Special Announcement on Update of Freelance Articles

I'd like to take this time to make an announcement: as of today, I've published 51 articles on izanau.com since starting in April 2016! That makes an average of just under 4 articles a month! And I did all this while working full time. I really love writing! If you haven't had the chance to read some of my newer articles, click on the links below!

Ariana Grande's Love Affair with Japan

Ariana Grande loves Japan. Ariana is even learning to write Japanese hiragana, and speak Japanese. Her fan base in Japan is so big, that she even released Japanese versions of the "Dangerous Woman" and "Focus" music videos.

Inside the Studio Ghibli Museum Part 3

After reading up on all the awesome exhibits and attractions in Part 1 and Part 2 at the Studio Ghibli Museum, you're bound to have worked up a tremendous appetite! Luckily there's plenty of mouth-watering food available in the museum cafe!

Straw Hat Cafe

The Straw Hat Cafe

A trip to the Studio Museum should not end without dining at the Straw Hat cafe. You can get snacks, drinks, desserts, and both cold and hot meals. The menu is all sourced from organic farms and very healthy! Favorites include the katsu curry, fried pork cutlet sandwich and strawberry short cake.

Inside the Studio Ghibli Museum Part 2

Now that you've caught up on Part 1, let's find out about those short films shown exclusively at the Studio Ghibli Museum and the rooftop garden!

Short Films

There are a total of 9 short original Ghibli films shown exclusively at the museum, of which I have seen three (fell a little short of the goal! Unfortunately I can’t give you my opinion on all of them). Again, the films are all shown in Japanese, with two showings a day featuring Japanese subtitles, but many of the films have very little dialogue or even none at all. Even without understanding Japanese, you’ll enjoy the film anyway!

Takara-sagashi – “Treasure Hunting”

A little boy named Yuji and a rabbit named Gikku compete to determine who gets to be the owner of a stick they both found by race, jump rope, and sumo wrestling. However they are always equally matched! Thus they decide to play a final game of treasure hunting. It's based on the picture book by Rieko Nakagawa.

Inside the Studio Ghibli Museum Part 1

The Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo

One of my favorite places I've visited in Japan is the Studio Ghibli Museum, located in Mitaka, Tokyo. Case in point, I've been there three times in three years! In case you've got any doubts as to why this place would be worth visiting more than once, check out my article on izanau, including tips on how to snag tickets, costs, and transportation. The hard part is simply getting the tickets; other than that admission costs only 1000 yen (around 10 bucks!) so it's very affordable! What is not, sadly, is the gift shop, depending on your level of Ghibli fandom.

Everything about the museum is detailed and cute, even the special bus that goes straight to the museum from Mitaka station (sadly it's not a giant fluffy cat with twelve legs, but still good).

The Ghibli bus! Not an actual cat bus as we were all hoping.

It has all the cute characters from the opening scenes of My Neighbor Totoro!

Or you can walk about fifteen minutes from Mitaka station. Just follow the signs!

Ghibli Museum this way!

Visiting the Kit Kat Chocolatory, and Trying Butter Kit Kats!

If you've read any of my blogs or articles, you'll know all about how much I love Japanese Kit Kats! Unlike their American counterparts, they come in awesome flavors like beni'imo (purple sweet potato), hazelnut, pumpkin, and even wasabi and Japanese sake. You can even collect specialty flavors and packaging available exclusively in certain regions of Japan, like momiji manju in Hiroshima or azuki toast in Nagoya (both are specialty sweets in these regions). Kit Kats are highly popular during the test-taking time of the year in February and March because they sound like "kitto katsu" (you'll surely win) in Japanese. Did you know Kit Kats are so popular in Japan they even inspired their own specialty chocolate shop?! It's called the Kit Kat Chocolatory, and naturally it was a must-see for me.

The Kit Kat Chocolatory in Tokyo

Easter tsum tsums and Beauty and the Beast at the Disney Store!

Before I officially moved back home (and therefore can't keep churning out these posts on the Disney store in Japan every month (T_T) ) I of course made sure to pay a visit to my favorite store! I was so glad the Easter Tsum Tsums were released before I left, because they are super adorable!

Easter tsum tsums are selling fast!

What could be better than Disney characters dressed up as Easter bunnies?! They feature Mickey and Minnie, Goofy and Pluto, Donald and Daisy, Chip and Dale, and Winnie the Pooh. As you can see, they are selling like lightning! I'm glad that the Disney store (and even Target) carries Tsum Tsums in America, but they don't have all these special edition ones! I've definitely stocked up while I can. You can also get them in an "Easter wreath", as if that's a real thing.

Tsum Tsum Easter wreath!

Moana Makes a Splash at the Disney Store, and Celebrating 3 Years of Tsum Tsums!

