Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

AC Gears Get Gadgets, Give Love Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, AC Gear is the ultimate shopping destination for gadget heads and electronics aficionados. The word "AC" stands for AudioCubes (AudioCubes.com), their parent company, which is the online premier source for imported electronics and toys. As the first retailer of AudioCubes, AC Gear handpicks unique brand name products from all over the world like Osaka, Tokyo, Copenhagen and Boston, not only for their design but also functionality. Their store is chic and sleek with the feel of a gallery. Visit their store, and be mesmerized by their awesome selection!

Bloom New York Elegant yet Affordable Jewelry Bloom New York, a Japanese jewelry boutique known for its simple yet timeless designs, cerebrates its 10th anniversary in New York. "Always, to be honest and simple" is their philosophy, and they design to "bloom"  one’s attributes with their elegant jewelry. They offer 3 exclusive collections each with distinct characteristics; cute and modern BLOOM; refined and elegant ef et pe; simple and sharp ATTUNE. Their designs are so versatile that you can use them as casual everyday wear or to accentuate your style for a special occasion. May it be the occasion or your personality, you’ll find the design that best suits you.

Daido Japanese Market Everything You Need is Available at Daido!! Daido Japanese Market is the place to load up all your Japanese needs from meat, seafood and vegetables to Japanese videos, electronics and cosmetic products. The largest Japanese supermarket in Upstate New York, Daido is a convenient one stop shop that carries a wide selection of frozen food like gyoza and croquette as well as osozai, prepared side dishes like edamame and seaweed salad. Their bakery Parisienne offers a variety of freshly baked Japanese bread and pastries. On weekends they have cooking demonstrations and samplings, so stop on by even if you are new to the Japanese way of life.

Hyper Game A Mega Outlet for Domestic & Japanese Games Hyper Game opened its doors in 1993 in the LA area, a heaven for gamers where they find hot new games and sell their old ones. They carry over 2500 titles both domestic and Japanese for all types of consoles, and old games can be sold at reasonable prices for their used section. With over 50 new games each month, they are the largest videogame store in the area. New Japanese games are on their shelves just one day after their release, and they'll order if you can't find what you are looking for. In 2003 they opened their online store, and now Hyper Game's enormous game selection is available nationwide.  

Katagiri & Co., Inc. Renewal Open in April, Renewal Sale! Founded in 1907, Katagiri & Co., Inc. is the oldest Japanese grocery store, celebrating 101 years. All of your Japanese food and cooking needs can be met here. Their food store offers a smorgasbord of ingredients for sushi, sukiyaki, tempura, teriyaki, ramen and more. In their adjacent gift store, you'll find Japanese culinary tools and tableware as well as gift items. Most of their customers are non-Japanese, and their dedication to serving New Yorkers is evident in the bilingual product displays and customer service. Delivery service is available to all boroughs with some restrictions, for just $2 when you order over $50.

Kinokuniya Bookstore An incredible Source of Japanese Entertainment Since 1981 Kinokuniya Bookstore has been offering a wide selection of books on everything Japanese. The latest fashion magazines from Japan like Bathing Ape and Supreme as well as popular mangas and anime like Naruto, Vagabond and Death Note can all be found here. In January 2008 the popular bookstore changed locations and now has an expanded section of books in English not only on Japanese culture but also on the whole spectrum of Asian culture. A large selection of Japanese stationary and a cafe overlooking Bryant Park make the new Kinokuniya Bookstore an ultimate source of culture and entertainment.

Kiteya Beauty of Kyoto in the Heart of SoHo Kiteya means "please come see us" in the gentle Kyoto dialect of Japanese. Warm hospitality is their store motto, and that's what you experience at Kiteya. They carry a vast variety of Japanese products such as fashion accessories, clothing for children, wrought iron handicrafts and parchment paper from Kyoto Japan.  Artisans from Kyoto put their hearts and souls into each of their handcrafted products which are a synthesis of traditional patterns and contemporary design. Events on traditional furoshiki wrapping and Ikebana flower arrangement as well as lectures on Kimono are offered every month.

Korin Passion for Japanese Knives and Tableware Korin has been an industry leader in the distribution of fine Japanese kitchen supplies for 30 years. Conceived by Saori Kawano in pursuit of bringing Japanese knives and tableware into American restaurants and homes, Korin's goal is to create and provide excellent products to enhance their customer's culinary experience. With over 7,000 chefs worldwide as their clients, they take pride in offering superior customer service and expertise in assisting you find the tools for your needs. Their beautiful showroom in Tribeca offers knife sharpening demonstrations and an amazing selection of chef's knives.

Mars New York One-Stop-Shop for All your Japanese Needs "We support Japanese way of living" is their store motto. Mars New York is dedicated to serving customers with all their Japanese needs. Situated adjacent to Mitsuwa Marketplace in Edgewater NJ, they are the largest Japanese specialty store on the east coast with over 20,000 items from futon, tatami and festive dolls to toys, stationary and fashion accessories. Mars is Little Japan where you can find every imaginable product! They also provide consulting and construction service with design inspired by Japanese elements. Whether designing a restaurant or redecorating your apartment, visit them for fine blueprints.

