Life in Tokyo のアーカイブ

Kappabashi is a street between Ueno and Asakusa, populated with shops supplying the restaurant trade.  At the entrance of Kappabashi street by Asakusa street is a giant cook mascot.
The shops sell everything from tableware, restaurant furniture, decorations, and stoves, most of them mass-produced.

The street’s name is believed to come from either the Kappa (合羽, raincoats) of nearby residents which were hang out to dry on the bridge, or from a merchant named Kihachi Kappaya (合羽屋喜八) who funded the project to build Shinhorikawa River (新堀川, doesn’t exist today) for water management. 
However, due to the homophone with the popular mythical creature, Kappa (河童), the group of shops along the street officially adopted the creature Kappa as its mascot.  Images of the Kappa shown on the left appear on shops along the street and web pages.

 

 

 

One of the most popular and entertaining shops is Sample Shop Maizuru.  This is a shop of plastic display food (sample foods), found outside Japanese restaurants.  There are many real size sample foods, such as Sushi and cakes, and also miniature samples made into cell phone straps and magnets.  There are also unique interior goods like Sushi clocks! 

 

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Golf is of course an outdoor activity, but with the new virtual golf simulator, you can also enjoy it indoors!

Virtual golf may be similar to golf games using Wii, but the difference is that in virtual golf, you actually use real golf clubs and balls.  The sensor analyzes your swing, and decides the speed, direction, and the flying distance.  The result is shown in the large screen in front of you.

This new attraction is enjoyable at some bars and cafes in Tokyo.  You can use it for practicing on your own, or have fun with your friends.  If you don’t own your own golf equipments, rental is available at many cafes/bars.

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Ameyoko (アメ横) is a shop street along the Yamanote line rails between Ueno and Okachimachi Station.  The 400m long street consist of more than 400 stores.

Ameyoko is short for Ameya Yokocho (アメヤ横丁).  There are several explanations regarding this name.  One possible origin is that, because this street was a black market selling items disposed of by the US Army gathered here after WW2, this street came to be called Ame (short for America) - Ya (屋, shop).  Another is that Ameya means Ame (飴, candy) - Ya (shop), and the street was named this because many candy stores are gathered here.
Any way, Ameya Yokocho is usually called by its short term Ameyoko today, and the sign of the streets also reads Ameyoko, as is in the photo above.

Today, various goods, such as food (mainly sea food and dried goods), clothings, and fashin items are dealt in Ameyoko.  The number of sports equipment stores for youths increased in recent years.  On the basement floor of Ameyoko Center Building is a market of ethnic goods, where many of both the clerks and customers are Chinese.

In the photo above is the feature of Ameyoko, ‘Tatakiuri (叩き売り)’.  Tatakiuri is a limited-time sale at a highly discounted price.  In the photo, a bag of chocolate is sold at 1000 Yen, and the shop will give you one more chocolate as a bonus.
Besides Tatakiuri, you can ask for a discount at many shops in Ameyoko.

Ameyoko changes its face in the year’s end.  Many people visit Ameyoko for articles of food for celebrating the new year.  It is so crowded that it may even take an hour to walk through this 400m street!

Opening hours and closing days depend on individual stores, but most stores open around 10:00 and close around 19:00.  Many stores remain closed on selected Wednesdays.  Some stores change its handlings in the year’s end.

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Sengakuji Temple (泉岳寺) is located in Takanawa, which is near Shinagawa.
Sengakuji was founded in 1612 by Monan Sokan (門庵宗関),  on the command of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康).  After the first temple was burnt down in 1641, it was rebuilted in the present location.

Sengakuji is famous for the episode of the 47 Samurai of Ako (赤穂四十七士).
In the 18th century, Asano Naganori (浅野長矩), the Daimyo (大名, feudal lord) of Ako (赤穂) was forced to Seppuku (切腹, suicide, the word ‘Harakiri’ may be better known), due to the plot of Kira Yoshinaka (吉良義央), Asano’s superior.  47 of Asano’s men killed Kira for revenge.  For committing  the crime of murder, the 47 Samurais were sentenced to Seppuku.  The graves of Asano and the 47 Samurais are in Sengakuji.
This true story gained big popularity, matched to the Japanese ideal of loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor.  Dramatized stories were made, and were out on theaters.  “Chushingura (忠臣蔵)”, the fiction story of the Ako Samurais, is still a famous play of Kabuki (歌舞伎).

