Living Tokyo

MONTH

2011年1月

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  • 01/11/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Hello Kitty Theme Park – Sanrio Puroland

Hello Kitty is a character loved by various people, from children to celebrities.? In Tokyo, there is an amusement park of Hello Kitty and other characters from Sanrio. Many attractions are waiting for you?at this amusement park, Sanrio Puroland.? There are shows and musicals, a boat ride, and Kitty’s lovely house.? At the restaurant will be a dinner show by Kitty and her boy friend, Daniel! Of course Hello Kitty goods are purchasable, too.? There are many goods and sweets only available at Puroland. Riding on the attractions, taking photos with Kitty, shopping, dining…you can spend a whole or two day here 🙂 The entrance ticket is not so cheap, JPY3000, but you can’t miss this paradise if you’re a Kitty freak! Sanrio Puroland Location: Tama, Tokyo Website: http://www.puroland.jp/english/welcome.html (Eng) — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE: https://livingtokyo.net/

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  • 01/10/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Apartment in Meguro

Palace Royal?Chojamaru?#203 Agent commission FREE! No Key Money! Free Rent 1 Month! Bed Rooms: 3 Floor Area: 197.43 sqm / 2125.19 sqft Address:? 21-7-2, Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Access:?6?minutes walk to?Meguro Station /?Yamanote Line,?Mita Line,?Namboku Line Completion: Feb. 1988 Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete Rent: JPY800,000/month Management?Fee: JPY0 Key Money:?JPY0 Deposit:?4 month Parking: Available Pets:?Not Allowed Palace Royal Chojamaru is located in Meguro, 3 minutes to Ebisu and 5 minutes to Shibuya by train. The apartment is in a residential area, a few minutes walk along the railway line. It is easy to find Palace Royal Chojamaru, for this tall tree will be a landmark 🙂 Entrance is on the B1 floor. There is a small garden on the side of the entrance. The lobby, looking like a drawing-room. Courtyard. There is a stained glass light on the ceiling of the 2nd floor elevator hall. Room entrance. The large light court window makes the whole corridor bright even without turning any light on 🙂 Rest room. There are no bidet nor heated toilet seat. Living dining room. A semicircular balcony. The random-shaped tile floor adds the room a touch of class. Dining room. Kitchen, with 4 induction cookers, and a dish washer. There […]

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  • 01/09/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Traditional Japan in Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka (腑?罐遵??) is a?district, near Iidabashi Station,?accessible by?Tozai Line, Oedo Line, and JR Sobu Line. Kagurazaka ?has a sloping street at its center, lined by numerous cafes and restaurants.? This area has always been busy because of this privileged location: the main road of Kagurazaka was once at the outer edge of Edo Castle (羆???後??, the present Imperial Palace), opposite the Ushigome bridge (???莨惹??) over the castle moat. Currently, Kagurazaka is experiencing a popularity boom due to its traditional, sophisticated atmosphere on the edge of modern Shinjuku ward. In the early 20th century, the area was renowned for its numerous Geisha houses (臀???, Okiya), of which several remain today.? It is said that Kagurazaka is the only area which preserves the characteristic alley of fleshpots. Kagurazaka is also widely regarded as an important center of Japanese cuisine. Several old and famous Ryotei (???篋?, exclusive Japanese restaurants) are found in the?back streets, often accessible only by foot. These ryotei provide expensive Kaiseki cuisine (?????恰?????), which is generally regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese food. Ryotei also allow diners to invite Geisha to provide entertainment during the course of the evening. While it retains a traditional Japanese atmosphere, Kagurazaka also boasts Tokyo’s […]

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  • 01/08/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Japanese Growing-up Ceremony, Seijinshiki

