The world’s first store dedicated exclusively to ninjas will open inside Tokyo Tower in 2022.

 

It’s said that Japan’s top three tourist attractions are Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and ninja–but the latter has no dedicated location for visitors to enjoy. This shop will specialize in ninjas, for ninjas, by ninjas!

 

Ninja Tokyo Pro Shop will open on the second floor of Tokyo Tower, still one of Tokyo’s most popular attractions. With 22 years of experience, the company running the shop offers ninja-specific goods, armor, sweets, and more.

 

Special Sanrio Characters are Back!

Sanrio Characters NINJA, an original brand first developed in 2016, will make a triumphant return! Original goods featuring new illustrations will be available at the store. The characters were first created to celebrate the Sanrio collaboration with the Ninja Cafe at NINJA KYOTO, but no new products in the series have been released since 2017.

 

The Ninja Tokyo Pro Shop will offer authentic armor that will satisfy not only domestic and international tourists but also ninja enthusiasts and cosplayers. Visitors can try on armor and enjoy a shuriken experience using the ‘Ninja Trainer’ as well! The store will include a large selection of original swords, bowls, and plenty of exclusive goods only available on site.

 

Be sure to visit in October 2022!

The Ise Shop, offering products from one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Mie Prefecture, is now open at Aobadai Tokyu Square in Aobadai Station, Yokohama, from February 2 until February 27, 2022. The store sells items that are usually only available in Ise!

Akafuku Mochi (8 pieces): ¥760 (Tax Included)/Akafuku Mochi(12 pieces): ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

 

The Ise Shop sells about 100 food items and other goods, but the most popular item by far is Akafuku mochi. Only sold on Saturdays, these treats are often sold out by the afternoon!

 

Available on February 19, February 26

 

ISE Cardamon Cola (720ml): ¥4,860 (Tax Included)

Traveling Ise Tea Assortment Pack: ¥900 (Tax Included)

 

Ise Shrine houses the guardian deity of food, so these foods and drinks on offer are extra tasty. ISE Cardamom Cola is a healthy soda that contains no added color, preservatives, or flavors. It includes a blend of over a dozen spices and lemons from Mie Prefecture. The tea assortment pack is made with tea leaves from Mie, which offer plenty of natural sweetness.

Nakano Yogurt: ¥216 (Tax Included)

 

This yogurt is made from Nakano Milk, which has been producing and selling milk in Ise since the Taisho Era. Served in a retro-style jar, it has a low acidity and is well-loved by the locals.

 

Ise Shrine Guidebook: ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

 

The shop also has a number of goods related to the famous Ise Shrine.

Ise Lululun (Tree Scented / 7 packs x 4 bags): ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

Hand Cream with Water from the Isuzu River (50g): ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

 

Ise Lululun is a face mask containing Sakaki leaf extract from Ise Sakaki trees. The moisturizing ingredients help brighten the skin. 

 

The Ise Shop also provides guests with information on sightseeing in Ise City! With travel still restricted due to the pandemic, this is a great way to feel as though you’re getting away to this lovely seaside town.

Tama Plaza Terrace, a shopping centre in Yokohama, opened a limited-time pop-up shop on February 9 called ISE SHOP which is selling around 100 products shops located in Japan’s city of Ise.

 

The shop opened in response to the reduction of sales of foodstuff, traditional handicrafts, and more in Ise due to the pandemic as people from Kanto can’t easily travel to Ise. It has enjoyed enormous success over the past week and a bit since its opening and has even been picked up on Japanese television.

 

 

A unique antenna store stocking 100 items from Ise

Located on the second floor of Tama Plaza Terrace, ISE SHOP is open for a limited time until March 28. The first thing to greet customers at the store is the enormous noren curtain which has a distinct colour inspired by the colours of the forest at Ise Grand Shine and of the ocean at Ise Bay. Displayed on the entry curtain are the striking chigi, or forked roof finials, of Ise Grand Shrine.

