Jalan Jalan Japan: Antenna Shops in Kotsu Kaikan Building & Muji

Have you heard of Antenna Shops? Next stop a visit to Kotsu Kaikan Building at JR Yurakucho Station

You don’t have to travel out of Tokyo, to discover the joy of the other prefectures. These prefecture shops are the tip of the iceberg in helping you discover the joy of the other parts of Japan. Trust me you won’t leave empty handed as the prefecture goods also make the perfect souvenirs for your trip! Don’t forget to collect travel information about the provinces too!

In general these shops are mainly concentrated between JR Shimbashi and JR Tokyo Station. If you have limited time, I suggest visiting Kotsu Kaikan Building first, as there is a cluster of around 13 Antenna Shops there: Toyama, Shizuoka, Hyogo, Hakata, Hokkaido, Osaka, Wakayama etc

You may like to check out the following items

1)Toyoo Ka : black beans – Do you fancy black beans cake, black beans jam, or black beans coffee/cocoa?

2) Toyama Kan : Konbu Jelly –Most of us have tried Konbu in soup but you will either love it or dislike it in Jelly, as the taste of the seaweed is very strong. As a gift they make the perfect conversation starter.

3) Osaka Kan- Whenever you ask anyone about the specialities in Osaka, most people will mention “Tako Balls”. If you are feeling hungry try the freshly made “Tako-yaki”,or alternatively pack some street snacks from there.

4)Murakaramachikara Kan – Carries specialities from around Japan. If you like Nestum with milk, perhaps you might want to purchase Ama Sake, a sweet sake usually served along the streets during the colder months. Alternatively pick up some sochu jelly, to cool you down on a hot sunny day in Singapore.

5) Hokkaido – I managed to spot the Cosmetic section lurking at one corner of the shop. Ladies instead of bottles of milk jam, why not bring home some cosmetic?

Getting there: Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Building is just across the street from Kyobashi Exit of JR Yurakucho Station.

Getting there: Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Building is just across the street from Kyobashi Exit of JR Yurakucho Station.

Map (Left) – A useful guide of all the Antenna shops found along the stretch when you walk from JR Shimbashi station to JR Tokyo station

Map (Right) – The floor guide to all the Antenna shops in Kotsu Kaikan Building.
* I picked up the maps from one of the Antenna shop in Kotsu Kaikan Building

Muji Fans will love this Muji, as it is one of the biggest Muji! It is just about 2 mins walk from JR Yurakucho Station.
http://www.mujiyurakucho.com/
Address: Infos Yurakucho Bldg. 2F/3F, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours : 10am – 9pm
* Rest your tired feet @ Muji Cafe

Jalan Jalan Japan: Kichijoji Station - Ocharaka & Harmonica Yokucho Alley

Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ginza etc are usually the areas that pop up in your mind when you think of shopping in Tokyo. There are a couple of areas (Nakameguro, Kichijoji, Koenji, Shimo Kitazawa, Kagurazaka etc) in the outskirts of Tokyo that are rising in popularity among designers, artists, entrepreneurs and restaurant owners. These unique locations have been labelled as the “in” places to visit in Tokyo. Perhaps it will lose its “wow factor” if it gets more densely populated. Make sure you visit them before they lose their shine!

Kichijoji Station

If you have the time, you may like to visit Koenji which is a few stops away on the JR Chuo Line! I think you need at least a day to complete this area. There is an eclectic mix of old and new.

Kochijoji-Honcho is a shopping belt about 15 mins walk away from the station. This street is wide enough for only one car to pass through, enjoy wandering through the clothing stores, stylish cafes and gift shops. Situated just 15 mins walk away from the station, it provides a quaint charm from the hustle and bustle of the crowded shopping district around the station. Do stop at Orcharaka when you are there.

Stephane Danton is a tea maestro who has brought his revolutionised Japanese premium tea to the international stage. When asked which is his best seller, he mentions Natsumikan but adds a word of caution that everyone's taste differs. Using the 4 Ws- who?what?where?when? he will decide on the best tea for you.

He brought to my attention that a common misconception among foreigners is that Japanese Tea is expensive. However he feels that unlike western tea leaves which only gives you one cup of tea, the same amount of Japanese Tea can be brewed a couple of times.

His business revolves around satisfying the demands of consumers for exotic Japanese tea. He perfectly infuses flavorings into the tea and the end product is a tea smelling and tasting like its name! Fancy chocolate houjicha which can be prepared with milk instead of water, aoshisho tea with Japanese basil or lime tea a perfect summer cooler? Alternatively try his special occasion blends like Noel

Noel for Christmas or seasonal flavours like Sakura tea for spring. There is something for everyone.

