Here’s a quick guide on where to shop for affordable yet durable products in Tokyo and what’s offered at the shops.

Asakusabashi Station (East Exit) – There is a chain called Shimojima that has about 5 different buildings full of items from traditional Japanese to supplies, food, housewares and more.  Their main building is approximately 3 minutes from the East exit and has about 8 floors of things to look through.

The Asakusabashi area is great to find many different traditional items from toys, food, kimono accessories, faux flowers and decorations and Japanese party supplies. There are many shops that sell inexpensive Japanese gifts, even little stalls run by very old Japanese grannies (I used to buy traditional Japanese furoshiki and tenugui 70% cheaper than anywhere else from one granny in this area).

Harajuku (Takeshita Exit) – Walking down Takeshita street will certainly be an interesting experience. Here you will find many clothing shops (mainly for younger people) but also the largest 100 yen shop in Tokyo. Daiso is famous for many people as the cheapest place for souvenirs and this one has about 5 floors full of stuff from housewares, stationery, decorations, to toys, clothing, snacks and more.

Asakusa – Also a great place to buy traditional items. The entire area is filled with sweet shops, small toy shops, souvenir shops and many stalls, but because it’s a very common tourist spot, some things may be more expensive than Asakusabashi.

Shibuya (Hachiko Exit) – If you are looking for Japanese fabrics (like kimono style fabric) there is a great little shop near the station. When you exit from Hachiko, walk towards the l’Occitane shop on the left (when facing the giant Starbucks), you’ll see tons of fabric on the street and a small shop filled.

Clothing/Accessories – If you would like to find some nice clothing, try Uniqlo and Muji. They are near all of the major stations (like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, Ginza and Omotesando ) throughout Tokyo. They have many different styles, great quality and inexpensive compared to most other places. Muji also has many different items for home, stationery, toys and also fun snacks and food.

Train Stations – There are many train stations that have a shopping area in the basement area where items are usually cheaper than normal. Some of the stations are: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ikebukuro and Ueno.

* Avoid large malls like Isetan, Marui (0101), Takashimaya or Daimaru because they are very expensive.

Happy Shopping!

japanese market shopping in japan

Many visitors will tell you that while Japan is a beautiful country, there is something special about the springtime when the famous Japanese cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Starting in the month of April, the country erupts in a riot of beautiful cherry blossoms, known as Sakura in Japan. Nearly every street, park, and shrine in the country features a number of these beautiful blooms, and the Japanese people take pride in their country’s unique display. Each year, the event is recognized with Hanami, or flower viewing, which is also known as the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Taking part in Hanami has been an important social event for the Japanese people for centuries. Hundreds of years ago, Japanese aristocrats would spend time beneath the blooming cherry trees along with artists, musicians and poets. While the name “Hanami” means simply “flower viewing”, the meaning that this time of year has to the Japanese people is far more complex. Cherry trees, or Sakura, hold a special place in Japanese culture and society, and the blooms show up everywhere from fine art to candy wrappers. To the Japanese people, the blooms are representative of the beauty of women, and the presence of the blooms for only ten days a year demonstrates the transiency of beauty. While the flower is one of the last in the country to begin blooming, it is also the most beautiful and showy of Japanese flower varieties.

The most traditional way to enjoy Hanami is to visit the parks, shines, and temples where these blossoms flower. Listening to traditional Japanese music, taking part in the dancing and drinking alongside local people, or even attending a tea ceremony are all ways that a visitor can participate in Hanami. Today’s Hanami celebrations are more like parties or picnics, giving locals and tourists alike a chance to bond with each other outdoors. One of the most exciting things for visitors is the chance to wear a Yukata, which is a cotton kimono, during the celebration. Those who are interested in a more mild experience will want to head to a smaller, local park where most of the viewers are older. However, those looking for a rowdy, rollicking time will want to head to the large celebrations in bigger cities at night. Some of the larger festivals feature street vendors who sell food and souvenirs at the festival, drinking, karaoke, and dancing. There are also romantic nighttime Hanami sessions where couples stroll through the darkened gardens and drink tea. These festivals are held at some of the most famous gardens in the country, and many of the trees are lighted to illuminate the blossoms.

