The Shopping Underground: Depachika in Hiroshima
Jan 28, 2019 By Matt Mangham
One of the best reasons to visit a department store here is to ride the elevator down to the basement, where a food lover’s wonderland lies waiting. ‘Depachika’ combines the first two syllables of "department store" with the Japanese word for "basement." Though they’ve evolved over the decades, depachika have...[ Click to read more ]
Books and Coffee in Hiroshima
Dec 28, 2018 By Matt Mangham
We’ve already talked about where to track down Hiroshima’s best hot coffee in the depths of January, but once you’re in the cafe, you’ll need something to read, surely. You can swipe through Instagramm, sure, but for now we’re shooting for urbane sophistication, and that calls for print. Unfortunately, Hiroshima...[ Click to read more ]
Mailing Christmas Gifts Home from Japan
Oct 25, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
The first of November in Japan is marked by a noticeable drop in temperature and the sudden appearance of decorations and music in public spaces with Christmas themes. In our home countries, this early appearance would annoy us a bit, but this is Japan, and at least it reminds us...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas Present Ideas From Japan
Oct 22, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Whether you love it or loathe it, Christmas shopping time is pretty much here. Personally, I'm in the latter camp. As the eldest of 13 cousins (and now countless cousins-once-removed) Christmas shopping becomes a Herculean task, as coming up with ideas for presents becomes increasingly difficult. Thankfully, being here in...[ Click to read more ]
The Shibuya Stream Complex
Sep 27, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
With its constant stream of people, iconic street crossing, and of course one of the most recognizable canine mascots in the world, Tokyo’s Shibuya district is known worldwide, if not always by name, it arguably best matches the foreign idea of Tokyo. Currently, in the middle of an ambitious building...[ Click to read more ]
Specialty Gift and Souvenir Shops in Kobe
Aug 22, 2018 By Justin Hanus
There’s always room in the luggage for a trinket or two to bring home or give to friends as souvenirs from your trip. Refrigerator magnets, keychains, t-shirts, and delicacies are the usual fare, and always there’s the name of the city or country engraved or stamped on these items. For...[ Click to read more ]
Getting to Know You: Nagoya’s Endoji Street
Jul 30, 2018 By Bert Wishart
For so long the area of Osu has been considered Nagoya's district of cool, but for those in the know, it is Endoji, a stone's throw from Meieki, that is becoming the place where all the good stuff is going on. On the face of it, Endoji looks like any...[ Click to read more ]
8 Most Popular Flea Markets and Shopping Areas in Kobe
Jul 27, 2018 By Justin Hanus
From intensive retail therapy to quick souvenir shopping, Kobe has a score of places where you can explore and discover great finds to take home or give away as gifts. There are some places where locals flock to on a daily basis, and others have a lot more wares to...[ Click to read more ]
Furnishing your New Japanese Home
By Jason Gatewood
Though the chances of finding your new home in Japan thoroughly barren of even light fixtures and nothing short of four walls, floor and ceiling are slim these days, most standard apartments and other rental spaces don’t come with standard appliances like stoves, refrigerators and HVAC units, things that even...[ Click to read more ]
Buying Summer Yukata in Nagoya
By Bert Wishart
If you have been to any of this summer's fireworks festivals around Nagoya and Aichi you may have noticed many people wearing traditional Japanese dress and wondered what was going on. Well, summer festivals are a time when Japanese and foreigners alike can wear yukata, a summer and informal variant...[ Click to read more ]
