Furusato Antenna Shops (Satelite food shops) in Tokyo; you can get local, healthy, unique food of all over Japan!

August 6, 2007 - 5:58 pm by akko@hakata in Others  

What is Furusato Antenna Shops?
Furusato Antenna Shops (Chiho Bussan Kan in Japanese) are a Satelite food shops, of distant prefectures, mainly dealing with unique local food.
Today they attract many Japanese people, by offering the mood of food culture experience, or even trip, by making very local mood.
To understand this, let me note that Japanese [...]

Shibamata

August 4, 2007 - 10:16 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Located in the northeast of Ueno, Shibamata still preserves the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Getting off the Keisei line at Shibamata station, you walk through Sando, a tiny street leading you to the major temple or shrine. A lot of old buildings, most of them from the 1950s, are preserved along the street. [...]

Shopping in Ginza 2; Toys, Hellokitty…find coolest Japanese souvenir

August 3, 2007 - 12:32 pm by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Experience Japanese latest culture with cute characters!
1. Japanese Toys and Games

Not only Michel Jackson, but many celebrities secretly have visited this special toy shop in Ginza, Hakuhinkan.
They sell;
-Latest Character goods (like KiddyLand) (1F)
-Dolls, stuffed dolls, music boxes (2F)
-Childrens’ toy, including railway minitures (3F)
-Video games, card games, Rubik’s, others (4F)
-Rika-chan, Japanese Barbie Dolls (B1F)
*open [...]

Shopping in Ginza 1; find finest Japanese souvenir @ Kyukyo-do (fan, paper, incense), Kimuraya bakery, and Mitsukoshi (sweets and more)…

- 11:24 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

1. Writing material and Incense
Kyukyodo is the traditional (since 1663) and most popular shop.

They sell;
-traditional Japanese writing material, ink, brush, inkstone, special paper.
-Japanese caligraphy (Shodo) material
-letter set, postcards
-little envelope (Noshi-bukuro), to give money for celebration, such as giving New Years’ pocket money to children.
-Beautiful Japanese papers for craftwork (or for wrapping, book-cover)
-Japanese seasonal [...]

Sanya

July 28, 2007 - 5:58 pm by kiokitok in Others  

Sanya became popular among foreign tourists these days. There are a lot of cheap hotels with single rooms. However, it has been known as a synonym of slum with lots of working-class people hanging around.

History of Sanya is not so long. There were already people in poverty living here. However, the [...]

Naginata boko of Gion Matsuri in Shijo-dori Street

- 4:02 pm by Yuk in Culture, Travel  

In Kyoto, the middle of July is the rainy season yet. So there are a lot of rainy days. However, when July comes the town in Kyoto is alive with something, and people begin to get excited somehow. It is because “Gion Matsuri” that keeps coloring through the one month the town in Kyoto starts.

The [...]

Furusato Antenna Shops; you can find Local Food of all over Japan in Tokyo !

July 21, 2007 - 1:25 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Furusato antenna shop (furusato means hometown) is where you can find variety of local products, mainly food and drinks, in one particular shop.
The mecca of antenna shops is Kotsu Kaikan Building in front of Yurakucho station, (near Ginza), Tokyo.
Out of 15 Antenna Shops in this area, I especially recommend `Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza’.
(Hokkaido is the northern [...]

Try Best and Freshest Ikesu squid ? Visit koga @ Hakata

- 1:12 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Among gourmet businessmen in Japan, Hakata has a good reputation as the best place for business trip.
Out of many Hakata food, the most dynamic one should be ikesu squid!
Ikesu is alive seafood, and in Hakata Ikesu restaurant, squid are directly sent from Yobuko port nearby.

This is the shop I was recommended by Hakata locals, and [...]

Sugamo

July 14, 2007 - 4:22 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Sugamo is called Harajuku for old ladies as it is popular for shops and restaurants targeting them. There are also some temples being believed to give certain effects on their lives.
Leaving Sugamo station from the South exit, you are facing Route #17. Walking along the street, you will get to Jizodori Shotengai (commercial [...]

This is Hakata; Yamakasa season has come! and about Motsu-nabe

July 2, 2007 - 5:56 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

From July 1st to July 15th is the hottest season of Hakata, the traditional merchant town of Fukuoka.
It’s the season of Gion Yamakasa Festival.

It’s related to Shintoism.
Hakata merchants are protected by Kamisama (`God’ in Shintoism, existing in every natural things, such as tree, land, fire, mountain, sky, etc.).
They show special respect by praying in Kushida [...]