Japan Hit By Heavy Snows

Above, my commuter train stopped at a Chiba station due to heavy snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a story that brings back memories.

Japan is currently being hit by a rare heavy snowstorm. The storm has caused flight cancellations and Shinkansen stoppages.

According to Travel + Leisure:

Parts of Japan, including southwestern Fukui Prefecture, eastern Tottori Prefecture, Kyoto, Tokyo, and other regions along the Sea of Japan coast, are grappling with heavy snowfall. Extreme weather in Japan has made roads dangerously icy, triggering widespread travel disruptions such as cancelled flights and bullet train suspensions. The operational crisis triggered over 100 cancelled All Nippon Airways and ANA Wings flights, and delays were reported by Japan Airlines and Ibex. So far, over 371 flight cancellations and 1,710 delays have been reported in total. 

Above, yours truly at the Chiba station.

This all brings back memories of my 2014 trip to Japan. Upon arrival at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, a heavy snowstorm also arrived. I managed to get on a commuter train to Tokyo, but the storm forced the train to halt at a train station midway. I was stuck in the train car for almost 24 hours. 

Luckily for me, a Japanese gentleman called my hotel for me to let them know of my predicament. 

Above, the snow-covered Godzilla slide in Yokosuka. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was an interesting trip nonetheless. I was able to go to the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka as well as Yokohama. I also went to Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" in Tokyo and picked up some chef's knives.

Just before leaving Japan, a second storm hit. 

Above, my hotel after the second snow storm hit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full story, go here.

Kappabashi, All Things Kitchen

Above, the giant chef bust tells visitors that they're in Kappabashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Longtime regular readers of this blog have read blog posts about Kappabashi, known as "Kitchen Town" in Tokyo.

Kappabashi is near Asakusa in Tokyo and the district has everything a cook, professional or otherwise, may need or want. 

Above, knives on display at the Kamaasa Knife Co. shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I first went to Kappabashi in February 2014 to pick up some chef's knives. Following my purchases, I wandered around the district to see what other things were available. I returned there a year later to pick up some more goods.

Japan Today has a nice detailed article about Kappabashi that would be useful for future visitors.

They begin it with:

TOKYO - To spend a few hours wandering the Tokyo neighborhood of Kappabashi, not far from Asakusa, is not just a fun shopping experience, it is also a lesson in how many different kitchen toys exist in the world. This neighborhood, and especially its main drag, is jammed with shops that sell everything imaginable for the kitchen, whether it’s a home kitchen or a professional one. It makes sense that a city as obsessed with good food as Tokyo would be home to one of the largest shopping districts for kitchen implements in the world.

The breadth of items available in the more than 170 shops in the area is astounding. There is everything imaginable, and a few things one could never imagine (unless, perhaps, you are a professionally trained chef).

The principal shopping street of Kappabashi, a strip less than a kilometer long, is just a few dozen meters from Tawaramachi station on the Ginza subway line. Its entry is marked by a gigantic bust of a chef atop the Niimi Building on the corner, home of a shop selling dishes.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tops World Tourism Ranking

Above, Tokyo's Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ironic as it may seem, Japan ranks number one in world tourism ranking, but the country is closed off (with few exceptions) to foreign tourism.

The Japan Times reported:

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – Japan on Tuesday came out ranking highest on a list of destinations in a 2021 travel and tourism development report by the World Economic Forum, despite the country being closed to foreign tourists due to restrictions against the coronavirus.

Topping the list for the first time, Japan ranked highly for its cultural resources and in several infrastructure categories, with the United States ranked second and Spain third.

Japan ranked fourth overall in the biennial report for air transport infrastructure and cultural resources, sixth for ground and port infrastructure, and 12th for natural resources. But it ranked low for its response to climate change, coming in 107th place.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Skytree Marks 10th Anniversary of Opening

Above, the Tokyo Skytree as seen from Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe, but today marks ten years since the opening of the Tokyo Skytree on May 22, 2012.

