Archive for 'Walking Tokyo' Category

a new hotel open near Ueno station

A new hotel “Life Tree” opened near Ueno station, which is one of the oldest and hub stations in central area in Tokyo on this Feb.2nd.(http://www.lifehotels.jp/ueno/)

It takes about 5 minutes to Ueno station from the new hotel. The station area is home to a lot of  popular tourists’ destinations such as traditional Japanese-western restaurants,  Ueno park, the most popular cherry- blossom veiwing spot in Tokyo,  Ueno Zoo, art museums, national museums, Kaneiji temple, Ame-yoko old shopping street,and so forth.   And  ueno is close to other popular areas, such as  Asakusa, Ginza, Yanaka and others.

The Word(s) of The Year 2015

The Word of The Year 2015 hosted by U-CAN was announced on Dec.1st and two words were chosen.  One of them is “Triple Three” and the other is “baku-gai”(/ explosive shopping).

 

The first one is a great titles of a baseball player who has achieved “a batting average of 300 or higher, 30 or more home runs, and 30 or more base stealings in the same   single  season”.  To achieve this is so difficult that only eight players have achieved this title during the 80 years of the Japanese pro-baseball history and the last one was made in 2002. However, this year two players have achieved the remarkable title for the first time in 13 years, namely Yuki Yanagida of Doftbank Hawks and Tetsuhito Yamada of Yakult Swallows.

 

And the second word “baku-gai” or “explosive shopping” is a nickname of the current phenomenon of  huge or even binge shopping done by Chinese tourists in Japan.  This year the number of  Chinese tourists visiting Japan has increased so rapidly and a lot of them enjoy shopping at comodity stores, electric appliance stores, restaurants and so forth. At the award’s ceremony of the Word of The Year,  Luo Yiwen from China, the president of LAOX, one of the major home appliance  store chains popular among foreign visitors including Chinese “explosve shopping customers” received the award on behalf of the the baku-gai phenomenon. The store chain prepares a various services for those customers, such as providiing chinese speaking staffers. The situation is expected to maintain and satisfy even more foriegn tourists to Japan.

 

Imerial Palace Inui Street temprorarily open

The “Inui-dori “(Inui Street) in the Imperial Palace in Chyoda-ward, Tokyo was temporarily open to the public Dec.5-9th. (http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/inui.html)

Totally, 202,820 people visited the street  on the five open days with 28,000-45,000 visitors each single day.  The Imperial Palace in Chiyoda-ward is now  a quite popular tourist destination visited by tourists including  foreigners, even though the open area are limited. The popularity might increase even more from now on.

 

“Blood Blockade battlefront” Character store opens at Tokyo station

A temporary character goods store, or a “chara-pop store” of “Blood Blockade battlefront”(/血界戦線, Kekkai Sensen), a popular manga and anime work will open Jun.16-Jul.31st on the B1 floor in “Tokyo Eki Ichibangai(Tokyo Station First Street)” , the biggest station basement shopping arcade zone of Tokyo.(http://kekkaisensen.com/)

 

This manga and anime work is a fantasy about an imaginary world where the human world and and a fantasy world exist together and describing stories of a secret order.  To the work, such a chara-pop store is the first one and is going to sell relating goods to the work. The store will prepare wagons at selling stages and also provide special lottery services whose special goods are available only there.

LAOX SHINJUKU Main Store Opening

Laox, a major home electric appliance tore chain opened a new store in Shinjuku, Tokyo on Jun.6th. (http://www.laox.co.jp/)(http://www.laox.co.jp/en/)

The new store is located on 3,4,and 5th floor of JTB Shinjuku Kyodo Building  near Shinjuku Station, which is the busiest commercial area in Tokyo. The store space is about 2140 ㎡ and the management expects mainly Chinese and Islamic tourists for huge shopping visits.

The store provides wide range of goods, such as PCs, TVs, watches, cosmetics, video games, goceries and so forth. The opening cerempony was held on the opening day and a famous Taiwanese actor, Lin Chi-ling  turned  up and did promotion of the new store, saying, Laox chain is a well-known and popular duty free and home electric appliance chain even in China. She showed  a Chinese character calligraphy, “美 ”（/beauty）.

