If you love origami, this four-story center is a must-see. Not only can you learn how they make origami paper and ogle some amazing examples of the art of paper folding, they also sell a huge selection of Japanese paper, and sponsor how-to workshops & art exhibits. The paper they sell there isn’t just origami squaresContinueContinue reading “Origami Center”
Category Archives: Only-in-Japan shopping
Kappabashi Street
Fake food that looks so real it’ll make you hungry! Come for the plastic sushi, stay for the worlds’ sharpest knives! Kappabashi Street is where Tokyo restaurants find everything they need, from super-realistic mugs of beer to gorgeous bowls from Japan’s best kilns. Whether you’re in the market for a stag beetle cookie cutter orContinueContinue reading “Kappabashi Street”
Koshinzuka Street Market
Walking along Koshinzuka Street is like taking a step back in time. This area is sometimes called “the grandma and grandpa’s Harajuku” because it sells goods geared toward the over-60 set and lots of stuff that hasn’t been available in the rest of Tokyo for years. The best time to go is on days thatContinueContinue reading “Koshinzuka Street Market”
Odaiba Area
Odaiba is a man-made island out in Tokyo Bay, and it’s home to the kind of experiences you’ll definitely tell your friends about when you get home. Its only-in-Japan indoor entertainments like the Trick Art Museum, Legoland, TeamLab Planets and Small Worlds Miniatures Museum are especially attractive when it’s hot or rainy out, because they’ll mesmerize youContinueContinue reading “Odaiba Area”
Ueno Area
Ueno is the heart of “Old Tokyo,” where a vast park hosting venerable museums and thousands of sacred lotus exists side by side with busy artisans and merchants doing what they’ve been doing best for centuries Why do guidebooks send people to Ueno for all the wrong reasons? For example, if you go during cherry blossomContinueContinue reading “Ueno Area”
Ginza
The delights on display in the department store food halls make it nearly impossible to choose Ginza’s fancy shopping reputation is the least interesting thing about this neighborhood that’s also home to an eye-popping goldfish aquarium, a primo kabuki theater, food halls that put Harrod’s to shame, and the prefectural shops that sell best-of-their-kind specialitiesContinueContinue reading “Ginza”
Deal with rainy summer days the only-in-Japan way!
If you’re in Tokyo anytime from mid-June through July, chances are you’ll have the, uh, privilege of experiencing the traditional Japanese season known as tsuyu: the rainy season. (And since Japan is in the Asian monsoon belt, that means hot and rainy.) But the Japanese have been coping with steamy summer days for centuries, soContinueContinue reading “Deal with rainy summer days the only-in-Japan way!”
Yanaka Area
Cats are the unofficial mascot of Yanaka, one of the quirkiest (and undiscovered) Old Tokyo neighborhoods. It’s filled with traditional shops, shrines and temples, and is a must-visit in April, when the Nezu Shrine’s can’t-believe-your-eyes azaleas are in bloom. The shrine also puts on a lively celebration of New Year’s in January, and celebrates theContinueContinue reading “Yanaka Area”
Shinjuku Area
Shinjuku is a neighborhood of contrasts, from the neon glow of the Kabukichō red light district on one hand, to the serene treescape and floral wonderland of Shinjuku Gyō-en National Garden on the other. The garden is especially worth a visit in February for the plum blossoms, mid-March through mid-April for every variety of cherryContinueContinue reading “Shinjuku Area”
Asakusa Area
The Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate) – gateway to Senso-ji temple and the Nakamise-dori shopping street This is where I take people on their first day in Tokyo. It’s everything you think Japan should be – traditional festivals, a secret garden, temples & more. It’s also a great place to see the big festivals during pretty muchContinueContinue reading “Asakusa Area”
Shibuya Area
Shibuya is a shopping paradise, home to my three favorite stores in Tokyo, that iconic scramble intersection, a thought-provoking museum, the famous Tokyo Toilets and an excellent skatepark. Even on Coming-Of-Age day, girls head over to Shibuya to party as soon as their family duties are over! The best time to see the famous ShibuyaContinueContinue reading “Shibuya Area”
Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside
Don’t let a little steamy weather keep you from having all the summer fun and seeing all the good stuff! There are plenty of only-in-Japan delights you can 100% enjoy and still keep your cool. Instead of groaning at the soaring temperatures, think yourself lucky you’re here for experiences and food that are only offeredContinueContinue reading “Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside”
Where to get the best foodie souvenirs in Tokyo
If you’re longing to bring home the amazing tastes of Japan to share with your nearest and dearest, you need to know about antenna shops! Many regional governments sponsor “antenna” outlets in Tokyo where they sell their most famous wares at the same price you’d pay if you visit the hometown maker. In one stop,ContinueContinue reading “Where to get the best foodie souvenirs in Tokyo”
Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one
If you have dear ones whose health you can’t stop thinking about—even while on your dream trip to Japan—why not bring back a healing gift to show how much you care? Japan has many healing shrines and temples—some specific, some general—and you need not be a practicing Buddhist or a Shinto believer to enjoy theContinueContinue reading “Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one”
What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day
You’ve got every precious day in Japan all planned out…then you wake up one morning and it’s raining. Here are some only-in-Japan things you can do on a rainy day that might deliver even more fun than what you thought you’d be doing today! MAP TO ALL DESTINATIONS • Only-in-Japan Aquariums If the word “aquarium”ContinueContinue reading “What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day”
Setagaya Boroichi, the most legendary flea market in Tokyo
The Setagaya Boroichi is the grand old lady of Tokyo flea markets. It’s so ancient and so revered, in fact, it holds Intangible Cultural Treasure status! On December 15-16 and again on January 15-16, it fills every street and alleyway for BLOCKS In classic style, there is loads of crap studded liberally with actual finds. From lacquerContinueContinue reading “Setagaya Boroichi, the most legendary flea market in Tokyo”
Tokyo’s best-kept shopping secrets: The Shimojima gift, paper & packaging emporium
I used to drag everyone who came to visit me to Ito-ya, the legendary 9-floor stationery shop in Ginza. But when they renovated and got rid of 90% of their merchandise, turning it into an over-designed boutique selling expensive stuff nobody needs, I had to fill the aching hole in my heart with a newContinueContinue reading “Tokyo’s best-kept shopping secrets: The Shimojima gift, paper & packaging emporium”
Gachapon hunt! Where to find the best capsule toy vending machines in Tokyo
If you aren’t dashing from the plane to feed all your hundred yen coins into gachapon vending machines, you should be! And if you have to ask why… It’s because capsule toys are adorable… Satirical Mythological Classical Inexplicable Questionable Inevitable Instagrammable …and oh so collectible! You can only get them in Japan, and every series isContinueContinue reading “Gachapon hunt! Where to find the best capsule toy vending machines in Tokyo”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 