One Day in the Future at Miraikan: The National Museum of Emerging Sciences and Innovation

May 28, 2016 The Shapsogh Sisters Leave a comment

The future always has something that beguiles us. It can drive our imagination to possibilities that we have never seen before, or it can be an elusive far fetch vision of a world that we wish to have in our lifetime.

When I stayed at Tokyo, one of the best parts of my itinerary turned out to be a visit to a science museum. Not the old museum type, but the one that offers a fascinating view of the future! Miraikan means “Hall of the Future”, and it’s located in Odaiba, an artificial island in Japan’s capital city.

Odaiba is a fascinating futuristic place. Technically, Maraikan is labeled as the National Museum of Emerging Sciences and Innovation. It’s near the famous Gundam Statue and the iconic-shaped building of Telecom Center Train Station.

The most desirable feature that sets this science museum from the rest is the way they’ve designed the exhibits. All of it encourages interaction with the visitors, from the robotic pets to Asimo, scale model of the space station to the geo-scope zone, and you’ve got to try the “Personal Mobility UNI-CUB” rides!

From time to time there are new exhibits, but there are the permanent ones that will impress you even at the second time around. While the permanent exhibits have English and Japanese translations, most of the temporary shows are only in Japanese.

Tip: If you see that the line is long, make sure to get your number and scheduled time of return. Some of the popular exhibits allow you to come back on that schedule and you’ll be able to enjoy other exhibits at your own pace.

Feel the Earth in Motion with Tsunagari

Once you enter the science museum, the one impressive exhibit that catches everyone’s eyes is the huge globe that hangs above. Made up of organic LED panels, it’s a rendition of what Earth looks like from space. With over 10 million pixels, the Tsunagari shows real-time data on airflow and clouds streamed throughout the world! There are times that they change the display into geographical data, statistics of people travelling and weather projections.

Tip: If you feel tired midway through your exploration at the museum, the geo cosmos zone has a great lounge area that you can rest and sit down while gazing at the earth above.

Asimo

Can I really evolve to human-like characteristics? Let Asimo introduce you to his world! It’s a talking, walking, and dancing robot. He can speak in Japanese and later translate it into English. What else can he do? Take a look at this video.

The Asimo show is quite popular to visitors. Make sure to check the schedule first at the information center so you won’t miss this impressive show. Come at the Asimo zone as early as 30 minutes before the show to get the best seats in front.

What Will the Future Look Like?

We’ve seen the Hollywood version of the future from the movies, how about from science itself? This exhibit propels your mind to take a peek at the possibilities of what Earth will look like 50 years from now. This one made an impact on me, making me think on what one person can contribute for future generations.

First, you choose one of the areas on the planet that you consider most important, then while in the middle of the game, you’ll receive an email from the future – specifically, from your grandchildren! This might sound like a spam email for all single people, but I assure you, it’s no marketing scam. The letter will describe to you how bad the situation is 50 years in the future, urging you to do something.

Now, considering the theories about time travel, paradoxes and possible changes in the timeline, would you just ignore the message or actually do something to change the future and make this world be a better place?

Space Center

Ah space, the final frontier. While were grounded here on Earth, the International Space Station exhibit is a great way to learn how it is to live up and “out” there. You can walk into a tunnel which is a scale model of the ISS living quarters. They have realistic control panels, samples of astronaut food packets, and autographs by famous astronauts!

Stories of One, Everyone and You

Are you a nerd or an artist? An analyst or a more of a leader? This exhibit allows you to interact with personality tests and exercises and know more about yourself. Part of me thinks that this might be one way that the museum gathers information about the types of people who visit the place.

Cells in Progress

This was one of the exhibits with more people in queue, but when you get inside, it’s not that crowded. It displays the current breakthroughs and theories in cell biology and medical engineering. There’s also a section where you’ll see the images of the brain on different physical activities.

The most interesting part among the 5 sections in Cells in Progress was on stem cell research. You’ll be presented different types of injuries that one may have and how the amazing breakthroughs and possibilities that stem cell therapy can bring into medical technology.

Miraikan: National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

Open Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Weds to Monday, Closed during Tuesdays.

Admission Fee: Adults – 620 yen

18 years old and under – 210 yen

Other fees: If you want to enter the Dome Theatre, it has separate fee 300 yen for adults.

For more info on museum schedule and exhibits, check out www.miraikan.jst.go.jp

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Japaness at home pedicure

May 18, 2016 The Shapsogh Sisters Leave a comment

It is for sure overwhelming to visit drug stores in Japan, as everything is written in the Japanese language and you could only guess the use of the product from the pictures on the package.. not kidding.

Once I like the picture on a product, I would go ahead and use google translate to get more information about how to use it and expected results.

One of the products that really stood out for me, was the SOSU FOOT PEELING SOCKS.

These socks can be used at home, which means that you do not have to visit expensive beauty salons no more to get those beautifully soft feet!

They promise to provide you with baby feet feeling!

How much is it?

We got these from Yodobashi shopping center when in Tokyo last year for ￥1,300 which is about 44 AED or about 12 $ per pack.

Each pack contains 2 pairs of socks, that means you get two pedicures per pack! (Bargain!)

On eBay you could find it for much higher price (29$!!) but hey, it’s worth it!

How do I use it?

It is extremely simple!

