When Shopping in Japan Live as the Japanese Do
Shopping in Japan can be a dream. The stores are beautiful and the shopkeepers are very civilized and unaggressive. One thing to remember is that when the staff say "Irashaimase" it basically means welcome and is a set phrase at every establishment. They are just welcoming you and not being pushy i…(113 words)
Shopping
Japan
Shoes
Etiquette
Phrase
Clothes
Japan's the Best Place for Cute Tiny Gifts
Look closely at the little knick knacks in the various shops along a street or shopping arcade in Japan and you will be amazed by the ingenuity that goes in to one little item and how it can grace the home with a bit of sweetness and be useful at the same time. I believe Japan has kind of mastered …(166 words)
Shopping
Japan
Art
Coffee
Souvenir
Milk
Arcade
Looking for cool second-hand clothes? Visit Shimokitazawa!
Hello! Its Mido :)In Japan, there are many second-hand apparel shops. As you have seen, girls & boys in Tokyo are very on-time fashioned, with high-end brands. So, when the season is off, you will most probably be able to find them at a second-hand shops or flea markets.You will be able to f…(101 words)
Mido
Tokyo Shoes
medal games for adults purely for fun
one can enjoy or kill time at game centers. There are many type of gaming machines for all kind of age. you have to purchase some medals to play the machines, and it is not exchangable for cash, but you create an account and keep it, valid for 2-3 months in the game center until your next visit. On…(65 words)
lucaslim
Game Amusement arcade
HOTEL OKURA TOKYO BOOK STORE
There is a nice small book shop in Hotel Okura Tokyo. The nearest train station is Kamiyacho of Hibiya Line Metro. I am sorry they do not have much books for all fields; however, If you would like to know Japan and Japanese culture, they have a lot of beautiful and interesting books. Afete…(74 words)
Suetsumuhana
Tokyo Train Shopping Hotel Train station
Special Fairs and Shops to Check Out in Japan
Yesterday, we went to see a movie at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Theatre and were happily surprised with the Akita Bisaikan specialty shop right across from the entrance. You can try different produce from this beautiful prefecture, buy rice samples and taste the lovely Amazake of the area. It was r…(185 words)
Hotel
Akita
Shop
Tokyo
Movie
Theatre
"Face Roller"
"Face Roller" is pretty famous in Japan. I have seen JK, high school girls, sending face roller as a birthday present. Their prices are reasonable and have a lot of kind so it is fun to chose and try. You can find them in 100yen shop. It seems that "Kogao(small face) Roller" is the most popular one.(58 words)
Kim-san
Deep Harajuku Feature
It's been covered on this site and many otehrs, but Harajuku is the absolute number one area for the typical Japanese fashion scene. Although mostly pertaining to girls' fashion, stylish menswear is also abundant.This site provides some fantastic first-hand, up-close and personal features of th…(78 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Harajuku Fashion
Beauty rollers are popular
There are various types (size and material) of beauty rollers to massage and stimulate your skin in Japan but my best recommendation is this one; Refa CARAT.You can use the roller all over your body from face to toe, and even in the bath!This one is larger compared to other products so it's b…(93 words)
Akko
Beauty Camera Bic Camera
Perhaps it's not in the product
With in Japan there are certain areas where people relatively live longer then other places.Many cases they don't use front line cosmetics nor go to the doctor every other day.They still drink. So what's the trick?!Well it was in their diet, and life style.They don't crave for fas…(104 words)
Yuuki I
Drink Miso Miso soup Fast food Umeboshi Cosmetics
Preforated style stationary....