Minamoto Kitchoan Colorful and Beautiful Japanese Confectionary As you enter Minamoto Kitchoan, you'll be astonished by rows of elaborately shaped and colored Japanese confections that look like works of art. Since the 16th century, Japanese confectionary, or wagashi, has been enjoyed over tea ceremony which is a ritual to commune with nature and friends. Wagashi's main ingredients are nutritious beans and rice flour, and colors and fruit appropriate to the season are incorporated as well. It is considered an elegant gift item for all types of occasion, and Minamoto Kitchoan aspires to deliver the ambiance and elegance of Japanese tradition to NY with their breathtaking creations.

Mitsuwa Marketplace New Jersey Store Fine and Fresh Products Direct from Japan Clean, fresh and cheerful as a store policy, Mitsuwa Marketplace has been serving customers with fine quality products at affordable prices since 1988. A vital part of Japanese living in the NY metropolitan area, it is the largest Japanese supermarket on the east coast. They carry a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, fruit, seafood as well as prepared food like sushi and bento. As the perfect destination for casual dining with family and friends, the food court at Mitsuwa offers an array of Japanese comfort food. After a grand makeover in October 2006, they regularly host seasonal events on weekends.

Mister Wright Fine Wine & Spirits Wine, Spirits and Sake… Mr. Wright Has It All Mister Wright Fine Wine & Spirits has been a staple of Upper Eastside for almost 30 years. Its founder, Mr. Wright, an Australian by birth, has brought his international savvy of wines and spirits to his store, which features a wide selection of libations from around the globe including Japan. Whether helping a customer find an inexpensive wine for cooking or ordering exclusive sake for a special celebratory occasion, their dedicated staff are very knowledgeable about their products. Free tastings are offered on Thu (5-8pm), Fri and Sat (4-7pm) with several beverages highlighted each night. They also offer free fast local delivery.

Niwaka USA. Inc. Dazzling Elegance of Japanese Beauty Niwaka, the Tiffany of Japan, has awed many patrons since its launch, and it is the ultimate symbol of femininity, elegance and prestige. Its brand concept “Kyoto-esque Modernism” stems from an aesthetic element of the ancient Kyoto called Ma, which expresses beauty in asymmetrical forms. Simple yet elegant designs of Niwaka articulate the Japanese expression of beauty, and cherish craftsmanship with refined modern taste and precision techniques. Each ring conveys a story, philosophy and a meaning behind its design, and you will find a design that dazzles your eyes and melts your heart.

Ripplu New York Accentuate Body Figure with Ripplu Technology All women wish to maintain a youthful figure for eternity. Appropriately supportive underwear helps retain and enhance your body figure, but according to lingerie experts, most women don't wear the correct size underwear.  Ripplu New York specializes in custom fitting lingerie and offers innovative 3-step system bras that "gather", "channel", and "lift" breast tissues to enhance the overall size and silhouette of your upper body. Upon thorough fitting, they alter each bra to best fit individual customers. Now a new location, girdles that lift and shape the hip area as well as new items from Japan are available. 

Sara Japanese Pottery Exquisite Works of Master Artists Sara Japanese Pottery specializes in handmade dinnerware created by Japanese and American artists. Since their inception in 1990, their goal has been to introduce pottery works by master artists into everyday lives' of New Yorkers. Their collection is not limited to ceramics, and includes glass, bamboo, textile, lacquer and even iron sculptures. Products available at Sara range from casual everyday ware to one-of-a-kind sculptures by renowned artists normally displayed in a museum or a gallery. Sara works closely with local and international artists, and regularly hosts events and exhibitions to promote them.

International Shinto Foundation (ISF) Uplift Your Spirits at a Shinto Shrine International Shinto Foundation (ISF) was designated a UN church center in 1995, practicing peace, exchanging culture and teaching Shinto philosophy. ISF regularly performs spiritual cleansing, wedding ceremonies and lectures on the Shintoism both in Japanese and English. In addition to the religious ceremonies, they also offer a variety of good luck charms such as Lucky Daruma Dolls, which help achieve your dreams, and Tablets that bring happiness and prosperity. “New York is an exciting city, but often drains your energy, so come visit us to cleanse your spirits or just have a conversation,” says Rev. Otagaki. 

Tafu New York Japanese Tea Cafe with Authentic Flavors Serving authentic Japanese tea and tea-based desserts in Midtown, Tafu New York is the tea expert from Japan with over 150 years of experience. With firm belief in the art and science of tea brewing, each cup of tea is brewed upon request only, for the finest aroma and flavor possible. Enjoy their broad selection of teas from the various regions in Japan at the cafe, or get a bag of tea leaves to bring home. They also offer healthy and delicious sweets made with premium tea leaves. Tafu is the ambassador of Japanese teas, and cherishes the exchange of culture, tradition and health benefits of Japanese tea, so visit them and share your love of tea.

Utsuwa-No-Yakata Authentic and Versatile Japanese Tableware Utsuwa-No-Yakata means "a house of tableware" in Japanese. The store was born to introduce Japanese tableware to the world two decades ago. Their wide variety of contemporary and traditional products is not only beautiful but also affordable and practical for everyday use. One of their top sellers is the Functional Dish Series: microwavable and freezer safe dishware, each with its own plastic lid. In Japan, traditional food is matched with the appropriate tableware, although the tableware of Utsuwa-No-Yakata is conducive for all types of cuisines. Whether serving pasta or sushi, have fun mixing and matching!