The first time I saw it was during my December 2010 trip to Japan. It was not completed at the time. I visited the Tower in 2014 but didn't go up to the observation deck until the following year.

Above, the Tokyo Skytree under construction in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The anniversary is being commemorated in Tokyo.

According to nippon.com:

Tokyo, May 22 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward in the Japanese capital, known as the world’s tallest self-sustaining tower, marked the 10th anniversary of its opening on Sunday.

The Tobu Railway Co. group, which operates the 634-meter tower and an adjacent commercial complex, is organizing commemorative events, including the live broadcasting of a show performed by Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo XI at a top section of the tower.

As Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward, which used to be the primary television broadcast tower in the region, faced difficulty in ensuring complete broadcasting coverage after high-rise buildings were built around it, TV broadcasters in Tokyo started considering developing a replacement facility.

Above, a nighttime view from the Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Tokyo Skytree is so tall that there's hardly a place in Tokyo where it can't be seen. It dominates the skyline of the city.

Above, a view from Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Above, the Skytree from its base. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

5 Reasons To Visit Japan At Least Once In Your Lifetime

Above, Tokyo's Kitchen Town. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of these days. Just one of these days.

One of these days, Japan will reopen to foreign tourism. When that will be is anyone's guess. In the meantime, it would be a good idea to plan ahead for a future vacation.

TravelDailyNews International has posted an article giving five reasons why one should visit Japan at least once in their lifetime.

They start it off with:

When we speak of eye-catching tourism destinations in East Asia, Japan stands head and shoulder above the rest. Talk about cultural centers and heritage sites, cuisines and festivals, lifestyle and fashion, sights and views; Japan has everything a traveler could wish for.

This is why the country has been a popular travel destination amongst travelers for generations. According to reports, Japan received over 32 million international tourists in 2018  alone. In that same year, countries like China received 31 million tourists, Australia had 9.4 million tourists, and Canada did just 6.7 million. In fact, Canada's best tourism year (22 million tourists in 2019) is still way off Japan’s numbers.

Indeed, Japan is loved by tourists and travelers alike. In this post, we're going to be looking at a few reasons why that is so.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Plans To End State of Emergency September 30

Above, Tokyo's Kappabashi Kitchen Town. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan plans to end its state of emergency at the end of the month. Does this mean that foreign tourists will be allowed into the country soon?

Not necessarily. There has been no mention of allowing foreign tourists into Japan. But if coronavirus infections continue to drop, then a decision on permitting foreign tourists in will not be too far away.

On the state of emergency, the Asahi Shimbun reported:

The government plans to lift the COVID-19 state of emergency for all 19 prefectures that will end on Sept. 30 as scheduled, sources said.

It wants to avoid issuing pre-emergency measures for those prefectures once the emergency ends since the infection situation in Japan has been recently improving.

“I think that we can lift the state of emergency at the end of September if the current infection situation continues (to trend downward),” health minister Norihisa Tamura said during a Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) TV debate program on Sept. 26.

The government will effectively decide on its plan at a Sept. 27 meeting to be attended by ministers responsible for responding to the health crisis.

If the government’s expert panel on countermeasures against COVID-19 discusses and approves the plan on Sept. 28, the government will make its official decision at the task force meeting.

To read more, go here. 

Best Shops In Tokyo's Kappabashi "Kitchen Town"

Above, you know you're in Kappabashi when you see the giant chef. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one is a big food fan (or "foodie), everyone has to eat and that means good food preparation tools are a must-have.

There's a section in Tokyo, Kappabashi, that is known as "Kitchen Town" where food preparation and other goods are sold in a pretty large cluster of specialty shops. I first visited there in 2014 and bought some chefs knives.

Above, my favorite cutlery shop, Kama-Asa Shoten. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on what they consider to be the "best shops" in Kappabashi. The cutlery shop where I bought the chefs knives, Kama-Asa Shoten, is one of their favorites.