Recently, I was given a summer gift that was a stationary set, preforated alloing you to write a short note or carry on several pages and end it where you liked! So neat..company that makes this is "HAIBARA" and offered in many themes.(44 words)
AmyH
Summer
Think green tea
In Japan, people eat and drink things daily that promote longevity and anti-aging as a matter of fact. For example, green tea not only tastes great hot or cold but has a ton of anti-oxidants.Soy bean products are also known to keep you young and healthy. Soy milk, tofu and natto (fermented soy …(65 words)
Kenji
Drink Tea Green tea Milk Tofu (Soy bean curd) Natto (Fermented soy beans)
Aritsugu - famous "Hocho" (cooking knives) brand
"Aritsugu" is one of the famous Hocho brand in Japan. They have shops at two locations - Kyoto and Tsukiji(Tokyo). Tsukiji's one is set up by Kyoto Aritsugu. I found the below video clip from YouTube which can tell you the atmosphere of the Kyoto Aritsugu shop. They are located in Nishiki Marke…(110 words)
EmiOnishi
Tokyo Kyoto Tsukiji
Are there any special events for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in Japan?
Yes and No. Halloween, for commercial reasons, has become "popular" among Japnese people, but they don't really know what to do or even when it is! Even at supermarkets or 100-yen stores, you can find many kinds of Halloween ornaments, but unless you go to Roppongi or some place where many foreig…(233 words)
TinaT
Thanksgiving Tokyo Roppongi Osaka Manga Izakaya Anime Karaage (Fried chicken) Shinbashi Strawberry Kobe Labor Thanksgiving Day
The Cutest Cartoon Character in Japan, Funasshii
My daughter and I love the character representing Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture named "Funasshii". Recently the characters or mascots from different areas of Japan are on TV a lot and there is actually a Sumo contest on TV between these adorable and playful characters. Each of them has a perso…(225 words)
Japan
cartoon
City
Souvenir
Chiba
Sumo
Camera
Kids
where to buy unique stationary
I personally recommend you to visit "Tokyu Hands" and "LOFT" in Shibuya area to buy unique stationary. http://www.loft.co.jp/shoplist/shibuya(24 words)
shinR
Shibuya
There is interesting mechanical pencil with Japanese technology.
I would like to introduce this product called Kurutoga, made by the Mitsubishi Pencil Company. Using the latest technology, this is a unique writing instrument that features an automatic self-sharpening lead tip that works as you write.Would you try it??You can find any stationery store.(47 words)
SwainJ
Stationery
Tokyu Store
And yes that's Tokyu, not Tokyo. The Tokyu is a train corporation which extends itself to many different economic areas, such as grocery stores and real estate.The Tokyu store is a high quality grocery store, but not entirely limited to expensive items. It is a typical store with all the regula…(145 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Train Soy sauce Beer Wine
A Few International Supermarkets and other places to shop
There are a few international supermarkets located around Tokyo. Some of the better known markets are:1. National Azabu, located close to Hiroo subway station (Hibiya Line). See the website: http://www.national-azabu.com/e_index2.php2. Meiji-ya (Meida-ya) has a few locations around Tokyo an…(393 words)
Joe Peters
Tokyo Train Shopping Convenience store Coffee Wine Subway Flower Isetan Japanese style shopping arcade
The most popular is to not expose your skin to the sun.
