Advice about Souvenir
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Tokyo Skytree Winter Illumination & Events
Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Solamachi are illuminated beautifully in the winter. Tall Skytree itself shines every evening of the year in changing colors and now the big Solamachi shopping mall at its base is also sparkling with lights and decorations.I took a walk around Solamachi to see the Tokyo …(450 words)
David
Japanese Fish Markets
As Japan is surrounded by ocean, we have a lot of famous fish markets with fresh fish. Usually such markets have a couple of restaurants inside the market and they serve great fish dishes. I recommend you to check out local fish markets and include one of them in your sightseeing itinerary!(52 words)
OKAKI-sun
Exploring Western Architecture in Kitano
For a recent meeting, I had the privilege of heading out to Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture and spending the day in Kitano. Kitano is a city known for its historic Western-style homes, many of which were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the Port of Kobe opened up the region to greater …(226 words)
Petra
Dont Forget to Manga-fy Yourself at Purikura! (part 2)
What would it be like to be a fairy princess? What would it be like to have that little pointy chin, big eyes and pouty mouth? Ever since my PuriKura “print club” experience in Kumamoto, I now know exactly how, at least, I would look.Found in almost any game center or resort (ski, hot spring, e…(607 words)
How to Plan a One-Day Shopping Tour in Japan, From Haneda Airport
Yokohama Shopping Day with Lunch and Dinner, Various Options from Fancy Japanese Department Stores to Popular Local Discount Shops!If you have only one day available for shopping, how can you spend a day most efficiently? Would you love to enjoy shopping experience in Japan such as fancy famous…(480 words)
Eddie
Hakuhinkan ginza shop, vstone robot shop are good places to collect souvenirs for kids
Hakuhinkan Ginza - http://www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/guide_en.html is a place to visit for sure. Here you can find lots of toys, puzzles, gadgets from Japan that will surely be liked by kids from any country. Its an awesome place. Vstone - kids robots building place - http://www.vstone.co.jp/english/…(121 words)
suku
100 Yen Shop as Souvenir Shop
I recommend you to go shopping at 100 yen shop "Hyakuen Shop" which sell at basically 100 yen a wide range of products such as tableware, kitchenwares, toys, gardenwares, stationaries, household goods, leisure goods etc. You may find a small nice item for your friends and family as souvenirs. Ther…(70 words)
kurukurugurume
Kabukiza - don't worry about the language barrier!
Watching a Kabuki performance is an excellent experience. At Kabukiza (a Kabuki theater in Ginza), you will be able to enjoy old-Japanese theater in a newly renovated and modern building! As Kabuki performances can be very popular, I recommend you to purchase a ticket online, so that you can secure…(223 words)
RieS
Village Vanguard
Village Vanguard is a cool chain of trinket shops in Tokyo, as well as other areas of Japan. They sell everything from plastic models, to squirtguns, to snacks. And there is also a lot of books. One thing that is pretty popular in Japan among young people is elaborate keychain set ups.Chain wal…(129 words)
KurtisW
Odaiba
I recommend a venture to Odaiba, a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay. To Odaiba, you can take the underground trains (Rinkai line) connecting to the JR lines or the Yurikamome line.The Yurikamome (meaning seagull) is a monorail that gives you a fantastic tour around the bay, which is one of …(222 words)
EmiOnishi
Give them the Gift of Language
While toys and trinkets are fine gifts for children, consider buying your child a book about learning Japanese. Many of these can come in the form of picture books that teach them simple vocabulary, such as counting in Japanese or how to say their favorite toys in Japanese. If they become intereste…(133 words)
KurtisW
What is a good souvenir for children?
Big soft toys! Japan has tons of soft toys that come in many shapes and cute characters. I would recommend you to visit one of the game centers and try out their UFO catchers. In some places like Round One, Namco etc, you can ask the staff how to efficiently win it or place it where you can easily …(78 words)
lucaslim
Tokyo-Ga
As the others have mentioned, Kappabashi is the mecca for plastic pickings. For more background info, I recommend watching the 1985 film Tokyo-Ga by Wim Wenders. It's fascinating and wonderful documentary on Tokyo and includes a tour of one of the replica food factories. FYI, he also tours a …(108 words)
Emmie
Go out in Yukata!
I would recommend to enjoy Hanabi (fireworks), popular summer event in Japan. Since you wish to enjoy Japanese summer style, find a nice “yukata” for yourself to truly enjoy Japanese summer! Don’t forget to enjoy some “Kakigori” (shaved ice), “Ramune” juice(lemon pop juice) and “Watagashi”(cotton c…(73 words)
OKAKI-sun
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)
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)
UFO madness
You've seen the "crane games" the UFO catchers before I'm sure. As I remember when I was young at amusement parks and arcades and such, I would see stuffed animals and candy and try tirelessly to get what I wanted.Japan has taken the "UFO catcher" addiction to new heights with dedicated areas i…(202 words)
KurtisW
"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
Yatsuhashi
If you get a chance to visit Kyoto, you can find Yatsuhashi here and there at almost every souvenir shops. It is one of the best known regional products of Kyoto. Growing up in Kansai, there was a time I got actually a bit tired of this too popular sweets as a kid, but now I sometimes feel like…(134 words)
EmiOnishi
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
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
~ Picasso and Henry Moore ~ Inside and Out ~ Outside In ~
Turn left when you get off the train and with a little walking you'll see the Ticket Office. Different priced tickets for the members of your family, depending on how many days and years you have been wandering around this planet where sometimes you can get a sense of normality. You're not going to…(561 words)
Andrew Grimes
You Salty Dog You!
