One of the oldest and largest displays of its kind, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is attended annually by thousands of people who brave the intense summer humidity and crowd the nearby streets and designated viewing venues to enjoy the…
The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
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Monthly Archives: July 2015
Retro Japanese Junk Food, DAGASHI
You may know wa-gashi (和菓子, Japanese sweets) but do you know da-gashi (駄菓子)? Though best known for its traditional, refined confectioneries, Japan has its own unique selection of cheap and novelty candy that is as terrible, weird, wonderful, and cavity-inducing…
Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan
If you’d like a taste of summer culture from across Japan, look no further than the Wa No Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan exhibition at Meguro Gajoen. Running until the 2nd of September, the event showcases paper lanterns and other illuminations…
Eco Edo Art Aquarium 2015
Art and life are intertwined this summer at Eco Edo Nihonbashi Art Aquarium, running at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo. Featuring hundreds of live goldfish in uniquely shaped aquariums, the exhibition is the brainchild of Tokyo-born aquarium designer, Hidetomo Kimura.…
Tanabata Matsuri
Perhaps the most evocative of Japan’s annual matsuri (祭り, festivals) , tanabata (七夕) marks the beginning of the summer festival season. Closely linked with the stars, tanabata is celebrated by the writing of wishes on strips of paper, which are…
Japanese Customs & Practices
Japanese Manners Having cut itself from the rest of the world until the late 19th century, Japan has preserved many of its traditional customs, though western influences continue to grow. Many of these customs are closely linked with the changing…
Trains in Japan
An overview of Japan’s rail network, and general information on train fares, tickets and prepaid IC cards.
Japan Rail Passes
There are a number of JR Passes aimed at tourists that allow for unlimited travel on designated services. In addition to the Japan-wide JR Rail Pass, the various member companies of the Japan Rail Group offer passes valid for travel…
Decks Tokyo Beach
150 shops, restaurants and an indoor amusement park.…
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
A new shopping/amusement facility in Odaiba that opened in 2012, famous for the giant Gundam statue outside.…
KITTE
A wide variety of shops and restaurants spread across 7 floors of this sophisticated shopping mall. Here you will find Japanese regional cuisine along with a variety of fashion and lifestyle goods retailers.…
MARK IS minatomirai
This shopping mall is located in the center of Minato Mirai. Chic fashion boutiques and name brand shopping are joined by a wide selection of Japanese and international restaurants.…
Marunouchi Building
The Marunouchi building is located in the center of the Marunouchi – a district constantly bustling with people on weekdays and weekends. The building is a stylish and exciting spot for shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment activities.…
Omotesando Hills
This Omotesando landmark is home to about 100 stores offering the latest in fashion and lifestyle items as well as a number of exquisite restaurants.…
Queen’s Square Yokohama
A shopping complex with a music hall, gallery, and a hotel overlooking the Yokohama Bay Area.…
Roppongi Hills
A mega-complex consisting of boutiques, restaurants, a hotel, a cinema, museums and an observation deck. The observation deck in Roppongi hills called “Tokyo City View” has floor-to-ceiling windows, an 11-meter-high vaulted ceiling and offers a marvelous view of Tokyo Tower…
Shin-Marunouchi Building
Inspired by the concept of “Marvellous moments”, Shin-Marunouchi Building offers visitors a selection of about 150 stores, each bursting with originality and refined elegance.…
The Yokohama Landmark Tower
At 296.33m in height and with 70 floors, this is the 2nd tallest building in Japan, and is home to a shopping mall, a hotel, and Japan’s oldest stone-built dockyard (National Cultural Asset).…
Tokyo Building TOKIA
TOKIA is a utopia for discerning adults. All day, any day, TOKIA offers visitors amusement in the form of restaurants, live music and beauty care.…
Tokyo Midtown
Tokyo Midtown features a variety of stores, restaurants, bars, museums, a hotel, greenery and more.…
Don Quijote Roppongi
A retail chain with stores across Japan, Don Quijote sells discount food, cosmetics, clothing, homewares and jewellery, available tax free to tourists…
BALS Tokyo Roppongi by AGITO
High-end furnishings, interior goods and home wares.…
Aoyama Flower Market
As one of Tokyo’s biggest florist chains, they have created a network to ensure that their stock is constantly fresh. The main part of the shop showcases their selection of cut flowers, but they have also prepared ‘lifestyle bouquets’ and…
Francfranc (Shinjuku Southern Terrace)
Casual stylish furniture and home decor.…
LIVING MOTIF
LIVING MOTIF is a household goods store that provides everything from furniture, tables, kitchenware, interior decoration, and bathroom items to fashion accessories and stationery. Each floor contains displays that overflow with seasonal sensations and delight the eye. Beginning with newly…
U. GOTO FLORIST
European floral designers offer unique and original creations made with fresh flowers arriving daily, from around the world.…
Bic Camera (Yūrakucho Store)
Electronics, cosmetics, etc. Everything in one store!…
BICQLO BIC CAMERA (Shinjuku East Store)
Cameras and home appliances. A wide variety of goods!…
Yodobashi Camera (Shinjuku West Gate)
Yodobashi’s flagship store is an electronics heaven with an extensive collection of products.…
Ando Cloisonne Co., Ltd.
