Japanizmo Staff Blog

X Marks the Spot!

japanizmo — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:02:25 +0000

When you’re on a Tokyo subway, watch out behind you because somebody might be trying to cop a feel. Train molesters run rampant throughout Japan’s public transportation system. Believe me, I’ve been three times a victim in a single year!

So I was happy to read in the newspaper about a sticker company that’s come up with a solution to this horrible problem. They’ve created this round sticker-stamp you put on your cell phone. So when you feel somebody’s hand moving up your waist, all you have to do is press the sticker on the perv’s hand and it’ll leave an X mark that’s hard to wash off even with soap and water.

A sticker printing association brainstormed this product probably in hopes of keeping the sticker-printing trade alive amidst all the technological consumption these days. RIght now, the association has hired a research group to figure out if people would actually want to attach the product to their phone along with all their other danglies.

If this product takes off, it’ll completely ridicule anyone with an X on his hand. Though I kinda wonder how easy it is for the phone’s owner to accidentally get Xs on his/her hand simply by using the phone. I wouldn’t want people to think I was a molester just because I’m clumsy with my phone!

Himawari

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Cheap is Good!

japanizmo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:31:08 +0000

Gift-giving is big in Japanese culture, and not just on birthdays and holidays. So whenever I go to Japan, I bring back a load of presents for friends and family in the U.S. But I’m not made of money, so I buy all my presents from a place called Daiso, where everything is priced at 100 yen (about $1). Sure, call me a cheapskate, but believe me, there’s so much cool stuff here you wouldn’t think twice.

Daiso stocks over 90,000 items, from Japanese soda candy to cool lunch tupperware to funny English signs to hang on your bathroom wall. There’s also your share of traditional Japanese-y stuff like chopsticks and rice bowls that I’ve seen other American tourists buy in bulk. I mean, seriously, you can buy a handcrafted pair of chopsticks from some old man’s shop atop a remote mountain ($$$) or you can get a pair from the 100 yen shop. Will your grandma in Detroit know the difference? I bet not.

Daiso stores are located all over Japan and they’re usually HUGE. I’m talking 2-3 stories high. My advice: bring a separate suitcase just for your Daiso purchases. And now the store is open in Seattle, San Francisco, Canada and online too. I’ve yet to visit them so go check it out for me and tell me what you think! (^_^)V

Himawari

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7-Eleven Loves Domo-Kun

japanizmo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:02:23 +0000

7-Eleven has gotten so much cooler in my book. For a limited time, they’re offering a product line of cups, straws, comic books, plushies and T-shirts for a funny-looking Japanese monster called Domo-kun.

Most Japanese people would agree that seeing Domo-kun in the U.S. is really strange cause he’s a mascot character of NHK, the PBS of TV stations in Japan (keywords: conservative, wholesome, family-fun time). First appearing in station-identification spots in 1998, Domo-kun went on to star in his own animated show for children. He’s fairly popular among people in diapers, but hardly the hipster sensation he’s become in the U.S. If you wore a Domo-kun beanie in Japan, people would question your affection for children. Wearing Domo-kun would be like a Japanese guy wearing a purple Barney beanie.

Thanks to You Tube and other viral sites, a groundswell of enthusiasm has developed in the U.S. for the alien creature hatched from an egg, and enough to rise above the radar. Last Halloween, Domo-kun merchandise surfaced at Target stores. Not sure how it did, but considering he’s not back on shelves this year, maybe not well.

Now this year, Big Tent Entertainment, Domo’s licensing company has struck a deal with 7-Eleven for a six-week campaign. My favorite merchandise is their cups, one which has the cuddly monster getting a brain-freeze cause he just had a big Slurpee. The original goods are pretty well thought out; much nicer than what was selling at Target.

A friend came to visit this week from Japan, so I took her to 7-Eleven to check out the stuff. She left with an armful of cups and spoon-straws to give to friends back home. Who knows, maybe this will start a reverse trend?

Himawari

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Where Tokyo Goes to Shop

japanizmo — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:25:11 +0000

Tokyo’s hottest new shop is called Kitson, which just so happens to hail from my hometown of Los Angeles.

It’s a place where young Hollywood celebrities browse for colorful bangles and tattoo-laden sweatshirts. The store is filled to the rim with name-brand couture, accessories, makeup, stationery goods, shoes, purses — you name it — at a cost that’ll definitely break the piggy bank. That is, unless you’re a celeb, cause then they’ll simply hand you the stuff for free.