 

 

ISE SHOP is like a museum

The shop interior is furnished with white and wooden notes to capture the natural landscape of Ise. The products are displayed like items in a museum.

 

A bounty of unique products

 

 

Popular products from Ise are also on show

The popular face mask beauty brand LuLuLun sells a line-up of items exclusive to their Ise-based store, and these are also being sold at ISE SHOP.

 

Ise specialty products

 

The udon noodles made in Ise are a speciality product of the city, and there’s plenty to pick from at ISE SHOP along with other tasty food.

 

Cute omikuji fortunes

 

These shinju pearls are also a famous specialty product of Ise and come in a line-up of items from affordable to more special ones.

 

Hard candies perfect as souvenirs, Asao Nori seaweed for meals, and more

 

 

Two individuals associated with Ise also pay a visit

Hikari Shibata and Yuri Suganuma are involved in the Girls Trip project being held by the Ise Tourist Association and they also visit the store. They were surprised at how many great things you can get your hands on from Ise despite being all the way in Japan’s Kanto region.

 

Left: Hikari Shibata | Right: Yuri Suganuma

Suganuma found a bunch of items she loves when she last went to Ise

 

 

 

Commemorative photo with the ISE SHOP-exclusive bag

 

The ISE SHOP is hosting an event related to Ise’s famous candy where you can pick up a selection of sweet treats on weekends. If you’re staying in Kanto this winter, experience a taste of Ise at the ISE SHOP in Yokohama.

Tama Plaza Terrace, a shopping centre in Yokohama, opened a limited-time pop-up shop on Tuesday (February 9) called ISE SHOP which is selling goods and products from Japan’s city of Ise.

The shop opened in response to the reduction of sales of foodstuff, traditional handicrafts, and more in Ise due to the pandemic. Ise is known for its bounty of diverse products, and so this is a way to continue supporting it. Free tourist pamphlets are also being handed out detailing information about the city’s wonders.

 

Some of the must-grab items

The store is a showcase of Ise’s history, traditional, and food culture. Shoppers will find staple souvenir items like Ise udon, sea lettuce, hijiki seaweed, pearls, and more. Other touches of Ise include a popular hand cream made with water drawn from the Isuzu River, a fragrance mist also made from the same water, all-new cosmetic items, cookies inspired by the oshiraishi stones spread over the most holy part of Ise Grand Shrine—the list goes on. 58 Ise-based businesses are stocking around 100 products inside the store, so it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in the ancient city.

With people around the world restricted when it comes to travel, Japan, like other countries, has seen a sharp drop in tourism. To combat that, Odawara Tourism Association has announced the “Online Ninja Experience,” an online event that people can sign up to to enjoy Japanese culture remotely—specifically, ninjas.

Ninjas are known for favouring stealth and secrecy over strength and combat. Their goal is using intelligence to infiltrate without causing a ruckus, but they are of course equipped with lightweight weapons that can still bring a person down should it come to it. The online experience therefore will not showcase any kind of flashy action, and participants won’t be taught how to cast any Naruto-style Rasengans.

Those who join the online experience will learn what a ninja truly is and why they respect peace along with helpful hints that will prove beneficial in the daily lives of those in modern society.

The 40-minute live tour will take place from the ninja building at Odawara Castle and be hosted by real ninja living in the modern day. There will be guide commentary available in both English and Japanese.

One thing I do at least once a week without fail is treat myself out to some delicious food or dessert. I find it very important time well spent in order to live a happy, fulfilling life.

 

This week, a business trip took me out of Tokyo to the city of Ise in Mie Prefecture. When the trip was over, I had some spare time to kill before my train arrived, so I went inside a cafe called Kinoshita Chaen which is close to Ise Grand Shrine.

You can arrive at Kinoshita Chaen in just three minutes on foot is walking from Ise Grand Shrine, or five mintues from Ise Station. The exterior design of the building takes on a Western style, which I found to be both cute and retro. You can feel the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the cafe as soon as you step inside. The decor is decked out with all things wooden.

