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OK, I'll cut my exciting story short here and get to my queries. I just found out I'm going to Singapore and Japan for 2 weeks. I don't know any details other than I'm going to Singapore and Tokyo, there will probably be other places in Japan, I just don't know atm what they are, but I'm going! *squee*

Well, obviously, EGL and Fruits are where I need to ask for any advice, hints, suggestions, and demands?

Specifically I'm looking for shopping, restaurants, clubs, theatres or current shows running. Suggestions on the best theatre to see a classic Kabuki and Noh performance would be really welcome. Great places to find fantastic fabrics and materials for DIY garments and other things? Any sites (in english) that can give me a good intro into the underworld culture (by which I mean more I am into goth/industrial/futurepop/electro/cyberpunk )? And also, any sites that you might have found exceptionally handy for phrases and such that will be useful and not make me sound like a complete idiot? (like i do now because i'm still reeling!)

I'm big into being a part of the country I visit. I only really like to be a tourist for a day maybe 2 max, beyond that, I want to live like a local, as much as is feasible, because I really enjoy meeting and watching people.

This is insane, I'll be leaving in just over a month if everything works out the way it's supposed to. So wish me luck, give me hints cause this is So going to kick ass.

*Sorry for the x-post to Fruits, and if I've foolishly not checked out any FAQ's that I should have then thanks also for directing me to them. ^_^

Current Mood: excited

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From:

calliechan.livejournal.com

In Tokyo, go to Harajuku and hit Takeshitadoori. (Takeshita St.- it's right across from the JR Harajuku station and has a big sign announcing it's presence. It's also where the EGL girls hang out. You really can't miss it.) Around that area is LaForet, a department store that has a lot of major EGL brands, including a kick-ass Atelier Pierrot and a big h.Naoto and Putumayo.

Also make sure you go to the OIone (pronounced "marui one"- it's a play on words with pictures) in Shinjuku, because that's where the main Moi-Meme-Moitie shop is, along with TONS of others. I'm kicking myself every day for completely missing this when I was there. -_-;; Uuurgh...

Basically, all the EGL goodness is in or around Harajuku, Shinjuku or Shibuya. If I can find the address list my friend gave me, I'll post it on the community for everyone. ^_^;; Hope I've helped- have a great time, and post pictures!!

From:

kristinchaos.livejournal.com

I apologize in advance if this gets exceedingly long.
I lived in Tokyo for 6 months, and I literally spent those six months scouting out nifty shopping areas (and going to school, of course).

Anyway! The first place you should check out is Takeshita-dori in Harajuku (to get there, take the Yamanote line to Harajuku station or the Chiyoda subway line to Meiji-Jingumae). It's a treasure-trove for fruitsy and EGL stuff. Some of the little street stalls off in the alleys sell EGL stuff for very cheap, but there's also Richard's and Mari's that sell EGL stuff very cheaply. If you're looking for more pricey stuff, check out Laforet, which is a shopping mall. It's about a 10 minute walk from Takeshita-dori. Each of the floors mark how expensive the items are (the bottom floor is the cheapest, while items on the top floor are the most expensive). I'm not sure what the individual shops there are called, but there are quite a few that sell EGL clothing.
If you're looking for Baby the Stars Shine So Bright, check out Daikanyama (between Shibuya and Ebisu). It's a short walk from Shibuya station.
Shibuya itself is literally a haven for anything fruits. You can still occasionally see ganguro there. It's a massive shopping district with tonnes of cheap stores. If you're up for a walk, it's half an hour by foot from Harajuku station, but you can take the train there as well. If you do walk, there's a few neat stores along the way as well as a box village.
For kabuki, you'd want to go to Ginza where the kabuki theatre is. I haven't seen a play there, but apparently it's fantastic. Ginza is great if you're looking for ritzy brand names and good (but expensive) food. It's also a great place to people watch and there's a fantastic toy store there.

If you happen to be in Tokyo on a Sunday definetly go to Harajuku. That's the day that's big for cosplay. I'm personally not into it, but it's fun to watch. That's right outside Meiji-Jingu, a fantastic shinto shrine that is worth checking out too.

Also, if you want to find rare Jrock/Jpop/Jpunk CD's there a fantastic little shop in Meguro that I personally recommend. The staff are very nice and helpful. The name escapes me right now, but it's farely close to Meguro station. I can give you better directions if you're interested.

Checking out Shinjuku at night is definetly something you have to do, even if you're not into overwhelming crowds. The whole atmosphere is very cyberpunk. There's some cute shops around there as well.

