“GUNDAM” still loved
One day, I was enjoying “Izakaya” with friends. Friends were talking about “GUMDAM”, series of animation. The first one was broadcasted on TV in 1979-1980. This series leaded to a boom of “Robot Anime”, a kind of animation in Japan. My friends said they used to draw characters when they were children and […]
Cures for a hangover in Japan
We Japanese love “drinking at Izakaya” with friends/colleagues, called “Nomikai” (のみかい, 飲み会). Especially, in December, most Japanese have many “year-end party” called “Bounenkai” (ぼうねんかい, 忘年会), and sometimes suffer from a hangover! XD How do we ease our hangover? Miso soup! It is said that “Miso soup with cram” called “Shijimi” (しじみ, シジミ) […]
Sugamo: “Harajuku of the old ladies”
Visiting “Rikugien“, stop by Sugamo jizo-dori (すがもじぞうどおり, 巣鴨地蔵通り). This street is located near “Sugamo” station, JR Yamanote Line. (you can walk to “Rikugien” from this station as well.) This street is one of the most famous streets in Tokyo, especially popular with the old generation. it is said this street is the “Harajuku […]
The Waka poetly garden, Rikugien: Autumn leaves Light-up
This strolling, mountain and pond-style garden was created basted on the theme of Waka poetry in the 15th year of the Genroku Period (1702) by the shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi’s trusted confidante Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. This garden is a typical example of the famous gardens of the Edo Period. In the Meiji Period, this garden became […]
Kanpai!: Cheers at Asahi Beer headquarters
At the end of the day you visit Asakusa, walk along “Sumida” river. There is a park along the river, a good place to relax. You can see “Sky Tree”, a tower like “Tokyo Tower”, on the other side of the river. It’s under construction, and will be completed by 2012, and […]
Onigiri (Rice balls): What is the filling?
Most people eat rice as a staple food in Japan, we have many kind of rice dishes. “Onigiri” (おにぎり) is one of them, rice balls, usually with a filling. They are very portable, and therefore are very popular for carry-along lunches since olden days. You can see many kind of “Onigiri” at convenience […]
Autumn leaves at a Japanese garden
“Showa kinen park” is a huge park located in Tachikawa city, a suburb of Tokyo. It takes about 1 hour from Shinjuku on “JR Chuo Line” (orange line). For more detail of the information, Please check the park website. The park is good to enjoy Cycling, BBQ, Boat, Picnic, Pool in Summer… etc. […]
Kappa-bashi kitchenware street vol.2: Fake Food Sample
You could see “Fake Food samples” of dishes are displayed in the windows of restaurants in Japan. They look like the actual dishes, isn’t it? If you are interested in these “fake food samples”, how about going to “Kappa-bashi kitchenware street”? * please read the previous article, “Kappa-bashi kitchenware street vol.1” for more infomation of […]
Kappa-bashi kitchenware street vol.1: Find your favorite!
After visiting “Senso-ji” in Asakusa, how about going to Kappa-bashi kitchenware Street? Almost of all shops on the street, sell kitchenware & every kind of restaurant equipment imaginable. The nearest station is “Tawara-machi” on Subway Ginza Line (yellow line), next to Asakusa station. you can walk from Asakusa, 10 min. walk. I recommend going there […]
Try your luck! Omikuji (おみくじ)
Asakusa is a very famous sight-seeing place in Tokyo, a traditional downtown. There is a big temple named “Senso-ji”. Going through the gate, “Kaminari-mon”, there are a lot of souvenir shops selling goods and sweets. After praying at Senso-ji, how about drawing “Omikuji”, personal fortunes? Omikuji is a Japanese paper fortune which can be obtained […]
Amusement arcade: Purikura (プリクラ)
Let’s experience “amusement arcade” in Japan! There are many arcades in Tokyo. You can find some near your accommodation or ask your hotel staff/young Japanese where a nice amusement arcade is. where is a nice amusement arcade near here? どこに、大きなゲームセンターはありますか？ (dokoni oukina game-center ha arimasuka?) Let’s play there! Crane game! Horse Racing Game! Pachinko! (Not […]
Gyudon: A keen competitive battle
“Gyudon” is a Japanese dish that consists of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a sweet sauce flavored with soy sauce and mirin (rice wine). Japanese man like “Gyudon” because it’s cheap, delicious, and they can get their oder quickly. The largest “Gyudon” chains in Japan are Sukiya (すきや), Matsuya […]
Shirasu: baby sardine
“Shirasu” is one of the smallest fish you could buy at stores. They are baby sardine that are usually around 1-2 months old. At some places we can eat raw “Shirasu”, but we have boiled/dryed “Shirasu” at stores. we usually enjoy shirasu with rice, grated radish. “Shirasu” looks weird? The taste is pretty good, I […]
Fell calm at temples in Tokyo
In Tokyo, there are over 300 temples, not only famous big temples but also small ones. You can find some small temples while walking around Tokyo. If you find a temple, just stop by. There are the quiet atmosphere with the exception of a few days (New year holidays, festivals), You can feel calm […]
Night out in Shinjuku, Tokyo!