The cafe has been around since the Meiji Period. It serves drinks and desserts all made using tea, and offers both eat-in and takeout services.

 

I ordered their seasonal-exclusive parfait. 90% of the people in there were ordering it, so I thought it must be popular!

Strawberry & Parfait Puree Parfait w/ Japanese Black Tea – ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

This super cute parfait is completely stuffed to the top with strawberries♡

You can snap cute photos of it no matter the angle♡

When I spooned the caramel puree, soft custard reveal itself. You get a delicious pairing of the bitter flavour and crunchy texture of the caramel with the subtly sweet custard.

 

The next ingredient to show itself was the mascarpone cream, which combines with the rest of the flavours perfectly. Once your mouth is satisfied with the sweetness of the flavour combinations, you’re next met with Ise matcha gelato.

The matcha gelato is a great palate cleanser for the sweet ingredients when eaten on its own. When eaten together with the sweet puree, you get a completely different kind of delicious flavour. I recommend trying it together with the puree, mascarpone cream, and the crunchy pie which is the next layer.

 

Moving on from the sweetness and bitterness, the next layer is fresh strawberry sherbet, which is a combination of sweet and sour. To finish, you’re brought back to the subtle sweetness once more with white chocolate mousse, strawberries, and mixed berry jelly.

 

The final bites of a parfait can generally be hard to get down because you grow tired of the flavour, but the ones sold at Kinoshita Chaen are on another level. The various flavours and textures mean you won’t grow tired as you spoon through the many layersーyou’ll find yourself savouring every last bite.

The Japanese black tea that came with it was luxurious. The cafe actually caters the type of tea they serve to each seasonal parfait. Enjoy a cup together with your parfait.

Matcha Soy Flour Dumpling Cream – ¥830

I didn’t get to order them this time, but I’m really taken by the matcha soy flour shiratama dumplings… The dumplings are made in-house and are topped with brown sugar syrup from Okinawa and Ise matcha. The bitterness of the matcha together with the rich sugar syrup is sure to be delicious with some chewy dumplings. I’ll definitely be trying them when I next visit.

 

I cannot recommend a trip to Kinoshita Chaen enough. Offering an exemplary menu of Ise flavours, their drinks and sweets maintain the culture and tradition of Japanese tea while keeping up to date with current trends in the world of sweets.

 

 

Today’s Souvenir

Houjicha Teabags – ¥400 (1 Pack) 

On the days you get to eat delicious sweets, you’ve got to share the happiness with friends and family. I bought some houjicha tea bags made with tea leaves grown in Mie Prefecture. They have various other teas too, and the packaging is really cute, so they’re perfect as gifts for friends and family.

If you haven’t heard of NINJA SKILL BALLERZ yet, you’re in for a treat. They are a crew of five of the world’s top level basketball players spreading a fascination of freestyle basketball to the world.

 

Their video NINJA x BASKETBALL? garnered over 1 million views on Facebook within just 10 days of its posting. One month after its release, they appeared on the Japanese television show Sukkiri where they held their first ever live television performance. The group are paving the way for the freestyle basketball culture, which in Japan isn’t recognised enough and has few players.

Now, the group have just dropped a new short movie which translates to “Ninja-Style Basketball Squad.”

The video not only shows off the group’s thrilling skills, but their performance also incorporates Japanese elements like the tsugaru shamisen and taiko drums which serve to make the show that much more captivating. Pay particular attention to three of the members: ZiNEZ, the Flow Ninja; ISSEI, the Spin Ninja; and TaMa, the Multi-Ball Ninja.

One thing I do at least once a week without fail is treat myself out to some delicious food or dessert. I find it very important time well spent in order to live a happy, fulfilling life.

During a business trip to Ise, I decided to treat myself to some breakfast in the coastal city. I got up nice and early and went to pray at the Toyo’ ukedaijingu of Ise Grand Shrine before making my way to Asora no Chaya to order some of their Asa Kayu (“Morning Porridge”) to warm myself up since I was feeling a little cold.