Back a couple years ago, paparazzi swarmed the place day and night, waiting for that money-shot of celebrities being everyday people. When Halle Barry was spotted with a cool purse embroidered with big lettering from Kitson, it started a hot new trend. Ever since, Kitson owners have been smart to line themselves with celeb supporters.

And now Kitson is in Tokyo –at Lumine in Shinjuku and Harajuku’s La Foret — with a whole lot of fanfare from young women just happy to tote around a Kitson shopping bag for the sake of toting around a Kitson shopping bag (~$100). It’s a match made in heaven; both Kitson and Tokyo worship their young female celebrities and they’re not shy to make a quick buck off them either.

Kitson couture is really cute, but personally it’s way, way beyond my price range. I’m perfectly happy with shopping at H&M, Forever 21 and Uniqlo.With Kitson, I’ll admire them from afar. =)

Himawari

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Hi-Tech Cookers

japanizmo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:14:47 +0000

In Japan, rice cookers are no joke. Some people spend upwards of $500 for their ultra high-tech electric cooker, obsessing over the moisture, texture and taste of what is endearingly called “gohan.”

I’ve had dreams of the perfect bowl of rice. The best I’ve come across was one made in an iron pot over a hot flame. That’s how they used to cook it in the olden days and it doesn’t get better than that. A decent pot of rice can last days without developing a lingering odor, which I suppose means that even bacteria respect it enough to stay away!

But in 2009, we don’t have time to kindle a fire and spend three hours to cook rice. Instead we have our trusty rice cooker to do all the work. Just wash, place it in the cooker, set your timer and you’ll have your hot bowl on the table for tomorrow’s breakfast.

So what would drive someone to buy a $500 cooker? Here are some thoughts:

• They chime a Disney song when you start cooking.
• They come with a fancy hi-tech LCD panel that makes any
kitchen look cool.
• “Superior induction heating evenly distributes heat for excellent
results,” according to Amazon.
• Spatula holder and retractable cord!
• Open/close lid sensor.
• The option to cook rice porridge, sushi rice, cakes, curry, and more.

Though I think the most compelling reason to invest in an expensive cooker is the idea that a single machine can miraculously take you back the best meal of your life. But does it ever really? Probably not. But it looks pretty neat at least, right?

Himawari

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Beating the Winter Heat

japanizmo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:35:48 +0000

Last winter, Uniqlo beat its competition hands down in the race to sell the season’s hottest thermal wear. From pastel turtlenecks to puffy jackets, its HEAT TECH clothing line became the year’s most gossiped bundle of threads.

This winter, Uniqlo’s underdog competitor Aeon is determined to steal the throne with its line called (drum roll please) ….HEAT FACT! The apparel is similar to last year’s — short-sleeve tees, camisoles, turtlenecks, and long Johns — but boasts a higher thread-count for a softer, warmer feel. HEAT FACT also aims to beat competitors with a price tag 20-30% less than Uniqlo’s offerings (between $7 to $12).

HEAT FACT was just launched last week at 1,000 stores nationwide and retailers are hoping to sell at least 10 million items. Truthfully, Aeon isn’t exactly a chic brand, selling at places like Jusco and Daiei, which are like the Big Lots and Walmart of Japan. Uniqlo, on the other hand, is like Gap, appealing to both kids and adults at an affordable cost.

Especially in times like these, winter-wear has become an aggressive market. When the air gets frigid, people still want to restock their wardrobe but without breaking the bank. If Aeon wants to do well, I hope they have an eye-popping promotional campaign lined up, otherwise I think I might go for HEAT TECH. The name just sounds cooler, don’t you think?

Himawari

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Grilled to Perfection

japanizmo — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:49:02 +0000

So long summer! Thanks for the good times on the beach. I’ll miss you. Sniff.

If you’re like me, living along the breezy California coast, you spent most of this summer playing in the sand and cooking chicken over a toasty grill. Ah yes, the great Japanese charcoal grill, a.k.a., shichirin.

It’s much smaller than your typical American grill — about the size of your two hands spread wide — and so is the wire mesh. So instead of hamburgers and hot dogs, Japanese people like to throw down chopped raw vegetables (peppers, onions, corn, etc.) sliced beef, and shellfish. None of it is usually seasoned, so they’ll dip it into a soy sauce-based marinade and pop it in their mouth.

The neat thing about the Japanese grill is that you can use it virtually anywhere. It weighs a mere ten pounds and can fit under a grown man’s armpit. When I used to live in a Tokyo dorm back in the day, we’d have one on the stairwell in case somebody returned with a half-off special from the butcher’s.

