ExpatBlogs Archives - The Wadas On Duty

Hi there. It’s Mr. Wada back on duty. I would like to introduce recommended import stores in Japan this time.

Recommended Import Stores in Japan

If you happen to be an expat, you may miss stuff from your country right? To tell the truth, there isn’t much import stuff in Japan even though it is supposed to be a first world! That’s one conflict and also reality. However, there are some places you could find them.

Kaldi Coffee

Kaldi Coffee sells plenty of import stuff including frozen products and dairy products. Prices are OK. It has many locations over the country, mostly in the malls.

Website: https://www.kaldi.co.jp/english/

Jupiter

Jupiter sells variety of stuff but perhaps LESS than Kaldi Coffee does (an impression I have). Prices are OK as well. I sometimes visit it for checking discounted items. Heh heh. Many locations available in many cities. One in Okayama City is right at the station so location-wise it is super convenient.

Website (in JP): https://www.jupiter-coffee.com/

Gyomu Super

Gyomu Super is like a super market with lots of import stuff at low prices. Mrs. Wada buys oat meal here and makes her oatmeal, oats cookies (yummy!) etc. As of 2019 July, it has more than 800 locations in Japan, mostly in residential areas.

Website (in JP): https://www.gyomusuper.jp/

Costco

If you are from the West, this members-only-whole-sales may look familiar. Costco Japan offers great deals but numbers of stores are quite few still. Check locations here. It would be a good option for people living in big cities.

Website: https://www.costco.co.jp/

Online Stores (Amazon, etc.)

There are bunch of online stores that sell import stuff but the thing is their service is likely in Japanese only. Well, Amazon would be easy for anyone.

Website: https://www.amazon.co.jp/

For shopping on amazon Japan, you may wanna check this tip as well.

Purchasing From Amazon Japan

Local Stores

There are some local import stores. For instance there is one called Trend in Okayama City. Prices aren’t great but it offers variety of products that never bore you.

Website (in JP): http://www.e-trend.jp/

Lastly

How do you find it? Hope it helps.

See you around!

Hi there. It’s Mr. Wada back on duty. I would like to introduce popular Japanese summer songs this time.

Popular Japanese Summer Songs

RIDE ON TIME by Tatsuro Yamashita

Year released: 1980

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzKU0ZPTSbA

If you think Christmas Eve is all he’s got, you may want to check out his summer songs. They sound awesome as well. He has more influence by American pop music but sounds new even after decades.

Season In The Sun (シーズン・イン・ザ・サン) by TUBE

Year released: 1986

They are like representative of summer. Almost all of their songs are about summer. Ah Natsu Yasumi (あー夏休み) is another hit in 1990 (very catchy).

Shonen Jidai (少年時代) by Yosui Inoue

Year released: 1990

A late hit song of a popular folk singer from the 70’s. His distinct voice made me want to imitate in childhood (and still). I still hear this song on TV commercials as one of classic summer songs.

Natsu no hino 1993 (夏の日の1993) by Class

Year released: 1993

A hit song by a one-hit-wonder duo from early 90’s.

EZ DO DANCE by TRF

Year released: 1993

A popular dance group that made the movement of 90s’ Japanese dance music. It has been a revival hit again in the 2010’s as an exercise music.

Yureru Omoi (揺れる想い) by ZARD

Year released: 1993

ZARD is a solo project of a singer Izumi Sakai, who unfortunately passed away in 2007 after creating numbers of hit songs in the 90’s and 2000’s.

Natsuiro (夏色) by Yuzu

Year released: 1998

A debut song of a folk duo from the late 90’s. They became stars from street performance. After them millions of street musicians followed them and performed on the street to be the next star. (but only a few can succeed)

Natsumatsuri (夏祭り) by Whiteberry

Year released: 2000

It is a cover song which was originally released in 1990 by another girls band called Jittarinjin. It was also very known but if you were born after 80’s, you probably think that this song is by this Whiteberry.

Naminori Johnny (波乗りジョニー) by Keisuke Kuwata

Year released: 2001

He’s from one of the most popular Japanese bands called Southern All Stars. This song was released during the band had been on a hiatus.

secret base by ZONE

Year released: 2001

A hit song by a girls band from the early 2000’s. Sounds very melancholic.

Natsu no Owari by Naotaro Moriyama

Year released: 2003

Aside from his hit Sakura song, this song has been one of the songs to play when summer ends. Sorta sounds like Okinawan music.

Suirenka (睡蓮花) by Shonan no Kaze

Year released: 2007

A popular….reggae group? (I still don’t know how to describe them). Seems to be one of the most popular songs for party people.

Lastly

How do you find it? Summer break, summer fest, fireworks, etc. There are many events for making summer memories. What songs remind you your summer memories? Please share your thoughts in the comment!

See you around!