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Kendama
A kendama is a Japanese traditional toy. It can be played anywhere and popular among many people regardless of age. There are different tricks for the toy and you are required to master them if you are to join special competitions. I think Kendama can be used as an unique and effective tool when yo…(80 words)
OKAKI-sun
"Furoshiki" can be a great gift!
Furoshiki is known as traditional culture representing Japanese Culture and it can be a great souvenir. Furoshiki can be used not only as a cloth wrapper for special presents but also as a part of your fashion. It's very neat to have your own favorite Furoshiki pattern and/or size. If you are inter…(80 words)
OKAKI-sun
I appreciate the thought, not the gift...
It never happened to you? Then throw me the first stone!In Japanese, there is a special word for that: Arigatai meiwaku. Litteraly, the "embarrassment that you have to thank for". The thing is, while being very much happy to know that I was part of your thought while you were abroad, I real…(284 words)
Claire
Golden Week in Japan?
Listen to the latest podcast where I speak with Japan Today editor Chris Betros, Kelly Wetherille, editor in chief for Savvy Tokyo, and Steve Kim, founder of the Cinco De Mayo Festival being held in Tokyo and Osaka to hear about some fun things to do during Golden Week. Here are some examples!S…(154 words)
Kong
"ip.horn" iPhone Speaker
The ip.horn speaker is an extremely rare item, currently sold only at a number of events in held in Japan. The manufacturer prefers to remain anonymous, because the craftsmen make the ip.horn in their spare time, outside of regular company business. Nonetheless, the company, which makes wood prod…(550 words)
mikekato
The Plum Season!
June and July is the season of the "plum rain" in Japan. The start of the season is much expected and advertised by the weather report. The plum rain front has reached Okinawa... they say with a very dark voice. And suddenly, it pours cats and dogs in Tokyo. There is no plum-rain in Hokkaido. W…(646 words)
Claire
Showa in Heisei
In Nishiogi, one can find many quaint shops, whether for food, books, antiques, or a small gift for a good friend. Unlike the contemporary boutiques of nearby Kichijoji, where the students from the many women's colleges nearby flock and shop, Nishiogi is where the women "in the know" tend to hang …(471 words)
mikekato
Bookworm's Paradise
There's no shortage of big bookstores in Tokyo. There is, of course, the Kinokuniya Books in Shinjuku, as well as Junkudo, and Parco Books, as well as the Aoyama Book Store. All of these stores have their merits, but they carry only new books. But just like there is something important you l…(604 words)
mikekato
Bouncy Skirts the Newest Tokyo Fashion Trend
And, as for fashion, how about these new bouncy-wouncy skirts I spotted in the display window at Issey Miyake in Omotesando?!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShCPRlwQeYQ&feature=youtu.beIt is as if your skirt or blouse was on a trampoline! We understand that Issey Miyake is all about the move…(185 words)
Kong
Shoes Fit for a King
I like shoes. Not enough to have 3000 pairs, like the wife of a former Asian dictator, but I think good shoes are a very important thing. A good pair of shoes keeps our feet on the ground, after all.Atsushi Inoue is a Shoe Creator. Not just any shoemaker. His shoes are, no doubt, a mixture …(294 words)
mikekato
What Japan is proud of - Craftsmanship! : Japanese Watches
I had an opportunity to visit the Museum and as a SEIKO watch fan, had a very good time there. Here is the highlights of the Exhibit for those who cannot make it here. Those who visit Tokyo and have time, I highly recommend to visit this place. Note also that it is close to other popular tourist…(188 words)
KIH
Tourist Tip #3 (Revisited): Stay Away from Souvenir Shops
In one of my previous "Tourist Tip" posts, I suggested staying away from conventional tourist-trap omiyageya (souvenir shops) and visiting instead some of the cooler places where there's more to shop for at better deals:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3317There are many such places to visit. Som…(171 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Flee markets: an alternative to shop souvenirs
