Japan Red Light District

Although I love Japan very much - I cannot say that much about the seedier part of Japan - the red light district.  Kabukicho is known as Tokyo’s red light district and here - it comes alive mostly during the Friday and Saturday nights. Kabukicho is said to house more than 300 sex shops, about 200 clubs and 80 hotels or more and 100s of bars and eatery.  From sex toys or blown up dollies  to  male enhancement reviews can be found there.  If you choose to bring your English businessman in suite to see some naked girls swimming in a huge tub - you can do that too.  I’ve only been there once - when I first arrived out of curiosity - but Japan never fail to amaze me - as conservative as they are - they have the wild and immoral side too.

Bow Ties Japanese Fashion

If there is anyone who loves to wear bow ties it has to be the Japanese.  The Japanese are very fashionable people - if they attend a black tie function - you can expect them to be in bow ties.  If they are attending a wedding - you can also expect them to be in bow ties.  Unlike the western counterparts - they are not too, too keen in wearing bow ties except for the groom.  But yes!  the Japanese are definitely one of the better dressed people I’ve seen and they do look pretty good in them too.

Best Mall For Food and Fashion In Japan

Everyone said that Isetan in Shinjuku is one of the best mall to shop in - not only do they have the high end fashion - they also have clothes for the everyday man and woman out there - and the plus - is the food found at Isetan.  Like any isetan - we’ve had quite a few back home - so I’m kinda easy on the shopping part - but yes a 7 storey high shopping mall is a great place to be.

At this time of the year - you can find some really good buys because of the Christmas sale - duh!  Yes! lots of discounts from the retailers in this shopping mall - so if you are in Japan right now - head out and buy till you are broke.

The Good Complexion Middle Age Japanese Woman

I lived in Japan for 6 months and noticed that while the younger Japanese girls loves to dress up cute - or some anime clothing style - the middle age japanese woman have the best complexion - and I was told that they used the best anti wrinkle eye cream therefore, you never see one that has lots of wrinkles around the eyes or anywhere else in the face.   Most Japanese woman are very modest and when you ask them about the products they used - they would be very shy to tell you - or they tell you it is a home remedy.   I asked one of my co-workers who was in her 40s - but she has got such good complexion - I thought she might have gone for plastic surgery - only to be told that she used a special cream from United States.  Asoka!

Cosmetic Shopping In Japan

Many of us who are on vacation or visiting Japan would do what we ladies love to do most - shopping - but not just ordinary shopping but cosmetic shopping.  We also look out for things we cannot get from the same brand at home - like a neck acne cream exclusive only in Japan.  So yes!  we kinda go crazy - because we strongly believed that cosmetic and skin care products made in Japan are the original products - and they ware a wee bit cheaper too in Japan.  Love my neck acne cream bought exclusively at Takashimaya - and I always get the same stuff when I am in Japan.

The Festivities Of Christmas

I received some holiday cards from Japan from the girlfriends who are still there - and some who have married to japanese men - and some ex-co-workers.  I do miss Japan at this time of the year - where everything is brightly lit up.   The atmosphere is different - and I remember at this time of the year in Japan - everyone is in a very relax mode - and clearing off all their outstanding work - so that they can travel home - in different parts of Japan.  But I love all the holiday cards I received from my friends from Japan - because they are very pretty and definitely well written.  Thank you all for the season greetings!

Sara Happ In Japan

Every beauty snob knows about Sara Happ and if you haven’t bought a bottle of Brown Sugar for your lips yet - you can now even in Japan !!  yes! Sara Happ is in Japan - the girlfriend who lived in Japan shouted out loud at me during our weekly phone conversation.

She even caught her in a signing ceremony a few weeks ago - and sent me a picture - hahah!!  celeb stalker that one!   I do love Sara Happ’s product - an indulgence - but nevertheless - good stuff - it’s like putting sugar on your lips.   I think Sara Happ is available at Isetan if i am not wrong.  I’ll double check with the crazy celeb stalking g/f of mine.

A Japanese Girl Beauty Regimen

I’ve asked my Japanese friends how their girlfriends and wife look so good all the time?  We all know that Japanese women have beautiful smooth skin and silky hair - and are always known to have porcelain skin.  What is it that the Japanese women do - that we do not know of?  What kind of products do they use to remove dark circles ?  or keep their skin so soft and smooth?

I can’t see us taking any less care of our skin - but yet - when you compare your skin with a Japanese woman - you definitely can see the difference.  Is it the raw fishes they eat everyday? or the air in Japan is better?  Maybe is the Azuki beans that they love so much?   But yes - my Japanese friends tells me that the women do have a beauty regimen they follow - what it is - they can’t tell me - but I’ll be sure to find out for you in the next post.

Nagoya Pokemon Center

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I had almost forgotten about the Nagoya’s Pokemon Center because there is another one in Tokyo - that looks a lot nicer than this one.  But if you are in the Nagoya’s vicinity - and a Pokemon crazy fan - you can check it out.  If I remembered correctly it’s located in the Oasis.   Do check out the internet/manga cafe while you are there - pretty interesting - hopefully they are still there though.

Fashion Stores

While some people must shop in Harajuku - i found some interesting fashion stores away from Harajuku in Yoyogi area.  Relatively cheaper and it’s a great place for watering holes and cafes.  It’s a charming little area - where you can find locally owned store instead of big chained stores in the city.

The Japanese are very creative and everything has to be really pretty - even the front shutter of its back door to a restaurant.