福岡のキャナルシティで見たものを英語にしています。日本的なものをどう表現するのか、というのにトライしました。ガイドをする時に使えるのではないかと思います。

紹介項目

サイゼリヤ、ドリア、シーザーサラダ、北海道特産物店、いきなりステーキ、キャラクターグッズ、マツモトキヨシ、能古うどん、とんかつ、一蘭、仙台牛タン、似顔絵描き、たこ焼き、博多通りもん、少年ジャンプ、One Piece, 呪術廻戦、鬼滅の刃、かんざし、ジブリ、台湾カステラ、ストーンショップ、Kカルチャー、ムーミン、クレーンゲーム、プリクラ、ゲームセンター、献血ルーム、鯖江市の眼鏡、ガンプラ、G-Shock、無印良品、ラーメンスタジアム、噴水ショー、ユニクロ、ランドセル、ニトリ、すし、辛子明太子、ガシャポン、ひよこ

Saizeriya:

Saizeriya is a chain Italian restaurant that is very popular, especially among young people, due to its low prices, probably the lowest among chain family restaurants. The most popular menu item is “Milano-fu-doria,” a rice gratin Milanese.


Doria:

Doria is a rice gratin dish created in Japan, not in France or Italy. It resembles French gratin but is adapted to Japanese tastes by substituting rice for macaroni.

Caesar Salad:

Caesar salad is primarily made with romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Other vegetables are often added. The name is said to have no connection to the ancient Roman emperor; it comes from the restaurant cook in Mexico who first created this salad.

Hokkaido Product Exhibition:

These exhibitions are often held in department stores outside Hokkaido and are always very popular and crowded. Hokkaido foods and products, such as crabs, dairy foods, salmon roe, and potatoes, are highly sought after by people who live outside Hokkaido. Many shops in big cities specialize in Hokkaido products.

Ikinari Steak House: 

Ikinari Steak House is a popular chain steak restaurant. “Ikinari” normally means “going straight to the main thing.” In this context, it means “no appetizers, soup, or salad before the steak.” Fast serving is the unique way they serve their steaks. 


Character Goods : 

Character goods refer to merchandise featuring specific characters, such as those from anime or manga. Some characters are created specifically for these goods. There are many shops dedicated to one group of characters. In Japan, the most popular shop is Sanrio, which sells Hello Kitty goods.

Matsumoto Kiyoshi:

Matsumoto Kiyoshi is one of the major chain drugstores in Japan. It sells a wide range of items, from cosmetics to daily necessities, at very low prices. The name comes from the founder who opened his drugstore in Chiba in 1932.

Noko Udon Noodles:

Noko is an inhabited island in Hakata Bay that produces its own udon noodles. There are several shops in Fukuoka City selling Noko udon noodles. These noodles are chewy and glossy, unlike the softer udon noodles typically found in Fukuoka.

Tonkatsu:

Breaded Pork Cutlet: Tonkatsu is a favorite dish in Japan, made by deep-frying breaded sliced pork and typically served with a common Sousu (sauce), and thinly sliced cabbage on the side. It is a common dish in Japanese households and restaurants. While tonkatsu is popular throughout Japan, it is a local specialty in Kagoshima, known for its “black pig” tonkatsu.

Ichiran, Ramen Shop:

Ichiran is a popular chain ramen shop that originated in Fukuoka. It specializes in Hakata tonkotsu ramen with a special spicy miso condiment. The shop is known for its unique counter seating, where each seat is separated by upright boards, and for its customer questionnaire, which asks about preferences such as noodle firmness and the need for spicy miso condiments. The experience is akin to eating at a polling place.

Beef Tongue in Sendai: 

Beef tongue is a specialty food of Sendai, usually served as a set meal with grilled, thickly cut beef tongue, mugimeshi (steamed barley), tail soup, pickles, and some spicy miso. Recently, more beef tongue shops in the Sendai style have been opening throughout Japan.

Nigaoe Painter:  

Nigaoe, meaning “portrait,” refers to the painting by an artist who earns money by quickly painting manga-like portraits of customers at commercial facilities. The style varies by artist, ranging from humorous caricatures to realistic portraits.

