Anyone been to Japan?
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free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:25 am

Hi all, I'll be taking a trip to Tokyo/Hokkaido, Japan for a few days next month Smile

Sort of a short Grad trip. Anyone know of any good shopping places? For makeup, skincare and clothes/accessories especially? Or just generally how to get around in Japan? Thanks so much Smile

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:00 am

Tiger Tim is in Tokyo I think...she's def in Japan anyway. So if she doesn't see this thread, PM her.

Ginza is the shopping mecca for international luxury labels

In Harajuku you can find quirky stuff in "Fleet Street" and department stores, amongst them a Disney store and a Condom palace...at least they were there when I was there in 2001.

Public transport in Tokyo is FAB! apart from the fact that the trains stop running around midnight. They have a well organised and functional subway system and city train system that are easily navigated and train station signs are in both Japanese and English.

There's LOTS to see and do...Hope you have a fantastic time!!!!

free skin care · Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:05 pm

Thanks Ruth! Can you remember roughly how ex stuff is over in Japan? Haha just so I'll know how much to bring there to spend Bad Grin

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:12 am

You can never have too much cash in Tokyo! Bring as much as you are willing to spend!!! and enjoy!

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:58 am

Hi Samantha,

I am in Tokyo and have been to Hokkaido, so fire away with questions. Ruth gave you a pretty good summary there on Tokyo shopping.. how much to spend and how expensive things are depend on where you go to shop!

For makeup: def. head to a drugstore called Matsumoto Kiyoshi (they are everywhere) and have a myriad of Japanese make-up brands and stuff.

Skincare: also try Ameyoko near Ueno Stn. as they offer discounted skincare (both major Japanese and international brands)

Clothes/accessories: if you want quirky and not too expensive then def. head to Harajuku (near Shibuya)

Hokkaido.. um.. FOOD FOOD FOOD.. just stuff yourself silly up there!! And make sure to drink a TON of the Shirokoibito brand white chocolate milk (OH MY GOD YOU WILL THINK YOU DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN) - mind you it is like $2 for a little 5oz can... but worth EVERY SINGLE penny you will spend. Hot, cold, in cocktails..

OK, I am now drooling, so I have to go get dinner...

ETA: make sure you buy a 7 day train pass - especially if you plan to use train up to Hokkaido as it is SUPER expensive. But if flying up to there, then maybe you wont get your value out of a train pass.

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:12 am

Tokyo is lovely. Spent 10 days there last november. I lived in the Ginza area, nice hotel with lovely view over imerial palace and park, and only 1 minute walk from shopping heaven Ginza... You should be able to find most everything there, including the worlds most expencive fruit (yes, I bought an orange...) and inexpencive drugstores where you can buy everything. Unfortunately, I suck at japanese names, so you better listen to tiger_tim. Laughing

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:06 pm

Been to Tokyo first, then Kansai region the following year. After the second trip, I'd say that I wouldn't have missed not going to Tokyo. The best thing was the Aquarium... although they say the one in Osaka is the best, it's actually twice as expensive and less than half as nice. Other then that.... Tokyo to Hokkaido is around $230 Canadian dollars by air if you take Star Alliance flight to Tokyo. Don't see the need for a railway pass unless you are visiting Kansai region as well. Subway is cheap.

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:29 pm

I was only passing Tokyo airport many times. Never visited the city. After seeing your posts, I am attempting to visit the city next time.

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:36 am

tiger_tim wrote:

Hi Samantha,

I am in Tokyo and have been to Hokkaido, so fire away with questions. Ruth gave you a pretty good summary there on Tokyo shopping.. how much to spend and how expensive things are depend on where you go to shop!

For makeup: def. head to a drugstore called Matsumoto Kiyoshi (they are everywhere) and have a myriad of Japanese make-up brands and stuff.

