Hankyu men’s : department store in Osaka for only men’s fashion

The “men’s products only” fashion building “Hankyu men’s” has been opened at the Hankyu department store in Osaka.

by MShades

They have the world-first Louis Vuitton shop that only men’s products on offer, or the world-second shop of Tom Ford, who used to work at Gucci, following its NY’s open and so on, and this must be an endlessly-so- interesting department store for those men who are into fashion.

TOM FORD by nikkei trendy net

In addition, there are many other men’s only stores of some of the luxury brand such as Bvlgari or Tiffany. On the casual-ware side, they have the Under Cover, N.HOOLYWOOD or Hysteric Glamour etc. on offer.

by nikkei trendy net

It sounds like that the “Isetan Men’s” for Tokyo and “Hankyu men’s” for Osaka will become the epicenters of men’s fashion in Japan. I’d love to go there with a guy with a good taste in fashion.

Hankyu men’s(more photos)

Shimamura ; Japanese apparel chain stores

We know that the Japanese fashion chain-store company “Uniqulo” has been expanding their market to NY(UNIQLO Soho New York Store), London(UNIQLO UK stores), Hong Kong and Seoul(UNIQLO KOREA). But “Shimamura” is secretly popular among “Country side” in Japan, too.

In fact most people in big cities have never heard of “Shimamura”. The company researches the fashions & styles that are popular in the big cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, get the products similar to those and sell them surprisingly cheep.

During this holiday, I have been there for the first time and bought a lot, because they offer reasonably stylish stuff at very low price.

Shimamura’s billboard

“Shimamura” has ventured in Taiwan under the name of “流行服飾館 思夢樂 (Shimura)”, so maybe those who live in Taiwan are already familiar with them.

Shimamura (in Japanese)

Hatsumode ; the first shrine visiting of the New Year

For Japanese people, “Oshogatsu”, the New Year’s holiday time is a more important festivity than Christmas. Many of us‘d go to shrines and pray for a happy life in the new year.

Taga Taisha

I have been to two shrines, one is Taga Taisha in Taga-cho, Siga Prefecture & the other is Kanda Myojin in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Ise bridge by Mr. Mark

The most famous shrine in Japan is the Ise Jingu in Ise-shi, Mie Prefecture. The Japanese Prime Minister goes there, too. Above all, this is the shrine where the Imperial ancestors are enshrined.

Kanda Myojin

Kanda Myojin is known as the God of Business. And many companies from all over Tokyo, - form the largest business enterprise to the business owners of small & medium sized companies visit there and pray for a good business for the year. Well, well what will this year be like?

Hatsumōde - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Japanese New Year - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hato Sable zakka

Toshimaya “Hato Sable” is very famous souvenir cookie (or biscuit) :)　you can get the cookie or some sweets almost anywhere in Tokyo.

BUT if you’d like to get their cute “Hato (pigeon)” zakka, you must go　the head shop in Kamakura Kanagawa!!
I’ve got charms and magnet set ;) the big pigeon is real tasty Hato Sable.

鎌倉の味 鳩サブレー　豊島屋

Snoopy Manju

Snoopy Manju contain custard in it. You can get it only at Universal Studios Japan. It’too cute to eat,but it was tasty.

Manjū (饅頭, Manjū?) is a popular traditional Japanese confection.

USJ’s souvenirs

I went to Universal Studios Japan which is one of three Universal Studios theme parks, this one in Osaka, Japan.

I got some souvenirs at the Universal Studios. They are all sweets. These packages are sooo fun.

Universal Studios Japan

Hikone Castle (Hikonyan on YouTube)

Hikone is a city located just in the middle between Kyoto and Nagoya. There is the Hikone Castle, which was built in 1600’s, and is now designated as a national treasure.

This year, the mascot character “Hikonyan”, created for their tourism campaign has become very popular, triggered by the video clip introduced on the YouTube. It has been played more than 200,000 times in total.

There were groups of very excited girls exclaiming “Kawaii!!!” and taking photos in front of the Hikone Castle.

and brodcasted to all japan.

Hikone Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hikone, Shiga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
hikonyan

Keibunsya-Bookstore : Kyoto Trip Part 2

Keibunsya-book store is a place I always stop by when I visit to Kyoto. This book store is really worth a visit. Keibunsya is “a select shop of books, and things around books” with adjoining shops of Zakka, CD& DVD and an art gallery.

It is like a landmark which sends out various cultures from Kyoto to the rest of the nation.

If you say that you wanna check out the most interesting place in Kyoto, I’d definitely recommend the Keibunsya .

keibunsya

Kyoto Tower : Kyoto Trip Part 2

The Kyoto tower just stands out most, around the Kyoto station. But in fact, the local people in Kyoto think that the Kyoto tower is a shame for them.

They say because it looks like a stick of candle that is kind of indicating a stereo type of Kyoto, and it is not as high (131m) as to be called a “tower” etc.

There are souvenir shops, a book store, restaurants and even a hot spa inside the Kyoto tower. So why don’t you visit?

Kyoto Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Welcome to Kyoto - Kyoto Tower -

Autumn in Kyoto : Kyoto Trip part 1

Hey, I’ve just been to Kyoto by bullet train! In this time of the year in Kyoto, “Koyo”（紅葉）- autumn colored leaves are the best thing, more than anything else.

At temples and shrines, there were many people from all over Japan to enjoy the beautiful “Koyo” landscape.

Maybe due to the global warming, the season of “Koyo” has been shifted year by year. You know it’s already December, and we say it is the best time for the autumn leaves. That sounds a bit wired, don’t you think?

The photo of Maiko（like “Geisha”）is probably a tourist in that costume. They said that the make-up services for the tourist have been very popular recently. This is not a real Maiko, so don’t mistake!

Autumn leaves (koyo) in Japan
Japanese fall foliage destinations in Kyoto - Autumn in Japan
Kyoto Winter Special 2008