Takoyaki, Octopus Balls:  

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped food about the size of a golf ball, fried on a special steel plate. It is made by mixing flour batter, cut octopus, and other condiments, and forming the mixture into balls. When served, takoyaki is sprinkled with dried bonito, nori seaweed, and a special sauce. Osaka is particularly famous for takoyaki, with even children being adept at making it, while others may find it challenging.

Hakata Torimon:  

Hakata Torimon is a type of manju (bun with sweet paste) and a popular souvenir sweet from Fukuoka. The sweet paste “An” inside has a unique flavor, incorporating butter and cream, making it a fusion of Western and Japanese sweets. “Torimon” means “a person passing by” in the Hakata dialect, often referring to the marching walkers in the Dontaku Festival parade.

Weekly Shonen Jump:  

Weekly Shonen Jump is one of the major manga magazines for boys and the most popular of all. It is widely read by girls and adults as well. The magazine has produced many popular manga, some of which are famous internationally, including Captain Tsubasa, Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece. The publisher also operates the “Jump Shop” for selling character goods.


One Piece:  

One Piece is a serialized manga in Weekly Shonen Jump, centered around the adventures of a boy who wants to become the King of the Pirates. It is the best-selling manga in Japan, with over 480 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2021. The animated version is also very popular. One Piece exemplifies the golden rule of boy stories, emphasizing adventure and friendship. The mottos of Weekly Shonen Jump are Friendship, Effort, and Victory.

Jujutsu Kaisen:

Jujutsu Kaisen is a popular serialized manga in Weekly Shonen Jump. The title roughly translates to “Battles in Sorceries.” The story combines elements of battles, horror, friendship, and comedy. It is currently the second most popular manga in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Demon Slayer:  

Demon Slayer refers to a katana sword. Originally a popular manga in Weekly Shonen Jump, it gained immense popularity after being adapted into an anime, becoming a national phenomenon. Even non-manga fans became familiar with its name. Kamado Shrine in Fukuoka saw a surge in visitors because it shares its name with the manga’s main character, turning it into a pilgrimage site.

Kanzashi, Ornamental Hairpin:

Kanzashi is a traditional ornament for Japanese hairstyles that became popular among female commoners during the Edo period.

Ghibli:

Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation company founded in 1985 as a subsidiary of the publishing company Tokuma Shoten, following the production of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Now independent, it primarily produces feature-length animated films directed by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Popular works include My Neighbor Totoro, Grave of the Fireflies, and Princess Mononoke.

Taiwanese Castella:

Taiwanese castella is a fad food known for being softer and fluffier than Japanese castella. Recently, several Taiwanese foods have gained popularity in Japan, including minced pork rice (Lu Rou Fan), tapioca milk tea, and shaved ice.

Power Stone Store:

Power stones are thought to possess special powers, a concept known as Japanese English. While the term’s definition is not clear, power stones are generally natural stones polished to be smooth and beautiful. Shops offer a variety of colored stones, each claimed to have specific effects. While these claims are not scientifically proven, as they say ‘Those who believe will be saved,’ the stones are often used as beneficial ornaments.

Korean Culture Influence:  

Korean culture has been very popular in Japan since the TV drama Winter Sonata and continues to be influential in pop music, movies, and Netflix dramas. Teenage girls, in particular, are enthusiastic about Korean culture, including cosmetics, fashion, and food. Many also love K-pop idols. Korean culture is a central element of their social media lives.

Moomin:  

Moomin is a beloved anime character in Japan, with Moomin goods sold in special shops. Originally created by Finnish writer and illustrator Tove Jansson, Moomin has a hippo-like head and a pig-like body. The stories revolve around Moomin, his family, and friends, featuring themes of solitude, affection, understanding, and consolation presented in a warm-hearted style. The animated Moomin series was very popular in Japan and received worldwide acclaim.

Claw Crane Machine:  

Known as a UFO catcher, which is a registered trademark of Sega, the claw crane machine is a popular arcade game. One play typically costs 100 to 200 yen. Players aim to win prizes by manipulating a crane to grab items inside the machine. It is challenging because the crane’s grip is weak and the controls are tricky. Prizes range from snacks and figurines to living creatures.

