Living Tokyo

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2015年

All Blog Entries
  • 02/17/2015
  • 02/27/2021

Omiyage Japan Style

By Richenda Elledge If you are looking for a modern omiyage (souvenir in Japanese) to give to friends back home, the list can be exhausting. Usually what comes to mind are Japan-made knives, plastic key chains and magnets in sushi or ramen motif, chopsticks, daruma dolls, yukatas, and Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) figurines. There are some favorites of locals that make great souvenirs as well. Here is a quirky selection of items used by locals that would make cool omiyage: Iwako Puzzle Erasers You may have come across interesting looking erasers at shops like Tokyu Hands, or even passed out as rewards at your neighborhood children’s dentist. These are usually puzzle-type erasers, where you can take sections apart and put them back together again. Much loved by local kids and adults for decades, these low-cost items (usually JPY60 for one eraser or JPY378 for a small pack) make an original and quirky gift without breaking the bank. A little history: IWAKO was founded in 1968 (formerly known as Iwasawa Kogyo). Asking why erasers always have to be rectangular, IWAKO started making erasers with different shapes. While this manufacturer makes a variety of plastic products, they are perhaps best known for […]

All Blog Entries
  • 02/07/2015
  • 02/25/2021

Grosvenor Place Kamizonocho

In a nutshell, this property development simply wows. Grosvenor Place Kamizonocho is situated right on the border of Yoyogi Park. This super luxurious residence offers easy access to one of Tokyo???s largest parks, Yoyogi Park. Due to its on-the-park location, Grosvenor Place Kamizonocho reminds one of the posh apartments surrounding New York City???s Central Park or London???s Hyde Park. This property is in a quiet, serene neighborhood but it is also close to places like Omotesando and Shibuya. From the ground floor, there are five floors above and three floors below. The common spaces are tastefully done with features like designer furniture, attractive fireplace and private gardens. Some of the apartments offer rooftop gardens with built-in jacuzzi baths. The kitchen go beyond the usual offerings to include items like a large wine cellar, high-end brand of oven (Miele), five-stove cooktop and a Western size dishwasher. The driveway into the parking is grand and attractive, and can accommodate 68 cars. Guest parking is available. Yoyogi-Koen station (Chiyoda line) is 8 minutes walk away and Sangubashi (Odakyu-Odawara line) station is 7 minutes walk away. Please click this weblink for more details:?http://higherground-rent.com/rent/1184/

All Blog Entries
  • 01/15/2015
  • 02/25/2021

Apps for Tokyo Life

By Richenda Elledge Communicating and getting around Japan can be a challenge for foreign residents at times. However, many apps are available that make every aspect of living in Japan easier. Not only for language assistance, there are plenty of apps for finding restaurants, art exhibitions, giving guided tours, and hailing a taxi at a touch of a button. Here are some Japan-specific apps that are useful for residents and travelers alike. Wining and Dining Apps: Goodnite Tokyo iPhone and Android Goodnite is an app that locates Tokyo’s club events, bar locations, and karaoke shops based on the user???s GPS location. Users can also share events and locations with Facebook, Twitter, and LINE friends to arrange a fun and memorable night in Tokyo. For more information:?http://goodnite.jp/tokyo/ Quchy iPhone Quchy offers a platform to keep track, organize and recommend favorite restaurants and shops, in a flashcard sort of fashion. Users can search nearby pressing the arrow, or search any city in the world to add any business to their collection. Like a deck of cards, restaurant listings are collected in card form with the ability to add personal notes and photos. Also, users can collect friends’ recommended cards. The more recommendations […]