They begin the article with:

Asakusa's Kappabashi is a haven for homecooks and professional chefs. If you’re in the market for kitchen utensils, you will want to set aside at least half a day to explore the roughly 800m-long street as there are hundreds of shops catering to every conceivable cooking, baking, dining, drinking and serving need – and that’s not counting the side streets, which have dozens more speciality shops. 

While the selection may be overwhelming, the prices are reasonable. You can easily spend less than ¥100 on a cheap pair of chopsticks and around ¥10,000 for a proper Japanese kitchen knife that you can personalise on the spot and which will last you a lifetime. You will find items you never thought you needed – think mini frying pans for single eggs, spoons in all shapes and sizes, kawaii branding irons for toasts and pancakes, and all the fake food you can imagine. 

As most stores in Kappabashi tend to cater to restaurateurs or wholesale buyers, we’ve narrowed down a list of our favourite shops for casual shoppers, whether you’re a dab hand in the kitchen, keen to learn or just looking for that perfect souvenir.

To read more, go here. 

What To Wear While Traveling In Japan

Above, snow on the ground in Tokyo's Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" section. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My February 2014 trip to Japan was rather interesting. My arrival timing couldn't have been worse as I arrived at about the same time a big snowstorm hit Japan and I ended up stuck in a Keisei Line commuter train midway between Narita Airport and Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. Although snow is not unusual for Tokyo, it was the biggest snowstorm in years.

Also, towards the end of my trip to Japan, another big storm hit Tokyo.

Live Japan has a useful article on what clothing to wear while traveling to Japan during any one of its four distinct seasons. Even though I was stuck in a train car, at least I knew ahead of time what to wear.

They begin with:

Planning your trip to Japan soon? The weather makes a huge difference in the kinds of clothes and accessories you'll want to pack! 

Since Japan has four distinct seasons and that weather varies greatly from area to area, in this article, we’ll take a closer look at those four seasons and the weather in Tokyo all around the year.

To read more, go here. 

Buying Kitchen Tools In Tokyo's Kappabashi

Above, the giant chef in Tokyo's Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2014, I was planning a trip to Japan. One of the places I wanted to visit was the Kappabashi district (known as "Kitchen Town") of Asakusa in Tokyo.

Jessica, my roommate, was attending a culinary school at the time and wanted a Japanese chef's knife. I checked around and settled on the Kama-Asa knife shop. On that trip and in 2015, I made some purchases there and was never disappointed in what I bought.

ANI News has an article on Kappabashi and Kama-Asa.

It begins with:

Foreign tourists thronged the Kappabashi street in Tokyo to buy Japanese-image tableware, and kitchen tools such as plates and chopsticks. The street is lined up with specialty shops containing products such as tableware and kitchen tools and much more.

Above, the Kama-Asa knife shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who like to cook with quality kitchenware should make a stop in Kappabashi. Once one sees the giant chef at a Kappapashi street corner, they'll know they're in the right place.

To read more, go here. 

Shibuya and Asakusa

Above, Shibuya Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, two of my favorite places in Tokyo to hang out in are Shibuya and Asakusa.

Both are very different but fun to roam around in.

Live Japan has an article comparing the two with information on what to see and do in each.

They begin with:

Shibuya and Asakusa are two of Tokyo’s most-visited areas. Even if you’ve never set foot in Tokyo, it’s very likely that you can easily identify the parade of people at Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the grand crimson lantern suspended above the Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple. 

Yet, for all their popularity, Shibuya and Asakusa are complete opposites; one represents modernity and the other represents tradition. Shibuya is Tokyo’s trendsetting district that is at the forefront of Japanese pop culture and fashion. On the other hand, a day in Asakusa seems like a step back in time. 

Let’s dive in and take a deeper look at what makes these two areas of Tokyo so popular among visitors!

Above, Kappapashi "Kitchen Town" is a part of Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Live Japan: All You Need To Know About The Tokyo Skytree

Above, a view of the Asahi Beer Hall, Sumida River and Asakusa from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While the iconic Tokyo Tower has a secured place in Japanese (and kaiju) history, the Tokyo Skytree is one of Tokyo's biggest tourist attractions.

