Fukushima fashion in Koriyama: stunning boutiques in this trendy part of Japan

Fukushima fashion in Koriyama: stunning boutiques in this trendy part of Japan

Sarah Deschamps and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Koriyama is a buzzing city in Fukushima where the fashion sector is extremely vibrant. Images of Fukushima are often portrayed negatively because of the nuclear crisis that followed the devastating tsunami on March 11, 2011. However, the vast majority of Fukushima is awash with stunning nature and is open for business. Indeed, the fashion angle to Koriyama is extremely stylish and elegant and clearly the younger generation is well served because you have so many stunning boutiques to visit.

Fashion in Koriyama caters for individuals of all ages and you will find many sophisticated boutiques selling luxury items. The choices available are extremely varied and this applies to high-end fashion, new trendy vibes, elegant styles which suit people of all age groups, alternative fashion, and famous international brands. Therefore, for tourists who plan to visit Fukushima because of the abundance of adorable nature, then clearly the fashion angle to Koriyama will take people by surprise.

If you close your eyes you could easily be in trendy Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and other buzzing districts in Tokyo. However, this is the strong fashion vibes of Koriyama in Fukushima whereby the following images highlight the trendy nature of fashion in this highly developed city.

In the S-PAL Department Store you will notice how trendy and stylish the local ladies are because the dress styles are elegant. Throughout this store you have so many fabulous boutiques to visit and for young ladies it is a paradise for shopping. Adorable boutiques include Forest Heart, Index, The Emporium, VIS, E hyphen World Gallery, Earth Music & Ecology, Lowrys Farm, EMSEXCITE, Luccica, East Boy, and so many other stunning fashion companies. Therefore, for ladies who adore fashion a visit to S-PAL is highly recommended.

The S-PAL Department Store is located within the train station and within easy walking distance you have the exquisite Usui Department Store. This high-end department store would grace the most sophisticated parts of Tokyo, Paris, Milan, New York, Seattle, London, and other major fashion cities throughout the world. Therefore, for the people of Fukushima who desire luxury and extravagance then clearly the Usui Department Store provides this in abundance. In saying that, you will also find extremely stylish companies where the prices are very competitive and alluring for people who shop in this lovely department store.

In Usui Department Store you will find exquisite boutiques, jewelry companies, the crème de la crème of cosmetic companies, and so much more. A partial list includes Estee Lauder, Shiseido, Tiffany, Ralph Lauren, Peyton Place, Indivi, Itariya, Kanebo cosmetics, Pride and Unspeck, Swarovski, Lesouk Prix, Ined, ef-de, Coach, Reliant, Powder Palette, Franco Ferrer (b), and a host of other sublime companies. The Usui Department Store is a real gem of a company which highlights the elegance of fashion in Koriyama.

Another lovely fashion store catering for different styles is Molti Department Store which is extremely near to S-PAL. In Molti Department Store you will find many fashion companies catering for both sexes but clearly this store is extremely popular for young ladies. This is because of the stylish nature of the fashion on show and both department stores within the train station area enhance the fashion vibes of both companies.

Adorable boutiques in Molti Department Store include Clef De Sol, Raugefeel, MIX-O, a.v.v., Faunny Luv, Amare MYLEPR, Aspri Classe, Mighty Circle, Love & Peace, Benetton, Amo’s Style, and many others. Also, the international flavor can be found in other areas and this applies to the Body Shop or relaxing over coffee at Starbucks. This store certainly attracts the fashion conscious and the ambience is really nice.

It is also worth checking out the streets near the train station because you also have independent boutiques catering for various tastes. Therefore, Koriyama is certainly a fantastic city to visit from the fashion point of view.

Overall, it is clear that Fukushima needs internal tourists and international tourists to visit the many beautiful parts of this prefecture. The purpose of highlighting fashion in Koriyama is to show a different image to all the negative news about Fukushima. Therefore, by highlighting the fashion sector in this commercial city it shows that business and life is not only ticking but it is also vibrant.

Koriyama is only 55km from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. However, the atmosphere is 2012 is vibrant, energetic, and the fashion scene is extremely elegant. The photos in this article show the “real Koriyama” which is being neglected in the international media. Therefore, the best way to support the recovery of the Tohoku region is by visiting when possible in order to help the local economy.

The Koriyama fashion scene is buzzing and from this modern city you can visit many beautiful parts of Fukushima. This applies to the stunning mountain ranges, the many beautiful ponds which dot the landscape of the Ura-Bandai area, Abukuma Cave, a stunning castle, sophisticated museums, and so much more. Fukushima provides the lot, from adorable fashion in the main commercial city of Koriyama to stunning nature – and because of the Shinkansen train system, it means that it takes only around 80 minutes from Tokyo.