Tokyo Marathon 2015 held, with about 36,000 participants

“Tokyo Marathon 2015” was held on Feb.22 in Tokyo. (http://www.tokyo42195.org/2015en/)  That was the 9th of the annual events with about 36,000 participating runners.

The course covered some central parts of Tokyo starting at the front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building.  Iidabashi~Hibiya Park~Shinagawa(turinig point)~Ginza~Azumabashi(turning point)~Toyosu(the Tokyo fish market is moving in here)~Tokyo Bigsight.

The runner of the Marathon Men finished first was Endeshaw Negesse from Ethiopia with the time record of 02:05:59 and that of Marathon Women was Birhane Dibaba from Ethopia at 02:23:15.  The first runner of Marathon Wheelchair men was Kota Hokinoue from Japan at 01:30:21 and that of Marathon Wheelchair Women was  Wakako Tsuchida from Japan at 01:46:28. There were some other categories of marathons in the event, all of which were popular. More than 34,000 runners successfully finished the total courses.

Miyu Koike’s fan event of the first visit to Meiji Shrine

A young female idol Miyu Koike, who has become popular especially due to a TV show called “God Tongue”(http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/god/), hosted a special fan- meeting event  of  the first visiting of the year to Meiji Shrine in Harajuku Tokyo on the Jan. 3rd.(http://koikemiyu.cm-ent.jp/)

She sings “Nakimushi Princess”(/Crybaby princess) that is the theme song of “Anime mashite”, a TV show of featuring anime information.(http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/animemashite/index2.html) So, noe she is a popular singer and idol of subculture. This time she prayed at one of the most popular shinto shrine with a lot of  fans of hers for good luck fo the new year.

Tokyo Station celebrated its centennial anniversary

Tokyo Station, which is one of the symbols of Tokyo and Japanese modernization, in Chiyoda-ward Tokyo near the Imperial Palace, celebrated its centennial anniversary on this Dec.20th. (http://www.tokyostationcity.com/100years/)

At 9:40am on the 20th,  JR East (Japan Railroads East) started sell the 100th anniversary Suica, the IC passes but suspended  the event due to the too many people people rushing there.

However, two days later, JR east annnounced to sell them again so that everyone that wanted the passe can purchase it.  After the completion of the renewal construction of its building, that station has became even more popular and accepts huge number of visitors including tourists.

Inui-dori (Inui Avenue) in the Imperial Palace open to public

Inui-dori(/Inui Avenue) in the Imperial Palace was opened to public and accepted casual visitors Dec.3-7 in celebration of the 80th birthday of the current Emperor. (http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html)   (http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/inui.html)

Inui-dori is an about 650-meter-long avenue between the Inui gate on the side of Kitanomaru Park and the office building of the Imperal Household Agency, lined by 59  Japanese maples and trident maples.  The above 5 days were thought to be the best time to enjoy viewing the autumnal foliages there. Actually, 54,000 people visited there on only the first day, which led to the earlier opening time of 9:30(originally planned to open at 10:00). And 349,500 people visited and enjoyed strolling and floliage- viewing there on the five days in total.

 

A blue cave illumination over Meguro River

Meguro River, which runs through Nakameguro area that is a sophisticated bustling district in Tokyo popular among young people, now has a special illumination service for the first time Nov.23-Dec.25.

In this service the the roads along the riverbank are all decorated with special blue lights all the course of about 500 m long. The illuminated areas look like fantastic  “Grotta Azzurra”, the Blue Cave on Capri Island in Italy.   Meguro River is very popular in spring for the cherry avenue along the river provides breathtaking beauty of  the cherry blossoms, So, this time Pink in spring and blue in late autumn-early winter can make a coloful contrast to make visitors there relaxed and comfortable.