Live Japan has posted an article about the Skytree so potential visitors could be fully informed about its history and what they can expect to see and do there.

They begin their article with:

Opened in 2012, TOKYO SKYTREE® is one of Japan's newest landmarks. There are lots of fun things to do at the iconic tower other than just going up and enjoying the view, albeit the panorama from the observation deck is impressive! Let’s take a closer look at Tokyo Skytree and its many unique things to experience and discover!

Above, a view of the Tokyo Skytree from Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Tower vs. Tokyo Skytree

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from the ground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For years Tokyo Tower has been a symbol of Japan, along with Mount Fuji and other landmarks. It was joined in 2012 by the Tokyo Skytree.

If one is wondering about the differences between the two, Live Japan takes a look at both of them and what they have to offer to visitors.

Above, the Tokyo Skytree from Kappabashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They begin with:

Tokyo Tower has been a symbol of Japan since it began overlooking Tokyo 60 years ago in 1958. In 2012 a new symbol of Japan took form with the completion of Tokyo Skytree. Both function as telecommunications towers and their beautiful appearances adorning the city also make them highly popular tourist spots. So, which is the true symbol of Tokyo? What are their attractions? Do their colors and illuminations have any meaning? What is the best way to enjoy them both? Let’s take a look at and compare the attractions of each.

To read more, go here. 

Kappabashi and Asakusa

Above, the giant chef marks the spot of Niimi, the shop that
 has everything a restaurateur needs. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Anyone vacationing in Japan should definitely visit Tokyo's Kappabashi ("Kitchen Town") and Asakusa.

Kappabashi is where all kinds of kitchen tools can be found and Asakusa will give one many cultural flavors. People will know they are in Kappabashi when they see the giant chef above the Niimi shop.

Live Japan has an article on both. It even features my favorite Japanese knife shop, Kama-Asa.

They begin with:

You could easily spend an entire day wandering Tokyo’s “kitchen town” known as Kappabashi. Sandwiched between Asakusa and Ueno, Kappabashi consists of 170 specialty shops lining an 800 meter-long stretch of a road called Kappabashi Dougu Street. 

We teamed up with veteran tour guide Kozue Hisaoka of True Japan Tours to give you an exclusive look at 9 must-see shops. As a bonus, we’ll even show you how to enjoy neighboring Asakusa like a local!

Above, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Visitors To Japan Nears 30 Million In Fiscal Year 2017

Above, Tokyo's Kappabashi "Kitchen Town". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's the calendar year and then there's the fiscal year. Japan is nearing 30 million foreign visitors during both.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in the fiscal year through March 2018 rose 19.9 percent from a year before to 29.77 million amid an increase in low-cost carrier flights connecting Japan to South Korea and other countries, government data shows. 

The figure for the calendar year through December 2018 is highly likely to top 30 million as the number of monthly visitors has continued to outpace that of the previous year, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. 

The government is targeting 40 million foreign visitors by 2020, when Japan hosts the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

To read the full article, go here. 

Tokyo Saw Heaviest Snow Since 2014

Above, snow covers streets near the Chiba Prefecture train station I was stopped at in February 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It doesn't seem like four years have passed since I experienced two heavy snowstorms in Japan. That kind of experience does not leave the mind that easily.

It was then that I had to wait nearly 24 hours in a Keisei Line train car in Chiba Prefecture while heading into Tokyo from Narita Airport. The train was stopped at a train station as heavy snows covered the tracks.

Above, with the Skytree in the background, snow covers the streets in Tokyo's
Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" district in February 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A snowstorm on January 23 was the heaviest since those February 2014 snowstorms.

According to Kyodo News:

Tokyo woke up on Jan. 23 to over 20 centimeters of snow that had accumulated from the previous day, with the heaviest snowfall in four years disrupting business and traffic, and leaving about 360 people injured across the Japanese capital. 

