Former Deep Japan Writer Advice List

Let's Go Swimming in Yokohama!

In my last post, I talked about swimming at Yokohama's International Swimming Pool: http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4437But, of course, there are plenty of other pools in Yokohama where you can go to beat the heat of summer. In fact, here's a link to a list of major indoor pools: http://www.city.yok…(83 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Swimming City Summer Pool International Entertainment

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #14

Summer time means trips to the beaches and swims in the ocean, but the Yokohama International Swimming Pool is open all year long. It's also one of the the biggest and most beautiful pool facilities in Japan, and is an internationally approved 50-meter swimming and diving pool. The Yokohama Int…(152 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Swimming Japan City Beaches Subway International Summer Winter

Best book-browsing, electronic-buying, time-killing spot in Tokyo

Tsutaya Electric store opened its doors on Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 in the Futako-Tamagawa Rise building. Dubbed as a "lifestyle shop", its layout gives a whole new experience to purchasing products such as mobiles, televisions and any other electronic devices. Oh yeah, and then there are books. An un…(142 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tokyo books Futako-Tamagawa Visit City Building Music Coffee Shop Tama River

Once Only Space and Survival Foods Now Convenience Store Snacks

According to a well-written article on the subject, "freeze-drying technology was originally developed for the production of medicine and is probably best-known among consumers for its use in instant coffee. But the concept of selling individual, freeze-dried blocks of food, from which a full meal …(316 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Convenience store Snacks Survival Japan Food Coffee Shop Miso Miso soup Freeze-dry

Experience the Edo Period at the Edo-Tokyo Museum

The Edo-Tokyo Museum was established in 1993, and remains one of Tokyo's most interesting musems, featuring the history of Tokyo during the Edo periodAmong its main permanent exhibition features are a life-size replica of the Nihonbashi, which was the bridge leading into Edo; the Nakamuraza the…(178 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tokyo Edo Period Museum Sumo

Another Easy and Affordable Way to Beat Tsuyu (the Rainy Season)

Two years ago I wrote about one of my favourite summer dishes: "Hiyashi Chuka" - chilled Chinese noodles. It's a summer staple in Japan because it's tasty, light, and refreshing - a perfect meal to beat the season's sultry summer heat: http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3324As soon as June starts, you …(229 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Rainy Season Chilled ramen noodles Food Convenience store Snacks Japan Restaurant Summer Ramen noodles Eat

Easy and Affordable Ways to Beat Tsuyu (the Rainy Season)

Tsuyu, the rainy season, is arguably one of Japan's lesser liked features. From late May to the end of July, people across Japan are treated to all manner of wet, from occasional sprinkles to intensive downpours. Add in the heat and humidity, and you can imagine how uncomfortable tsuyu can be.T…(253 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tsuyu Convenience store Rainy Season Shopping Gatsby Japan Stay Yen love

Making Art and Much More at ArtBar Tokyo

Imagine sitting with a paint brush in hand, palette full of colours in the other, sitting in front of a blank canvass. Sounds a bit intimidating, perhaps? Well, at ArtBar Tokyo, this is exactly what groups of people regularly do and have a blast doing it. I participated in my first ArtBar experienc…(397 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tokyo Art painting Sounds Shibuya Wine Exhibition Daikanyama Entertainment Bar

Sailing at Beautiful Zushi Beach with Tiwal Japan

Do you like the ocean? Do you like sailing? Or perhaps you've always wanted to but didn't know how? Well, I'm here to tell you about an exciting opportunity that will give you just that chance. Allow me to introduce you to the world of Tiwal.Tiwal 3.2 is the first high-performance inflatable mu…(736 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Zushi Beach Beaches Visit Sport Children Kids Fujisawa Hayama

Shopping Seasonal Japan - Limited Edition Products

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” ― Yoko OnoOne of the many things I love about Japan is its distinctive four seasons. You…(259 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Seasonal Souvenir Shopping Summer Spring Winter Nature Japanese Autumn