It is hard to pick an exact date for attending a Cherry Blossom festival, since the flowers begin blooming on different days of the year. Since the flowers bloom only when conditions are right, you should plan on attending during a several week long period in April, if possible. There are a number of organizations that offer cherry blossom forecasts, but most are only accurate within a few days or a week. In this busy, modern country, Hanami is a special time for the people to take time off and reflect on the simple joys in life. Visitors who come during this magical time will never forget the experience.

Much like Colorado’s winter paradise of Aspen, Niseko is the premiere place for snowboarders in Japan. There are two main ski and snowboard areas in Hokkaido, but the powder in Niseko is of the deep variety that snowboarders crave. Despite the low altitude of the area, Niseko has consistently great snowboarding conditions from December to March every year. Much like Aspen, some of the worlds best skiers and snowboarders can be found taking advantage of the incredible conditions and luxurious setting of the area. However, unlike Aspen, vacationers can afford to enjoy Niseko without going broke. After large investments from a group of Australian investors, Niseko is enjoying a rebirth as the premier spot for vacationers interested in snowboarding, skiing, and other winter sports. While the area is beautiful year round, for those interested in a vacation where they can enjoy snowboarding, Niseko is a trip not to be missed.

The runs in Niseko are world class easily equal to the best runs in Europe or the United States. There are a total of about 40 kilometers of runs in the area, and about a quarter of them are considered advanced, so there is something for snowboarders of every ability level. Thanks to the influx of cash from investors and tourists, the facilities in the area are excellent- and they are continuously expanding. For those who want to spend an entire vacation on their boards, check out the wide variety of “board in, board out” accommodations on the mountain- you can find anything from budget backpacker hostels to first class ski lodges and furnished apartments as well as more traditional Japanese style hotel and ryokan lodging. While there are a growing number of places to stay, if you want to be sure you’ll be able to stay where you want to, be sure to book early- especially during the areas best snowboarding season in January and February. Despite the popularity of the area, most snowboarders will be pleased to find that it doesn’t become excessively crowded, except during the New Year’s holiday when prices rise and lift lines often get far longer.

The Niseko area is divided into three sections- the most popular is Hirafu, with Annapuri and Higashiyama coming in at as close seconds. There is another area, called Hanazono that is a short distance away and ideal for people who want to get away from the crowd and who don’t mind colder snowboarding conditions. Hirafu is popular due to the large ski lodge zone, the many places to eat, exciting nightlife, and large number of hotels. Hirafu is on the warmer, sunnier side of the mountain, making it more temperate and better for less experienced snowboarders and it offers spectacular views of the Niskeo valley. Annapuri and Higashiyama are also gifted with beautiful views of the valley, but they often become crowded more quickly and have longer waits.

One of the features that many snowboarders enjoy most in Niseko is the active night life. Many of the runs are designed for night boarding, so you can sleep in late and then enjoy the snow late into the evening. The nightlife in the area includes bars and clubs, and the dining in the area provides delicious food at nearly any hour. There is a mix of traditional Japanese cuisine, including superb sushi bars, as well as European and American fare in the area. After a day of snowboarding, be sure to head out of an onsen bath (or soak) before bed to make sure you’re ready to get out and enjoy another day of snowboarding.

Another reason that so many people enjoy snowboarding in Niskeo is that the resort area is easily accessible by bus from several of Japans larger airports. You can even take a train and enjoy several of Japans best snowboarding areas- a favorite for many visitors is to start in Sapporo Teine, then take the train to Asarigawa Onsen and visit Otaru City, then finish the trip with a short bus ride to Niseko. Those who are able to obtain a driver’s permit in Japan can easily rent a car and drive to Niseko- many companies even provide snow tires and chains to make the trip safer. If bringing your equipment sounds like a big hassle, you’ll be glad to find out that Niskeo has a number of rental shops that offer everything from skis and snowboards to clothing to ensure that you are properly equipped. If your idea of a dream vacation is to spend time enjoying some of the best snowboarding in the world, Niseko is a trip that will not disappoint!

