Tsuruya Department Store was founded in 1952. Its name comes from a nearby residence once known as “Tsuru Yashiki,” and it has been part of Kumamoto for more than 70 years. Now, as the number of Taiwanese residents gradually increases following TSMC’s arrival, familiar Taiwanese products have quietly begun appearing at Tsuruya and its supermarkets. From seasonings and other foods to rice noodles, they have started carrying more ingredients commonly used in Taiwan. For Taiwanese people living in Kumamoto, these small changes on the shelves also reflect how the city’s population and everyday culture are changing, which is quite interesting.
Tsuruya Department Store | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Kumamon Square
Kumamon is the mascot of Kumamoto and cutely named as such the Prefecture’s Sales and Happiness Manager. You can find him all across Kumamoto, pointing out some of its best attractions. He’s so popular that Kumamon related merchandise is said to be reaching a cumulative total of 1 trillion yen. At this spot you’ll find the office of this amazing mascot, and if you time it just right, you might even get a chance to meet him.
Are you ready for a meet-and-greet with Mayor Kumamon? When you visit Kumamoto, don’t forget to stop by Kumamon Square. Seeing Kumamon in person for the first time was really fun. His round figure and lively interactions made me laugh nonstop. The merchandise is also a bottomless pit—once you fall in, it’s hard to climb back out!
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Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is the Tokyo Disney Resort run destination that’s directly connected to Tokyo Disneyland.
Come once and you'll be hooked; come many times and you still won't want to leave—that's the magic of Tokyo DisneySea!
Every time I step into the park, I still get that feeling of “Ah—I’m back in a magical world again!” Unlike the atmosphere at Disneyland, DisneySea has an added sense of romance and international charm. What you absolutely can’t miss is all the Duffy and Friends stuff 🧸🤎! This is Duffy’s magical kingdom. From the characters and decorations to the merchandise, everything is so cute that it’s completely irresistible. Limited-edition items are especially hard to resist, and I always end up leaving with bags full of purchases.
I personally really like Ariel’s concert. If you sit in the upper-right section, you can even wave to her up close! Compete with friends to see who’s the best shot in the Toy Story laser gun challenge, take a boat ride and explore under the sea with Nemo... and make sure to catch the parade too. It’s a very full day. This year marks the 25th anniversary, so it looks like I have another good reason to go back and explore the new area!
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Narita International Airport
The international airport and gateway to Tokyo, visited by 44 million travelers each year (as of 2019). Opened in 1978, this world-famous airport (airport code NRT) has ferried over 6 million flights both in and out of Japan. The airport grounds include 3 different passenger terminals, a freight terminal and is currently planning to open a new runaway in addition to its two runways currently open.
Narita Airport is one of Japan's major international airports. International and domestic flights use different terminals, and the airport covers a large area, so first-time visitors may need some time to get familiar with it. These days, I usually fly in and out of Haneda Airport when traveling to Tokyo, but when heading overseas to places like Hawaii, I still sometimes depart from or transfer at Narita Airport.
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