Harmony with Nature at Yokohama's Acclaimed Zoo

Zoorasia is one of Japan's newest, largest and best maintained zoos. Zoorasia was established in 1999, and has since been operating under the themes of "Symbiosis of Life" and "Harmony with Nature". The animals, which number some 400 animals and 68 different species, are generally kept in spacious …(261 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Zoo Visit Tokyo Japan City Restaurant Park Summer Museum

Hakone's Hidden Wonder: My Favourite Temple in Japan

Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is a breathtaking Buddhist temple that was built more than 615 years ago. Although it is still frequented by devout worshipers from all across Japan, it remains one of the less talked about magnificent places in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is probably due to the fact that Daiyuzan S…(247 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Tera (Temple) Visit Odawara Mountain Trip Beer Kanagawa Hiking Hakone

Exquisite French Fine Dining in Yokohama

Although I live in Yokohama, I avoided this restaurant for years thinking Queen Alice "had to be" overrated and overpriced. Created and owned by former Iron Chef, Yutaka Ishinabe, why else wouldn't I?But last night I took my girlfriend there for our three-year anniversary, and had a wonderful, …(244 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Dining Restaurant Fine Dining Japan Visit Food Dinner Dessert French cuisine

Japan's First and Oldest Greek Restaurant

Sparta, located in Yoshidamachi, Yokohama, is Japan's first and oldest Greek restaurant - and quite arguably one of the country's best. Founded by Elias Skantos in 1953, it's now run by his disciple, chef Akutsu Yasuyuki, and his wife Yoko. Together, the two travel to Greece yearly to update their …(348 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Restaurant Greek Yokohama Japan Food Drink Beer Coffee Sake (Rice wine) Cuisine

Traditional Japanese Snacks Yokohama Style

When you think of traditional Japanese snacks, senbei (rice crackers) surely comes to mind. But have you heard of "arare"? Arare are bite-sized Japanese crackers made - like their senbei cousins - from glutinous rice and flavored with soy sauce. The size and shapes are what distinguish arare from s…(300 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Japanese Beer Soy sauce Traditional Mochi (Rice cake) Yen Beef Snacks Eat

Vegetarian Food and Local Beer at Beach Muffin in Zushi

Zushi, along the Shonan coast, is well known for its relaxed, laid back, slow-paced beach lifestyle. And there's no better to place to experience it then at Beach Muffin, a small bakery/cafe and local beer tap room located minutes from Shin-Zushi Station.It's small to be sure, reminding most wh…(246 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Cafe Bakery Beer Zushi vegetarian Japan Restaurant Eat Tofu (Soy bean curd) organic

Two Thumbs Up for Thumbs Up Live House in Yokohama

Thumbs Up live house in the Sotetsu Movil Building near Yokohama Station (the same building that houses a 109 Cinema) is quite possibly the best live house in Yokohama. Thumbs Up provides energetic musical entertainment as well as some really good American-style food. The genres of music played the…(360 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Beer Food Building Music style Wine Work Yen Entertainment

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #13

Honmoku Sancho Park is a massive oasis of flora and quiet located in western Naka-ku. Comprised of several connecting hilltops with a plethora of trees and grassy lawns, the park explodes with colour in the spring. It's a perfect place, if not one of the best, to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hana…(407 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Park Spring Cherry blossom Cherry Party Sounds Honmoku

Companies Cleaning Up, Corporations Getting Environmentally Involved

Two weeks ago, I posted the article, "Protecting the Beach and Environment in Enoshima" to promote the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project coming up in April. April 24, to be exact: http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4325In this article, which is actually a repost by the organization that I represent, the …(635 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Beach Cleaning Volunteering Enoshima Island Kugenuma Beaches Fujisawa Kanto Kanagawa SEGO Yokohama

