Soba machine now sold in Japan

I love noodles. In fact, I love it so much that it is the first thing that I check out in a menu whenever I go eat at a restaurant. I doesn’t matter if it’s Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or any other cuisine. As long as they have long strips of carbohydrates then I am ordering that.

I particularly love soba noodles. Soba is one of my most favorite Japanese foods. I love how soft and flavorful soba noodles are and how it complements the condiments and additional ingredients included with the dish. Of course, just like with any other noodle, freshly made soba is better than the commercially available dried ones. I know how hard it is to make soba so I was quite delighted to discover an actual soba machine being sold in Japan. Now, anyone can make soba, even at home. The machine will allow a user to make soba in just 20 minutes. The maker, Takara Tomy, designed the machine similarly to Italian pasta machines, meaning it is quite easy to operate. who says you need to be an accomplished soba chef to make soba? Now you can make your own soba!

Triumph unveils My Chopsticks bra

I was watching the news yesterday and thoroughly getting depressed because of all the bad news the anchors were relaying. Fortunately, a light, lifestyle feature followed that lifted up my spirits and also showed how wacky the Japanese can get.

It’s the My Chopsticks bra that was created by Triumph Japan. The funny looking bra actually has sports cups that look like a bowl of rice (on one cup) and a bowl of miso soup (on the other cup). To top it off, the bra has side pouches where chopsticks can be kept. Call it a concept bra, if you will. The My Chopsticks bra really brings home the message that a woman’s breast can really provide nutrition and has a wonderful packaging.

Land of Louis Vuitton Lovers

Louis Vuitton Malletier à Paris (LVMH), more commonly known simply as Louis Vuitton, opened its first store in Paris on Rue Nueve des Capucines way back in 1854. More than a hundred and fifty years later it is still very much famous with its leather goods considered as a status symbol all over the world.

When the first Vuitton store opened in Japan in 1978 they expected the product to take off but never anticipated as warm a welcome as they got. In fact by the 1980s Vuitton sales in Japan alone accounted for nearly half of the ENTIRE revenue of the company. To this day Loius Vuitton is more like a cult phenomenon among Japanese females instead of just a popular but passing trend. Sales in Japan stil account for an estimated 55% of all sales. According to Akira Miura, chief editor of a fashion paper in Japan, “Almost every grown-up Japanese woman already owns at least one Louis Vuitton item.” But even then people continue on buying more Vuitton items, after all a single Vuitton trunk in your closet looks incredibly lonely.

Cartoons and Beauty Products

What do these things have in common? Ask the manufacturers of the very popular brand Bihada Ichizoku and they’ll tell you everything. One of the most common sights in drugstores and beauty bars in Japan today is a skincare product that is packaged in the most extraordinary way – a pretty girl with long curly blonde hair backdropped by a scene of hot pink.

This beauty sheet mask is sold by Lovelabo, a Japanese company specializing in beauty products. What they did was unprecedented – they combined their marketing strategy with that of a popular novel and its characters. Though quite new at the time that they conceptualized this strategy, they have been proven right in their choice. To date, the sales of this line of products have skyrocketed beyond the company’s original expectations.

Indeed, having an excellent line of skincare products packaged in such an unconventional manner is a great way to catch consumers’ attention. I wonder where I can get my hands on one?
[tags]Japan, fashion, skincare, anime, novels, marketing[/tags]

Harajuku

The fashion lovers mecca of Japan, Harajuku stretches out along the Takeshita Street, or Takeshita-dori. One can get to the plethora of shops and stalls in this area by getting off at the JR Harajuku station of the Yamanote Train Line. From there, you will get inundated with all the clothes, jewelry, and all sorts of accessories that you can find.

Harajuku mainly attracts the younger crowd who fill up the place, especially during the weekend. More often than not, you will also see large flocks of tourists frequenting the place. Different areas in Harajuku stand for different things. Fashion boutiques are best found in Laforet Harajuku while the hub of young designers is Ura Harajuku. Omotesando on the other hand is the place to go for the chic and sophisticated. Whatever your taste may be, you will surely find something to suit you in this fashionable place. At the very least, it will be a feast for your eyes.
[tags]Japan, tourist spots, shopping, fashion, Harajuku[/tags]

Onsen – The Spa Lover’s Paradise

Though Japan definitely has its own share of cold weather, it is also home to some of the world’s most active volcano fault lines. As such, it boasts of more than 3,000 hot springs, or onsen. Because of the cold weather, these onsen are quite popular throughout the country. Most spa towns are open all year round, with the cold season being the most popular.

More than merely relaxing in these onsen, the Japanese believe in their healing powers. The word kamiyu is used to refer to these healing powers. Literally, it means “divine power.” If you are going to visit Japan, you should not miss out on a trip to an onsen. Hotels and inns proliferate in spa towns, making it easy for the traveler. However, if you plan on going during the peak season, it is always wise to make reservations in advance. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending your time searching for accommodations.
[tags]Japan, hot springs, onsen, spa, accomodations[/tags]