Ocharaka ( Japanese Tea with a twist)
http://www.ocharaka.co.jp/e_index.html
7 minutes walk from the west side of JR Kichijoji Station, along Nakamichi-dori
3-3-11 Honcho, Nakada Bldg. 1F, Kichijoji, Musashino-shi 180-0004
Opening Hours: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Rest Days: Tuesday, the 2nd and the 4th Wednesday of the month

Fancy a beetle as a pet? You can get one there


Harmonica Yokucho Alley about 5 mins walk from Kichijoji is a very narrow alley, housing izakaya bars, restaurants, and traditional shops. Curious day-trippers will enjoy the surprises housed inside it. Have you seen an old pickle shop before? Who said Beetles/ Stag Beetles are cheap to upkeep? Owners have to feed them jelly which can be bought at the 100 Yen shop.

Beat the heat in Singapore with some of these cooling products from Japan. They are available in most convenient stores. If you happen to be in that area, you can buy the following products from this store, in the shopping arcade beside Harmonica Yokucho.

Jalan Jalan Japan : Takadanobaba Station - Tsumami-Kanzashi Museum

JR Takadanobaba Station: Tsumami-Kanzashi Museum

Tsumami Kanzashi on display and a memorable keepsake for all visitors to the museum

I decided to visit Tsumami-Kanzashi Museum, which showcases the Ishida family’s work of art - traditional Japanese hair ornaments. The hair clips are not on sale here but are available in the Kimono section of major departmental stores around Japan Why not bring home a delicate handcrafted piece to admire for a lifetime and even pass it on to the next generation. This is in-line with the Japanese tradition.

* Tsumami – A craft of pinching small square pieces of cloth to form eye catching designs like those pictured above. (extracted from Tsumami Kanzashi Museum Pamphlet)

Directions: Tsumami-Kanzashi Museumつまみかんざし at JR Takadanobaba Station. It is 10 mins walk from Toyama Exit and on the 4th floor of Takadanobaba Building.
Opening Hours: 10.00AM – 5.00PM
Rest Days : Sundays - Tuesdays

* The museum consists of a shelf with some Tsumami-Kanzashi on display. Most people visit the museum to find out more about this craft from a Tsumami Kanzashi master whose workshop is there. He speaks only Japanese, therefore do bring a Japanese speaking friend along if you are not fluent in the language.

Jalan Jalan Japan : Sugamo - A fashion hub for the elderly ladies

Sugamo Station

I visited Sugamo, affectionately known as 'The Harajuku for Grannies'! It is a fashion district geared towards the greying hair generation. This is a hip place where they can buy their “Akai Pantsu” which is believed to bring good luck to the wearer. I know red pants may not be on your shopping list but why not bring back some of the area specialities from Jizo Dori the shopping street of Sugamo.

1) When I walked past this shop, I heard some Japanese commenting that this shop is famous for its Salted Daifuku. Daifuku are usually sweet, so therefore you’ve got to try this unusual combination . It tasted a bit like salted green bean paste with bits of red beans. I don’t think you can get this in Singapore. So if you like it, perhaps you may consider buying a few pieces for home.

2) Doesn’t this shop’s rice cracker remind you of Famous Amos’s icing biscuit? Instead of a plain Senbei, why not give your friend a Senbei with some well wishes
on it?

3) Have you tried pickled garlic with wolfberries? Dipped your cucumber sticks into garlic miso / yuzu garlic miso paste (the miso contains slices of garlic) or ate Black Garlic? If you have not, here is a snapshot of one shop which sells these items. I bought a clove of black garlic, will let you know my opinion of it when I cook it with pasta. By the way, do note that you are only to eat one slice from the clove per day and not gobble the whole clove in one day!

4) Nom, Nom, Nom! Satisfy your Kit Kat cravings at convenience stores like Family Mart & Newsday! My favourite flavour is Chilli Dark Chocolate Kit Kat, I found it at the museum store in Matsumoto City.

6) Sugamo is a Seaweed paradise. It has more than 5 stores selling different types of Japanese Seaweed. If you prepare Miso Soup at home, why not use Mekabu(めかぶ) as an alternative to wakame. Add this to boiling soup and it will give the soup a different texture.

* Tip – Some of the stores sell the same goods but at different prices. So do walk around before making a purchase.

Directions:
Cross the street when you come out of the station and turn to your right. You will see an alleyway resembling the picture on the left. Walk along the alleyway and you will come to Sugamo Market along Jizo Dori.

Jalan Jalan Japan : Asakubashi Station

Asakubashi Station

If you have missed Hina Matsuri (Girl’s Day) or Tango no Sekku (Boy’s day) or an avid doll collector, you may want to stop at Asakubashi which is a famous wholesale area to view these traditional Japanese dolls(Hinaningyou and Gogatsuningyou). A doll will set you back by about 10000 yen but it is considered inexpensive considering the time taken to handcraft this exquisite delicate work of art.

A lesser known fact about the neighbourhood is it is a wholesale area for jewellery bits. If you have the time to spare do explore the town as you may find some unexpected surprises lurking round the corner!

