KIH's Advice List - DeepJapan

KIH Japan 30 years in Japan

Having been abroad for 17 years and came back in 2010, as alien as foreigners and trying to catch up! Left a big bank after 20+ years and now work independently (1) to help overseas brands and companies to enter Japanese market, (2) Japanese companies to go overseas, and (3) total management advisory from financing to risk management and (4) help companies and people truly globalize, etc....

AND most of all, I like to help others in work or on the street! I just can't help helping foreign tourists who look at a loss anywhere. Just want them to enjoy this country.

<Work>
http://www.kihpartners.com
http://jb-c.org

<Hobby>
Photography:
www.kih.me

.. and one of the moderators of:
http://www.watchprosite.com
Deep in high-end watches and luxury goods community...

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Gran Class is fabulous even for Japanese!

Gran Class is only on Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen. Each train has only 18 seats of Gran Class.Let me put it this way.Normal Reserved Seat - Coach ClassGreen Car - Business ClassGran Class - First ClassAs mentioned, there are only limited number of seats of this class on…(239 words)

KIH

Shinkansen Bullet Train Train Kyoto Ticket Eat Traditional Urushi Lacquer Ware

Hanami, Yakata-bune, and don't be selfish!

As with last few years, we (our ever so shrinking family) reserved the Yakatabune to do the annual Hanami. There must be lots of posts about Yakatabune or Yakata-bune or Hanami on this site.Basically, the boat is equipped with Tatami (but you can throw your legs down, so no worry there) and wo…(557 words)

KIH

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Cherry blossom Bus Cuisine Wine Cherry Yakatabune

How Japanese spend New Year's Day lately....

Well, you may be a bit disappointed. But these days, more and more family stay away from home for the New Year's days. As you may know, New Year's Days is much more important than Christmas (or Hanuka or whatever you call "happy holiday") holiday season. Everybody takes at least these three-day …(397 words)

KIH

New year Hotel Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Soba noodles Stay

Yakatabune Harbor in Tokyo - One of the most convenient and comprehensive "harbors" in Tokyo

Firework, Cherry Blossom, just Lunch or Dinner, etc.... Yakatabune is very attractive play spot (?) nowadays.Tokyo is, more than you may imagine, harbor city and water front city as well (like Manhattan) and Yakatabune harbor is conveniently located near Shinagawa (the first stop - 5 min. - of…(213 words)

KIH

Tokyo Yakatabune Train Cherry blossom River Tempura Dinner

What Japan is proud of - Craftsmanship! : Japanese Watches III

Founded in 1881 (2011 was its 130th Anniversary) by Kintaro Hattori - first, as clock repair shop, then start making its own clocks. Set up its manufacturing factory (Seikosha). Went on to the watches by establishing Daini (second) Seikosha.... "Seiko" means, again, "precision" or "precision man…(656 words)

KIH

Watches Museum History English SEIKO

What Japan is proud of - Craftsmanship! : Japanese Watches II

Part 1 - Evolution of the "Timepieces"1st Floor mainly focuses on the evolution of the timepieces.(1) The Start of Time MeasurementEquatorial Sundial made in Qing Dynasty, China (see photo)Chomon points the Polaris, and it casts the shadow on the dial parallel to the equator. Hour ma…(527 words)

KIH

Watches Spring Museum Sport History Camera Edo Period SEIKO

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

Watches Tokyo Visit Asakusa Museum SEIKO

Toilet Flush....

Here are the "buttons" you see in the relatively modern buildings - rest rooms for the public.What is the difference?On the left - you have to "press" the button to flush.On the right - you just have to put your hand "close" to the panel.Right hand side is more common in the newer bui…(155 words)

KIH

Toilet flush

Kabuki - True Japanese Traditional Entertainment!

Perhaps I may be minority here, but many Japanese people have never seen Kabuki or Sumo live. Until today, I couldn't care less, honestly.But, boy was I wrong! I went to the latest one at Meiji-za (not Kabuki-za) with my mother where Ichikawa Somegoro did a very interesting and entertaining p…(228 words)

KIH

Entertainment Kabuki Ticket English Play Live Guide

For next year Mother's Day or GW or Whatever....

I know I have posted about "Cruise lunch" before, but I just took my mother and sister on Mother's day to one and once again (this time the ship is bigger than the last one) it was a blast. My mother loved it and I am sure you will love it, too.These cruise lunch or dinner can be used for many…(135 words)

KIH

Tokyo English Lunch Dinner Cruise Tokyo Bay Fireworks

My most favorite SUSHI place....

As promised, this is to introduce my most favorite Sushi place. Sushi Yoshi is the name. Yoshi-san is very young, but doing a great job. What I like most here is "shari" (or "rice") under the "neta" (or "fish"). Not too soft, not too hard, just right. Believe or not, that makes a HUGE differen…(143 words)

KIH

Sushi Tokyo Drink English Lunch Dinner Nihonbashi

Sushi Jiro....

I have eaten there once. It was very hard to make reservation I heard from the friend who did for us.Inside is not as lively as you would expect from the most of Sushi place. There is not much to choose from menu - just "Omakase" meaning you don't have a choice. I always ask for "Omakase" be…(312 words)

KIH

Sushi Eel

Hanami - another way to enjoy (for the next year)

Belatedly, let me introduce another way to enjoy cherry blossoms - please take this FYI for the next year :-)Yakata-Bune is the traditionally shaped smallish boat to go up and down the river. There are a few boat operators in Tokyo and one of them is in the canal near Shinagawa station. It ha…(170 words)

KIH

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Asakusa Cherry blossom River Lunch view Cruise Yakatabune

Etiquette on the train/ subway and public places...

As you may know, Japan is the country of courtesy and helping each other as well as trying not to bother others. Well, used to be, at least. These days, I find that it is becoming the "lost art", sadly. Nonetheless, I would like foreign tourists and visitors to know and understand Japanese way t…(537 words)

KIH

Train Etiquette Subway Bus Transportation Cafe Phone Priority Seat

Tokyo bay cruise

If you are Tokyo tour proficient, you must know the name "Hato Bus". Well, Hato Bus is not only a tour bus company but also owns cruise company. You can enjoy nice lunch or dinner on the Tokyo bay cruise together with buy tour to other places. I went with family for Christmas lunch and it wa…(123 words)

KIH

Tokyo Cruise Tokyo Bay Bus Christmas English Lunch Dinner view