Personally, I think Japanese grilling tastes much better than its American counterpart. What’s the secret?: The charcoal. It’s made of high-quality oak that burns slowly and releases a rustic flavor so good you’ll be smacking your lips for more. Forget Kingsford — whenever I go to Japan I’m sure to bring home a couple dozen charcoal sticks.

I recently found a grill at my local Japanese market in Southern California. It cost me $50. But it was definitely worth it. Now I can cook all my favorites: yakitori, soy sauce-basted corn, Korean BBQ, oysters. Oh, who says grilling can only be done in the summertime?!

Himawari

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Dog Speak

japanizmo — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:20:20 +0000

Dogs are lovable and cuddly. But what are they telling you when they start nudging at your leg? “Let’s go for a walk”? “Throw me a bone”? “Bathe me”??

Fortunately, there’s a cool new product that’ll help you understand everything your favorite canine wants to talk about:

At $200, it’s no cheapie dog-chew, but according to their website, this machine is scientifically proven to accurately interpret everything on your dog’s mind. Researchers found that depending on the pitch level of their bark, dogs are expressing certain emotions like sadness, joy or frustration.

What you do is strap the machine around your dog’s neck. Once they bark, the machine will interpret it into phrases like, “Pay more attention to me!” or “You’re a mean master!” or “I’m gonna run away now.”

Of course, It’s hard to take what they say seriously. After all what if they end up saying “I’m gonna kill you!” Are you going to throw him in the doghouse for that?

Maybe in the future, this same company will invent a machine that’ll interpret the master’s words so that dog will know that it’s cool not to pee in the house.

Himawari

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No Worries Here!

japanizmo — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:42:28 +0000

I have a friend who suffers from anxiety whenever she’s in public places. The thing is, she’s one of those silent sufferers, not wanting to impose on even close friends whenever she’s scared. That’s why she carries around a Sanrio plushie called Rirakkuma (“relax bear”). It’s a cute teddy-bear sprawled out like he’s taking a Sunday afternoon nap. Take a look:

Rirakkuma specifically caters to ‘worry worts’ like my friend. More than most countries I know, Japan is a nation of people who suppress their true feelings — and that leads to a lot of stress. So I have a feeling Sanrio knew what it was doing when creating a character who is in perpetual chill-mode. They’ve sold millions of items since its 2003 debut.

My friend has an eye-opening collection of Rirakkuma goods: erasers, toothbrush, waffle-maker, laptop, toilet paper, car seat cover… And of course, there’s her prized plushie, a 2-inch tall guy that attaches to her keychain. Just by caressing Rirakkuma against her cheek, she says she feels all is right in the world. She keeps him in her purse whenever she walks out the door. And on the rare ocassion she misplaces him, she starts freaking out.

Personally, whenever I’m stressed or feeling down, I’ll sing my favorite songs or go jogging. But everyone has their own way of venting and my friend just so happens to have two-dozen teddy bears to do so. Just don’t ever think of pulling a prank by confiscating her goods. All hell will break loose. Next thing you know, you’ll need your own Rirakkuma to calm your nerves.

Himawari

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Have a Kit Kat!

japanizmo — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:03:25 +0000

Have a Kit Kat!

If you’re ever in Japan, there’s only one thing I suggest buying: Kit Kat!

Because you’re not getting just any old Kit Kat, but a limited-edition piece of candy. That’s right, in different parts of the country you’ll find flavors you won’t get elsewhere. In the U.S., Kit Kat comes in just one flavor — chocolate — but check out how many Japan has:

plum soda
sour orange
chocolate mango pudding
Ramune
white
sports drink flavor
apple vinegar
espresso coffee
kinako
green tea
soy sauce
mango
cherry blossom
caramel and salt
grilled corn
apple
…and the list goes on.

Flavored Kit Kats began in the year 2000 with strawberry. It was a huge hit, so the following year they launched orange — and the rest is tastebud history. I find the most interesting flavors at the airport gift shop, though sometimes they come out of vending machines along some busy Tokyo streetcorner. I have to admit, some flavors are weird. Like why would you want soy sauce in your chocolate?? Though I’ve tried that one and strangely enough, it’s not bad.

The psychology of ‘limited edition Kit Kats’ is such a brilliant idea because it compels you to collect them all, regardless of whether you’re actually going to eat them or not. For me, I just want the boxes to add them to my wall collection.

For those who’ve been to Japan, what’s the most interesting flavor you’ve come across? Tell me!!

Himawari

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