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #12

Artmania Cafe Gallery is a small cafe gallery located in the Noge district of Yokohama where anyone can experience art in a casual fashion.Originally opened in 2010, Artmania hosts a variety of art events conceived by the small group that runs it. "We want to help artists develop and promote th…(459 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Gallery Walk Cafe Noge Art City Japan

Protecting the Beach and Environment in Enoshima

When Michel and Alana Bonzi, the owner-operators of the Soleil Provence French language school in Kugenuma near Fujisawa bought their house in 2008, they knew they'd become an integral part of their local community. For Michel, who hails from Nice, France, and Alana, from Tobago in the Caribbean, b…(429 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Enoshima Island Fujisawa Volunteering Tokyo Visit Event Beaches Outdoor recreation Environment SEGO

Casual Cool Dining in the Hippest Part of Tokyo Town

I knew I wanted to come back after my first visit; now after several, Weekend Garage Tokyo has become my latest favourite Shibuya-Ebisu-Daikanyama hang. They're a unusually large restaurant/live house unconventionally located on an almost hidden street along the JR Yamanote Line train tracks.We…(267 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Dining Tokyo Restaurant Japan Shibuya Art Music Fashion Drink Visit

Get to know your Prefectures: Yamagata, Japan (Pt. 2 of 2 )

"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…(828 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Prefectures Yamagata Hiking History Japan Travel Skiing Travel Travel Local Japan Vietnam

Retro Souvenirs and Collectables Shopping in Yokohama

The Yokohama Collectors Mall is located in the mezzanine level of the famous Silk Center Building in Yamashita-cho, Yokohama near Yamashita Park. It is wall-to-wall, row-after-row, and counters filled with a wide range of fun toys, antiques, Americana memorabilia, and much much more.Walk the ai…(190 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Souvenir Shopping Holidays Yamashita-cho Visit Park Building Walk Shop

An Elegant Lunch - Chinese Fine Dining at Ginza Aster

I recently had the pleasure of having lunch at Ginza Aster, a very well-known Chinese restaurant with a long history in the heart of downtown Ginza. The restaurant is famous for very good reasons. They offer some of the finest Chinese food available in the country, food that comes with excellent se…(388 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Ginza Dining Restaurant Lunch Chinese food Chinese Restaurant Tokyo Eat Fine Dining Tokyo Train

The Ultimate One-stop Souvenir Shop in Ginza

Need to buy souvenirs for someone or a group of people and don't have a clue what to buy or where to go? Well, you *could* read any of the following articles on the subject:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4160http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4171http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4179Or you could just…(282 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Park Toy Souvenir Tokyo English Japan Food Shopping Must have souvenir Ginza

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #11

The Equine Museum is a fascinating facility designed to educate and entertain, with exhibits for adults and children alike. Even with limited English support, a trip to its out-of-the-way location is worth the time and energy. It's also located beside a beautiful, expansive park - Negishi Forest Pa…(331 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Horse Japan Park English Trip Museum Bus Children

Tea Time with a Little Monkey Magic!

Many Yokohama residents are familiar with Monkey Magic Teahouse, the well-known tea restaurant with its attractive wooden interior and marvelous tea selection in the heart of Chinatown. But most don't know about its sister store, the comfortable, affordable Goku Tea Bar on an unassuming side street…(304 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tea Yokohama Chinatown Monkey Restaurant Drink Traditional Yen Bar Relax

Get to know your Prefectures: Yamagata (Pt. 1 of 2 )

Former Deep Japan Writer

Prefectures Visit Yamagata City English History Japan Park Tokyo Train

Jazz Music Sounds Abound in Yokohama

Yokohama is no stranger to jazz. In fact, Yokohama is regarded as the jazz capital of Japan. The Kannai area is especially known for its abundance of live jazz clubs and jazz events. Perhaps the biggest and most popular of them is Kamome - in the Bashamichi area.Owner Sasaki Motoyoshi opened Ka…(333 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Music Jazz Sounds Visit Japan Food Beer Walk Subway