In anticipation of cute Japan-ized Moana products, I've been visiting the Disney store practically every week! Unfortunately for now, Moana is limited to tsum tsums and a few other items that seem to be the same as products back in America, but I have faith if I wait a little longer I'll be rewarded with some awesome products! Meanwhile can we talk about how stinking cute little Pua tsum tsum is?! He should have gotten more screen time!

Moana arrives at Disney store Japan

Had to snatch up a Pua and Hei Hei tsum tsum!

In the meantime, there's plenty of other activity going on here at the Disney store in Japan. This year commemorates 3 successful years of Tsum Tsums, which have exploded into popularity all over the world thanks to their adorable pill-shaped bodies and simplified features. Case in point, you can even buy them at Target back home in the U.S. However Japan still reigns king of Tsum Tsums, and not just because they have their own super-popular mobile game, but because they regular have special edition tsum tsums year round, forcing you to give in to their charm to empty your wallet and collect them all!

UniBearsity tsum tsums, Alice in Wonderland collection

I Taste Test Three New Country Ma’am Flavors: Cream Stew, Plum Mochi, and Truffle-scented 4 Cheese

I love trying limited edition special flavors (kikan gentei) in Japan, so I jumped at the chance to try three new Country Ma'am flavors! This is a popular brand of soft, chewy cookies that are basically your only tie to chocolate chip cookies over here. The current kikan gentei flavors are plum mochi, creamy stew, and truffle-scented four cheese. I wouldn't have normally put those last two anywhere near my mouth, but hey, since it's my last few weeks in Japan I thought I'd give it a shot.

Plum Mochi

Country Ma'am plum mochi.

Awesome Products at the Ghibli Store That Will Have Die-hard Fans Pledging Their Retirement Funds

I've been updating you all on monthly Disney store products for almost a year now, so I thought I'd introduce you to another fun store I often visit in Japan (but not as often as the Disney store): the Studio Ghibli store, responsible for awesome movies like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Kiki's Delivery Service. You're bound to have watched one even growing up in the US, perhaps without even realizing it was Japanese! (Although we all thought it was a bit strange that Natsuki and Mei bathed naked with their father in the bath tub in Totoro, right?) In Japan Ghibli movies have a huge following, though admittedly not nearly as popular as Disney. You can find these stores selling adorable Totoro and Jiji products throughout Japan. Here's a sampling of everything you're missing out on!

Cars in Japan, as Told by Shincan

Shin-chan!

One of my favorite Japanese shows to watch on TV is Shin-chan, aka Crayon Shin-chan. Shin-chan is a kindergartner who likes cute girls and showing off his plump butt-cheeks. It may be aimed at kids, but it's not the standard kiddy content! If you've ever watched the series in English you'll know there's quite a bit of potty-language going on, but this is due to the fact that swear words don't really exist in Japanese and are bandied about even on children's shows. For some reason innuendo-infused content isn't really a concern among parents in Japan, either. Thus, without all the filtering and censoring from overprotective parents, characters and plots in Shin-chan are pretty accurate to real life and amusing as well, so I enjoy watching it weekly.

Shin-chan's family: Hiroshi (Dad), Misae (Mom), Himawari (baby sister), and Shiro (dog)

Recently I watched a three-part series about Shin-chan's family buying a new car. Actually, it was the first time I ever saw them use a car! Japanese people have them but seldom use them – what's the point?! They usually just walk or bike everywhere to save money. Japanese people are all about saving and hoarding money. But it's understandable considering how ridiculously expensive everything in Japan is, especially cars. Just to get your license in Japan costs nearly 2000 US dollars, as it includes months of mandatory driving school. Upon completion you have to pass your driving test within a year, or you'll have to repeat everything all over again and fork over that money! Oh, and did I mention you can't even get your license until the age of 18? In addition, you're not allowed to drive with even the tiniest ounce of alcohol on your breath!

Typical conundrum in Japan.

Get Up Close and Personal With Your Favorite Celebs at Madame Tussaud's!

Ever since I found out that my favorite Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu was featured here, I've always been wanting to pay a visit to Madame Tussaud's, located in Odaiba, Tokyo. I've been to Odaiba many times but finally decided to make my dream a reality!

Valentine's Day and Princess Bears hit the Disney Store!

Although Valentine's Day is on the way and widely celebrated in Japan, it's not the only thing occupying the shelves at the Disney Store this month! Recently a special line of Unibearsity Bears has debuted: Princess Bears! Because everyone loves princesses, human or no.

Even more articles!

Here's an update of articles I have published on izanau.com as of January 19th 2017!

Japan's Newest Hit Celeb Couple: Ryupeko!

Panda Express Comes to Japan!

Death Note: Light Up the New World Movie Review

Death Note: a Worldwide Sensation

Sweet Potato Ice Cream Showdown: Creamy Sweet Potato Yukimi Daifuku vs Hagen Dazs Murasaki Imo