Snow began falling on Jan. 22 and triggered a heavy snow warning for Tokyo for the first time since February 2014.

To read more, go here.

Best Shops In Asakusa

Above, Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For visitors to Tokyo, Asakusa's many neighborhoods are meccas for shoppers. There's everything from traditional to modern goods.

Time Out Tokyo has posted an article on the best shops in Asakusa.

They begin with:

There's a lot more to Asakusa than just Sensoji. From traditional Japanese crafts to kitchenware, there's plenty left to explore in this historic neighbourhood. Take a stroll along the Sumida River for stylish finds in Kuramae or hit up the popular shopping streets of Kappabashi-dori and Nakamise-dori for a real treat. 

And, there's toy shops at Nakamise-dori and Shin-Nakamise where Godzilla toys can be found.

Above, I bought this Bandai 1968 Godzilla at Nakamise-dori in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

6 Top Tips For First-Time Japan Visit

Above, a view of the Tokyo Skytree from Kappabashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has posted six "top" tips for a first-time visit to Japan.

They are:

1. Get A Japan Rail (JR) Pass. 

2. Pick Up A Pocket WiFi Hotspot. 

3. Get Out of the City At Least Once. 

4. Things Are Cheaper Away From the Train Station. 

5. Find a Local Guide. 

6. Experience An Onsen.

For details on each of the above, go here. 

Tokyo Cheapo's Asakusa Hotel Guide

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall are just across the Sumida River from Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Asakusa is one of my favorite sections of Tokyo. During my 2015 trip to Japan, I stayed at the Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, which is within walking distance to Sensoji and Nakamise Street. Asakusa is also close by to the Asahi Beer Hall and Tokyo Skytree. And, Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" is a good walk or a short cab ride away.

There are other places in Asakusa to stay at. Accommodations range from five-star hotels to capsule hotels.

Above, my "base of operations" in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on where to stay in the Asakusa area.

They begin with:

Asakusa is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay in Tokyo—and there are good reasons for this. For one thing, the area’s got history. Not the dull, textbook kind of history—the colorful stuff of pleasure houses (geisha central), trade and wild tradition. Still a renowned entertainment district, good food abounds in Asakusa (the noodles are particularly nom-worthy), as do shopping and sightseeing opportunities. 

The area is a dense tangle of old-meets-new on the banks of the Sumida River, and in the midst of its sprawl of homes, stores and sacred spots you’ll find reasonably priced accommodation aplenty. An Asakusa hotel can range from capsule to swanky, all just a 15-minute train ride from Tokyo Station. Read on to see what’s available.

Above, you know you're in Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" when you see the giant chef. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Number of Foreign Visitors Reach Records In July and Year

Above, the Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2016 has been a great year for the Japanese tourism industry as the number of foreign visitors to Japan reached new records for July and the year (thus far).

According to Kyodo News:

The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in July rose 19.7 percent from a year earlier to a new monthly record of 2,296,500, outstripping the previous single-month all-time high set in April, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday. 

The number of foreign visitors from January through July this year was up 26.7 percent at 14.01 million. 

Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Akihiko Tamura said at a press conference his agency expects the total number of foreign visitors this year to reach 20 million by the end of November. 

Japan saw a record 19.74 million foreign visitors for all of 2015.

The goal of 20 million by the end of November is reachable, but keep an eye on the foreign exchange rates of the Japanese yen. At present, the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen is about ¥102.

To read more, go here. 

Kappabashi and Kicking Back Day

Today is the day of taking it easy.

My legs and feet were pretty sore last night after going to Tokyo DisneySea. So, today is just relaxing before tomorrow's departure to Los Angeles.

However, I did go over to the nearby Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" district to pick up some gifts. I picked up paring and butcher knives for my former roomie Jes and daughter Amber. The paring knives are for meats and vegetables. I bought them from my favorite place in Kappabashi, Kama-Asa Knife Company.

The last time I was there was the day after the February 8, 2014 blizzard. The photo of the store at top was taken last year. It was a lot drier this year.