Japan, especially Tokyo, has seen the flourishing of “subculture.” As a result, it’s easy to find stores that specialize in products related to this subculture. Among the franchise stores that handle such products, “Mandarake” is one of them. “Mandarake,” based in Nakano, Tokyo, is one of the world’s largest manga and anime shopping malls that deals with used and rare ...
One of the famous bustling districts in Tokyo is Shibuya, and its renowned pedestrian crossing is a well-known attraction. This crossing, where a multitude of people cross at once, has become a famous tourist spot in itself. In front of Shibuya Station, there is a statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko. “Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station” Hachiko, born in ...
In the shopping area of Tokyo Station, among various stores, you can discover a unique dessert named “Havaro,” made using edible flowers. Havaro is a type of dessert originating from France, crafted using milk, cream, and anglais (Bavarian cream), and it is primarily enjoyed as a sweet treat. “Upgraded with Edible Flowers” Originally a dessert imported from France, Havaro has ...
Singapore, a country that was once under British rule, bears remnants of British culture. One notable aspect is the development of British tea culture in Singapore. Consequently, Singapore has created its own tea brand, with “TWG” being one of the most well-known. “Representative Tea Brand in Singapore, TWG” One of the best-known places among them is the “TWG” store in ...
In Tokyo, you naturally pass through Tokyo Station at least once during your travels. On the first day of this trip, after getting off the bus at Tokyo Station, I passed through Tokyo Station once again while continuing my journey. After having a quick meal at Yurakucho Station, one stop away from Tokyo Station, and exploring the Bic Camera store, ...
In Tokyo’s Yurakucho, you can find a variety of electronics retail stores similar to Lotte Hi-Mart in Korea. Among them, one of the frequently seen signs is “Bic Camera,” a large electronics retail store in Japan. Bic Camera is a place you’ll often come across while traveling in Japan. Although the name might give the impression of specializing only in ...
In Tokyo’s Yurakucho, there are various chain restaurants specializing in gyudon (beef bowl), similar to Korea’s kimbap restaurants. Representatively, “Yoshinoya,” “Matsuya,” and “Sukiya” are considered the top three gyudon chain restaurants in Japan, sharing a concept quite similar to Korea’s kimbap chain restaurants. I had previously visited a Sukiya gyudon restaurant while traveling alone in Osaka. This time, I decided ...
In Tokyo’s Shinjuku, you can find various places to explore, and one of the places worth a brief visit is “Mosaic Street (モザイク通り).” This is a small alley located to the west of Shinjuku Station, and its distinctive feature is the ceiling adorned with chandeliers. While it may not be a place you intentionally seek out due to its short ...
In Tokyo’s famous bustling district, Shinjuku, there is a place known as “Omoide Yokocho,” which translates to “Memory Lane” in English. This alley has preserved the atmosphere of the past and is filled with small bars and restaurants, starting to emerge around 1946. “The Narrow Alley” The alley is quite narrow, making it challenging for two adult men to pass ...
While arcades have become scarce in South Korea, Japan still boasts numerous large arcades featuring games like crane machines. In Tokyo, buildings adorned with the sign “SEGA” can be easily found, housing arcades filled with crane machines, video games, and more – akin to the prevalence of PC bangs in South Korea. “Large SEGA Arcade in Shinjuku Kabukicho”: Even in ...
The area around Tokyo Shinjuku is divided into several districts, and among them, you can find a place called “Kabukicho.” This area was developed as part of the post-World War II revival effort in Japan. The urban development project in Shinjuku started in 1948, and due to plans to build a performance hall in Kabukicho, it was named “Kabukicho.” Ironically, ...
Slam Dunk is a basketball manga serialized by Japanese author Takehiko Inoue, gaining tremendous popularity in Japan. It has surpassed 170 million cumulative views in Japan, earning a spot in the Boy Jump 100 Million Club and setting records as the top-selling sports manga, both overall and per volume, as well as ranking third in overall Japanese manga sales. This ...