Saiko ! Japan #2

The 1867’s World’s Fair in Paris started a new trend of Japonism. The tea houses where the geisha served tea were very popular.

At Japan Expo, a contemporary version of the Japanese tea house invites you to be served, not by geisha, but by J-pop artists. In the tea house, craftwork objects are exhibited, coming from various regions of Japan. Come try the deserts and local specialties!

The Japanese culture called “cool Japan” is getting more and more popular abroad. JAPANEZOOM.com is a website for non-Japanese people showing entertaining short movies which highlight the charms of Japan and Japanese people.

For US $5 a month, you can watch all the movies uploaded on the website. They are only original works produced by the company, and not available on Youtube.

More information on www.japanezoom.com

Cosmoweb (Japan Art Business Association) is an organization that sells original works by Japanese artists. The exhibit iPhone cases decorated with works by Yoshitaka AMANO, the Final Fantasy series designer, and by many more artists. Come have a look at creations which are only availbale in Japan as well as some items that are very rare, even in Japan. A must-stop booth for manga, video games anime fans!

More information on japanese-art1.com

On the booth, have a look at the latest ninja and samurai costumes and products. Made by SAZAC, these items are every successful in Europe.

You will also find exclusive items, available on the booth only. And you can try a costume on to take a pic with their ninja team.

More information on www.kigurumiparadise.com and www.samuraimarket.net

The café Kosyuen has opened in Paris last April 30 mixing Japanese cuisine and organic food.

At Japan Expo, they propose the most typical Japanese dishes, such as onigiri and miso-shiru. Come taste Japanese organic cuisine!

More information on www.brookscafe.com/kosyuen-paris

Tottori prefecture is the kingdom of manga in Japan. That’s where Jiro TANIGUCHI is from, one of the most famous mangaka in France. But Tottori has also given birth to other artists, such as Shigeru MIZUKI (Gegege no Kitarô) and Gosho AOYAMA (Case Closed). The prefecture has chosen manga to revitalize the region with the project "Tottori, manga kingdom". Come visit Tottori, a region with many beautiful natural landscape and attractive for manga enthusiasts.

More information on www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/mangaoukoku

MegRu is a Japanese magazine presenting information about the world of art. On MegRu’s booth you’ll find original works by about 70 Japanese artists. Apart from the illustrations, you’ll also find kawaii and cool items such as you’ll see nowhere else in France, among which handmade accessories, CDs and little typical Japanese items.

More information on www.glide-one.jp

Japanese cuisine has been very popular in France lately. At Japan Expo, you’ll have a taste of traditional noodles: shimabara tenobe-somen and goto tenobe-udon. Goto tenobe-udon have an elastic and slippery texture and a typical taste. As for shimabara tenobe-somen, they are very thin noodles that remain smooth thanks to the type of flour used to make them. They are often served with a soup.

More information on www.facebook.com/nagasakinoodle