Visit Japan Now

If you are planning a visit to Japan in the near future, you will not want to pass up the fantastic shopping the cities have to offer. If Tokyo is in your plans, be sure to visit one of the several 100yen shops in the city. Similar to an American dollar store, 100yen shops offer a variety of treasures for shoppers of all tastes.  Japan also has a variety of department stores, including Matsuya, Mikimoto and Wako. At all of them you can find a variety of fashions and accessories in all price ranges and for all tastes.

In addition to department stores, bookstores and yen shops, Japan has neighborhood flea market and rummage sales, similar to what you might find in European and American neighborhoods. These flea markets are a great place to find discounted souvenirs, as well as used books, clothing, pottery, shoes and trinkets. Both Tokyo and Osaka have regularly scheduled flea markets that boast hundreds of vendors.

Another aspect of Japanese shopping culture to be on the lookout for is stores that specialize in trendy, of-the-moment items that young Japanese citizens go crazy for. Many boutiques are hidden away off the main drags and you will find unique clothing and items that can’t be found anywhere else. These items would make excellent souvenirs and while shopping for them, you will experience a bit of Japanese culture that is often unique to the locals.  Shopping in Japan gives visitors a chance to experience the culture and economy of the country while enjoying their vacation.

I am a huge Death Note fan and I finally was able to get my hands on this amazing Misa Amane MoeArt anime figure. What a cute young lady we have here. Straight from Cartoon Network’s anime, Death Note, she’s so sweet and perky. Very sexy, yet innocence personified.

Yet is she all that innocent? A high school student and a pop star, but so much more than that. The girlfriend of Light Yagami, owner of the shinigami notebook, also called the Death Note, may be more than she seems.

As we know, anyone whose name is in Light’s notebook is scheduled to die. Our dear Misa has her own Death Note, so she needs to be careful out there. She’s much too sweet to meet an untimely end. Will her cute little “do” and those long, lacy stockings be enough to save her from tragedy? (Obviously, yes!) Or is her choice in boyfriends going to be a huge mistake in her young life? (no, not really)

So, I thought it would be better to take Misa home with me. Put her in a special place on my bookshelf, where she’ll be safe at night and there to greet me when I open my eyes in the morning. Yes, Misa belongs in any Death Note figure collection. What better way to start your day, than with your own little Misa Amane waiting for you. You should all be so lucky as I.

Find more of fantastic featured products that make wonderful gifts as well.

While most people are familiar with many aspects of Japanese dining, actually visiting the city and experiencing their restaurant culture can be a fun and educational experience. When the topic of Japanese dining arise in conversation, most people are going to think of sushi. It is true that sushi is a big part of Japanese cuisine, and if you are planning a visit to Japan, you will want to bone up on your sushi terminology. There is more to be aware of than just raw fish, and you will want to know what to order and what your options are prior to dining out. It is also important that you practice chopstick usage, as they will be the primary utensil you will be offered at traditional Japanese restaurants. As many know, dining out in Japan is more than just sitting down at a table and shoveling food in one’s mouth. The Japanese have traditions and rituals surrounding their eating experiences and it is best to have an idea of what to expect prior to your arrive in the country.

In addition to the cuisine you would expect to find in Japan, there will probably be a few surprises. Bento boxes are often elaborate boxed meals, separated into compartments and varied in shape, sizes, and color. Bento boxes have been elevated to an art in Japan and are even growing popular across the world. They are unique because they create and organized and creative dining experience. At New Year’s you can buy special, expensive boxes, similar to Bento boxes, called Osechi meal boxes. It is filled with traditional celebratory New Year’s foods, and legend has it that the reason the boxes came about was so that Japanese ladies would not have to cook around the New year.

For the faint of heart, you can also find more traditional European and American style fare in Japan, such as pizza and burgers. But chances are, you won’t hear any of the locals raving about the quality or taste of these standards. So if you’re planning a visit to Japan, brush up on your chopstick skills, get familiar with sushi terms and plan to be adventurous.