KIRARITO GINZA opened on 30th

A new commericial complex ,”KIRARITO GINZA”(a gleam in Ginza) opened this 30th in 1st block in Ginza, Tokyo.(http://www.kirarito-ginza.jp/)(http://www.kirarito-ginza.jp/pdf/language.pdf)

The  building is 66m high and has 12 floors, each of which include first-rate stores, restanrants,and  other establishments of totally 52. The basic concept is a bright shiny space like  diamonds and the “brilliant life” image is adopted.  jewelry stores, clothes shops, and even a wedding hall are there.

 

 

Ding Tai Fung, a  popular Taiwanese restraunt chain which was selected one of the top 10 restaurants of the world by New York Times, opened a branch in the new complex and only there special xialongbao(Chinese soup dumplings) whose primary ingredient is truffles are served in Japan. (http://d.rt-c.co.jp/ginza/)

Satin Doll Stores

Satin Doll Stores

 

Satin Doll “Ueno Main Store”

A large quantity of world famed watches is displayed

The main store is located in the center of the market and therefore named as “Ameyoko-no-heso” or the navel of “Ameyoko.”

Satin doll has 4 specialty watch stores in the area between JR Ueno and Okachimachi stations. Compare to other ttree branch shops, the main shop in “Ameyoko” sells other brand watches including Rolex. Because of its location in the middle of so-called discount shopping street, it tends to be more casual style shop so you can drop in freely without any sense of hesitation.

The main store is dealing with high quality watches from all over the world, such as Rolex, Cartier, Chanel, and Omega. A large number of rare models of used watches are also available with rather lower prices than other stores in Tokyo.

 

Satin Doll “Ueno Main Store”
Address：	〒110-0005
	10-2, Ueno 6-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo,   JAPAN
Business hours：	10:00-20:00
Closed on：	Not fixed
Phone：	03-3831-5496
URL:	http://www.satindollweb.com/store/s_heso.html

 

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Satin Doll “Ueno Center Store”

You can easily find this branch shop at just beside the entrance of the Ueno Center Building. It widely exhibits Rolex watches for your trying on. Especially variety of used Rolex models are exhibited at reasonable prices.

 

Satin Doll “Ueno Center Store”
Address：	〒110-0005
	7-8, Ueno 4-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo,   JAPAN
Business hours：	10:00-20:00
Closed on：	None
Phone：	03-3837-3330
URL:	http://www.satindollweb.com/store/s_center.html

 

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Satin Doll “Ueno Store”

 

The branch shop displays various Rolex models, such as Sports Models, Date Just, and Pure Gold Models, and also Boy’s Models and Ladies Models. You are sure to find your favorite model among them.

 

Satin Doll “Ueno Store”
Address：	〒110-0005
	4-11, Ueno 6-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo,   JAPAN
Business hours：	10:00-20:00
Closed on：	None
Phone：	03-3837-3330
URL:	http://www.satindollweb.com/store/s_ueno.html

 

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Satin Doll “Okachimachi Store”

“Okachimachi Store” is something unique among other group shops. It is a kind of small shop located in the middle of the shopping street. As well as selling various models of ROLEX･TUDOR･OMEGA, it also purchase or trade-in your used models of them.

Satin Doll “Okachimachi Store”
Address：	〒110-0005
	4-4, Ueno 6-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo,   JAPAN
Business hours：	10:30-19:00
Closed on：	Not fixed
Phone：	03-3834-2749
URL:	http://www.satindollweb.com/store/s_okachi.html

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Rich stock of the most popular type of Rolex, “Daytona”

“Daytona” is only a chronograph among Rolex brands and well known as “the king of Rolex.” Among popular line-ups in Rolex, such as “Explorer,” and “Submariner,” its popularity never declined in recent decades.

As well as in Japan, its name is also very popular among foreign visitors from Europe and USA. Vintage models produced between 1960s and 1970s are much popular than existing models and market prices on these vintages models Exotic dial,” and is called as extra rare watch. It is also called as “Paul Newman-dial,” because, late actor and car racer, Paul Newman’s favorite model. The model is usually sold at more than 5,000,000 yen as a premium.

