Japan

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Sanrio Cafe Ikebukuro Opens in Tokyo! We're In Love With the Sweets & Original Merch

Ikebukuro

On June 5, Sanrio opened the doors to SANRIO CAFE Ikebukuro. A directly-operated and permanent cafe on the first basement floor of Sunshine City Alpa in Ikebukuro, it's sure to put a smile on all Sanrio fans' faces. SANRIO CAFE Ikebukuro is composed of two areas: a standard cafe space and a cafe wagon corner dedicated to takeaway. Here you can enjoy eating and drinking in the cafe space surrounded by your favorite Sanrio characters, or get some of the delightful drinks and sweets to go.

Furano Ski Resort: Getting the Ultimate Powder Experience at Hokkaido's Famous Slopes!

Furano / Biei / Sounkyo Skiing & Snowboarding
Inside Nezu Art Museum: Authentic Japanese Garden in the Heart of Tokyo, an Oasis of Omotesando

Harajuku Gardens
Umeda Loft in Osaka: Top 10 Japanese Sunscreens and Sun Protection Goods for 2020

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi
Top 20 Things to Do in Osaka During Your First Trip!

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Other Sightseeing
Ask A Mt. Fuji Guide: Things Travelers Often Forget When Climbing Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji
Day Trips From Tokyo: 7 Famous Tourist Spots to Enjoy History & Nature in Tokyo's Suburbs

Other Nature

Japanese Drugstores Are So Different to Back Home! A Deeper Look Into the Success of Pharmacies

It's interesting how drugstores have become an indispensable part of modern Japanese life, much like the ubiquitous convenience stores. As the name suggests, these shops are fully stocked with essential pharmaceutical products. On top of that, they also allocate shelf space for daily necessities like toiletries and foodstuff, so it's not just medicines and ointments here. This wide selection of goods is why Japan's drugstores have such a strong following among visitors from other Asian countries. In fact, it's not unusual to hear of people coming to Japan with the main purpose of doing drugstore shopping! The popularity of these stores is growing among Western lands as well. Although relatively smaller in terms of size and product range compared to their counterparts in the United States, Japanese drugstores certainly hold their own when it comes to product quality, pricing, and of course, customer service. Prices can be driven even lower if you take advantage of the tax-free system for overseas visitors. Here's a deeper look at five reasons why you, too, should drop by a drugstore too if you visit Japan!

Shop Like A Local: 20+ Helpful Phrases, Vocabulary & Tips for Japanese Supermarkets!
Tokyo Banana Releases New Cookie With Surprise Ingredient!

Tokyo Station Department Stores
What Do Japanese Buy at the Supermarket? Top 10 Quirky Japanese Drinks!

Tokyo Station Grocery Stores
Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival: Japan's Incredibly Dreamy 2km Cherry Blossom Road!

Other Surrounding Areas Of Iwate Spring
Cool Japan Souvenirs: 10 Reasons You’ll Want a Japanese Furoshiki Wrap!

Tokyo Station Other Shopping
Famous 100-Yen Store: Top 5 Weirdly Useful Kitchen Goods at Daiso!

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas 100 Yen Shops

Purikura: Change Yourself Up with Photo Booth Fun!

Arcades

You simply cannot take a trip to Japan without trying one of the mega-popular sticker photo booths known as purikura! For just a few hundred yen and a few minutes, you can take home a souvenir that is as fun to make as it is to share. Purikura isn’t just about the final photos, but about the experience and fun of posing and decoration. This is not your average photo booth! LIVE JAPAN took a visit to the purikura area of the Taito Station game center in Shinjuku to try purikura for ourselves and to take you through the process step by step!

Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement at Ohara School of Ikebana

Harajuku Other Traditional Arts
[MOVIE] Navigating Virtual Airspace with Skyart JAPAN

Shinagawa Adventure Activities
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
Become a True Gundam Pilot - Stepping into the P.O.D. at a Tokyo Arcade! (Video)

Arcades
[MOVIE] Achieve Your Cosplay Dreams at Cosplay Studio Crown!

Akihabara Culture Experience
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows

Shibamata: Snacking and Sightseeing in Tokyo’s Old Edo Neighborhood

Shibamata / Kita-Senju / Kameari Old Towns (Shitamachi)

Among Tokyoites, Shibamata is known as the city’s most nostalgic neighborhood, a place with a warm atmosphere that lets you forget the hustle and bustle of the metropolis for a while. It’s a “shitamachi,” one of Tokyo’s old towns that still bear a close resemblance to Edo, one that has a special place in the heart of many a Japanese person. The long-running TV film series “Otoko wa Tsurai Yo,” or it’s tough being a man, was filmed here as the main protagonist’s much-beloved home. The center of the neighborhood is dominated by the magnificent Shibamata Taishakuten, a Buddhist temple founded in 1629. Beautiful sculptures and a calm Japanese garden invite to a leisurely sightseeing stroll. The approach to the temple is a scenic street – a lot livelier than the tranquil temple - dotted with numerous shops, stalls, and restaurants, selling delicacies typical for the area such as una-ju (eel on rice in a lacquered box), kusa dango (mugwort dumplings), and senbei (rice crackers). Located in Tokyo’s northeast, Shibamata is a mere 30-minute train ride away from popular Asakusa, offering an entirely different taste of Tokyo’s old days.

Tokyo's Top 5 Popular Shopping Spots - Plus Why Foreign Tourists Flock to Shibuya, Japan's Fashion Capital!

Shibuya Department Stores
Discover Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine: Power Spots of Love and Health at the 'Plague Shrine'!

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Shrines
Hotels Near Tokyo Disneyland: 4 Hotels With Easy Access to Tokyo Disney Resort

Ningyocho / Monzen-Nakacho / Kasai Hotels
Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga: The Hokkaido Lake Hotel You'll Never Want to Leave

Kushiro Hotels
How to Choose Your 2020 Tokyo Hotel: Top 5 Neighborhoods Recommended by International Residents

Shimokitazawa Other Townscapes
3 Best Hotels in Kobe Japan with Amazing Views of Kobe Bay!

Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano Hotels

Osaka Castle Guide: Inside Japan's Most Visited Castle (Access, Things to Do)

Osaka Castle, Tenmabashi, Kyobashi Castles

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous and historic castles. Located in the center of Osaka City, Osaka Castle was said to have been built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who completed the unification of Japan. "When you come to Osaka, visit here first!" - This seems to be the thought of many tourists from abroad. With the help of our guide, we learned many interesting things about Osaka Castle!

30 Cool & Quirky Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo’s Iconic Area!

Shibuya Downtown
Night Out in Osaka: Drinking, Dancing, and Udon Nightlife in Japan's Wild Gourmet Capital!

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Clubs
Japan Awesome Bar Guide: Inside 9 of Tokyo's Best Bars!

Shibuya Bars & Pubs
See the Influence of the West Live in Action in Osaka's Incredible Public Hall

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Other Architecture
Even Japanese People Don’t Know That?! 11 Secrets About Mt. Fuji, the Symbol of Japan

Mt. Fuji Forests & Mountains
Japanese Food Fight! 8 Incredible Fried Dishes You Won't Believe Are From Japan

Other Japanese Food

20 Fun Things to Do for Free in Tokyo

Other Sightseeing

Tokyo is full of free and fun adventures letting you enjoy the bustling metropolis without spending a fortune. From fascinating exhibits, stunning parks, and even free beer, these 20 free things to do in Tokyo are carefully picked to ensure you’re getting the most out of your holiday! Start here to plan your next Tokyo adventure!