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Hello JapanLovers who love to travel!

Here is our kawaii-fied map of our favorite city, TOKYO (東京) by our in-house artist, KITA / Keeshia!

✿ Let’s get to know TOKYO! ✿

Tōkyō (東京) is the capital of Japan. At over 13 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, Tokyo is the core of the second most populated urban area in the world, Tokyo Metropolis (which has a population of over 37 million people). This huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.

The geography of central Tokyo is defined by the JR Yamanote Line. The center of Tokyo — the former area reserved for the Shogun and his samurai — lies within the loop, while the Edo-era downtown (下町 shitamachi) is to the north and east. Sprawling around in all directions and blending in seamlessly are Yokohama, Kawasaki and Chiba, Tokyo’s suburbs.

Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo

☆ Central TOKYO ☆ Chiyoda (Akihabara) The seat of Japanese power (both political and economic) that includes the Imperial Palace, the Ministries near Kasumigaseki, the Parliament in Nagatacho, the corporate headquarters of Marunouchi, and the electronics mecca of Akihabara.

Chuo (Ginza) Also includes the famed department stores of the Ginza and the fish markets of Tsukiji.

Minato (Akasaka, Shinbashi, Roppongi, Odaiba, Shiodome) Including the business centers of Akasaka and Shinbashi and the neighbouring nightclub district of Roppongi, the port district (at least in name) which includes the artificial island of Odaiba, the skyscrapers of Shiodome.

Shinjuku Home to luxury hotels, giant camera stores, futuristic skyscrapers, hundreds of shops and restaurants, and Kabukicho, Tokyo’s wildest nightlife and red-light district.

Shibuya (Harajuku, Ebisu) The fashionable shopping district which also encompasses the teenybopper haven of Harajuku (also home to the Meiji Shrine) and the nightlife of Ebisu

Shinagawa (Gotanda) A major train hub and business center, including Gotanda.

Toshima (Ikebukuro) Including Ikebukuro, another giant train hub.

Meguro A residential area with a few nice parks and museums.

☆ Old TOKYO (Shitamachi) ☆

Sumida (Ryogoku) Home of the Edo-Tokyo Museum and Tokyo’s main sumo arena (Ryogoku Kokugikan), both in Ryogoku.

Taito (Asakusa, Ueno) The heart of Old Tokyo featuring the temples of Asakusa and National Museums in Ueno.

Bunkyo Home to Tokyo Dome and the University of Tokyo.

Koto Famous for Kameido Tenjin and former woodland in Kiba, but now known for its many new public apartment complexes.

Arakawa Home to Tokyo’s last original tram line.

☆ TOKYO Suburbs ☆

[East] Many suburban wards, including Adachi, where one can visit one of Kanto’s Three Great Temples: Nishi-arai Daishi, Katsushika, known for the charming Showa-era atmosphere of Shibamata and Edogawa, a quiet eastern suburb.

[North] Includes the suburban wards of Kita, Itabashi and the quieter northern Nerima, which contains some of the 23 wards’ last remaining farmland.

[Nakano] Home to the otaku paradise known as Nakano Broadway.

[Ota] Half industrial complex, half upscale residential area.

heart emoticon [Setagaya] An upscale residential area that houses the student drinking spot of Shimokitazawa as well as the newly revitalized shopping centers of Futako-Tamagawa.

heart emoticon [Suginami] Typical Tokyo suburb stretching along the Chuo Line.

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How about you? Which areas in Tokyo have you been too? What were your impressions? You can share your place recommendations with us by commenting below!

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Art by Keeshia: www.facebook.com/pages/KITA/643229269123301  www.instagram.com/keeshuu

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♡ 10 Things To Do When in Harajuku by Japan Lover Me​  -  (2015 Version) ♡

1. Take a picture at the iconic Takeshita Dori banner

2. Visit Meiji Shrine / Meiji Jingu

3. Dine at Kawaii Monster Cafe Harajuku​

- http://bit.ly/kawaii-monster-cafe-harajuku

4. Use Our Kawaii Tokyo​ as your kawaii guide

- http://ourkawaii.tokyo

5. Visit & Shop at エリア原宿​ /Area Harajuku at the 6th floor of Harajuku Ash building (next to the Takeshita dori banner) - http://instagram.com/area_harajuku - (Oh by the way, you can buy Little Miss Paintbrush​’s art x fashion designs and Enji エンジ​ accessories here!)

6. Try the famous Zaku Zaku icecream at Cute Cube Harajuku: - http://cutecube-harajuku.jp | http://zakuzaku.co.jp

7. Grab your own Harajuku Vintage Shop map from FUNKTIQUE TOKYO​ ★ - http://bit.ly/harajuku-vintage-shop-map

8. Hoard your favorite Studio Ghibli / Star Wars / Sailormoon / Rilakkuma / Sanrio (EVERYTHING) from KIDDYLAND Harajuku - http://ourkawaii.tokyo/tag/kiddyland

9. Become a lolita for a day and achieve your lolita photoshoot dreams at Maison de Julietta​! <3 -  http://bit.ly/maison-de-julietta

10. Take a purikura with your friends @ Purikura NOA: - http://bit.ly/purikura-noa

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How about you? Have you been to Harajuku? If yes, what would you recommend to a fellow JapanLover? :)

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Things to do compiled by Kaila / Rainbowholic​ Illustration by ChiChi / Little Miss Paintbrush​

www.japanlover.me | www.japanlover.me/lists

★ First version 10 things to do when in Harajuku ★ - http://japanlover.me/lists/places/10-things-to-do-when-in-harajuku-tokyo

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★ 10 Things To Do When in Osaka ★ by Japan Lover Me Community