For this, Japanese women recommend:- UV sunscreen (face and arms), with a protection 50++ - gloves that go up to the shoulder, even if it feels very hot- sunshade umbrella- stockings and UV cut material based clothes are a mustWell, sun and light are good for generating vitamin D natura…(102 words)
Claire
Umbrella
Ame Yoko Cho
Ame Yoko Cho is the name of a shopping district located between Ueno and Okachimachi Stations. It's name is a Japanese acronym which has two meanings. The original name is said to mean Candy Store Alley, because the area had many candy and snack stores. The area still has some stores that sell c…(269 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Shopping Harajuku Ueno Fruits Shoes Akihabara Fast food Otaku Jewelry Cosmetics
109: ichi maru kyuu
The mecca for fashionista is 109, a round shaped building in Shibuya. This is the ultimate fashionista experience!The sales-Gyaru that you meet there are in fact seasoned businesswomen that are experiencing the fashion that they create, selling them with a lot of tact and fun, and they also…(103 words)
Claire
Building Shibuya Fashion
"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
Furoshiki Souvenir Harajuku Fashion
Umbrella and Japan: a love affair
Japanese people have a gift to feel when it is going to rain. As soon as the first rain drop drops, they all get their umbrella open. I come from Belgium. In Belgium, it rains a lot, and often. Rain has many feelings: cold, big drops, small drops, a wall of rain, ... Nevertheless, nobody has um…(405 words)
Claire
Umbrella Shopping Convenience store Department store Souvenir Bus
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
Ginza Airport Souvenir Mountain Nature Kabuki
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
Golden Week Flea Market Makuhari Messe Kite Flying Japan Golden Week Activities Amazing Spider Man Japan Kamasami Kong The Kong Show
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
Tera (Temple) Umbrella
Chubby Guys With Blank Eyes
At the shrines, and in many shops, you’ll see these roly-poly dolls with blank eyes (if they are for sale) or one eye painted black (if they are on display and owned by the shop).These rotund dolls are known as Daruma (Dharma) and are modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Bu…(295 words)
Joe Peters
Daruma Souvenir Lucky
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
Tokyo Nishiogi stationary Showa Era
Tourist Tip #1: Invest in a Suica or Pasmo IC Card
The Suica and Pasmo IC cards are e-money cards that can be used in a variety of ways. The two most practical: riding public transportation and shopping. The cards are accepted at an impressive number of locations, including convenience stores, coffee shops, coin lockers, vending machines, and many …(226 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Suica Pasmo Tourist Tip Train Shopping Train station English Transportation Live
Shopping for little ones while in Japan
While in Japan, why not stop in one of the numerous shopping malls and find some Japan fashions for your kids? Motherways www.motherways.com is one of the most popular stores for parents to buy great fashionable clothes for children from toddlers through to 12 years old. Most clothes can be found…(135 words)
Kevin
Shopping Children Kids English Food Clothes
Shopping in Kyushu
Yufuin （湯布院） is one of the main tourist attractions of Kyushu. It is in Oita prefecture, which is famous for its hot springs. If you are looking for traditional Japanese goods, cute souvenirs or delicious food, this is the place to go!Yufuin is a small area (similar to Komachi-dori in Kamaku…(116 words)
RieS
Shopping Kyushu Souvenir Visit Tea Soy sauce Food Kamakura Mochi (Rice cake) Jewelry
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
Souvenir Tourist Tip Stay Visit Shop Yokohama Shopping Beer
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
Souvenir room decoration Summer Art Kyushu stationary Tenugui (Japanese towel)
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
Souvenir Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Traditional
Quality Jewlery- Nozomi Project
If you are looking for beautiful gifts that can also help in the rebuilding of a broken community in Japan, the Nozomi project is a great place to shop.The Nozomi project is based in Ishinomaki, Tohoku. Nozomi means "Hope" which is perfect for this company as it helps rebuild the lives of peopl…(273 words)
jjwalsh
Shop Disaster Jewelry English History Business Holidays Christmas Traditional Work
2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN: shopping under the Yamanote line
There is a hidden street under the Yamanote line tracks near Ueno's Ameyoko Shotengai between Okachimachi and Akihabara. Follow the elevated JR train tracks to 2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN and you will find a quiet place filled with the best handcrafted Japanese goods.There are about 50 small stores and w…(155 words)
David
handmade Japanese style shopping arcade Ueno Shopping Souvenir Okachimachi Akihabara Train hidden spot
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
St. Valentine's day
Top Five Most Purchased OTC Drugs by Visitors in Japan
HealthyTokyo surveyed three drugstores at the bustling Tokyo International Airport*, also known as Haneda Airport, to discover the consumer purchasing preferences of foreign visitors to Japan.We assumed that visitors from Asian countries would have different preferences from those from the West…(128 words)
HealthyTokyo.com
Pharmacy OTC drugs Healthcare