 

Boutiques

http://www.ef-de.jp/

http://www.ehyphen.jp/

http://www.feroux.jp/

http://www.earth1999.jp/

http://www.ined.com/

Department stores

http://www.usui-dept.co.jp/

http://www.s-pal.jp/

http://www.molti-koriyama.jp/

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2012/05/02/japan-tourism-and-fukushima-abukuma-do-koriyama-and-urabandai/

All fashion images belong to Modern Tokyo Times but please feel free to use providing you mention our website.  Thanks!

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

 

Osaka: Namba is great for fashion, entertainment and a real energy exists

Osaka: Namba is great for fashion, entertainment and a real energy exists

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The city of Osaka is very vibrant and in Namba you can feel the energy because this part of Osaka is famous for fashion and entertainment.  Indeed, while Tokyo appears to be more refined and placid the natural energy of Namba, Umeda, and other areas, is a welcome change and both Tokyo and Osaka have a different feel about them.

Recently, Kanebo cosmetic company highlighted the fact that Tokyo ladies use more make up than any other major city in Asia.  However, Kanebo, which did the survey, picked two cities in China but amazingly they only picked one city in Japan and this applies to Tokyo. 

I am sure that Osaka ladies would have something to say about this because if Kanebo can pick Beijing and Shanghai; then why not include Osaka?  After all, Osaka is a very powerful city and the energy and different thought patterns in this city would have complimented the survey by Kanebo cosmetic company.

If you visit Namba you will note how fashionable the ladies are and how vibrant this part of Osaka is.  Namba also changes throughout the day and it is vibrant for 24 hours of the day.

This applies to fashion, entertainment, abundance of restaurants, and you also have a sexual side to Namba in the Dotonbori area at night.  Therefore, Namba is very diverse and changes quickly.

Also, during the day you will see many students outside who are practicing comedy and you can watch and listen to this unique style.  This comedy style is called manzai and Yoshimotokougyo School is famous for this style of comedy.

Namba ladies have their own distinct fashion and style which not only applies to the dress style, but also the different thought pattern and energy which is often missing in parts of Tokyo.

In Namba you have the trendy and fashionable Amerikamura and Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade.  Electronic areas and manga can also be found and Nipponbashi Den Den Town is popular.  Meanwhile, the Dotonbori district is famous for entertainment and the innocence and vibrancy of manzai can be felt alongside trendy fashion areas and the seedier nature at night in parts of Namba.

The waterway system is also a nice place to relax and sit out and you will see many tourist boats on busy days.  This also adds to the genuine buzz of Namba in Osaka and even if you are by yourself then it matters not because if you visit the waterway, where students are practicing manzai, then you feel part and parcel of the environment.

The Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and adjacent area surrounding this shopping complex is awash with fashion.  True to the nature of Namba, it is also a fusion of trendy boutiques with an independent spirit alongside chain retail stores.

Fashion in this area is really fascinating because of the options which are available.  Therefore, you have the high fashion of expensive department stores and influential designer labels and trendy boutiques.

However, you also have alternative fashion styles and if you venture around then it becomes clear that this area caters for many fashion styles.

In Amerikamura you have a reported 3,000 shops to pick from and the choice is massive and varied.  The youthful nature and buzz of this part of Osaka can be felt and domestic boutiques like Urban Research, Ships, Anna Sui, Stussy, and countless others, can be found in this vibrant fashion area which rivals anything in Tokyo.

In truth, both Tokyo and Osaka are major fashion cities and while Osaka may be overlooked internationally in some quarters; it soon becomes apparent when you visit Osaka that this is a mistake because the “heart of Japan is ticking loudly in Osaka.”

Other notable places to visit are Namba Parks, National Bunraku Theater, Hozenji Yokocho Alley, Kuromon Ichiba Market (Emmeiji Market) and Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum. Also, Dotonbori is clearly a must because of the high energy of this area along the river and this applies to shopping, entertainment and food outlets.

Dotonbori at night and in the early morning is awash with stunning ladies and a different Namba comes alive.

Overall, Namba is fantastic for fashion and raw energy.

This applies to the diverse nature of fashion, the manzai tradition which can be witnessed outside near the waterway system, the lively nature of the Dotonbori entertainment district and you have everything from independent boutiques to high designer labels.

Namba, like Osaka in general, is a vibrant area and “the heart is ticking loudly” and you can feel the raw passion of a city which is dynamic in its own right.

Tokyo and other major cities in Asia, like Beijing, Seoul and Shanghai, may be internationally famous but Osaka is not in the shadow of any of these cities.  On the contrary, Osaka is vibrant and open and this city deserves to be viewed amongst the elites within the global village.

http://www.infomapjapan.com/sight_Namba.phtml  (Info about Namba)

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/osaka_namba.htm

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5160.html (Namba Walk info)

http://moderntokyotimes.com (please visit)

photo from www.flickr.com

 

Tokyo ladies use more make-up than other major Asian cities: but what about Osaka?