In early January, you will probably see many youths (especially young women) dressed in beautiful Kimono.? If you see them on?Jan. 1st to 3rd, they are likely to be going to Hatsumode.? If you see them around Jan. 10th, the Kimono is for Seijinshiki (???篋阪??). Seijinshiki is a ceremony for celebrating that one has become an adult. In Japan, the legal adult age is 20.?To celebrate their becoming adult, the youths who just turned 20 (or soon turning 20) are gathered, and ceremonies are held at every municipality, sometimes schools and companies. The Kimono worn at Seijinshiki is called Furisode (?????).? Furisode is a formal Kimono for unmarried women.? Furisode is generally worn for formal social functions such as?tea ceremony?or?wedding ceremonies of relatives.? It can be told?whether a?Kimono is Furisode or not by the sleeves.? Furisode is with long sleeves, which average between 39 and 42 inches in length.? Furisode?is made of very fine, bright colored silk, usually with traditional patterns. Traditionall, by wearing Furisode, a young woman signified that she is both single and a legal adult, and thus available for marriage.? Today, this is not as strict as used to be: you can see some married, or not-that-young […]

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  • 01/07/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Apartment in Shibuya

Palace Royal Shoto?#203 Agent commission FREE! No Key Money! Free Rent 1 Month! Bed Rooms: 3 Floor Area: 181.2 sqm / 1950.48 sqft Address:? 10-17-1, Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Access:?11?minutes walk to?Shibuya Station /?Yamanote Line, Ginza Line,?Hanzomon Line, Fukutoshin Line Completion: Feb. 1987 Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete Rent: JPY850,000/month Management?Fee: JPY0 Key Money:?JPY0 Deposit:?4 month Parking: Available Pets:?Not Allowed Palace Royal Shoto is a vintage apartment in Shibuya.? There are many entertainments in this area, such as Shibuya 109 and Bunkamura. Don Quijote, a huge discount store, displaying party goods for Christmas 🙂 Palace Royal Shoto is located in a residential district, a little away from the center of Shibuya. Entrance is on the B1 floor. A little garden outside the entrance, with a stone pagoda. Entrance lobby.? A Christmas tree is displayed 🙂 Outside?are?gardens with quiet atmosphere. These Japanese gardens without water is?called Kare-sansui (???臼羂?),?often seen in Zen temples. They use mainly stones and sand to represent nature. A Japanese style room, next to the entrance lobby. Sitting here and viewing the garden brings a?relaxing moment… Staind glass window in the elevator hall on the 2nd floor. Room entrance. The thick carpets used in the corridor and rooms are fluffy and […]

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  • 01/06/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Hattori Hanzo and Hanzomon

Have you heard of Hattori Hanzo (???????????)? It is the name of a famous Ninja, who was the guard of the Edo castle of Tokugawa Shogunate.? Maybe you have heard this name?as a character.? He appears in several games and manga, such as “Nobunaga’s Ambition (篆♂?激???????)” and “Samurai Warriors (????順?≦??)” Actually, Hattori Hanzo is not a single person.? Hanzo was the popular name of Hattori Masashige (??????????)?and Hattori Masanari (???????絨?), father and son. There is a place-name which was named after Hattori Hanzo in Tokyo.? It is Hanzomon, an area in the west of the Imperial Palace. Hanzomon (?????級??) literally means ‘Hanzo’s gate’.? This area is called so because Hattori Hanzo guarded the western gate of the Edo castle, which afterwards became the Imperial Palace. This gate was burnt down during WW2, and another gate was moved to cover its place.? This new gate is still there, and commons are not allowed to go through. Maybe you can feel the remnant of Hanzo here. — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/

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  • 01/05/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Pets (Dogs) OK Apartment in Shinjuku

Platine Shinjuku Shintoshin?#2602 Agent commission 50% Off! No Key Money! Bed Rooms: 3 Floor Area: 143.4 sqm / 1543.60 sqft Address:? 7-34-4, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Access:?8?minutes walk to?Hatsudai Station /?Shinjuku Line 8 minutes walk?to?Tochomae Station /?Oedo Line 10 minutes walk?to?Shinjuku Station /?JR Lines, Keio Line, Odakyu Line, Oedo Line Completion: May. 2008 Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete Rent: JPY600,000/month Management?Fee: JPY0 Key Money:?JPY0 Deposit:?4 month Parking: Available Pets:?OK (up to 2 small dogs) Platine Shinjuku Shintoshin is an apartment near the Tokyo metropolitan government. In the neighbor is Kumano Shinto Shrine, and Shinjuku Central Park.? Western Shinjuku is a location?of business, ?nature, and tradition.??It is a great area to take a walk with your dog 🙂 Entrance. Elevator hall on the 26th floor. Room entrance. There are shoes closets on both sides of the door. Closet on the corridor. Kitchen, with 3 cooking stoves, and a dish washer. Living dining room. A small balcony, with a fire ladder. View from the living dining room. The?look of the metropolitan government building and Shinjuku Central Park is very nice, and you can get a panoramic view of the city from above 🙂 Rest room. Bed rooms. Rest room. There are cupboards inside the mirror. […]