There are so many things you can bring back home as souvenir from Japan that sometimes, choice and possibilities are overwhelming. It's so difficult to decide which souvenir will please the best to who...And, everyone does not always enjoy "shopping" per se. So you rush to some kind of souvenir…(476 words)
Claire
Souvenir ideas for your home
As a college student, when I return to Japan, I look for things that are Japanesque and remind me of home. This summer, I bought room-decoration items that have brightened up my room. These are some of my tips on where to buy Japanese souvenirs to add that Japanese-touch to your home. 1. Go to …(175 words)
RieS
Well-Measured Success
It wasn't so long ago that most staple products were purchased in Japan in bulk. The grocer, dry goods shop, or other shopkeeper had a scale, upon which he measured any amount that his customer wanted to purchase. The item would be put into a container, usually one that the customer brought to th…(689 words)
mikekato
Japan's Expanded "Tax Free" system for tourists
If you are coming to Japan on a tourist visa (or if the stamp in your passport says "temporary visitor") and in Japan less than six months, you can take advantage of Japan’s tax free system. Save 8% on Everything from electronics, alcohol, clothes, and more. Just for tourists.Currently, Japan h…(490 words)
Peter
Cutting edges: souvernirs that look like they are out of Kill Bill
You have seen the sword of Uma Thruman in Kill Bill. It is made by an old blacksmith known by only a few privileged and who does not accept to create a sword for anybody unless they are heaven-gifted creatures... Even if you are not Uma Thruman, you can get yourself a piece of that art!If y…(366 words)
Claire
Inspiration for Valentine Day !
If you want your Valentine to be really happy with your present, here are some ideas for you from Romantic Japan.Tokyo top 10 of the best presents ever for 2015. The keyword is: let's share and enjoy the present together!10. Life is a box of chocolate. Of course, you can enjoy chocolate t…(352 words)
Claire
Bunbogu Cafe has the Best Japanese Stationery to Make a Travel Journal
Bunbougu （文房具） is the Japanese word for stationery and it includes all kinds of items that you might use for writing, drawing, or paper crafts. In Tokyo Omotesando, you can find a selection of the best stationery from Japan at the Bunbougu Cafe. It is a stationery store and cafe combined. Pi…(251 words)
David
Buying a Used or New Car in Tokyo japan
When arriving in Tokyo or other areas of japan you may be wanting to buy a used car. Be ready for the advertised price not to be the final price. Depending on the length of registration, taxes, dealer fees etc there could be as much as 400,000 yen extra on top of the listed price to get the car …(246 words)
Mick Lay
Stranded in Japan without shoes?
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons the global average shoe size for an adult male is US size 9 - 12. As hard as it may be to believe the largest size footwear carried for men in most Japanese shoe stores is a mere 28 cm (around US size 8 1/2, EU size 43), and even if you are l…(206 words)
Aron
Custom Order Event for Pocket Tool with Genuine Urushi Edomoji
Victorinox Japan Inc. (headquartered in Minato-ku Tokyo; Representative Executive Officer: Mamiko Tanaka) will hold the “Custom Order Event for Swiss Army Knives with Genuine Urushi Edomoji” for two days on Friday and Saturday, August 28 & 29 at the Victorinox Store Ginza. The event will feature Un…(263 words)
TOMOKO
ISETAN Department Store with an abundant line-up of products and unparalleled customer service
There are a number of major department stores in Shinjuku area, Tokyo, offering a wide variety of shopping locales for international visitors. Located next to Shinjuku 3-Chome subway Station, ISETAN is a veteran among Shinjuku's department stores and they focus on high-quality, unique items especia…(578 words)
Aom
Enjoy shopping Japanese products everywhere !
