When I mention holidaying in Japan, the most common reaction I get is that Japan is an expensive place to shop. Having been to Japan thrice, I would like to assure you that this is not entirely true. It boils down to what you are buying and where you are going. If you know what are the right products to buy and where to go, it is actually cheaper to buy these items in Japan than back home. There are also products which are only available in Japan.

So what are the products worth buying in Japan?

1. Japanese cosmetics

Familiar with brands like Shu Uemura, Shiseido, Kose, Kanebo, Fancl, SKII? These brands are from Japan. If you check the price back home, you will find that the products from these brands are much cheaper in Japan than in other countries. For example, Shu Uemura’s Glow On blush costs 2625yen (S$35.80) in Japan while the price in Singapore is S$39. Shiseido and Kose paper face masks are available in Watson-like stores and pharmacies for around S$1~2 per piece! Apart from department stores, these brands are also readily available in pharmacies and personal stores around Tokyo.

There are also great brands that are not available or no longer available in Singapore. My recommendations would be:

i. Majolica Majorca by Shiseido

This brand is well known for their mascaras. I am currently using their Majolica Majorca My Lashes Extend Elegantly. Great product! It comes with a comb applicator so it is a lot easier to use. This product is meant to make your lashes look longer with its fibre-base formula. This is one that doesn’t give me panda eyes at the end of the day. If you are looking for volumising, try their Lash Enamel Glamour Mascara. This brand can be found in pharmacies, personal stores and even in some 24-hr convenience stores.

ii. Kesalan Patharan

This is a Japanese brand that is famous for its make-up base products. It used to be available at Seiyu in Singapore but the rebranded department store has since stopped bringing in the brand. I have been using their loose powder for quite awhile after reading reviews about its fine texture. It’s true. The loose powder is ultra fine! I will definitely stock this up when I next travel to Japan. You can find Kesalan Patharan in most major department stores like Takashimaya, Isetan, etc.

2. Burberry Blue Label (for ladies) and Burberry Black Label (for men)

For all shopaholics, a shopping trip to Tokyo or Japan will not be complete without a visit to the famous Burberry Blue Label and Black Label stores. Available only in Japan, Burberry Blue Label is a sub-line of the famous Burberry brand from London for ladies while the Black Label is a sub-line for guys. Both feature goods with simple cutting yet with a hint of elegance and youthfulness. With prices set at a lower level than their parent line, Burberry Blue Label and Black Label in Japan are definitely easier on the pocket!

If you are in Tokyo, go to the store in Ginza or Harajuku. These two stores are much bigger than the outlets located within department stores (Takashimaya, Isetan, etc) and carry a more complete range. The outlet in Ginza carries both Burberry Blue and Black labels. Directions: Located adjacent to Hakuhinkan Toy Park at intersection of Chuo dori and Ginza 8-chome.take the Ginza subway and get off by Chuo Dori or take the Yamanote to Yurakucho and walk down Ginza until you find it.

For Harajuku, the Burberry Black label store is nearby the Burberry Blue outlet but might take you awhile to find it.

http://www.burberry-bluelabel.com/

http://www.burberry-blacklabel.com/

3. Louis Vuitton Damier Neverfull

For diehard LV fans, get your hands on one of the limited edition Louis Vuitton Damier Neverfull bag that is currently only available in Japan and Hawaii. The PM size is 72,870yen (S$994), MM is 79380yen (S$1083) and GM is 86310yen (S$1177). The prices are inclusive of taxes so do remember to claim your tax refund!

4. Digital Cameras and Videocams

Buy the latest models from Japan! Prices may not necessarily be cheaper but you can definitely get the latest model from Japan. The range is also much wider as some models are only available in Japan. The only catch is the warranty does not cover outside of Japan. Not really a big issue as most electronics hardly break down during the first year of warranty anyway. Just make sure you try out the camera before you leave Japan so that any defects can be detected upfront.

Where else to get a bargain?

1. 100 Yen shops
Check out the 100 Yen shops. Yes, everything in the shop goes for 100yen which is equivalent to S$1.36 (in Singapore, Daiso sells everything for S$2), which is a real bargain!

Huge range of items are being sold at these shops: stationery, household goods, plastic ware, kitchen ware, tableware and cosmetics/skincare, etc.

There are thousands of 100 Yen Shops across Japan, ranging in size from multi-storey department stores" to small corners in shopping malls. Market leader Daiso operates over two thousand stores nationwide and pursues an aggressive expansion policy.