1. Try deep fried skewered okonomiyaki in Osaka

2. Visit the life-sized titans at Universal Studios Japan

3. Visit Kuromon Market

4. Visit Wizarding World of Harry Potter

5. Visit Denden Town

6. Visit the Museum of Housing and Living

7. Have fun at Spa World!

8. Visit Pokemon Center

9. Hoard your favorite character goods at Kiddy Land Osaka!

10. Visit Osaka Castle

More: www.japanlover.me/…/10-things-to-do-when-in-osaka-by-japan-…

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Kawaii travel infographic by Little Miss Paintbrush

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Contributions by fellow JapanLovers:

[On Instagram (@japanloverme):] @jose_shaggy , @marisolmm83, @jtang4, @nechon.jpg, @candycigarette, @hollagram16, @lumina_hime, @ivaamj, @petitcraque, @jaaaantonio, @wishybird, @anggycempaka & @martakapelusz.

[On Facebook (fb.com/JapanLoverMe):] Johanne, Nathalie, Patrick, Alice, & Diana

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Which place / town / city / prefecture should we make a travel infographic about next? Please let us know! heart emoticon

Japan Lover Me Store | www.japanlover.me

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10 Things To Do When in Japan Series by Japan Lover Me

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Saitama, one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, is just north of Tokyo. Here are some of the activities you can do while in Saitama:

1.Try on a yukata / kimono at “Little Edo” Kawagoe 2. Attend Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival (End of March - mid May) 3. Visit the Hikawa Shrine at Omiya 4. Visit The Railway Museum 5. Visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum 6. Have a relaxing time at Yugo Tamagawa Onsen 7. Learn Japanese cooking / wagashi from www.MimiClaire.com (located at Urawa, Saitama) 8. Shop for Saitama souvenirs in SOPIA 9. Witness the beautiful Icicles of Misotsuchi located at Chichibu City (middle of January until middle of Feb) - www.justinjapan.com/travel/icicles-of-misotsuchi 10. Visit the Soy Sauce Museum (Soy Sauce Kingdom) and try the soy sauce ice cream!

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What other activities would you suggest? Let us know in the comments section!

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Tsuyu (rainy) season is one of the least favorite seasons in Japan, but we listed 10 reasons you shouldn’t let this seemingly gloomy weather stop you from enjoying your trip! 3

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We listed 10 things to do in Japan during fall/autumn season! ❤️🍂🍁 comment if you have more suggestions! 😚 Illustration by: @chichilittle / Little Miss Paintbrush ✨ List references: https://goo.gl/oxvYNH , https://goo.gl/rdGZNU ❤️

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#JLMTokyoRecommendations for the FOODIE ❤️ These are just some of the food you can try if you’re in Tokyo, as recommended by the #japanloverme community. ❤️☺️ Artwork by @littlemisspaintbrush ✨

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Today in #JLMTokyoRecommendations for the PHOTOGRAPHER: Places to photograph in Tokyo! 📷❤️

If you love taking pictures when you travel, this is for you!

Aside from the more popular photo-op spots like Tokyo Sky Tree, Shibuya Crossing, and Tokyo Disneysea, here are some of the photogenic locations you wouldn’t want to miss, as recommended by the #japanloverme community.

Brought to you by Japan Lover Me Store 🌊 Artwork by @chichilittle / @littlemisspaintbrush 🎨

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3/3 of our #JLMTokyoRecommendations : for the SHOPPER! 🛍 If you are looking for omiyage (souvenirs), here are some of the things you can buy when you’re in Tokyo, as recommended by the #japanloverme community! ❤️

Artwork by: @littlemisspaintbrush 🎨 Brought to you by @japanloverme.store 🌸

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Maximize your summertime experience in Japan by enjoying these popular summer food items! 🍧❤️

As recommended by @rainbowholic and @anammmoon ✨

Art by: Little Miss Paintbrush 🎨

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HARAJUKU

WEGO

D’or

Purikura - photobooth place

Laforet for sailor moon store

Spinns

Baskin Robbins

Sanrio

6% Doki Doki

Laline

Kiddy Land

Owl Café

Cookie time

Totti Candy Factory

Marion Crepe

Santa Monica Crepes

Pomponpurin Café

Mizuho

Dominique Ansel Bakery

A Happy Pancake

Condomania!

Daiso

サンキューマート 原宿竹下口店 sells billy and mandy stuff

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Hiragana is a primary component of the Japanese writing system (along with kanji, katakana, and the Latin alphabet). Pronounced hee-ra-GA-na, it is the most useful and the simplest to write.

Writing Basics Hiragana are parts of words and sentences (like “and” or “is”), and they are used in kids’ story books. Japanese children learn Hiragana first, then moving steadily through Katakana and kanji.

The 46 Hiragana letters are sounds that make up syllables. For instance, the first 5 Hiragana letters are A, I, U, E and O. The remaining letters are built from the first 5 vowels. As soon as you master the vowels, the pronunciation of the rest of the letters will follow the same pattern. For example, the next 5 letters are ka, ki, ku, ke and ko.

Hiragana are usually arranged in groups of 5. Although Ks are constant, some groups aren’t. The 3rd group, for instance, is sa, shi, su, se and so. Shi is obviously different: a Japanese letter for Si doesn’t exist. This can be confusing and intimidating at first, but with constant practice, you’ll remember them easily. Some other inconsistencies:

Ta, chi, tsu, te and to. Tu and Ti don’t exist.

Ha, hi, fu, he and ho. Hu is not a letter.

The W (only wo and wa) and Y (ya, yu, and yo) groups

N, the last letter, is the only one that doesn’t have a vowel. In Japanese writing, all words end N or a vowel. 

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