Shinjuku is one of the most interesting places in the world at night. If what attracts you is the tempting night life in Tokyo, please walk around “Kabuki-cho” & “Omoide-yoko-cho” in Shinjuku:) You can have fun to just wander. Kabukicho – an entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku. Kabukicho is the location of many host […]
Cheap way to experience food culture: Depa-chika(デパ地下)
What does ”Depa-chika” stand for? Depa-chika (デパ地下) is short for “department (デパート)’s basement (地下,ちか)”. Many departments have a food floor on the basement. So “Depa-chika” means Department store food floors. There are a lot of shops (sweet, Sushi, Riceball, Yakitori etc.). Each shop has a booth. it’s like a shopping street, rather than aisles like […]
“Edamame” （えだまめ） is superb!!
“Edamame” (えだまめ,枝豆) is a preparation of immature soybeans, green soya bean. The best season to buy fresh “edamame” at stores is summer, from June to August. Cooking Edamame is very easy.The pods are boiled in water together with condiments such as salt, and served whole. That’s it! “Edamame” is rich in nutrients. Especially it’s said […]
Oden: a Winter dish
As the weather become colder, Japanese want to have winter dishes. Oden is one of popular Japanese winter dishes, consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon (radish), konnyaku(Konjac), and Chikuwa, Satumaage etc. (processed fish cakes) stewed in a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth. Ingredients vary according to region, restaurant, and between each household. In […]
Nakano Broadway: Another Otaku Heaven
Where is “Otaku Heaven” in Tokyo? Of course Akihabara is a very famous “Otaku Heaven”. But we have another heaven in Tokyo. It’s….. “Nakano Broadway”! Nakano Broadway is near Nakano station (Just 1 station from Shinjuku on JR Chuo Line (Orange Line)). Outside Nakano station North exit, you can see a shopping arcade. This arcade […]
Yakitori!
Yakitori (焼き鳥/やきとり/ヤキトリ) is Japanise grilled chicken speared on sticks. We use all different parts of the chicken, thighs, skin, liver, etc. for “Yakitori”. • toriniku（とりにく）, all white meat on skewer • negima(ねぎま), meat with Japanese leeks • hatsu (ハツ) , chicken heart • rebā (レバー), liver • sunagimo (砂肝), chicken gizzard • tsukune (つくね), chicken […]
Welcome to electric stores!
If you are interested in electric appliances, visit electric stores!! One of big chain stores is “Yodobashi Camera”. In Shinjuku near the west entrance to the JR station, Yodobashi has several tall stores close together, also providing a wide selection of electronics. If you want to buy something, don’t worry. Nowadays, multilingual staff available. Amd […]
Look down on Tokyo City from a height of 202 meters!
Tokyo is such a huge metropolitan. How about seeing Tokyo from Observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku? They have two observatories(North/South) in the main building. Admission: Free of charge. No reservation necessary!! Service hours: 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. *During the year change period, it will be closed. >>More info On a […]
Inogashira Park, Kichijoji
Kichijoji is one of the most popular towns in Tokyo. Why is Kichijoji so popular? One of the reasons is good for shopping. There are not only department stores but also a lot of shops, cafes on streets. You would find your favorite shop in Kichijoji. Well, another reason is “Inogashira Park”. Inogashira Park is […]
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Do you like Ghibuli Films? Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbour Totoro etc. They are very famous in the world. If you like them, how about visiting “Ghibli Museum”? This museum is located in Mitaka Inokashira Park. The nearest station is “Mitaka” station on JR Chuo Line (Orange […]