One of the largest 100 Yen shops in central Tokyo is Daiso Harajuku in Takeshita Dori, just a few steps from Harajuku Station, while Japan's largest 100 Yen shop, Daiso Giga Machida, spans 5 floors in front of Machida Station (30 minutes, 360 Yen from Shinjuku by Odakyu Railways).
Check out the list of 100Yen stores here:

http://en.wa-shoi.com/?page=100577

2. Ameyoko Shopping Street at Ueno
Ameyoko is a packed shopping bazaar full of stalls selling almost anything you can imagine. It runs roughly south of Ueno station along the inside of the JR Yamanote line tracks to Okachimachi station. If you are looking for a more typically "Asian" market street in Tokyo, with bargaining expected and friendly vendors trying to out-shout each other, this is it. We find Adidas sport wear and shoes at really cheap prices! Cosmetic prices are also much cheaper here in Ameyoko compare to outlets in Shinjuku and other parts of Tokyo.

How to get there: Take the JR to JR Ueno Station Shinobazu Exit / JR Okachimachi Station North Exit

3. Factory Outlets
Yes, there are factory outlets in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. The one I went to is Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari in Tokyo. You will find international brands such as Coach, Kate Spade, Agnes b, Adidas, Nike, etc.

First floor Second floor

Direction to Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari: From Tokyo station - Take JR Keiyo Line to Kaihin-Makuhari (about 30min.)

For more details, check out http://www.31op.com/english/index.html

http://www.31op.com/makuhari/index.html.

Labels: Cosmetics, Japan, outlet shopping, shopping, Tokyo

I am a sucker for girly vintage cutsy stuff. That's why I can't resist these cute luggage tags from Fluff. Created by Los Angeles artist Claudette Barjoud, her range of girlie, vintage-style luggage tags will make any standard bags stand out on the baggage carousel!

Here are some of my favourite designs:

For all dog lovers...

For cat lovers....... For shoe lovers....

For the Chiobu-s........

Here's mine...a cute little chihuahua...

Can't wait to lay your hands on one too? Get one at US$14 online via http://store.fluffshop.com/more-fluff--luggage-tags.html or simply visit the stores listed in their store locator. If you are in Singapore, you can also get these cute luggage tags at Change Alley on the first floor.

Labels: Accessories, Fluff, luggage tags, shopping

So what prompted me to buy such a plain looking bag? The reason is....it is a great travel carry-on! In case you don't know, this bag is foldable. Look how compact it becomes when folded:

Doesn't take up much space in your luggage but when you need extra space to store your last minute shopping, just open up and it becomes a roomy carry-on! Come in a wide range of colours too. Absolute must-have for travel!

If you ask me which size to get, I will say go for the Large size if you are using it just for travel. I have the XLarge and I find it too cumbersome at times. Carrying the Xlarge Pliage bag across the narrow aircraft aisle is a real challenge especially if it is loaded with stuff. I can't remember how many times I have knocked the bag against passengers who were seated in the aisle as I struggled passed them. Large size will definitely be more manageable. The medium size is alot smaller but can double up as a handheld bag for everyday use. I have seen many girls in Singapore carrying their medium Pliage bags in Orchard Road. Despite its plain look, it is very popular here in sunny Singapore for some strange reason. At the end of the day, you know what's the best size for you!

So why buy in France when it is available for sale in Singapore? For the cost savings of course! The Large size cost me EUR68 which is equivalent to about S$145. In Singapore, according to the ladies in Cozycot forum, the Small size costs this much! The Medium size costs S$215 when it only costs EUR58 (about S$123) from France! Look how much I have saved! And this is before I even claim for the VAT refund!

Not going to France? Well, check out the bags also available at other European airports, such as Amsterdam and Geneva. Being duty free, it will still be way cheaper.

Labels: Bag, Le Pliage, Longchamp, Paris, shopping

I would say the best time to go shopping in London is in end June/early July 08 as this is the start of their summer sale. Almost every shop along the main shopping areas of Sloane Street/Brompton Road and Regent/Oxford Streets is on sale. Of course, the best has to be the Harrods Summer Sale with designer wears and accessories going for a song! [Harrods - 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL United Kingdom. Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge, Piccadilly Line]

So you can imagine my delight when I realised that I was in London when the Harrods Summer Sale started! I can't believe my good luck! I rushed down to Harrods on the Sunday where Harrods is holding the Sales Preview. However, that's when I realised that a Sales Preview is literally that! You can look, touch and feel all those lovely mechandise on sale with all the sale prices tagged BUT you can't buy them at the sale price just yet!! No no, this is just a sales preview for you to take a look around at what are the items on sale so you can strategise what to go for when the actual sale started - which is on the next day, a Monday.