Tokyo ladies use more make-up than other major Asian cities: but what about Osaka?

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Stunning Osaka lady

It is reported that 80 per cent of ladies in Tokyo between the ages of 18 to 59, use make-up at least five times a week.  Also, for many females in Tokyo they also worry about how other people judge them and this cultural norm is important to know because not everything is what it appears in Tokyo.

The survey that published the results of the findings was Kanebo which is a cosmetic company.  They asked similar questions in Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo and while you had certain similarities, it was noticeable that Tokyo ladies use make-up much more than the other places where the survey was carried out.

Sadly, Kanebo picked two major cities in China but only one major city in Japan.  I am sure that Osaka ladies will not understand this.  After all, for pure sexual appeal and a vibrant culture, then places like Namba and Umeda in Osaka have a raw energy which appears to be lacking in most parts of Tokyo.

Also, the survey would have had greater findings if it had included Osaka because then cosmetic companies, fashion companies, and other related sectors; could have utilized this information and I am disappointed that Osaka was omitted.

After all, two cities in China were used and sadly Osaka is often neglected but the heart of Japan is beating strongly in Osaka.  Osaka culture is vibrant, more open and you can feel the raw energy of places like Namba and ladies on a whole appear more outgoing when compared with the quietness of Tokyo.

Cultural sensibilities appear to be very powerful in Tokyo and this applies to how other people will judge them.  Therefore, make-up is part of the “look good” then “feel good” followed by social acceptance. 

In cities like Manchester and London in the United Kingdom you will notice when a lady is going somewhere special or if she is going to meet her partner for a romantic meal. This applies to many ladies dressing stylishly and making an effort because the occasion is deemed to be important.

However, in Tokyo it is very different because many ladies dress up and use make-up when meeting female friends or just going to the local coffee shop.  This factor is noticeably different than Manchester and London.

Cosmetic companies understand this reality and alongside fashion, it is apparent that Tokyo is a hotbed for the latest cosmetic products.  The same applies to fashion and the need to look respectful is a cultural norm in Tokyo.

It is unclear how much this shows confidence or lack of confidence because the findings did not dig deep enough.  However, conformity and dressing elegantly in order to meet cultural norms is very important. 

Kanebo took six months over this survey and the main emphasis was work expectations, personal aspirations, aims in five years time, make-up preferences and thinking related to cosmetics.  

Sakae Nomura, director of Kanebo’s Beauty Research Institute, commented that “The biggest difference we saw was the emphasis that Japanese women place on human relationships – in particular they care about being liked by others – while the women in the other cities are more concerned with personal growth through their work or studies.”

Another major difference was that Tokyo ladies in general focused on personal relationships and a nice balance between work and life. In the other cities in the survey much emphasis was put on obtaining a high salary and “personal development.”

Tokyo ladies overall stressed the importance to be “considerate to others” when asked about the person they desired to be.  However, in the other four cities being “feminine” and “cheerful” was selected before being “considerate to others.”

The survey also highlighted the statistics of women using make-up.  The findings stated that 79.5 per cent of ladies in Tokyo use cosmetics at least for five days during the week.  This compares to 58.7 per cent in Seoul, 45.1 per cent in Taipei, 44.5 per cent in Beijing and 38.7 per cent in Shanghai.

Tokyo women also spent more of their income and saved on average a mere 11.1 per cent of their wages.  In Seoul the figure was just over double because savings accounted to 22.3 per cent of their wages.

Seoul ladies, unlike the other four cities, also focused on cosmetic products for their lips but in each city great emphasis was put on enhancing the beauty of eyes and to obtain fresh and beautiful skin.

The only negative thing about the survey was that Osaka was omitted and I　am deeply disappointed about this.  After all, it is often perceived in Tokyo that Osaka people are more outgoing and expressive in their language and thinking. 

Therefore, it would have been interesting to have compared the findings between Osaka and Tokyo and then related this to the other cities in the survey.  I have been to Osaka on many occasions and for raw energy, style, sexuality, and natural feeling; then places like Namba, Umeda and the trendy Chayamachi area nearby, compare more than favorably.

It should also be stated that Japan’s longest shopping street is located in Osaka and not Tokyo.  This applies to the Tenjinbashi-Suji Shopping Arcade.

http://nu-chayamachi.com/langs/english.html  (Chayamachi – Osaka)

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/tokyo/harajuku_fashion.htm (Harajuku – Tokyo)

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5160.html  (Namba – Osaka) 

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/tokyo/shibuya.htm (Shibuya – Tokyo)

http://moderntokyotimes.com  (please visit)