SGCafe Urban Youths Guide is a Japanese based online business directory and one of the largest youth portals in South East Asia. The directory enjoys a high traffic with over thousands of views in a month. It serves as a platform to different websites to get more recognition and an online lead by registering themselves there. The directory possesses a vast collection of quality business websites relating to Dining, Shopping, Entertainment and Hobbies, mainly targeting the youth.

SGCafe’s exceptional business directory caters to the varying needs of the individuals by providing them with genuine website links along with their addresses and telephone numbers. The websites relating to Dining Services, which are further subdivided into Buffets, Cafes, Curry Houses, Izakaya, Japanese Fusion, Japanese Restaurants, Ramen Stall and Sweets are listed. The directory provides five or more websites in each of these categories, making it easier for the people to find their best nearby dining in spots.

The second category is related to Shopping, an activity which is endeared by almost everyone on this planet. Links relating to Beauty and Cosmetics, Japanese Retail Chain, Shibuya Fashion store and Japanese Street Fashion store are enlisted, providing people, primarily women, a way to find appropriate and suitable websites for themselves that cater to their shopping needs the best.

Thirdly, the directory provides numerous Entertainment websites, pertaining to Arcades, Cinemas, Karaokes, Parties and Chill Outs. The youth is mainly attracted towards this category as the websites enlisted contain high quality content and are committed to provide best possible services to their audience. Lastly, it contains relevant web pages under the head of Hobbies. This part is mainly concerned with providing people with the links that best satisfy and guide their spare time activities. The pages related to Anime Figurines Shops, Anime Merchandise Shops, Trading Card Games, Deco and Crafts, Model Kits, Toys and Collectibles and Video Games are listed in this category.

All the websites registered in the directory are genuine and trustworthy. The directory enjoys a high level of experience as it has been serving people for many years. It includes websites from all the main countries of South East Asia and enables the visitors to add up their own as well. Moreover, the website also provides people to search their desired websites by simply typing in the product’s name and an address or a zip code to save the time they would otherwise spend on by going through each and every category.

Media Contact:
Justin ~ social@sgcafe.com ~ Singapore
http://directory.sgcafe.com/

The book “The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia” has been released! You can get your copy right here!

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is one of the most beloved video game series of all time and Nintendo and Dark Horse comics have teamed up to cover the chronology and creation of this game. It is an awesome book (and HUGE size wise) with 276 pages that covers the complete history of Hyrule.

The book was originally released in Japan for the 25th anniversary of the first Zelda game and as a tie in for Skyward Sword. It’s full of never-before-seen original concept Zelda artwork and illustrations, insights, and design notes, with a complete collection of all Zelda games ever released. Even before the release of this book, it already gained popularity as a best-seller due to pre-orders that were placed which skyrocketed it to the #1 spot on Amazon’s sales chart, unseating “50 Shades of Grey”.

One of the most stunning parts of the book is the artwork (see some samples below) with plenty of sketches of everybody’s favorite heroes and villains as well as some of the minor characters of the games and wonderful location concept art. You can enjoy the collections from every incarnation of Link, Zelda, and Ganon and see how their appearances have changed through the years. For the hardcore fans of the Zelda games who love concept art, you’re going to like the pages of this volume.

Another interesting section of the book for Zelda fans is the history, “The History of Hyrule: A Chronology”. It shows a complete history and nice overview of the events of all the core games of The Legend of Zelda timeline. This section almost consumes quarter of the book and it serves as a refresher for every Zelda game you’ve played. Most of the text in this section is quite interesting as well as the timeline itself. The things were split into three separate timelines that exist in parallel.

