Out & About #253 | Pt. 1: Square One Things + Japan Festival Mississauga

It's accurate to describe me as someone who prefers independent coffee shops over franchises. (Can you blame me though? The menu lacks variety and also happens to be seriously overpriced for the quantity being produced on a daily basis.)

Unfortunately, there are few cafes within Square One that offer stable Internet connection as well as outlets in a decently quiet atmosphere. In search for a spot where brief conversation could occur, we were left with no other option than to stop by Aroma to get our business done.

For those that are wondering where the hatred is being derived from, please read about the opinions from my first visit.

My partner-in-crime on this occasion was sufficiently fond of the chain store, and ordered a Matcha Latte with ease. She did find it odd that they refused to make an iced version of the beverage though. I, on the other hand, knowing full well that Aroma would not be using authentic Japanese matcha powder, went straight for the safe choice: London Fog.

A frothy cup of steamed milk, Earl Grey, and a dash of vanilla syrup was delivered to the pickup area within minutes. It's difficult to disappoint with a drink as classic as London Fog, but after the orange-juice-and-ice experience, I had my expectations lowered to rock bottom. Surprisingly enough, it was rather decent - perhaps it was the dash of cinnamon that I added?

Former opinions were not banished, however, since the Matcha Latte was as repulsive as I had imagined: watery and devoid of proper grassy depth.

Having settled our business, we took to roaming around the shopping centre until the commencement of Japan Festival in Celebration Square. A trip to the Disney store informed us of the return of Monsters' University Tsum Tsums and the addition of The Little Mermaid collection. Several of the mannequins' outfits at Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters were also worth marvelling at.

Canada's first Japan Festival was scheduled to kick off at noon By the time we made our entrance at 3:00 pm, the event was already in full swing, with incredulous lineups for food and freebies at every corner.

​Camouflaged behind the frenzy of coiling lineups were food stalls, yukata vendors, game booths, and pop-ups distributing free merchandise. Lining the east side of the Civic Centre was a shaded patio area that had been sectioned off for the sale and consumption of Sapporo.

​Regardless of which direction we cast our eyes towards, some form of action was taking place. I unknowingly separated from the group, veering towards a table stacked with adorable plush toys and colourful yukatas as others headed in the direction of motorcycle displays and NTN smartcar demonstrations.

​The stage was constantly occupied with performances to keep lineup-goers engaged while patiently waiting for their respective turn to order food underneath blazing sun.

​Observing a J-Pop idol group perform from the corner of our eyes, we joined one of the massive lineups for the sake of obtaining a bowl of chilly buckwheat noodles. Some forty-five minutes later, a plastic container of soba, seaweed, and tempura flakes soaked in an insufficient pool of soy sauce was obtained. Houjicha Shaved Ice was also ordered; the gloomy-looking pile of solidified water flakes was overly syrupy, with a robust but unauthentic brewed taste.

View the full album HERE !

We had also taken on the challenge of lining up for Gushi simulatenously, one vendor that I had specifically opted out of trying on the day before at Union Summer. Pangs of instant regret hit me everytime the line inched forward ever so gently. My poorly made decision resulted in an Uncle Tetsu-like wait period - one hour and forty minutes to be exact! - and a disappointing portion of takoyaki and fried chicken.

On that note, Kenzo makes better takoyaki; Gushi's signature fried chicken was acceptable though.

By ​this point, we were more than happy to tuck into the items we had so forbearingly reaped, thus paying no more attention to the other vendors and their equally insane lineups. Some twenty minutes later, I declared a desire to try the NTN demo.
Another round of meek silence ensued, only to be informed that the car demonstration was intended solely for small children. After a brief moment of pleading, however, the operator reluctantly agreed to show me the interior of the vehicle. Score!

​With majority of our time at the festival having been spent on tedious lineups, it came as quite a shock to us when the sun began to slowly settle along the horizon, signifying the arrival of dusk.

​A sharp glance at my watch revealed that it was soon nearing 6:30 pm. Bidding swift goodbyes to the remainder of the group, we vamooshed off to dinner.

Read about my Hokkaido Ramen Santouka experience in Part 2 !