10 Tips on how to create a Japanese holiday in Singapore

It has been Phase 2 of Singapore’s Circuit Breaker since 18 June 2020 at 2359 hours, and frankly speaking, I am just about wilting now!

I want to travel to Tokyo Japan!

I want to go to eat authentic Japanese food!

It’s already nearing the end of the year 2020, but there’s still plenty of activities one can do. My name is Emily, and I am here to bring you through a list of 10 Ways to experience Japan in Singapore! We may not have the winter cold and ski slopes, but we can still have a great time.

10 Ways to Experience Japan from our Singapore shores

1. Head to a Konbini

Japanese convenience stores, or konbini, are known all over the world for selling drool-worthy snacks, as well as their tasty instant meals. This store is a truly intriguing concept of an authentic konbini on our sunny shores.

Every Convenience Store carry products ranging from snacks to meals that are imported from Japan. They also have an in-house café with a menu that rotates everyday to keep customers on their toes at their Potong Pasir outlet. Their prices are also an affordable $10 for set meals!

As one of the currently popular anime series had just recently released a movie, Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, I personally think it’d be awesome to go over and purchase the Kimetsu no Yaeba Meibamen kaiko card, a chocolate snack with cool-looking cards for collectibles!

Where to find them:

• Every Convenience Store
• 51 Upper Serangoon Rd, The Poiz Centre #01-12/13, Singapore 347697
• Opening hours: Everyday
  8:00am – 10:00pm (Retail)
  10:00am – 9:30pm (Cafe)

2. Take a dip at the Onsen

According to Nippon, many strongly believe that besides the health benefits, a well-deserved dip in the onsen waters could bring comfort and relaxation to us, especially after pressing deadlines from school and work, or hunching over the computer while working on tasks at home.

Yunomori Onsen & Spa is a pretty aesthetic establishment with separated by gender onsen pools, steam/sauna room, as well as a treatment room for massages and spas. You get to don a yukata, elevating the experience of being in Japan, coupled by its awesome interior decoration.

Where to find them:

• Yunomori Onsen & Spa
• Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Pl, Singapore 397628
• Opening hours: Everyday 10:00am – 10:00pm
• Make a reservation on their website

3. Make some furry new friends at Neko no Niwa

Neko no Niwa is the first ever cat café in Singapore, where customers get to cuddle with the precious felines in a very homely café environment, while enjoying some yummy treats and drinks.

Personally, I really enjoy unwinding with some fluffy cat therapy while enjoying delicious food. Besides, I am a HUGE cat lover! Other than enjoying feline company at hourly rates, keep a look out for their quarterly Cat Care Workshops for both new and current feline pet owners!

If you go for any of their long stay rates as a student, show your student pass for a complimentary Hot Chocolate, a yummy drink that’s a staple for cuddling sessions!

Where to find them:

• Neko no Niwa
• 54A Boat Quay, Level 2 Singapore 049843
• Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday
  11:00am – 9:00pm (Last entry at 8:00pm) Closed on: Tuesdays
• *Reservations are recommended on their website

4. Go on a Japanese Food festival at &JOY Dining Hall

Missing all the food stalls and supermarkets in Tokyo Japan? One of the joys of going to a matsuri is that one can enjoy all the different food and drinks in an atmosphere full of buzz. I sometimes have trouble deciding on a place to eat, so I thought to myself, why not go down a bustling hall with the corridors lined with restaurants and stalls?

At &JOY Dining Hall, you are sure to be spoiled with choices of various Japanese food, such as Ramen to Sushi, from famous chain restaurants such as RAMEN KIOU, and ROMAN.TEI, hailing all the way from Japan.

Whenever I feel like treating myself, I would go for a Salmon Mentai Don at Ichiban Express, as I really love to eat salmon!

Where to find them:

5. Enjoy a Japanese comic book or two at Kinokuniya

As an avid enthusiast of anime and manga, as well as books and magazines, it is so amazing to me that not only does Kinokuniya Singapore Bookstore have the pretty obvious English publications available, they sell Chinese, Japanese, and even German and French publications as well.

Besides that, they also have manga volumes, visual novels, art books, and non-book merchandise such as DVDs, stationery and collectible toys/figurines, and many more.

The flagship store in ION Orchard also has an event space to host book launches by authors and artists from the local, regional and international scene, cooking and comic art demonstrations, craft-making, vocal performances, cast appearances, and storytelling, to name a few.

Where to find them:

6. Grab some Japaneses healthcare and beauty items

Japan sure do love products that emphasize on sun protection, which I personally recommend it since we live in a Sunny and Tropical Singapore.

Welcia is Japan’s number one drugstore and pharmacy chain, and they have a flagship store, Welcia-BHG, right here on our island state, a huge establishment divided into Healthcare, and Beauty. With purportedly over 3000 brands available in store, one is sure to be able to find the best product just for them.

Where to find them:

7. Collect Japanese Anime Related Merchandise

While I am an avid anime and manga enthusiast, I sometimes also collect posters, keychains and badges of my favorite anime, and cosplayers too!

AFA, known as Anime Festival Asia, is one of the biggest conventions in Singapore, and they have an online anime boutique store, named AFA Shop, selling many exclusive anime, cosplayers, as well as artiste merchandise like art sketches and drawings.

If you are often eager to get your hands on the latest exclusive merch, this website definitely a place to start.

Where to find them:

• Anime Festival Asia (AFA)
• Follow them on Facebook to get more details

8. Attend a Convention Online

While some of us (mostly cosplayers) are almost relieved that all the go-to events are cancelled this year, we still miss the chance to interact with each other and support artists by purchasing fan-made merch.

Why not attend a convention, online?! One such event, MerfishCon, is one of the first free-to-attend online events in Singapore. Much like a physical convention, they have plenty of artists booths, panels, and other activities as well!

Where to find them:

• MerfishCon
• Attend the event online at their Discord Server from 11 – 13 December 2020

9. Go to an Anime Café

When one goes to Akihabara, one of the coolest things to do is to visit as many anime-themed cafés as possible, not only for the themed food and drink, but for the limited edition merchandise as well.

ANIPLUS Café is a truly unique place, where it functions as a fixed café, with changing themes every couple of months.

Currently, the café is having an Isekai Quartet anime collaboration, so be sure to check it out! I personally like the Megumin’s Crimson Explosion, which is Mentaiko Pasta topped with chicken and onsen egg, as Megumin is my favorite character from KonoSuba!

Where to find them:

• ANIPLUS Café
• 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-13C Annexe The Esplanade Mall, 039802
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday
  12:00pm – 9:00pm Closed on: Mondays

10. Singapore Staycation at a Capsule Hotel

Originating from Japan, capsule hotels are a trendy concept, especially since it is favored for its affordability.

As we are receiving our SingapoRediscovers Vouchers soon, why not have a staycation at CUBE – Family Boutique Capsule Hotel’s Chinatown branch?

Where to find them:

• CUBE – Family Boutique Capsule Hotel
• 64A/B, 66A/B, 68A/B Smith St, Level 2 & 3, 058967

And with that, we have come to the end for 10 Ways to experience Japan in Singapore. I really enjoyed coming up with this list for all of you fellow enthusiasts, and I hope you enjoy yourselves and get right to the list!

If you still run out of ideas how to keep yourself busy and entertained here in Singapore during the no-travel period, consider checking out some of our free outdoors natural sights or even rock climbing at a nearby climbing gym!

To all Japan lovers, what else have I missed out? Comment below!