We went to see Konono No.1 at Roppongi Hills Arena (in Japanese). I didn't know about this Congolese band, but they also played at the huge Metamorphose music event last weekend, they seem to be very well known. A few weeks ago, C bought their CD and I liked their music, but the live show was much more fun. I was a great sweaty night!

The famous pizza restaurant SAVOY in Nakameguro opened a new branch near our place. The restaurant space is much bigger and their service is much friendlier!

It has been sooo hot in Tokyo. I don't like to be in an air conditioned room all the time because it makes me tired. So I try to use air-con at home as little as possible. Last weekend, C and I escaped from our hot flat and met up with our neighbours in a small playground park near our place. We bought drinks from a convenience store and we enjoyed a few cans of beers! I don't like that there are not many open cafes or pubs in Tokyo, I guess it's because the Japanese summer is too hot to stay outside, especially in the daytime. Now we know that drinking in a park is very nice!

Yesterday we joined our friends' BBQ party at Mori no Beer Garden (Japanese) in Meiji Jingu Gaien (Meiji Shrine Outer Garden). The main occasion for this meeting was the big fireworks festival which was held in the stadiums next to the beer garden. We couldn't see much last year so we were looking forward to this event.

On a really hot day in Tokyo, I went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office in Shinjuku to apply for a new passport with my married name. Japanese passport names are usually written in Hepburn romanization (Hebon siki), for example Smith will be written as Sumisu, and I didn't want it (I guess nobody with foreign name wants it). So I applied for Non-Hebon style writting.

Last weekend, I visited my parents in Hokkaido and we drove to Furano to see a lavender farm. The lavenders were in full bloom and I almost felt sick because of the strong smell! We enjoyed the great view of the countryside in Hokkaido.

The real Japanese summer has finally arrived in Tokyo after a long rainy season. It is incredibly hot, but I like eating Okinawan 'Goya Champuru' in this weather. It has been a month already since we went to a five day trip to Okinawa. I finally uploaded some photos to flickr!