Purikura, Photo Sticker Booth:  

Purikura, short for Print Club, are photo sticker booths found in amusement arcades in Japan. Popular among young girls, these booths feature photo machines that instantly print pictures with enhancements for a cuter appearance and pretty backgrounds. Girls enjoy exchanging Purikura with each other and taking group photos. Young couples also love taking Purikura together.


Blood Donation Room:

The Japanese Red Cross Society operates blood donation rooms in large commercial complexes. The donation process takes about 10–15 minutes. After donating, you will be offered soft drinks.

Eyeglass Frames in Sabae City: 

Sabae City in Fukui Prefecture produces more than 90 percent of Japan’s eyeglass frames. The city’s eyeglass production began over 100 years ago, but it became the leading eyeglass town after successfully producing the world’s first titanium frames. Sabae has since maintained its reputation for super-high quality, thanks to its skilled craftsmen. Sabae eyeglass shops can now be found throughout Japan.

Ganpura, Plastic Model of Gundam:

Ganpura refers to the series of plastic models of Gundam produced by Bandai Company, a Japanese toy maker. These models depict the robots known as Mobile Suits from the Gundam animation series. First produced forty years ago when the first season of the animation aired, making Ganpura models has become very popular. The company even operates special shops dedicated to these plastic models.

G-Shock:

G-Shock is a long-selling watch produced by Casio Computer Company. Since its launch, it has been popular not only in Japan but worldwide due to its super durability and affordable price. Its durability has led many militaries around the world to use G-Shock watches because they are shock-proof, water-proof, and reliable. The “G” in G-Shock stands for “Gravity.”

Mujirushi-Ryohin:

Mujirushi Ryohin, meaning “No Brand Goods,” is a retailer that independently produces its own commodities, all under its private label (PB brand). Its popularity stems from its low-price strategy, achieved by simplifying packaging and design and reducing unnecessary production costs.

Ramen Stadium:  

Ramen Stadium is a food theme park located on the 5th floor of Canal City in Fukuoka. It features eight ramen shops from all over Japan. Opened in 2001 following the success of the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, the shops in Ramen Stadium regularly change based on popularity.

Fountain Show in Canal City:  

The fountain show is held on the lowest spacious floor of Canal City every 30 minutes. It can be viewed from the terrace-like paths on the upper floors. The content of the show changes with each performance, sometimes featuring no music, while others use 3-D projection mapping, making the shows both beautiful and entertaining.

UNIQLO:

UNIQLO, short for Unique Clothing Warehouse, is a leading maker and retailer of casual wear. Known for its simple designs, variety of colors, and reasonable prices, UNIQLO shops are very popular. The first shop opened in Hiroshima thirty years ago, and there are now more than 2,000 shops worldwide.

Ransel,  School Bag:

In Japan, this type of school bag is called a “Randoseru.” Most elementary students carry these backpacks filled with textbooks and stationery. Traditionally, boys had black ones and girls had red ones, but nowadays, children choose from a variety of colors. Grandparents often give a randoseru as a gift when their grandchild enters elementary school.

Nitori:

Nitori is the leading retailer of furniture and interior decoration in Japan. Its popularity is due to its reasonable prices, achieved by handling both manufacturing and distribution in-house.

Conveyer Belt Sushi: 

Conveyor belt sushi shops are very popular because they are much cheaper than traditional ‘non-conveyer belt’ sushi shops. Sushi on small dishes is carried on a conveyor belt, and customers pick and eat what they want. Other food items are also available, and customers can order from the menu. There are more than twenty thousand conveyor belt sushi shops in Japan.

Gashapon:

Gashapon are small vending machines. You can check the description and pictures on the machine to see the available toys inside. After inserting coins and turning the handle, you get one capsule, but you won’t know which specific toy it is until you open it.

Hiyoko:

Hiyoko is a chick-shaped manju bun stuffed with white bean paste. The chick is depicted as looking up. It is often considered a souvenir from Tokyo, but Hakata is another place where Hiyoko is popular as a souvenir. The original company was founded in Iizuka, Fukuoka, and later expanded to Tokyo. There are now two Hiyoko companies in Japan with the same origin.