Have you ever experienced the following situations about Japanese products? “After I visited Japan and bought some Japanese products, I want to buy them again in your country… “ “I wanted to buy Japanese product but you could not find in your country…” “I got Japanese souvenir…(636 words)
R2C8
recommended Daiso
Daiso is the most popular 100yen shop in Tokyo.The largest Daiso shop is in Kinshicho town near Tokyo Sky Tree.The shop in Harajuku town is also recommendable with wide variety of products.(34 words)
ko
Kawaii female fashion
In the fashion world, Tokyo is now one of the hottest cities especially for youth or street fashion. As the keyward of "kawaii" is getting known in the world, Tokyo has been always transmitting new style of fashion to the world. "Marui One" is the female fashion department store where you can get…(62 words)
ko
Hakuhinkan toy park
I recommend Hakuhinkan Toy Park in GInza, which many pop stars like Michael Jackson visited for shopping.http://www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/guide_en.html(25 words)
ko
There's something special about the Disney stores in Japan
There is something about the Disney stores in Japan that make you think as though you’re really in Disneyland. The workers are so ebullient and the atmosphere is magical. What makes the experience at the Disney stores better are the products that they have, which you cannot find anywhere else in th…(106 words)
RieS
Spend a day at the Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside!
Our favorite family shopping spot is the Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama Bayside, which is about an hour away from Tokyo. Here, there are stores of all varieties, from sports goods to fancy clothes to delicious food. Although it can get crowded during the weekend, the atmosphere is great with the famil…(106 words)
RieS
A sign of politeness, kindness and gratitude
From when Japanese children are young, they learn the importance of buying souvenirs for their family and friends if they travel or visit somewhere not in the vicinity. At the beginning, the children buy souvenirs just for fun, but they gradually find out that it is a sign of politeness, kindness a…(59 words)
RieS
Go to Daiso for low-cost solutions!
The most common and popular 100yen store in Japan is Daiso. They are usually placed close to a train station or in malls and therefore are easily accessible. Although I go to Daiso for stationery goods such as notebooks, binders, folders and erasers, there is so much more available, from food to gl…(100 words)
RieS
A coin-operated vending machine with collectors' items!
“Gacha Gachas” are coin-operated vending machines with capsules containing items from manga, anime and other popular icons – these may be key-chains, cellphone straps or a figure. They remind me of the bubblegum machines in the USA, since people insert coins, turn the crank and out comes a capsule.…(104 words)
RieS
Must take a purikura!
In Japan, there is a big arcade culture, perhaps because of the variety of machines from Mario Kart to air hockey to UFO catchers. However, my favorite destination is the purikura or the print club machines. This is a machine in which you go in, take photos of yourself with different poses and back…(164 words)
RieS
A present full of surprises
During the first few days of January, there is a big shopping spree in which many people buy big “Lucky” bags filled with products from that store. Although the contents of the bag are unknown, people buy it because the contents are said to be worth more than the selling price. It’s thrilling to…(91 words)
RieS
Keep the store clean and stay polite!
An aspect I am always surprised by when shopping in Japan is that the stores are always impeccably clean! What I learned through experience is that the shoppers themselves leave the shops clean by folding the clothes or not picking up the clothes unless they like it. Also, it is a Japanese custo…(120 words)
RieS
A store for things you may need on the train
The kiosk is usually a small stall in the middle of the train platform, which sells goods that you may need on a train ride. Common things are drinks, snacks (candy, cookies, gum, etc.), magazines and newspapers. They also sell other small commodities such as masks, tissues and band-aids.(49 words)
RieS
The Three P's
Japanese hair salons are known for great service and outcomes. However, to make your experience successful, there are three P’s you should keep in mind: Pictures, phrases and price. Pictures. It is always a good idea to have a picture of what you want your hair to look like using pictures on a p…(218 words)
RieS
Nintendo 3DS XL!
One of the most popular toys in Japan is the Nintendo 3DS XL, which is the newest Nintendo machine. Children often get these and/or their cassettes for their birthday or Christmas presents. One of the most popular games are Super Mario, Pokemon and Minna no Mori. This game is so popular among child…(73 words)
RieS
A super store!
It is important to know that a convenience store isn’t just a place to buy drinks, food, masks, stationery, magazines and other everyday products. It has developed to the extent in which you can send domestic mail, have your suit dry cleaned, photocopy, fax and scan and purchase bus, concert and sp…(96 words)
RieS
A MEGA store for anything you need
Don Quixote is one of the best discount stores in Japan and are present all over the country. If you’re looking for anything for low prices, this would be the first place to look! They sell everything that anyone can look for: bicycles, electronics, clothes, costumes, food, suitcases, etc. They hav…(140 words)
RieS