At Sengakuji, there is a memorial hall of Ako Samurais, where items connected to Ako Samurais are exhibited.  Also, Gishisai (義士祭, festival for Ako Samurais) is held every December 13th and 14th.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Though many explanations are made in foreign languages, it is difficult to actually experience Japanese culture.  However, there is a NPO which helps you do so.  This NPO, Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience, holds various programs for foreigners, where you can expereince the traditon of Japan, with a multilingual Japanese instructor.  There are guides in several languages, such as English, Chinese, and French.

One popular program is Kimono dressing.
In this program, you can actually wear Kimono.  If weather permits, participants may walk in a nearby park to fully experience life wearing a Kimono.
Before wearing Kimono, participants would explore many aspects of the Kimono, for example, the traditional skills of  Japanese dyeing and weaving. Participants will also understand the versatility and specific features of the Kimono. Even if one’s shape changes (or a Kimono is given to another person), the same Kimono can be worn with just some minor adjustments.

Another program is making Sushi.
In this program, participants will learn to make various types of Sushi: Maki Sushi (rolled Sushi), Gunkan Maki (rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed and topped with ingredients), and Nigiri Sushi (rice topped with a slice of raw fish).  This program will be held at the participant’s home, as Sushi is a typical diet often made in Japanese homes.

There are more unique programs, such as experiencing tea ceremony, calligraphy, Origami (paper folding), and a tour watching the morning training of Sumo wrestlers.
For more information, visit the website below!

 

Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience
http://www.ijcee.com/e.html (Eng)

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

There are few outlets near the city heart, but most of them have large parking lots, and if you don’t drive, there are shuttle buses from the nearest stations.
The excitement of shopping with big discounts is worth everything!

Venus Outlet

Outlet in Venus Fort.  The first outlet mall in Tokyo’s 23 wards.  There are many shops of brands popular among the youths.
Location: Odaiba
Website: http://www.venusfort.co.jp/multi/index_e.html (Eng)

Grandberry Mall

Almighty shopping mall.  Not only outlet shops, but there are grocery stores, pet goods, hair salons are in the site.
Location: Tsuruma, Machida
Website: http://www.grandberrymall.com/ (Jap)

Gotemba Premium Outlet

Outlet in Shizuoka prefecture, about 90 minutes drive from Shinjuku.  There are many outlet stores of high class brands.
Location: Gotemba, Shizuoka
Website: http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/gotemba/ (Eng)

Mitsui Outlet Park Tama Minamiosawa

Outlet in western Tokyo.  Many products of the season, samples, and foreign models are purchasable.
Location: Tama
Website: http://www.31op.com/english/index.html#tama (Eng)

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

There are many bus routes in Tokyo, but it might take a lot of nerve to use it for the first time.  Actually, it is easy to take the bus once you get used to it, just like taking it in your mother country.

If you find a bus stop, the bus route and timetable will be written on the pole.  You can check the destination of the bus there.
Hop on the bus.  If you have a Suica or Pasmo (IC cards), you can pay the fee with simply holding it over the sensor.  If you don’t, you can pay by cash, putting in the coins or bill in the box next to the driver.
When the bus approaches to the stop you get off, push the button on the wall or poles, and the bus will stop there.

Below are some bus lines running in the center of Tokyo.

Toei Bus (都営バス)

The routes of Toei Bus are spread around the 23 wards and Tama.

Adult Fee: JPY200 flat price
Route map and time table available at: http://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/bus/map/index.html (Jap)

Hachiko Bus (ハチ公バス)

Bus lines in Shibuya-ku, named from Hachiko, the most famous dog in Japan, whose statue stands in front of Shibuya station.  On the buses are drawings of Hachiko.
There are four lines, running around Yoyogi-uehara, Jingu-mae, Honmachi, and Daikanyama.

