Ja(a)pan - A blog about Tokyo, traveling and yes, penguins

19. March 2024 Mia Jaap

JFF – Japanese Film Festival World Tour

The Japan Foundation Tokyo has held several film festivals in recent years, both in cinemas and via streaming. In March this year, JFF returned with seven new Japanese films.

movie

9. June 2023 Mia Jaap

Flight Movies (5): Offbeat Killer Boxes: Me and a Gentleman Whispering Line 6

Another long flight full of movies – this time Korean and Japanese only. Most of them are recent releases and who knows which will end up on an accessible streaming service?

gadgets & toys shopping

12. December 2021 Mia Jaap

My first time at a Hard Off recycle store!

It’s no secret that Japanese recycle stores are the place for hunting bargains, especially the Hard Off retail chain. This is my first time to an “Off” store.

study

8. December 2021 Mia Jaap

JLPT 2021 December!

The JLPT 2021 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) was held on December 6. I do have a special relationship with this test and took it again.

gadgets & toys shopping

20. November 2021 Mia Jaap

Tamashii Nations Tokyo: Freddie x Kamen Rider

Tamashii Nations is a division of Japanese toy maker Bandai and creates quality figures. Their flagship store is in Akihabara, the mecca of figure fans!

shopping tokyo

13. November 2021 Mia Jaap

Sanrioworld in Ginza: Hello Kitty table salt?!?

Hello Kitty is everywhere in Japan, so it didn’t cross my mind to visit Sanrioworld in Tokyo. But when I recently was in Ginza anyway, I couldn’t resist!

Queen in the Park: Sony radios playing Radio Ga Ga

event tokyo

6. November 2021 Mia Jaap

Queen in the Park: The Queen Experience

Queen were huge in Japan and Bohemian Rhapsody is a karaoke classic. Queen in the Park was a fun reimagining of classic songs at Ginza Sony Park.

eating out

2. November 2021 Mia Jaap

Otaru Cafe x Hello Kitty: Let’s drink coffee with Kitty-chan!

Conveniently located at Otaru’s tourist area is Otaru Cafe x Hello Kitty. A proper Hello Kitty café with cuteness, latte art and Kitty herself!

eating out tokyo

13. October 2021 Mia Jaap

2D Cafe in Shin-Ōkubo, Tokyo: Step Inside a Cartoon!

The 2D Cafe near Tokyo’s Korea Town has been carefully designed to appear as 2D. It doesn’t need a website, just an Instagram account. Leave the 3D world behind!