You're going October-ish? Don't bring really warm cloths. A light jacket is fine. I was able to bear wearing short skirts and dresses until mid-November.
If you need anymore tips, lemme know! I can give you a list of helpful phrases if you want as well.

From:

aitreni.livejournal.com

For DIY clothes and costuming, the best places are Okadaya and Yuzawaya. Okadaya (in Shinjuku) is REALLY geared toward theater costuming and cosplay, with 2 multiple-floor stores full of fabulous fabrics and supplies -- wigs, makeup, costume jewelry, feathers, beads, yarns, and all the usual notions. It's VERY easy to drop a load of money at this store because all this beautiful stuff is theater-quality, not Halloween-quality. Since it's in Shinjuku, it's very convenient from Yamanote-area Tokyo.
http://www.sgj.co.jp/mall/okadaya/

Yuzawaya (Kichijoji) has only one floor of sewing stuff, but it's a big one. It's just as good for fabrics, trims, and notions (including high-quality ones), but doesn't have such a selection of beads/feathers/appliques or stage jewelry. But it has a whole floor for artists' supplies like paints and brushes. Kichijoji is on the Chuo line and isn't as convenient from the usual tourist areas, but I go there often because it's closer to my house. ^^
Main URL:
http://www.yuzawaya.co.jp
Direct link to map for the Kichijoji store:
http://www.yuzawaya.co.jp/mise/mise_ki.html

For other DIY crafts, Tokyu Hands is good. I know there are branches in Shinjuku and Shibuya (the Shibuya one is bigger), and probably a few more in Tokyo. There you can get stuff like metal clay and special ovens to bake it in so you can sculpt your own jewelry. I think their leather department has more stuff than Okadaya's.
http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/

And as far as the "underworld" culture... it hasn't really hit Japan. ^^; There IS a goth/darkwave scene sort of like that, but it's very small and their events are sporadic. (as for cyberpunk, I think you might as well forget it...) You might find something if you do a Google search. I'm a visual kei fan so I really don't know anything about that scene... ^^;

From:

altricial.livejournal.com

I'm in Singapore but there's nothing much here really. But check out spotlight.com.sg :D

From:

realsilicon.livejournal.com

i'm from singapore and here's a couple of places you could check out :

1. orchard road. it's where all your department stores are anyway. here's a huge takashimaya building/store right smack in the middle of orchard road and i'd suggest that if you'd like to check out something more fruitsy and cheaper, perhaps the first level (which is the basement level) of far east shopping centre (which is beside scotts shopping centre). there's plenty of small shops there selling cheap clothing that look sort of fruits inspired. and if you do check out far east shopping centre early enough, try going to the corner of level 3 where there is a chicken rice stall hidden in a corner. they sell excellent chicken rice which i recommend everyone should try. there's also a leather/fetishwear shop on that level.

2. if you're into chinese brocade head down to chinatown, especially that is opposite the chinatown police headquarters. they sell plenty of cheap chinese clothing (cheongsam, etc) and cloth too. you can haggle with the vendors over the prices, so remember to haggle! there's another market (it's first level sells food (what we'd call a hawker centre. looks dodgy but has some good food) that beside OG department store, and the second level (and upwards) has plenty of stores selling all kinds of cheap fabric (mostly brocade). i find that they're usually cheaper than the ones at spotlight.

3. little india. i reckon every other tourist checks this place out and it sells really cheap indian saris. (around US$10) while you're there try the indian fortune telling which uses a small bird to pick out cards out, sort of a novelty thing but nonetheless fun i reckon. plenty of garlands of flowers for sale there too, and henna jobs, the indian way of threading your skin to remove facial hair/trim brows, etc.

4. we speak english in singapore, so there isn't much to worry about in terms of language barrier. if anything, it's probably the varying accents that might pose a slight problem, if any.

5. there isn't really much underground clubs going on, but if you're lucky there might be a gig at the substation, esplanade or youth park. in terms of clubs, i guess the few that locals frequent would be zouk at jiak khim street and the stretch of clubs along mohd sultan road. (wednesdays and thursdays being peak periods) you could try igor's which is a horror theme club or boom boom room where there's plenty of drag queens and the resident club presenter, kumar takes a jibe at the audience. pretty alright places.

6. try prowling the hawker centres (the newton circus one being the most famous), or just take the mrt (local subway) and dropping at any random stop like say jurong east, bishan, yishun, etc.

7. lastly you can check out singaporeroars.com (http://www.singaporeroars.com) or this LJ community sg_ljers so you could perhaps post up a message to get more directions as to which parts of singapore you could check out.

hope that helps and enjoy your trip! :)