Enjoy Yokohama on Discount Tickets

The only thing better than visiting Yokohama is visiting Yokohama at discount prices! Thanks to several -often unknown about- special discount tickets - you can!Here's a list of the best values (all tickets are good for one day only):Yokohama-Minatomirai Pass (JR East)The Yokohama-Minat…(547 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama City Trip Tokyo Park Hotel English Art Museum Shibuya

Traveling Around the World in Japan at Tobu World Square

Tobu World Square is an amazing one-of-a-kind theme park located in Tochigi Prefecture. It's famous for exhibiting 1/25th scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world, including ancient monuments, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Every model is reproduced and displaye…(405 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Park Tobu World Square Tokyo City Food English Trip Building

Grand Wine and Fine Yakitori in Yokohama

Toriromeo was among the first restaurants to help revive Ishikawacho's food Renaissance back in 2010. It's an intimate, attractive yakitori shop with a counter that only seats nine, and customers lucky enough to sit down are always glad that's so. The no-gimmicks menu offers about 30 varieties of g…(294 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Wine Yakitori Food Shop style Salt Yen Japanese plum Ishikawacho

Analogue Photography Darkroom and Photo Gallery in Yokohama

The Dark Room International was created in 1999 to be Japan's first public rental darkroom. It is located in Yokohama's famous Noge district, an old-school area near JR's Sakuragicho Station.The brainchild of Hisao Saito, a professional commercial photographer who is well-known in Yokohama for …(197 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Gallery Photography Visit Japan City Art Event Flower Exhibition

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #10

Looking for an unforgettable, mind-blowing experience that's absolutely free? Visit Yokohama's Dockyard Garden and take part in their 3D projection mapping events that take place every night at scheduled times on a seasonal basis.One of their most popular shows, entitled "ピカチュウ (Pikachu) N…(211 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Projection Mapping Dockyard Garden Garden Landmark Tower Minato Mirai 21 Visit Play

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #9

There's a lot to love about Yokohama. It's this diversity and variety that make Yokohama the great city that it is. One visit is never enough, for you can always find something new and different each time you walk its streets.In Hanasaki-cho, one of the few "old school" smaller districts that s…(393 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Antiques Shopping Sundries

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #8

The tallest lighthouse in the world? That really depends on one's definition of what lighthouses are, but Yokohama's 50+ year old landmark is often billed as such.Inaugurated in 1961, when it certainly was the world's tallest lighthouse, Yokohama Marine Tower is a 106 meter high lattice tower w…(371 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Yokohama Marine Tower Tokyo Visit Japan Summer English Event Yokohama Treasures

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #7

Located just a few minutes' walk from JR Kannai Station lies a stretch of street 1.2 kilometers long bettter known to locals as Isezakicho Mall. It is a car-free zone loaded with various shops and stores.Before Motomachi and Yokohama Station became popular, Isezakicho was the only large shoppin…(277 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Isezakicho Quick and easy things to do Restaurant Shopping Walk Shop Bashamichi Kannai 100 yen shop

Interesting Japan: Washlets, things that make you go hmmm!?

I was inspired to write this quick post when I learned that the other day (November 19) was United Nations World Toilet Day.http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-34867488After looking at the pictures in the BBC article, I reflected on how fortunate we are in Japan because of our washlets. For…(272 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Interesting Japan Japan Washlet Japanese Winter Toilet Mobile Stalls

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #6

Cosmo World is located in the heart of Minato Mirai, Yokohama. It is an amusement park famous for its reasonably priced, easily accessed and extremely family friendly entertainment.There are waterfront views wherever you look from, with scenic views making it a perfect place to enjoy an afterno…(188 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Yokohama Treasures Amusement park Minato Mirai 21 Visit Children Park Entertainment Cosmo World Quick and easy things to do

Former Deep Japan Writer's Advice List