 

Asora no Chaya is about an 8-minute walk from Ise Stationーwhich by the way is the closest station to the Toyo’ ukedaijingu of Ise Grand Shrineーand just a minute’s stroll from the inner shrine itself.

At the entrance they had “Asa Kayu” written on the door as pictured above. The cafe itself is located on the second floor.

The cafe has wood-based decor, and the windows are nice and big, letting lots of natural light seep in. From the window I could see Ise Grand Shrine which I prayed at just moments ago. It’s a place where you can wind down and relax.

 

I ordered the “Mike no Asa Kayu Awabi” (in Japanese: 御饌の朝かゆ 鮑). I found out that the word mike is used to refer to precious, sacred food. Apparently, your good fortune will increase if you eat it after praying to the god of food at the Toyo’ ukedaijingu.

Mike no Asa Kayu Awabi (御饌の朝かゆ 鮑) – ¥2,040 (Tax Included)

My meal arrived in a wooden box. When I opened it, I was happy to see that I not only received the porridge, but other small plates and bowls of food too.

I was charmed by how shiny the rice was in the sunlight. To eat the thin rice porridge, you add the awabi, pickled vegetables, kombu, bonito broth and other ingredients.

 

The rice porridge is easy to digest and warms you up to the coreーthe perfect way to relax on a cold day. The combination of the tender bonito and the smooth porridge is a match made in heaven. It’s a very simple dish with no unnecessary additions. It has a gentle flavour that makes your mind and body just wind down and relax.

As well as the rice porridge, the meal comes with other healthy foods too like dried fish, soft boiled egg and vinegared ingredients. For dessert, you get zenzai which is a type of sweet soup. This is a very special breakfast you can only experience here at this cafe, coupled with a view of Ise Grand Shrine, all in the early morning.

 

Whenever I wake up early, it feels like I’ll have a very different start to the day than usual, but spending my morning in Ise, praying at Ise Grand Shrine and eating kayu porridge at Asora no Chaya had me holding my head high.

 

This morning, it was the start of another new day, and I began it feeling dignified.

 

 

Today’s Souvenir

Awabi Gohan no Moto – ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

I wanted to share the happiness between friends and family on this fine day where I got to eat a delicious breakfast. This Awabi Gohan no Moto is an easy way to enjoy awabi. You took it together with rice to make awabi rice. Being able to purchase awabi, which is a high quality ingredient, at this price is an absolute steal.

 

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

The city of Ise is located in central Mie Prefecture on the eastern tip of Kii Peninsula, the largest peninsula on Japan’s largest main island Honshu. Every year, the autumn season brings in a flurry of tourists and sightseers who flock to see the city’s leaves expressing their vibrant hues of red and yellow. The city boasts a magnificent catalogue of sightseeing spots, but perhaps the most famous of all is Ise Grand Shrine, whose inner and outer shrine give visitors a sense of what the townscape looked like in ancient times. This can also be seen at Sarutahiko Shrine, amongst other places.

 

In this article, we’re going to introduce you to 4 must-visit souvenir shops near the inner shrine for your Ise travel bucket list.

 

Amano Pearl

When talking about specialty products of Ise, the one thing that’s sure to come to the minds of Japanese people are the pearls sold in the city. Amano Pearl can be found in Oharaimachi, an almost 1km long street lined with traditional shops. The owner themselves purchases and appraises the pearls while the shop staff manufacture and design gorgeous accessories to sell at an affordable price.

Accessory – ¥2,200

This rose-shaped necklace is a design favoured by women of all ages. They have plenty of other high-quality bargain picks like this too.

The shop’s diverse line-up of beautifully accessories includes those perfect for combining with one pieces and dresses, as well as for parties. Prices and designs vary greatly, so there’s bound to be something for everyone who steps inside this quaint store. So if you’re shopping for souvenirs during your trip to Ise, then you absolutely have to pay a visit to Amano Pearl to see the city’s famous pearls.

