[location & souvenir]TOKYO CHARACTER STREET!

OHAYO GOZAIMASU, guys!!

OHAYO GOZAIMASU is the Japanese way to say “hello” in the morning time!

What I want to introduce you today is…TOKYO CHARACTER STREET!

TOKYO CHARACTER STREET!(10:00-20:30

TOKYO CHARACTER STREET is the arcade consisted of 21 character shops, located under ground of Tokyo Sta.

That means… you can enter the place for free!:Dhaha.

In TOKYO CHARACTER STREET, you can get Japanese popular characters’ stationary, furniture, snacks etc.

 The characters that live in TOKYO CHARACTER STREET are so various- from merchandise based characters like Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma to TV programs and film characters like GIBURI’s and NHK’s.



Hello Kitty Store



Rilakkuma Store

Giburi's shop "Donguri (acorn shell) Garden"

See the globaly known character "DOMO" in NHK TV station store.

TOMICA (mini-car) SHOP

PLARAIL (mini-railway) SHOP

TOKYO CHARACTER STREET is connected with other amusement areas like TOKYO OKASHI (candy) LAND, where you can enjoy freshly made potato chips, and also TOKYO RAMEN (noodle) STREET, where you can try on several Chinese noodles!

TOKYO OKASHI (candy) LAND



TOKYO RAMEN (noodle) STREET!

TOKYO has other enchanting places where you can see those Japanese characters all over the city, but in TOKYO CHARASTER STREET, you can take a glimpse of the current hottest characters at same time!

More info about TOKYO CHARACTER STREET (can’t believe they don’t have an English web page!):

http://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/feature/characterSt/

[souvenir] Prefecture Representative Kewpee Key Chain Sized Dolls ♥

Hey guys!

I would like to introduce you my babies todayJ

They areeeeee, Kewpee dolls!!

I think Kewpee is a familiar character for not only Japanese people but also those who staying in the outside of Japan.

Kewpee was created by the American illustrator Rose O’Neil in1909, and in 1922, Japanese mayonnaise company called Kewpee Corporation officially registered Kewpee as their trade mark.

After that, Kewpee often appears on Japanese TV commercials, and got recognition in Japan.

So currently, Kewpee is no more just a trade mark of mayonnaise company, but one of the most familiar characters in Japan and you can get each prefecture’s representative Kewpee key chain sized dolls all over Japan!!!

SO,

I’m going to show you my collection of each prefecture’s Kewpee dolls!!

Too cute, aren’t they??

The price of each dolls is like 420 yen ($4) per a doll and you can find them at the each prefecture’s souvenir stores, drive through, station, or air portJ

When you got to visit Japan, please just remember thinking about these cute angels and don’t forget to mention on the back side of the small paper in the package.

It’ll tell you some short story about the prefecture and the costume of Kewpee.♥

Eriko

more info about these representatuve Kewpees for Japanese prefectures:

http://item.only-one.co.jp/item_search/rootCategoryId,361/

[souvenir]"Japanese TRADITIONAL" Real Candy LIP GLOSS!!

Hey, guys! Konbanwa!

How are you doing?

As for me, I went to Ginza, Tokyo to enjoy “window shopping.” And you know, the word “window shopping” does not always mean literal “just watching into windows” ….lol

Well, today, I found this very unique product….LIP GLOSS!!

I know finding tubes of lip gloss is not that unique, but the remarkable thing is; where I found this cosmetics.

 

I found this at the Japanese traditional candy shop called AMEYA EITARO.

AMEYA EITARO is a sister brand of the Japanese traditional candy store EITARO AME. EITARO AME is established in Edo period, and you can find its store in the department stores like MITSUKOSHI, MATSUYA, ISETAN.

The AMEYA EITARO store I visited was located in MITSUKOSHI GINZA, and they are selling Ginza’s limited strawberry flavor like AMAO and SAGAHONOKA.

Oh, I think, it’s really great timing to introduce you about Japanese strawberries.

Japanese people are so strict with the flavors of Strawberry (=ICHIGO in Japanese.) In winter time, you’ll see plenty of kinds of strawberries and two of those flavors are AMAO and SAGAHONOKA.

SO, in this store, I found this lip gloss.

There are six flavors for this lip gloss line and I got litchi flavored one.

So this is the picture of the box…

 And, this one is the tube!

And… what do you think? You thought this is a cosmetic lip gloss, aren’t you?

Well, the stuff at the store told me that this lip gloss is just a melted candy (like syrup,) and we can put that in the yogurt and other desserts!! I think you all thought the same thing, but I was like “Ew.” Lol

But what she told me relieved me and persuaded me to buy it.lol

In Edo period, there were no cosmetics to make girls’ lip shinny.

So young girls started to add some melted candy on their lips and they also could enjoyed the taste of good sugar without letting no adults know at the same time.

Very cute story, isn’t it?? She told me that they got inspiration from this storyJ

So, this lip gloss is more like secret snacks for girls;)

Very unique, cute shape, healthy, not expensive (500yen per each), and based on the real historical Japanese tradition.

It’s definitely worth trying!!

If you are curious, check their web page (Japanese only):

http://www.ameyaeitaro.com/

Eriko

[souvenir]Japanese Stickers!!!

Konbanwa!

Since it is night time in Japan, I greet with you guys with “Konbanwa.” Instead of “Konichiwa.”J

Well, today, I’m going to introduce you guys not the places, but stationary of Japan!!

Do you like to color your life with adding your original taste?

As for me, I LOVE IT.

Today, I would like to show you some of the stickers I got from the store just three hours ago;)

Talaaan!!

Don’t you think they are so cute?

The price of each sheet of stickers are like 100 yen – 200 yen ($1-2).

And you can find those stickers really easily at the supermarkets or shopping malls for Japanese local.

And the remarkable thing is;

Summer season is the best time to get “Japanese design” stickers because we- Japanese have most of the festivals called “Natumatsuri” in summerJ

Japanese Glass Bell "Fu-Rin"

If you have any plan to visit Japan in summer time,

You really cannot miss this chanceJ

P.S.

This index sticker will be appear on my next year's schedule book;)

Eriko