Salt. Salt of the earth. Pillars of salt. Earn your daily salt. Take it with a grain of salt.If you visit Shioya (Salt Store) in Azabu Juban you can get all the grains of salt you'll ever need, and then some.Opened just a few months ago Shioya does a booming business in all things salt or …(203 words)
Joe Peters
Local Secret: Kappabashi
A 15 minute walk down 'Butsudan Road' (where all the Buddhist altar companies have their showrooms) from Ueno station lies Kappabashi, a street full of restaurant goods. These range from awesome crockery to individual taiyaki (fish-shaped cake) forms, and of course the amazing plastic food you…(167 words)
Chiara
Nakamise, the main street of Asakusa between Kaminarimon and Hozomon
There are about 90 shops here in Nakamise. You can find Japanese traditional crafts, Kimonos, Japanese dolls, Ukiyoe, tenugui (Japanese towels) and chopsticks as well as Ningyoyaki (sponge cake), Osenbei (rice crackers), Japanese sweets and shaved ice. At Funawa, cold Matcha drink and sweet potato …(144 words)
Keiko, OTT
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
Japanese-style depachika food courts
Japan has the most elegant restaurants as well as vending machines and convenient stores selling snacks and beverages on seemingly every corner. Somewhere in the middle on the gourmet scale are the food courts of the big department stores. Usually they are located in the department store basement a…(314 words)
David
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
Japanese sweets : “Habutae-mochi”
When you visit Fukui prefecture, I would like to recommend its famous sweets “Habutae-mochi” for souvenir. They are made of glutinous rice and have a very smooth texture. The name comes from how it look so fine and beautiful like silk fabrics. It is most agreeable to the taste!(49 words)
OKAKI-sun
The Birthplace of Yumeji
Do you know Yumeji Takehisa? Even if you don’t know the name you are probably familiar with the work of this artist from the early 20th century. Sometimes referred to as Japan’s Toulouse Lautrec, Yumeji was active during the Belle Epoque of the Taisho era during which the nation lived in relative p…(315 words)
Kenji
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
Magical Cat Bus Ride to the Airport (3 of 3)
So now you know what YCAT is and why you should use them. http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4007You even know how to! http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4008Now we’ll look at a few things you can do while you’re waiting for your bus to leave the YCAT station.YCAT has three separate lobbies. Number…(434 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Take in the Mountains, Hot Springs at the Palace Hotel Hakone
When my sister and her family visited last year, we decided to crowds and commotion of central Tokyo for a night and enjoy a bit of nature. We chose to stay at the Palace Hotel Hakone for its beautiful scenery and onsen, or hot springs.Situated in the Sengoku-hara Highlands, the hotel is only a sho…(319 words)
Petra
Kagoshima, Japan: Mysterious forests of Yakushima, exciting taste experiences
"Get the latest updates here on Deep Japan as we collaborate with Tokyo Broadcasting System(TBS) Television, JNN(Japan News Network/TBS nation wide affiliates)'s seven-station network across Japan and Vietnam's VTV station to bring the people in Vietnam informative and fun reports from the fantasti…(642 words)
sarajean
The romantic side of Kusatsu
Kusatsu is a great town for any visitor and the hot springs are outstanding. But what many miss is the romantic charm. The strolling, laid back nature of the town brings with it quality time with your loved ones. Yubatake (hot-water field) is perfect for romantic holiday photographs during the …(525 words)
AndrewShuttleworth
Japanese sweets
Wagashi“Take a taste of a typical Japanese sweet called "Wagashi" ... The Wagashi sweets are a beautiful art form as well. Just like cakes and patisserie are an art in Europe, Wagashi is molded into lovely shapes and colors with just the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the fresh bitterne…(391 words)
DeepJapan
How to spend one day in east Tokyo, for first-time visitors to Japan
Senso-ji Temple: Make your visit special by putting on a Kimono“Kimono is usually made of silk or hemp, beautifully dyed or embroidered. Yukata is made of cotton, the Kimono for summer. Most of Ryokan (Japanese hotels) prepare Yukata in each room as a sleepwear, but you can get out with Yukata …(553 words)
DeepJapan
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
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
Oedo Antique Market
I love going to the outdoor Oedo Antique Market at the Tokyo International Forum. It's open on the first and third Sunday of every month. You can find many different items like traditional Japanese clothing and shoes, antique Japanese armor, art, toys, collectibles, jewelry, and other treasures. Th…(65 words)
HillaryB