On the side of the box you could find step by step instructions as demonstrated in the picture below:

Cut the top of the sock open
Tape the sock to secure it on your feet
Leave it on for an hour and a half
Rinse with water
Wait for a few days
The dead skin on your feet will start peeling off (Dot not freak out.. it is really going to peel!!)
keep moisturizing your feet as regular, and you will be left with baby feet

My review: 5/5

“I have used this only once. It didn’t do anything at first and I thought that it did not work! after few days however, the dead skin on my feet started peeling off!! it was unbelievable!! I looked at my feet as they were peeling like crazy and in my mind I thought “This looks like it must hurt” but it really didn’t at all. I did not feel a thing. My feet were renewed, and I was really left with baby feet.. No joke!

I would totally recommend this product, and I will defiantly repurchase.

My mom also tried it, and she fell in love! she said “This works really good.. I do not have to go to the salon anymore.. I could do my own pedicure at the comfort of my home and it is almost effortless”.

Description:

Country of origin: Japan

Contents: 25ml × 4 Product Size (width X height X depth ): W140 x H230 x D3mm

Brand: Prime [Product Specifications]

Contents: 4 pieces 25ml × (2 times)

Ingredients: Water, ethanol, lactic acid · BG · PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, hyaluronic acid Na Hydrogenated lecithin, ceramide 3, squalane, soy sterol burdock root extract, lemon fruit extract, ivy leaf / stem extract watercress leaf / stem extract, sage leaf extract, soapwort leaf extract fragrance

DIYs

A Victoria’s Secret Inspired Bridal Shower

May 12, 2016 The Shapsogh Sisters Leave a comment

I knew the atmosphere I wanted to create for my sister’s bridal shower, but I was stuck for inspiration until one morning when I realized it was literally staring me in the face: Victoria’s Secret! Fun, playful, and flirty, VS epitomizes femininity, and their signature classic pink and black color scheme made it the ideal starting point for what turned out to be a fantastic event.

As well as guests, there are several key elements to every fabulous party, not least the food. You can see from the buffet table that this was definitely a party for females. Having a dessert buffet gave everyone the opportunity to taste as many different desserts as they wanted, while keeping them canapé sized gave the event a relaxed, yet sophisticated feel. Save the formal dining for the wedding – this party was all about chatting, dancing, and catching up with friends.

Decor is another important criteria for a successful party. Guests have to know exactly what to expect from the moment they arrive, so we put a lot of effort into replicating the ambiance we liked at VS so much. A key part of this was the wall we decorated as a backdrop for our photos. It took two days, meters of ribbon, and more rhinestones than I care to remember, but it was worth the effort (even if it did ruin the wall – sorry Mom!)

My sister and I were so happy with how it turned out and, when we decorated a cardboard frame to match, guests loved having their photos taken there. VS bags filled with tissue paper and balloons added to the effect.

Guests were given goodie bags filled with treats like homemade lip scrub, along with cute bags of popcorn and candy. Making the most of our photowall, we had a mini-digital printer to print out photos of everyone to take home with them as a memento of the party. These were especially popular.

You can’t have a bridal shower without games, but rather than make a mess handing out paper and pencils that would only add to the cleaning up, my clever brother had them added to an app the girls could download to their phones. As well as being fun and environmentally friendly, it was an easy way for me to keep track of the scores (and make sure there was no cheating!)

FullSizeRender (4) — How old what the bride? <3

It was almost as much fun organizing this bridal shower as it was attending it! It may have taken several days to pull it all together but it was worth it to see the excitement on our guests’ faces as they walked through the door. Our top tips for creating your party decor are:

Have a clear starting point. Ours was the inside of a Victoria’s Secret store.
Be consistent with your theme. We carried the pink and black color scheme through to everything, including food, drinks, and favors.
Get creative. We wanted our party to be unique and had a great time creating decorations, labels, and favors.

Above all, have fun. Parties are for celebrating!

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The Value of Values

May 8, 2016 The Shapsogh Sisters Leave a comment

When you see a glass, do you see it half empty or half full?

Do you live for today or dwell on the past?

Do you thrive on positive contact or wallow about what people may have meant?

Whether you are predisposed to your personality traits by birth, or you believe that you are who you are by virtue of nurture and how you interacted with those around you as you grew up, there are indeed other factors that determine your outlook on life.

One of the main factors that determine your attitude towards others is in fact your country of birth, or to put it in more specific terms, your culture. A country that is a prime example of this is Japan.

Japan is a country known for many things – sushi, sumo, anime and technology – but running through the core of the country is an admirable balance of respect and regime, with the structure of these coming together to make a country who is revered for its values. So imagine a society that puts elders first, instils in children a sense that if you behave correctly towards others, this will be repaid in reciprocal respect kindness – sound idyllic?

Whilst there is no suggestion that living in Japan adds up to a perfect existence, or that people from other countries and cultures are distinctly lacking in similar moral values, the overall ‘vibe’ of the country does ooze an enviable feeling of satisfaction. Indeed, the rate of serious crimes such as murder is statistically one of the lowest in the world, suggesting that respecting your fellow humans runs deep into the Japanese psyche.

One of the reasons for this may be that there are subtle reminders about how to behave towards each other wherever you go. Public parking areas not only make allowances for the disabled and parents with young children, but also the elderly and pregnant ladies. The tradition of taking your shoes off as you enter a home is not just an age-old tradition, but a way of life that signifies how you should treat the belongings of another. And one that is hard to get used to, is that in Japan there is no tipping – a job should be done correctly without any added incentive and a clear price makes financial exchanges seamlessly cordial.

This all adds up to a place where if you put down your phone and walk away from it in error, return and it is likely to still be there, or put your bag on a chair that’s meant for sitting on, and it is likely to be frowned upon.

In other words, Japan is a country that values values.