Japan always leave us craving for more.
It isn’t that expensive to fly to Japan these days (we’ve seen flights to Tokyo for as low as $320 on Philippines Airlines), and even accommodations aren’t the legendary wallet-lighteners it used to be anymore—with good hotel chains offering nightly rates for as low as $60 and Airbnb.
Japan always leave us craving for more. So whenever there’s a yearning for the Japan culture and the food (Yes, the food!), we end up going to town to find the best Japanese restaurant or retail shop.
So, here are the following places that are pseudo enough to be frequented by Japanese expats themselves when you’re itching for a trip to Japan!
Sugisawa
Despite its prominent location on the main strip of Robertson Quay, few Singaporeans are actually aware of Sugisawa’s existence. Its claim to (quiet) fame is credited to their incredible range of affordable bentos, superbly fresh sashimi and inexpensive drinks.
The chef can be a grumpy Japanese man who is likely to ignore you. Most of the time, he is making small talk with his regulars, who are mostly Japanese expats too happy on their pints of biru after work. Guess the salaryman habit of enjoying their post working hours with a cold one knows no international boundaries!
Where: 30 Robertson Quay, #01-16, Robertson Walk
The Japanese Association
If you enjoy the acquaintance of a Japanese Association member, lucky you! Japanese Association members enjoy the luxury to explore the many interesting member-exclusive outlets at the Japanese Association Building, such as Karaoke, and their Japanese restaurants with legendary reputations (forbidden fruits taste the sweetest, perhaps?).
Even if you don’t own a membership, it’s still an eye-opener to saunter around the building. There’s a zen-like garden located within – you can view it from behind a glass door and if you stand still enough, you might just feel like you’re somewhere near the Meiji Shrine.
Meidi-Ya/Isetan Shaw
Most Japanese ladies have a tranquil quality about them, even when they are balancing a toddler on their arm and trying to shop for groceries. This is a common sight in Japanese-centric supermarkets like Meidi-Ya at Liang Court and the basement of Isetan Orchard, undoubtedly one of the most popular hangouts for Japanese folks based in Singapore. The products there are definitely way pricier, with most being Japanese imports (we’ve seen cabbages just like the ones from NTUC costing $9), but hey, you are paying for quality. Somehow, even the cold cuts look much better there. Must be the Japanese effect.
p/s: Don’t forget to save some stomach room to try the abundance of food samples on offer there.
Hibiki-ya
Taiko, a broad term for percussion instruments in Japanese, is art, music and exercise combined into one. Try your hands at their basics class at Hibiki-ya, a Taiko studio run by a Japanese lady.
The students are a mixed group, ranging from Japanese businessmen working in Singapore, to locals wanting to know more about the art of Taiko. What is guaranteed at the class though, is a sweaty workout and a lot of fun.
Cuppage Plaza
Despite its seedy association with sleazy massage parlours and even sleazier “Japanese” karaoke bars (so named because they are mostly frequented by Japanese men), Cuppage Plaza is home to many authentic Japanese restaurants, often run by Japanese folks.
To experience homely cuisine in an izakaya setting (complete with grotty interiors often seen in older/budget izakayas back in Japan) with a good mix of locals and Japanese without breaking the bank, Izakaya Nijumaru is a good choice. It occupies more than a quarter of the second storey. The selection of restaurants and bars in the outdoor area is pretty impressive too.
Where: 5, Koek Road, a few minutes walk from the back of Centrepoint Shopping Centre.
Kinokuniya
The Japanese love their books, from manga (comics) to classics by authors like Natsume Soseki. This is mostly seen from train rides in Japan, when many of their commuters have their attention fixated not on their phones, but in their books. This is why Kinokuniya, without a doubt, which keeps the largest collection of Japanese books in Singapore, is such a hot bed for Japanese expats and their families here.
Kinokuniya has two outlets: One in Ngee Ann City, and one in Liang Court.