This is totally different from the sales in Singapore. Back here, when the department stores hold a sales preview (which usually starts on Wednesday or Thursday), members of the store and sometimes even non-members get to buy the discounted items straight away! When the actual sale starts on a Friday, you will find most good stuff are gone by then. Although I am quite impressed with Harrods in a way - They start their sale on a Monday and strictly no discounts on the sales preview, it doesn't do me any good as I have to work on Monday!!! ARGH!!!!

Anyway, I believe someone must be watching over me that day as my meeting was held nearby and I was granted 2 hours for lunch. Lunch? You must be kidding! I rushed straight to Harrods after the meeting. Hahaha. The crowd there was unbelievable! I believe many people must have taken leave just to be there!

My first stop was of course the ladies' handbag department. OMG! Gucci bags were going for 50% less and Bottega Veneta is having 30% off their bags. Except for Louis Vuitton and Hermes, every luxury brand in Harrods is having a sale. Burberry, Chanel, Prada, Miu Miu, Chloe, YSL...sale is everywhere! You should see the queue for Gucci! It snaked all the way out of the building!!!!

Given the fact that I had only 2 hours, I had to be real quick. I applied the same philosophy in Harrods as I had in Bicester Village. Ignore the American brands and simply go for the European brands. I wish I had a shopping companion this trip though. Shopping alone is simply no fun. There was no one to consult! Can't simply whip out the phone as London is 7 hours behind so almost everyone I know should be in bed by then. Drats!

I grabbed a grey Miu Miu bag that was going for GBP399 and went up to the second floor where more brands were located. Hey, another Gucci store! Although the second outlet carries mainly apparels, it had some bags and accessories on sale too. There, I found a lovely Gucci hobo bag for GBP230. Gosh! The same bag would cost me close to S$1000 in Singapore!

If you love shoes, all the designer shoes were on sale too and arranged by size. How convenient! I wish they do the same in Singapore so that I can just go straight to the section that carries my shoe size. In Singapore, the shoes are arranged by brand and you have to attract the attention of the sales assistant for sizes. A waste of precious shopping time I would say! Hee.

After getting the two bags, it was to the Toiletries department where I grabbed Molton Brown products that were on sale. My plan was to eventually fill my bathroom with all these Molton Brown stuff - Handwash, hand lotion, shower gel and all. Ha!

One more tip - If you are staying outside the EU like me, you can even get a VAT refund on all the purchases above GBP50! This is just like additional discount for us! What a bonus! Just remember to go to the Tax Refund counter inside Harrods store and get your tax refund forms. You will need to present this at the airport before you can claim back part of the VAT.

So if you are planning a trip to London next year, make it end June/early July. It is a great way to get extra mileage for your $$!

Labels: Harrods, london, shopping, summer sale

For those who have no clue what a travel wallet is, it is a wallet that has pockets/compartments for all your essential travel documents - passport, tickets, boarding passes, frequent flyer cards, currencies etc. I would say a must have for all those frequent travellers who want to travel in style!

Before I depart for London, I tell myself I will get one from Smythson. Smythson of Bond Street is a British manufacturer of luxury stationery, leather goods and accessories based in London. My very hip UK colleague introduced me to this luxury store when we checked out a diary for his friend. I was hooked when I saw their range of lovely diaries and organisers! I realise in UK, most people are still sticking to the good old paper diaries and notebooks despite the availability of PDAs. If you are also still holding on to the good old fashion paper, check out the full range at their original store at New Bond Street (40 New Bond Street London W1S 2DEUK). You can also browse through their online catalogue at http://www.smythson.com/. For those departing from Heathrow Terminal 3, I would recommend you to get yours there as the price you pay will be before VAT. A substantial amount of savings given that the VAT is 17.5%!

Anyway, back to the travel wallet...My first choice was actually a lovely travel wallet in a shade known as Aqua Adamo. Doesn't the colour just remind you of that to-die-for little blue box from Tiffany & Co? Unfortunately (or fortunately), it is out of stock. This babe costs GBP305 (close to S$1K!) which is alittle off the budget. However, if it had been in stock, I must say I will be seriously tempted to just whip out my credit card and swipe it!!

In the end, I settled for the shocking pink version which only cost me GBP174 at the Smythson outlet in Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. This lovely wallet from Smythson has compartments that are nicely labelled. How cool! The shocking pink colour also means that I will be able to find it easily in my bag. Imagine whipping this out of my bag at the check-in counter or hotel!

I can't wait for my next trip!

Labels: Accessories, london, shopping, smythson, travel wallet