles I try to catch. But generally I find myself being Alice again. 

Alice in Wonderland. 

Alice inside daily life. 

Alice who tries to leave everything behind entering rabbit hole.

But then she is back.
She is always back.

ZapiszZapisz

First two weeks. Ballet, Ghibli, Marie Antoinette.

Tomorrow classes start so that means that I am in Japan already two weeks.

Almost unbelievable how quickly the time passed.

I spent a lot of time in Tokyo and enjoyed every while so much that I feel like crying. Is it even real? Everything seems to be a dream I made up by myself.

My daruma got two eyes and all dreams are coming true.

1. Ballet recital in Shinjuku Bunka Center. 

As it was my friend's friend's ballet group I was even able to peek at the backstage.

Iwaki ballet company

I was really shocked how high is their level. How perfect are their lines and above everything how emotional was the modern dance part. I heard a lot about Japanese dancers who are good at style but have problems with expressing emotions. Believe me this one was complete. 

I was moved to my heart's content.

2. I always dreamed to enter Nekobus. 

It is impossible in Ghibli museum but on the Roppongi exhibition

I was able to do it!

In the majority of the exhibition space photos were forbidden

(I hate that it is so common in Japan...)...

Anyway it is really worth seeing.

In contrast to the Ghibli museum which is more oriented for having fun

this one says more about history, shows some old illustrations.

And this ship from Laputa is impressing, indeed.

I was also able to meet an old friend

from two years ago.

This kind of meetings are always very sentimental.

Especially when you see how people are getting all grown up

and go into direction of their own dreams.

It always makes my spirit up.

The view from Roppongi Mori Art Museum

(where was the exhibition) is amazing.

As I said already and I will probably say one more/ many times I do love big cities.

3. And yesterday: Les filles Marie Antoinette party

in Laforet Harajuku.

So unique to enter Laforet after closing!

Very small event. It was only around 25 people.

There was a fashion and flower show

and then just time for pictures and talk.

My outfit.

I was wearing Polish brand Lady Sloth

and it was praised a lot.

A girl from Kera asked me for pics

and I also introduced her the brand.

So amazing to have Polish brand to be proud of.

Models.

Les filles Marie Antoinette refers to the french queen

with the idea that when she was to be reborn

she would definitely fancy Harajuku.

Even though the designer Junichi Hakamaki refers

to an European figure he still highlights his fashion to be 

Made in Japan

believing that it will spread around the world.

Marie Antoinette girls are everywhere

and their dreams can come true

thanks to Harajuku fashion.

This is also impressive how he joins historical fashion

with modern feel (shorter, comfortable dresses, jackets which

can be worn with trousers to stay cute everyday) 

and also pop cultural elements

like Godzilla.

With Junichi Hakamaki

He really spoke a lot.

Definitely needs to interview him for my research.

This outfit is even made for dogs!

With Ai Akizuki.

Lolita activist who was a party host.

Yes, Minori was also here.

I saw her for the first time

and she is much more stunning in reality.

All her make-up is just a pure perfection.

She is all cute and small.

Still can not believe that she exists outside the fairy tale.

Probably all yesterday party was one big dream

and she is just a part of it.

That would explain everything.

4. To finish this 2 weeks summary: shopping.

I bought a lot so there is no sense to mention

all of it but just two most perfect things.

Alice phone case

Alice Babyssb wallet

So this is how things are going for those who would ask.

5. Tomorrow school starts so there will be less time for all pleasures.

But just take a look how the 

Inter-University Center for Japanese language studies is located.

Just around the ocean in an amazing Pacifico Yokohama building.

Still like a dream.

Of course that it is going to be hard but in fact

perfect Japanese is the only thing I really do need right now.

I do really lack.

Good motivation for the beginning.