 

Satin Doll provides super long guarantee and special after care service for Rolex watches which you purchased from their stores. 20 year-guarantee for new Rolex watches and 15 year-guarantee even for its used models. They give guarantee for movement of their Rolex watches for customers’ long use.

So-called “service-pack” is a special after care service for Rolex watches, which is indispensable for mechanism of smooth movement.

Actually, mechanical watches require overhaul once in every 4 or 5 years depending on condition of your use.

Oil of inner movement will be unclean and also some parts of it exhausts oneself by long use.

Satin Doll provides special overhaul service only for Rolex watches without any service charge.

What is overhaul service?

1. Decompose

・Take out movement from your Rolex.

・Each small parts, such as hands, face, and gear wheels, are carefully decomposed one by one from the movement.

2. Wash or rinse out

・Each small parts are rinsed out in a special detergent by ultrasonic waves, and dried after that.

・And other outer parts
of Rolex, such as case and bracelet, are also washed out and polished carefully for removing stains.

3. Oiling and assembling

・Each cleaned parts are assembled after oiling.

*It is really hard enough to examine adequate quantity of oil, and strength of assembling. Only long experienced engineers can carry on assembling.

4. Adjustment

・Assembled movement is packed back into the cleaned case.

・And other related adjustments, such as stem of the watch, pace of movement, accuracy, waterproofing, and condition of movement, are performed. Entire overhaul service is finally finished.

 

Italian bar “IL CADOCCIO”

                     

 

Italian bar “IL CADOCCIO”

New wine bar under the popular “yakiniku” restaurant chain

The Taisho-en group, one of the popular “yakiniku” Korean-style barbecued beef restaurant chains in Ueno additionally opened Italian win bar “IL CADOCCIO” on the B1 floor of their stand bar “Kadokura.”

The wine bar has a long counter with 5 to 6 people along the wall, and a round share table in the center.

Italian wines start form 1,980 yen a bottle. The bar basically serves Italian dishes, such as pasta, pizza, and other attractive Italian items. As the famed “yakiniku” chain group, they also serve an A-5 grade beef steak.

There is a wine cellar with rich stock under an indirect lighting. And a menu board says “otoko-no nikumori” or a chunk of meat 580g (750 yen), which catches customers’ eyes in a modern atmosphere. Only the popular “yakiniku” chain with long history in Ueno can serve A-5 grade beef at this low price.

You can enjoy a large quantity of beef with a bottle of Italian wine with reasonable prices between 2,000 and 3,000 yen. In addition, fish, quiche, and tapas, such as homemade pickles attract their female clients. They tend to drop in and share a bottle of Italian wine on the way back their homes. Yes, this bar is for sociable people.

 

Menu Recommended

Special Lunch for   Ladies ￥880

Coffee   & dolce are served together

 

Large portion “Gatturi” Lunch ¥1,080

Meat(100ｇ), Pasta(150ｇ), Rice(200ｇ), & Coffee

 

Assorted meat “Otoko-no-niku-mori” ￥2,800 (Half size ￥1,600)

(Beef, chicken & pork)

Pizza Bismarck ¥800

Panda pizza ¥800

 

 

Beverage

■Glass Wines

Gancia Brut Spumante	¥450
Borgo Sanleo Binaco	¥350
Montebello Trebbiano d’Abruzzo   de Rubicone	¥450
Chardonnay Santa Helena Gran Vino	¥500
Borgo Sanleo Rosso	¥350
Monte Bello Sanclovese Del Rubecone	¥450
Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Helena Gran Vino	¥500

■Other Beverages

Draught beer	¥380
Cocktail	¥450
Chūhai “Shochu   Highball”	¥380
Highball	¥380
Jim Beam	¥400
“Taketsuru” 12 years old	¥450
Williams & Humbert Collection Fino	¥380
Grahams Fine Ruby	¥380
Limoncello	¥400
Coffee, Espresso，or Cappuccino	¥350
Soft Drinks	¥300

 

 

Italian bar “IL CADOCCIO”
Address:	B1F Forum Aji-building
	Ueno 6-13-1, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Phone:	03-3832-5444
Business hours:	Lunch: 11:30-15:00 (Last orders: 14:30)
	Dinner: 17:00-23:30 (Last orders:22: 45)

 

 

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Albuquerque

Artisan’s handmade leather goods for long use

                       

 

Albuquerque is a store specializing in leather goods and Indian jewelries, which has been running business in the AmeyokoPlaza more than 20 years.