 

▶︎Amano Pearl – Oharaimachi Branch

Address: 45 Ujiimazaikechō, Ise, Mie

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00

No Fixed Holidays

Official Website: https://www.amanopearl.jp/

 

 

Matsujiro Honey – Ise Oharaimachi Branch

Matsujiro Honey is a long-standing honey shop that was established back in 1912. The shop sells various varieties of honey, including flavours you won’t find in supermarkets like apple honey and soba honey.

Hanabana – ¥864

Hanabana is the shop’s No. 1 most popular variety of honey and it’s made in Mie Prefecture. Its name in Japanese means “flowers,” and as the name suggests, it includes the nectar of numerous types of flowers. It has a smooth texture and distinct full-bodied floral fragrance.

Centre: Mini Honey Soap – ¥503 / Right: Honey Soap – ¥2,200 / Left: ¥2,200 Honey Face & Body Oil (48ml) – ¥2,200

The shop even sells its own honey-imbued cosmetics, all made with natural ingredients. Their soap is made with their popular Hanabana honey, and gives off a flavoursome honey smell. Your skin is left smooth, moisturised and smelling great after using it.

Their rich honey oil too is made with 90% plant-derived oil and is free from preservatives. It’s a great option for the coming dry season and is gentle on the skin.

 

If you visit the shop, they let you taste test their different types of honey too! Find your favourite.

 

▶︎Matsujiro Honey – Ise Oharaimachi Branch

Address: 7 Ujinakanokirichō, Ise, Mie

Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00

No Fixed Holidays

Official Website: https://www.matsujiro.shop/

 

 

Uoharu

Uroharu first opened its doors in 1931. Their products are sold as souvenirs to help spread the word of Ise’s rich food culture.

Same No Tare – Salt Flavour / Mirin Flavour

The item you absolutely want to look out for when going into Uohara is their “Same No Tare,” another Ise speciality. It was originally only eaten in Shima, Ise, but it was picked up on national television, leading it to become a food souvenir associated with Ise.

Uoharu’s products are seafood based, and there’s plenty to choose from. If you’re looking for a food product specifically from Ise then look no further than Uoharu.

 

▶Uoharu

Address: 49 Ujinakanokirichō, Ise, Mie

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (*Changes depending on season)

Closed: Wednesdays (Except on national holidays in which case closed on Thursdays)

Official Website: https://www.samenotare.jp/uoharu/

 

 

Henbaya – Oharaimachi Branch

Yet another speciality product of Ise comes from the much-beloved Henbaya, which first opened way back in 1775. The speciality products, also called “henbaya,” can be ordered either for takeout or enjoyed in the shop.

Henbaya (Includes 2) – ¥160

Henbaya are thin, round sticky rice cakes made with top of the range domestic ingredients and packed with smooth red bean paste. Both sides of these deliciously fragrant rice cakes are browned, and when bitten into, fill and melt in your mouth with the sweet, smooth flavour of the bean paste.

At the Oharaimachi branch of Henbaya they sell various other rice cakes too, all chewy and made with high quality ingredients from Japan. Pick up a pair and enjoy the sweet taste of Ise.

 

▶︎Henbaya – Oharaimachi Branch

Address: 1-149-1 Ujiurata, Ise, Mie

Closed: Mondays (Except on national holidays in which case closed on Tuesdays)

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Eating in-store runs until 16:30)

*Products may sell out before 17:00

*Opening hours subject to change for January

 

 

So, if you’re making a trip to the beautiful city of Ise, you now know the must-visit spots for finding souvenirs. Let us know if you visit any!

Japanese acrobat yo-yo performer Shu Takada took part in this year’s World Yo-Yo Contest which took place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel in Ohio from August 7-10. For the first time in his professional yo-yo career, Takada took home the win in the Art & Performance category. This marks his 6th world title acquisition.

The theme of Takada’s performance was “SHINOBI” which combined yo-yo tricks with acrobatics and ninja moves. His unique performance enthralled the audience and allowed him to take home the top award as well as the Artistic Award.

No description could do his performance justice as he transformed into a cool yo-yo ninja, flipping his body and swinging his LED-equipped yo-yo like a shuriken.