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  • 01/04/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Shopping Food at Department Stores – Depachika

There is a relatively easy, and fun way to?experience?various food culture – visiting Depachika (????????遺??). Depachika?is short for “depaato-chika shokuhin uriba (????????若????遺??蕋????紕蚊?????, department store basement food-selling place)” These are a major attraction bringing customers to the store. Some big department stores have two depachika floors, one for packaged goods, the other for fresh foods. There are various?groceries and products?in Depachika.? vegetable, wine,?bakery, juice, sweets…and there are other attractions. If you walk by the sushi corner, you will hear workers shouting?’Irasshai!’? This means welcome, and is often called out at sushi restaurants. Also, whenever you come, you will see someone?making something — rolling out dough for soba?noodles, grilling taiyaki (????????若??, fish-shaped buns filled with sweet-bean paste), and Western-style decorated cakes.? It is very entertaining, as watching the dough flying high at a pizzaria. Visit your nearby department store for easy entertainment, and don’t forget to buy yourself a delicious souvenir 🙂 — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/

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  • 01/03/2011
  • 02/27/2021

La Tour Shinjuku

Central Park Tower La Tour?Shinjuku?#4402 Agent commission FREE! No Key Money! Bed Rooms: 1 Floor Area: 202.51 sqm / 2179.78 sqft Address:? 1-15-6, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Access:?5?minutes walk to?Nishishinjuku Gochome?Station /?Oedo Line 5 minutes walk?to?Tochomae Station /?Oedo Line 6 minutes walk?to?Nishishinjuku Station / Marunouchi Line Completion: Mar. 2010 Structure: Steel-reinforced Concrete Rent: JPY1,295,000/month Management?Fee: JPY0 Key Money:?JPY0 Deposit:?4 month Parking: Available Pets:?Negotiable La Tour Shinjuku is located near the metropolitan government building (??遵??), and Shinjuku Central Park (??医?筝?ぎ?????).? The blue sky and the autumn leaves were beautiful this day 🙂 In the neighbor is Kumano Shinto Shrine (??????腑?腓?). Being in the heart of Tokyo, greenery is surprisingly plenteous in this area.? Taking a walk on a holiday would be very refreshing. There is a 24-hours-open supermarket on the ground floor of La Tour Shinjuku. In the building is a kids’ room, fitness room, golf range, and more. Moreover, there?are free shuttle buses?to Shinjuku station, and to international schools! Front garden. Entrance. A guardman is standing in front of the entrance 24 hours.? La Tour Shinjuku advocates ’embassy-level security’. Entrance hall. On the right side is a cafe, as a wee oasis. Elevator hall. There is a lounge in the back. […]

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  • 01/02/2011
  • 02/27/2021

Big Winter Sale in Japan – Fukubukuro

Sadly, there?is no boxing day in Japan.? But that doesn’t mean there is no sale! The probable largest sale season is the few days after New Year’s Day.? There are big sales of course, and another delight – Fukubukuro. Fukubukuro (胼頮?) is translated ‘lucky bag’ or ‘mystery bag’.? The former?gets the literal meaning better, but the latter is a good one too. Fukurukuro is a bag filled with unknown random contents and sell them for a substantial discount, usually 50% or more off the list price of the items contained within.? The low prices are usually done to attract customers to shop at that store during the new year.? ?Fukubukuro usually are snapped up quickly by eager customers.??Some stores have long lines hours (or even days!) before the store opens. Traditionally, Fukubukuro?meant a bag with luck and happiness inside.??Representitively, Daikokuten (紊ч??紊?), the God of fortune, toted a Fukubukuro, Lucky Mallet (there is another story about this item), and rice bale.? This can be seen in the drawing above. Fukubukuro in the commercial world?was invented by Ginza Matsuya, a department store, in the late Meiji period.??It was?an easy way for stores to unload excess and unwanted merchandise from the previous year, […]