Here is a hidden gem in the area, and perhaps you might want to visit shops found off the main road to pick up some souvenirs:

Strawberry Nice: just go down the tiny alley when you see KFC.
It is located at the end after you have exited from the station. What caught my attention was that it is retailing their earrings for just 88 Yen! Less that S$1.50 That’s a steal! Nowadays many people love to wear different earrings on each side. This pair of earrings reminds me of Japan (Goldfish & Wind Chime) what do you think?

Directions: Pop out of the station, turn left past the lottery booths and head down the main road. You will see KFC ahead, walk down the alley after KFC and you will come to this shop.

Kiwa is found along the main street and I noticed that the locals love to stop by that shop, perhaps you might want to visit it if you are in the area.

This shop deserves triple thumbs up! Have you ever tried a hole in the wall restaurant that serves at most 20 pax(8 in the room and 10-12 around the counter) and you are the only female among men in office clothes? I had that experience for the first time and if you love Unagi, then you can consider coming here. The lady boss told me that very few foreigners visit their shop.

The Unagi are freshly gutted and grilled right before your eyes. The freshly grilled unagi seemed thinner than air flown pre-packed unagi but the flesh was tender & juicy! You’ve got to try it! The flesh melts in your mouth!

Yoshida (Unagi Shop)
Opening Hours: 11.30AM – 2.00PM and 5.00PM-9.00PM
Rest Days : Sundays and Mondays

Directions: How to locate this shop? When you come out from JR Asakubashi, you will see the JR tracks running across the street. Please cross the road and follow the tracks to the end, you will see this shop! before Sumidagawa Terrace.

Snapshots of what is lurking under the railway tracks

Jalan Jalan Japan : Kappabashi Street : Iwaseki - Making Wax Models

Kappabashi is a well known area among the culinary circle as it is the place the chefs and restaurateurs can buy the tools of their trade. However I was not there for that purpose. Why buy ready made wax souvenirs when you can make them yourself! Other than being able to cart home cute handphone straps, why not try to make a tempura prawn and lettuce wax model at Iwaseki 1500 ￥. For registration please call 0120-81-183. Two slots are available daily: 11am & 2pm.

イワサキビ一アイIwasaki Be-I （Making food wax models）
http://www.replica-food.jp/
Directions: After you pass 合羽橋 along Kappabshi Street, you will see the shop on the right.
Opening Hours: 10.00-17.30
Rest Days: Sundays

Directions to Kappabashi

Get out of the Tawaramachi Station(G18 on the Ginza Line) and go down Asakusa Dori (浅草通) You will come to the crossroads of (菊屋橋) and Asakusa Dori. You should see a police box at the corner and a big Chef’s Head on top of a building diagonally across it. That is the start of Kappabashi Street.

You can pick up a map of the area from the police post. With this you can easily find the shops you like, without having to walk the whole street.

Drum Museum (Taiko-Kan)
You may like to visit the Drum Museum located inside this shop. It is about 5 mins walk from Tawaramachi Station.

Snapshots around Tawaramachi Station

Jalan Jalan Japan: JR Nippori Station - Yanaka Ginza, Senbei Shop, Pickle Shop

Take a step back in time by visiting Yanaka Ginza (谷中銀座), a quaint bustling shopping street with shops that are lined next to one another like people in a crowded MRT train! The street is made up of a mix of tenants such as Grocers, Hair dressers, Souvenir Shops, Restaurants etc. There’s enough excitement here to fill a shutterbug’s wishlist! As you are walking down the street, there are two traditional shops that you might want to check out:

1) Yanaka Senbei

This shop has a demonstration section and if you are lucky you might catch the chef in action. I love to buy snacks from traditional stores, don’t you? The 4th generation has taken over the business yet nothing has changed.

The most popular flavor among the locals and foreigners is still Katamaru which is made of soy. However two other flavours that are gaining in popularity is Zarame and Goma (Sugar coated Senbei and the other with black sesame)

Senbei - Japanese Rice Cracker it can be either salty or sweet.

谷中せんべい Yanaka Senbei
Address:
〒１１0－００01
東京都台東区谷中七－十八－十八
Tel:03-3821-6421

2) When I asked the owner whether she comes up with new flavours her reply was this is a traditional shop, therefore they do not come up with new flavours. But they have seasonal specialities: For summer they have a miso dip with soya beans that can be served as a dip for cucumber or on top of rice. In October their speciality is clams with soy sauce. The young lady boss told me that pickles go hand in hand with rice. Instead of sprinkling the dried flakes from Daiso on top of your rice, why not bring back the most popular item - Unagi in soya sauce - and serve it together with rice for a change? This 88 year old shop is diagonally located from the senbei shop.

Directions to Yanaka Ginza
Take the North Exit from JR Nippori Station, and walk straight for about 10-15 mins and you will reach Yanaka Ginza.