The proprietor cares on selecting handmade belts, purses, bags, and other small leather articles for long use. Most popular items in their stock are purses, which count over 100, categorized in styles and leather materials. “ALBUQUERQUE” sells various leather and silver goods under famous brands, such as L.C/Croppers/OPUS /DAKOTA/Silver King/BURN BURN/SPRIT WINDS/SARN/CALF/Taka Fime Leather/Nocona/Natural Hands/LEFTY/One’s WarKer/K’C/BOTA, and American Indian jewelries.

As well as putting names on the leather goods, they accept full-order from their customers and after care service. Indian jewelries are also very popular, which are purchased directly at the American Indian reservations by the proprietor.

 

 

“ALBUQUERQUE” opened in April, 1992.

At the beginning of their business, the proprietor had really a hard time for running business. They tried to learn ABC of leather from their artisans and makers, and getting know-how from technical books. Sometimes, they could not find any good solution about their customers’ questions on leather. Even that they never give up and trying to learn one by one through their business. Now they are really experts in their business and giving good advice to their customers.

The 2^nd shop “Stow”

Their second shop “Stow” was opened in October, 1998.

 

“ALBUQUERQUE 88”

In addition, they opened the third shop “ALBUQUERQUE 88” on March 1, 2006. The 3^rd shop sells rather small size items, such as leather wallets, belts, buckles, leather bags, and silver goods. Brands are L,C・CROPPERS、Kc’s、Opas、One’s、Natural Hands, and others.

In 2008, “ALBUQUERQUE 88” has been expanded over to next-door space, room 87 in AmeyokoPlaza, and therefore, much variety of items is displayed.

 

As well as in “ALBUQUERQUE”, you can find various kinds of leather goods here. Leather is carefully selected and furnished by skilled craftsmen for each goods. Their hand-made leather goods are very attractive, easy to handle, and durable.

 

The carving corner for “ALBUQUERQUE”

 

As the carving corner for “ALBUQUERQUE” new place was opened on April 16, 2010, in the room 108 of the AmeyokoPlaza. However, the corner has been replaced to room 92 in August, 2013. Variety stock of Western fashion items is available here. Orthodox Western style leather goods are all handmade by good skilled craftsmen. High quality of these goods attracts their customers. Leather belts, purses, and bags are manufactured piece by piece by long experienced craftsmen. They occasionally visit USA for purchasing high quality Indian jewelries.

 

Custom-made good

If you could not find any favorable one among ready-made leather goods, or you like to purchase the exact same size and style of leather goods of your old one, why don’t you make special order? Our good craftsmen will make your favorite leather good according to your suggested size, color, and design.

 

After-sale repair service

“ALBUQUERQUE” cares all their goods even after sales and provides good after-sale repair services in very reasonable fees. The fee for repair is depended on how long their customer used or conditions of good itself, and is set after consultation with their artisans. Of course, some of them are impossible to repair because of too long use, but most of them can be revived. Even leather goods purchased at other shops can be accepted for repair. Silver or golden made goods are also acceptable for repair.

 

Albuquerque
Address:	〒110-0005 # 98, Ameyoko   Plaza
	Ueno 6-10-7-98, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Phone:	03-3836-3386
e-mail:	info@goodleather.co.jp
ULR:	http://www.goodleather.co.jp/
Business hours:	10:00-19:30
Closed on:	2nd Wed.

 

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Mitsukoshi’s five hidden lion images will be exhibited

Mitsukoshi, the oldest and one of the most renowned department stores is famous for the two lion images standing at the main entrance of the main store in Nihonbashi Tokyo. Still there are five more lions images which are usually kept in storage ,and they will be exhibited t the public commemorating the 100th anniversary of the lion images in this April.