Offering exquisitely handcrafted cloisonne since 1880. From artworks to accessories, you are sure to find something that catches your fancy.…
Balloon Shop Tuxedo Bear
They carry everything you need for a memorable party, from balloons and party goods to decoration services.…
KOJU HONTEN
This established shop makes a great effort to uphold traditional Japanese incense culture. Inside you can find a wide variety of fragrant wood, floral scents, traditional incense sticks and utensils.…
KIDDY LAND (Harajuku)
As the flagship store, Kiddy Land Harajuku aims to be a theme park itself, a landmark of Omotesando and Harajuku, and the top runner toy store. It has so much to offer including Snoopy Town Shop Harajuku, K-spot (The Amazing…
Oriental Bazaar
Oriental Bazaar has 3 floors showcasing antiques and reasonably priced souvenirs.…
Tokyo Kyukyodo
Specialises in items made from washi (traditional Japanese paper), and also sells incense.…
Tokyu Hands (Shibuya)
This ‘lifestyle goods’ variety store is a one-stop shop for hobby and home wares. In addition to everyday goods, from cosmetics and kitchenware to bedding and DIY products, Tokyu Hands specialises in useful gadgets and novelty goods to make life…
Yamada Heiando
Japanese lacquerware is renowned for its exquisite quality and techniques. Yamada Heiando offers a selection ranging from the traditional to the modern for all occasions.…
YOSHIKIN SHOP ROPPONGI
With the introduction of the GLOBAL line in 1983, YOSHIDA METAL INDUSTRY CO.,LTD. (YOSHIKIN) led the world in the manufacture and marketing of all stainless steel knives of one-piece construction (integrated handle and blade). Ever since, this concept, and the…
Aoyama Book Center Main Store
Books on art, design and foreign magazines.…
DAIKANYAMA TSUTAYA BOOKS
Modeled as “A library in the woods”, here you can browse through the store’s large collection of movies, music, and books while taking in the natural scenery of the surrounding area. There is also a lounge where you can sit…
Books Kinokuniya Tokyo
Kinokuniya is conveniently located near Shinjuku station, and carries a variety of publications, with a floor dedicated to foreign language books and magazines.…
MARUZEN Bookstore (Marunouchi Main Store)
Over 1,200,000 pieces of literature are available at this “book museum”.…
Onitsuka Tiger OMOTESANDO
The global flagship store of Onitsuka Tiger, handling a full lineup of their products under the banner “Made of Japan”.…
Queen’s HIMIKO Ginza
Concentrating on their own original brand, Himiko offers a good selection of larger sized lady’s shoes.…
WASHINGTON L Nishi-Ginza B1F Store
Has over 600 pairs of larger size lady’s shoes in stock.…
Montbell Shibuya Store
The store offers a wide variety of Montbell outdoor products ranging from insulation layers, water and wind proof jackets, to sleeping bags, backpacking and camping gear.…
Y’s Road Akasaka
A bicycle specialist with over 10,000 products, from the bicycles themselves to parts and accessories.…