Skincare: also try Ameyoko near Ueno Stn. as they offer discounted skincare (both major Japanese and international brands)

Clothes/accessories: if you want quirky and not too expensive then def. head to Harajuku (near Shibuya)

Hokkaido.. um.. FOOD FOOD FOOD.. just stuff yourself silly up there!! And make sure to drink a TON of the Shirokoibito brand white chocolate milk (OH MY GOD YOU WILL THINK YOU DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN) - mind you it is like $2 for a little 5oz can... but worth EVERY SINGLE penny you will spend. Hot, cold, in cocktails..

OK, I am now drooling, so I have to go get dinner...

ETA: make sure you buy a 7 day train pass - especially if you plan to use train up to Hokkaido as it is SUPER expensive. But if flying up to there, then maybe you wont get your value out of a train pass.

Thanks so much Tiger_Tim (btw I love your nick Smile

) I'll be sure to stock up on make-up and stuff myself with food Bad Grin

By the way, would there be any more sakura flowers next month - I heard this year's flowers bloomed early?

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:42 am

oh yes, Tokyo has not come out yet. I think down in Kyushu area they might have come early.

Plum blossoms have been.. but even if you miss the "big one", there are actually different varieties of cherry blossoms that can be seen into May even.

Tokyo is due End March / Beginning April
Hokkaido is due Beginning April / Beginning May

It is just the first blossoms that everyone gets excited about.. the delicate little pale pink ones.. personally, I prefer the pale pink double-blossom variety that comes out a few weeks after the first ones.

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:30 am

Thanks again Tiger_Tim! Actually I'm not really into nature haha it's that my family members feel that since we're going Japan in Spring, shouldn't miss the sakura if possible!

By the way, one more question, are there any nice food/food places you'll recommend in Tokyo?

free skin care · Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:24 pm

for food, you hve to try the tsukiji market for really fresh sashimi. try to do a really early morning trip to the market. its very worth it. for 1000 yen, you can get a delightful "ladies set" .. many small niche restaurants ard.. and the queues can be quite long on weekends..

free skin care · Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:34 pm

sorry I missed your earlier post, Samantha.

Oh gosh, there are too many places to even think of recommending... Laughing

Of course, we have our favorite restaurants etc. But most are not Japanese food establishments (mainly Chinese, Italian, etc.)

You really need to make sure to get to a restaurant that services Okonamiyaki and yaki soba though. YUM.

free skin care · Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:23 am

not sure if i m too late to add on Laughing

i have never been to japan but i certainly love their drugstores there! they carry tons of cosmetics and skincare. think i will go crazy just going to one of the drugstores.

if you are really into cosmetics, there are quite a few brands you outta try to get your hands on:
- Kate gel liner & eyeshadow palette
- Canmake blushes
- Shiseido Majorica Majorca
- Lavshuca
- Kanebo Testimo
- Kiss Mascara (Volume)

some other high-end cosmetics at the counters:
- Jill Stuat (great stuffs and packing)
- Lunasol

if you are on a budget yet you want to try fresh and cheap sashimi, you can get those @ their supermarket. cheap and fresh. hths

free skin care · Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:01 am

Thanks all Smile

I'll be sure to keep in mind all your suggestions. Right now I'm waiting for that tour agency to confirm the tour and praying hard there'll be enough people to make up that tour Question

Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:23 am

You have to try Ayura lip balm, it's the most fab lip balm I've ever had!! you can find its counter in most shopping malls.

for make up, you can try ipsa, it's perfect for Asian, though I am not sure for non Asians. The texture of its foundation is very smooth.

hope you enjoy your grad trip! Wink

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:20 am

Hi NotJulia (by the way just curious - are you really julia or erm not? haha Smile

)

I'll keep in mind and look out for Ayura! But IPSA I've tried it before and sadly it didn't do anything for me Sad

I'll prolly check out shiseido or shu emura prices there instead haha Smile

free skin care · Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:57 pm

samantha185 ~ i think there are 2 types of Shiseido skincare. one of which you can find them @ the drugstores (which is cheaper) and there is another higher end range that can only be found @ the departmental stores.

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