Ieyasukun of Hamamatsu City

Many prefectures in Japan created its own mascot figure to promote its local culture, policy and products. The mascot figure of Hamamatsu city is Ieyasukun. In the April this year the shopping site of ieyasukun is formally launched selling a wide array of products made in Hamamatsu. Ieyasukun is taken from the famous Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, it is believed the warrior spirit of Ieyasu is able to empower people with strength and stamina.  www.ieyasukun.jp

100 Yen Shopping Mall

Many prefectures in Japan regularly hold the 100 Yen Shopping Festival aim to attract customers in times of business slump or slow season. During the festival, all the shops in the shopping mall will set up a 100 yen corner. It is seen to be an effective way to create traffic, because if customers are kept for longer hours, it is more likely that they will spend more in shopping. Last year in September in Otsushi 100 Yen shopping festival shoppers were excited to get real diamond in the size of 0.01 carat with just 100 yen,  the mini-sized diamonds were sold out in 30 minutes.

The schedule in May is as follow:

11 May 2013 Chiba Prefecture Chiba City Hanamigawa District  千葉県千葉市花見川区

18 May 2013 Kumamoto Prefecture Hitoyoshi City 熊本県人吉市

25 May 2013 Tokushima Prefecture Naruto City 徳島県鳴門市

Telephone number for enquiries: 0233-29-2279

Cup Noodle Museum

Cup Noodle is one of the signature inventions of Japan in the twentieth century. In Yokohama there is a Cup Noodle Museum which tell the story of the birth of Cup Noodle. Visitors can experience all the processes in making cup noodle in the simulation factory. In another corner visitors can create their own cup noodle by selecting 4 toppings from the 12 ingredients and their favorite soup. The museum is very popular, visitors are advised to make their booking first.  http://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/

Korea Department Store in Shin-Okubo

A department store featuring exclusive brands from Korea in cosmetics, clothing, shoes, accessories was opened in Shin-Okubo since 2011. There are over 600 different types of cosmetics for customers to pick and choose. Customers are free to try and test the products before going to the cashier. Another special thing about this department store is there is a self-service corner for customers to make their own coffee, this is also for free. This new concept in retailing is sure to enhance your shopping experience.

http://www.koridepa.com/

Vegan Cake

Now cakes not only have the flavour of butter, there are also the flavours of Japanese radish, bell pepper, nanohana, celery etc. These vegan cakes (野菜ケーキ) contain less calories will help you to control body weight, the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants contain in the vegetables can help you to fight infection and numerous diseases.

Lighting Show in Toshimaen

Toshimaen in Tokyo is now holding the lighting show until  7^th April 2013. The setting is modeled on Las Vegas old town. The light show integrates with music is pleasing to the eye will enchant the children, elderly and your girlfriend.  http://www.toshimaen.co.jp/event/season.html

The oldest ramen in Japan

The Mitohan ramen (水戸藩らーめん) is said to be the oldest ramen in Japan. The Japanese learnt noodle-making from their Chinese counterpart. In the early days, ramen was made from flour and lotus powder. The dish integrated the theory of yin-yang and five elements from China. Yin-yang is represented by the meat and mushroom, it is said biological balance is achieved with these two kinds of food. Chives, scallion, leek, garlic, ginger are the five elements, it is said these five ingredients can regulate the five organs inside human body. Now we can enjoy Mitohan ramen in Kiraru restaurant in Toei Kyoto Studio Park or in other Chinese restaurant.

水戸藩らーめん