As a tie-in with Skyward Sword, it includes a 32-page bonus coverage for it by Akira Himekawa giving us a special treat. It tells the story from the background of Skyward Sword and actually based on the game, though it’s not the main attraction of the book, the manga still pretty sweet.

If you’re a fan of the series, it is worth getting this book. You can check it out and even buy it online right here! It’s a great addition to any Zelda lover’s collection. Below you’ll see some preview images released from Dark Horse Comics.

There’s a new single out by Noyzfera2 called “Heart in Azamino” that sounds pretty cool. and you can find it in the Apple Store. So check it out, launch iTunes, and listen to the preview! It’s available in the Japan Apple Store (as well as the USA store).

Lately I’ve been watching football and other USA sports and shows live using USATVnow. No setup, no software, I just watch directly from my browser. I’m currently using the free plan that gives you access to ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, and PBS. It’s worth checking out. They have a paid option too which would eliminate my local cable costs and give me 200+ channels, HD, and HBO and Showtime. I might consider it, but for now the free version is perfect.

Izakaya are fantastic. There are also quite a few “one coin bars” around the city. There are a few in major areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku or even Ebisu.  They will literally have a sign that says “one coin bar” and it’s easy to ask anyone because they all understand this term.   These places generally have drinks at ¥500 –which is quite cheap in Tokyo, trust me.

Roppongi Night Clubs

Alcohol is readily available in many vending machines (though you might need to swipe id at some) and all combini will have beer if not more (many places will sell wine, chuhai, sake and more).

Some restaurants have a set deal if you have 4+ people eating where you usually pay 3000 Yen (and up) per person and get a set course and all you can drink for 90 minutes. Also if you hit the clubs where foreigners hang out, many have an “all you can drink all night” special for one fee. Keep this in mind when you’re enjoying the night life!

Seijin Shiki, also known as Coming of Age Day, is an important time for Japanese youth. Each year on the second Monday of January, the people of Japan gather to recognize those who have reached (or have almost reached) the age of adulthood in Japan which is commonly considered to be twenty years. At the age of twenty, Japanese youth are able to vote, drink alcohol, and they become subject to the adult legal code of the country. Seijin Shiki is called an “Adult Ceremony” by many, recognizing the importance of becoming a productive adult member of Japanese society.

In most parts of Japan, the ceremonial portion of the holiday takes place in the morning, and all of the new adults that live in an area are invited to take place. Many ceremonies are held at local or prefectural offices, and the new adults are encouraged to bring important members of their family and close friends. Government officials give speeches telling the new adults about the importance of becoming part of adult society. In many places, small gifts are given to the honorees to recognize this important occasion.

Celebrating Coming of Age Day is very important to families, and many women will wear furisode, which is a special kimono that is usually purchased for a young woman by her parents for the occasion. Furisode are made from fine, brightly colored silk and they have very long sleeves- in fact, furi means swinging and sode means sleeves. This type of kimono is usually only worn for important social events such as tea ceremonies or at the wedding of someone close to the young woman. Purchasing a furisode can cost as much as $3000, so many women will rent one or wear a cherished keepsake passed on from a family member. Women often got to beauty salons to have their hair and make up done, and they will also need assistance in putting on the furisode. Men who are participating in Seijin Shiki generally wear a nice business suit, although some choose to wear the traditional hakama which is a dark colored kimono.

The history of Coming of Age Day is rooted in an ancient ceremony known as Genpuku, during which young boys were taken to a local shrine where they received adult clothing and hairstyles. In most cases, boys also received their new, adult name. While the ceremony was once restricted to noblemen and the sons of samurai, the tradition eventually spread to all men. Later, women were included in a special ceremony called mogi which occurred between the ages of 12 and 14. In 1948, the Japanese government recognized the ceremony officially and set the date to January 15. Later, in 1999, the date was moved to the second Monday of January.

When the ceremony is complete, usually sometime late in the afternoon or early evening, the newly appointed adults usually go to private parties where they will drink, sing, and dance as they celebrate their newly found adulthood.