Adult Fee: JPY100 flat price
Route map and time table available at:
http://www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/eng/com_bus/index.html (Eng)

Chiibus (ちぃばす)

Bus lines in Minato-ku.  There are 7 routes; Tamachi, Aoyama, Akasaka, Shiba, Azabu, Takanawa, and Shibaura Konan.

Adult Fee: JPY100 flat price
Route map and time table available at:
http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/express/ (Jap)

There are more bus lines running in a particular ward, such as Edo Bus (江戸バス) in Chuo-ku, and Nakanon (なかのん) in Nakano-ku.  The merits of using these lines are that the fee is cheap (most of them are JPY100 flat price), and there are bus stops close to each other.  Find a route in your neighbor, and make the most of it!

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Nezu Museum is a museum located in Aoyama, exhibiting its collection of Japanese and Oriental art. 
The museum opened to the public in 1940 and escaped the destruction suffered by the estate property in the bombing of May 1945. Closed due to large-scale renovation and renewal from 2006 onwards, it re-opened in fall 2009 with a completely new museum building by the Japanese architect Kuma Kengo (隈研吾).

Included in the collection are a pair of Edo period folding-screens of Irises by Ogata Korin. It also includes other paintings of renown, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and archaeological materials, as well as objects in lacquer, metal, and wood. The collection also consists of Chinese bronzes of the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

The Nezu Museum is also known for its vast, Japanese-style garden.  This garden is dotted with tea ceremony houses.  Nezu Kaichiro (根津嘉一郎), the founder of this museum, spent his afterlife in tea ceremony, and his collection of tea paraphernalia is exhibited in the museum.If you are interested in Oriental art, especially concerning tea ceremony, Nezu Museum is worth a visit

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Kimono is very expensive to buy.  Some are very cheap, but those are inferior in quality…But there is a way to purchase high-quality Kimono at a relatively low price: visiting an used Kimono shop.

Of course, these Kimono are not brand new, some of them have stain, but there are many chances to encounter Kimono from the 20th, 19th century, or from an even older period.  Just taking a look at the old Kimono with traditional patterns and retro coloring is exciting!
Below are a list some of the used Kimono shops in Tokyo.

Jidainuno Ikeda (時代布　池田)
Location: 5-22-11, Shiroganedai, Minato-ku
Website: http://www.ikedashigeko-collection.co.jp/pages/english/collection/c_index.htm (Eng)

Yumezo (夢蔵)
Location: 1-17-2, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku

Tansuya (たんす屋)
Location: 10-11-3, Roppongi, Minato-ku

Antique Mall Ginza (アンティークモール銀座)
Location: 1-13-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku
Website: http://www.antiques-jp.com/e.html (Eng)

 

Used Kimono are sold at some antique flea markets too. 
I hope you will find your favorite only-one Kimono!

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Looking for a quick meal in Tokyo?  Of course there are McDonald’s, Subway, and other burger shops, but there is a wide range of other choices.

One healthy choice is having Soba noodle.  There are luxurious Soba restaurants in certain areas, but in the busy districts are often cheaper Soba restaurants.
Most of these are standing-up-eating restaurants.  Choose a Soba with your preferred topping, buy a ticket at the vending machine, hand it to a clerk, and your Soba will be served in about a minute.  You will see many busy businessmen here in weekday noon.

 

Not much healthy, but another fast noodle is Ramen.  Not many Ramen restaurants are standing-up-eating, though the customers are in a rush as well.  Usually Ramen costs about 700 yen, but these fast restaurants serve Ramen around 400 yen (if you want to pursue taste, you will have to use your time and money, of course).

Gyudon (牛丼, Japanese beef bowl) is also a famous Japanese fast food.  You may have seen the signs of Yoshinoya (吉野家), Sukiya (すき屋), or Nakau (なか卯), the most popular Gyudon restaurants.  Not only beef bowls but pork bowls and chicken bowls are available at these restaurants, and there are also set meals with Miso soup and salad.  It is possible to take away your meal, which is impossible for Soba and Ramen.

People are usually rushing in these restaurants, so you may feel timid to enter them.  If it’s your first time, avoid the rush in lunch time, and try them in non-busy hours.  This will allow you to take plenty of time to choose your menu and to ask the clerk about the system of the shops.

 

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/