Tag: souvenir

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Foodie’s heaven – Department store’s basement experience!

Welcome to Japan! When it comes to visiting Japan, you can’t resist delicious, tempting foods! Ramen, Sushi, Katsu Curry, Tempura, Teppanyaki Steak and Lobster –etcetera.

As you know, convenience stores – Seven Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart are famous for their delicious snacks, sweets, finger foods, light meals.

Moreover, even supermarkets set up a large special corner where displays all genres of foods to take away.

Whereas, most of department stores have food halls commonly are located at their basement floor. We call them as “Depa Chika デパ地下” . Chika means “Basement”.

  • Ginza Mitsukoshi
  • Umeda Hankyu

High-end and seasonal select foods and beverages are displayed everywhere in Depa Chika food streets. They look like Chelsea Market in NYC or Harrods Food Halls in London.

They entirely hold seasonal theme festivals like “Christmas”, “New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day”, “Cherry Blossom”, “Autumn”, “Hokkaido”, “Kyusyu”, throughout a year.

Takashimaya 高島屋,Isetan 伊勢丹, Mitsukoshi 三越, Matsuzakaya 松坂屋, Marui 丸井, Tobu 東武, Seibu 西武, Sogo 十河, Keio 京王, Daimaru 大丸, Hankyu 阪急, Hanshin 阪神 Fujisaki 藤崎department stores are open for foodies from all around the world!!

  • Meats & Fries Appetizers
  • Happousai Fried Vegitable
  • Cheu a la creme & Mont Blanc
  • Fruits Tarte
  • Wines
  • Ohagi Dango
  • Variety flavors of salads
  • Tempura
  • Pork Katsu Bento
  • Wa gyu Beef
  • Japanese Sake tasting

I say, some foods are so expensive, because they are literally collecting delicious, beautiful foods from around the world.

Sometime you might be feeling tired from walking so much, just relax, taking a rest at a hotel room with Depa Chika foods and /or having Spa massage.

Exploring Depa Chika might become highlighted, epic Japanesey experience on your itinerary.

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Kappa Bashi Dogugai （合羽橋道具街）- for all enthusiasts of cooking utensils & kitchen gadgets!

Do you know Kappa Bashi Dogugai(合羽橋道具街)Tokyo?

If you are a professional chef, even though nothing but an amateur cook, you will be fond of this town. There are many kitchen wares and supplies in many genres of cuisines tools for professional cooks in everywhere Kappa Bashi.

Just five to ten minutes walk will take you to Kappa Bashi Dougugai from Asakusa station. It is located in between Asakusa to Ueno.

  • Asakusa Gojyuno-to
  • Asakusa Kaminari-mon
  • Ueno Park

The landmark of Kappa Bash is “The Big Shef” from Niimi Youshokki Store at the corner of south end in Kappa Bashi Dogugai street.

I just stop by this street to find a couple of knife sharpener of my own knives.

Even old, rusty, dull, flawed knives are likely to be renewed by using three types of knife sharpener (Toishi砥石) from coarse to fine textures. The knife sharpener experience was a kind of magic, exhilarating. My own knife became almost brand-new one!!

Knife sharpener lessons on site are available in Kappa Bashi Dogugai.

Also, you can find out many lesson videos @You Tube.

Nothing would need to have an elaborate training for sharpening knives. Don’t be afraid and not to be too much meticulous. Learning useful tips of knife maintenance will make your knives long-lasting. It is also contributing to sustainable living.

Maybe you also like plastic food samples. I like them too. They are look like real dishes and fresh foods. Small food sample of magnets, key holders are also good for souvenirs.

Japanese Hashi(箸)and Yunomi(湯呑み)ceramics, dishes, Tekki(鉄器),Sake bottles(徳利)and cups(御猪口) are very cute and have a varieties of colors, textures.

  • ironwares store
  • lantern store

If you plan to go to Asakusa, Ueno, don’t forget to stop by Kappa Bashi Dogugai. But one point that I need to mention, most of stores of Kappa Bashi will be closed on Sunday and generally open 9a.m. to 5p.m. Don’t be late, don’t procrastinate to visit there and enjoy finding your precious curios – @ Kappa Bashi Dogugai!!