A visit to the Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market in Tokyo is much lauded in the tourist guidebooks to the city but after five years on living in Japan I still hadn’t been. That all changed when an enthusiastic friend arrived and wanted to make the trip. I had read about controversy surrounding visits to the […]
Along the street marking the border between Yanaka and Nishi-Nippori lies a quaint shopping street (shotengai) that is home to a number of food vendors, restaurants and shops. It’s not a typical destination for most Tokyo tourists but bustles with activity nonetheless and the area is worth a visit for not only the shopping street […]
There are over 900 local fish markets around Japan and most of these local markets are much more relaxed when compared to the center of the fish universe in Tokyo at the Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market. For one thing, the scale of the markets don’t compare to Tsukiji and you don’t have to be worried […]
The maneki-neko comes in many forms with the most common being a red and white ceramic cat with a lucky medallion around its neck. These two neko, spotted along Yanaka Ginza, are decidedly more realistic and very kawaii (cute) when compared to their traditional counterparts. Maneki-neko with raised paws are displayed to ensure a prosperous […]
Whether you are visiting Tokyo or any other region of Japan from January 20th though February 28, 2009 you will not want to miss some of the events and discounts that are being offered as part of the Yokoso! Japan Weeks 2009 promotion This years theme is “Hands-on Sightseeing” and offers visitors an opportunity to […]
A bright red paper umbrella graces the entrance to a lovely shop in Takayama, Japan. Danielle Ruschena captured this image on a recent visit to the area and I am pleased to present it here with her permission. Thanks Danielle! Takayama is located in Gifu Prefecture, one of nine prefectures that make up the Chubu […]
Take the futuristic, unmanned, Yurikamome Line from Shinbashi Station in the Tokyo and you will embark in Odaiba a place that is home to modern architecture, seaside cafes, strolls along the beach and a multitude of shops. When you get off at Daiba Station, you will be standing face to face with the Fuji TV […]