His outfit was provided by NINJA PROJECT, which mixed the iconic black ninja colour with a sporty look, turning it into his own awesome style.

No photography or filming was allowed at the event, but if you’re wondering if ninja still exist in real life, then you’ll want to check out the video above posted on Takada’s YouTube channel, where he has plenty of other yo-yo related content too.

Looking for a fun day out with kids in Japan? LEGOLAND Japan is the perfect family day outing destination. At 1pm on July 1, the park celebrated the grand opening of the brand new area LEGO NINJAGO World. This is the first time this park has ever been expanded since opening in April 2017.

 

The opening ceremony featured special guests, including pop singer and actress Miki Shoji and approximately 70 students from Nagoya Shiritsu Inaei Elementary School. Miki Shoji, who also enjoys a trip to LEGOLAND from time to time, made the following comment at the ceremony:

 

“Whether you are a child or adult, the new LEGO NINJAGO World has many attractions such as the Flying NINJAGO that everyone can enjoy. This is the perfect place to have fun with your family this summer!”

There were many other special events held on the day of the grand opening, such as a countdown. At one point, Miki Shoji and the children even took part in a shuriken-throwing event with seven NINJAGO characters. What a spectacular day it was! After the ceremony had finished, some of the students who were selected as representatives of their school were given the opportunity to be the first to ride the Flying NINJAGO. 

LEGO NINJAGO World is the eighth area of LEGOLAND Japan and is a popular area in all Legolands across the world. From the moment the children step into the NINJAGO area, they will be immersed in an entirely new world. From the surroundings to the attractions and Ninja activities, they will learn a variety of essential ninja skills.

 

Whether you are a child or an adult, LEGOLAND Japan invites you to enjoy a ninja experience. ♪

When travelling abroad, I find myself buying and taking back lots of different souvenirs for myself and my family. I look for those items that are made with each region’s particular materials and ingredients. By handing them out to people, I’m also sharing a little bit of that place with the people around me too.

 

Today I introduce to you the “Ise LuLuLun” face mask, a souvenir from the Japanese city of Ise that’s perfect for that one person we all know who’s into beauty and cosmetics.

The Ise LuLuLun is part of the popular “Tabi Suru LuLuLun” face mask series which sees limited edition face masks sold in different regions. The masks are made from an assortment of ingredients and plants. They are sold not just in Japan but around the world. Some of the variants to hit Japan have included Okinawa Shequasar and Shōdoshima Olive.

Ise Lululun is the first product in Japan to include extract of sakaki leaf which moisturises the skin. Sakaki is a flowering evergreen tree native to several Asian countries including Japan and is used as a symbol of longevity and vitality. The extract was made in cooperation with Ise City’s manufacturing and tourism department, making this a very special product indeed. The sakaki is used in various Shinto activities such as offering them to altars and household shrines. Ise itself is home to many sasaki trees from which the extract in the Ise Lululun is made. Its moisturising effect ensures the skin stays nice and moist.

 

Let’s get onto talking about what it’s like to use this product. I’ve used Lululun packs in the past, but the feature of the Ise Lululun is absolutely the fragrance it gives off. The instant you bring the mask to your face your nose is filled with a smell akin to a forest of trees. If you close your eyes it’s like you’re enveloped in nature. It gives you a feeling of peace and tranquillity. And the way it relaxes you is nothing short of incredible… It’s truly a gift and souvenir from Ise, bound with the air and scent of the city.

 

My face felt so smooth the day. I think I’ll definitely be using this again for special occasions.

The Ise Lululun is a fusion of the Ise spirit of “being thankful for and treasuring every day” and Lululun’s own spirit of being in high spirits and sound health. At the end of the day it made me hold my head high and say “thank you” to today. I was also warmed by the message written on the packaging (which you can see above).

 

If you plan a trip to Ise be sure to check out this exclusive beautifying item and maybe pick one up as a souvenir.

 

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (ASOBISYSTEM)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga