Choosing Ecommerce Application

When we kicked off our Akiba Mart Project, one of the most important thing is to create the infrastructure to realize online shopping. I did not have any knowledge about eCommerce, so I had to study about that first.

There are several open source shopping cart application available free, but total cost (including initial cost, variable cost and manpower) spending to create shopping cart infrastructure have to be considered carefully. Even though we use free application, if it takes too much time and effort to implement it, we rather choose pay service.

» Read more about this topic.

Other posts you might be interested

• OMG! Akiba Mart Is Broken
• Recommended Magento Plugins
• Count Down for Akiba Mart Launch
• Akiba Mart Is Open Today!
• 2010 New Year Sale!

Why Japanese Toilets So High-Tech?

From the article in one of the famous social news site Digg, Japanese toilets are introduced as most remarkable high-tech toilet in the world. Many comments posted to this article agree with that, however some people don’t understand why Japanese are so enthusiastic to toilets.

I think that one of the reason is that Japanese people are thinking toilet space is not just for egesting wastes. Living in the society, even though privacy is protected, it is not as robust as toilet space. Maybe toilet is a perfect place to isolate from society instantly to refresh mentally and also physiologically to gain power to go back to society. If this is the truth, I can agree that Japanese people pour passion to make toilet comfortable as possible.

» Read more about this topic.

Other posts you might be interested

• “Shonen Sunday” and “Shonen Magazine” 50th Anniversaries
• Sterilize by Japanese Tea
• One Piece
• Rose of Versailles
• Udon Is My Best Noodle

Tea Incense Burner (Cha Kouro)

Have you heard of an item called Tea Incense Burner (Cha Kouro)?

Yesterday, I went to Odaiba. Odaiba is located in bay area of Tokyo, which is famous for dating spot. Ah, don’t ask whether I went there for dating. Odaiba is also a good place for shopping where there are many shops and good to find out cool stuffs.

In one of the shop in Odaiba, I found a good tea incense burner (in Japanese it is called “Cha Kouro”). I knew that there is such thing, but I’ve never tried it. So I purchased one for my home to have a try. Burner is very simple, it has a little tray to put the tea on and a little space underneath the tray to put a candle. The way it works is same as aroma oil burner, but the tray is little more larger and shallow.

» Read more about this topic.

Other posts you might be interested

• Relax with Japanese Tea
• Sterilize by Japanese Tea
• Green Tea Coke
• Japanese Green Tea Is Natural Supplement!
• Genuine Uji Tea

Nintendo Sets New Sales Record

It transpired that global sales of the Nintendo DS hand-held which had put on the market on November 21,2004 had exceeded 100 million.
100 million sold in four years and three months.
This is the quickest pace for any video game console.

In fact,it took five years and nine months for PS2 of Sony to reach 100 million sales. (According to Wikipedia)
And ,it took five years and six months for ipod.

DS’s pace is astonishing pace!

Nintendo DS’s video

Do you also have Nintendo DS ?
Incidentally,I don’t have Nintendo DS yet.

Nintendo is an enterprise in my hometown Kyoto.
… When I was a kid, Nintendo was a small company.
It is an amazing Japanese company!

Nintendo DS Lite Cobalt / Black

Other posts you might be interested

• Genuine Uji Tea
• Hello!
• This is My Name
• New Year in Japan
• Beautiful Festival in Japan

The Effects and Components of Japanese Green Tea

Today, in order to create contents of Akiba Mart, I’m researching about health benefits of Japanese green tea all day.

For the moment,I have made a table of the effects and components of Japanese green tea .

I’m very tired to making this table….

Too many health benefits ….

» Read more about this topic.

Other posts you might be interested

• Beauty and the Japanese Tea
• Japanese Green Tea Is Natural Supplement!
• Sterilize by Japanese Tea
• Relax with Japanese Tea
• Japanese Tea Helps Your Diet

Rose of Versailles

“Rose of Versailles” (Japanese: “Berusaiyu no bara”) is a title of manga written by Riyoko Ikeda. This manga had been serialized in girl’s manga magazine in 1971. Later, this manga was ported to Takarazuka musical and TV animation that made a big momentum of social phenomenon. Almost all of the girls in Japan loved the main character “Andre” in that time, and even now, there are many fans not only in Japan.

In this manga, French history and cultures are introduced and illustrated which enlightened Japanese girls. For this contribution, Frech government honored Chevalie Medal to Riyoko Ikeda in March 11.

I did not read this manga yet, but I know one guy who loves this manga. Sususmu is the guy
“Rose of Versailles” really enlightened Susumu, that made him visit Versailles Palace.

Bad news is that “Rose of Versailles” is not perfectly available in English. Volumes one and two out of seven volumes are transated anb published in 1981, but it is pended. Maybe it is a good chance to learn Japanese

Lady Oscar : La Rose de Versailles, tome 1

La Rose de Versailles All Color Ilustration (Berusaiyu no Bara All Color Irasuto Shu) (in Japanese)

Other posts you might be interested

• One Piece
• “Shonen Sunday” and “Shonen Magazine” 50th Anniversaries
• Gundam Stands in Odaiba
• Dragon Ball Mug
• Autumn in Mount Takao

One Piece

Yesterday, I bought 53th volume of “One Piece” which is the latest volume in Japan and finished it in one sitting.
It was published on March 4. (Of course, it is only Japan.)

“One Piece” is very Exciting.

I think “Manga” is a cool culture that Japan can boast to the world.  How about you ?

I think “One Piece” is number-one Manga comic of Japan now.
The number of chapters finally exceeded that of Dragonball!
And,”One Piece” is still fresh and Exciting though it generally becomes mannerism when the story is too long.

Outside Japan, 20 volumes have been published.

One Piece, Volume 20: Showdown at Alubarna (v. 20)

20th volume…
Oh! Episodes of ALABASTA!!!
The episodes of  ALABASTA are especially popular also between Japanese fans.and they were also made into a movie.
I was really touched by this story.

However,  almost overseas fan might see the anime without reading the comic!?

Other posts you might be interested

• “Shonen Sunday” and “Shonen Magazine” 50th Anniversaries
• Rose of Versailles
• Why Japanese Toilets So High-Tech?
• Gundam Stands in Odaiba
• Dragon Ball Mug

Hello!

Hi I am Susumu.

I introduce cool items of Japan with Toku.
Especially, I want to introduce delicious Japanese tea at Akiba Mart!

My family has been actually keeping a Japanese tea shop  (Uji tea specialty) since Edo period (1843) in Uji city of Kyoto.

My Hometown Uji

Therefore, through Akiba Mart
I want people all over the world to taste our family’s tea!!

Of course,
We introduces various other cool items!!!

The preparation of opening a store is hard.
However, it is happy every day!!!

Other posts you might be interested

• Once upon a time…
• Genuine Uji Tea
• Akiba Mart Is Open Today!
• Count Down for Akiba Mart Launch
• iPad On Sale In Japan

DREAM.7

Yesterday, I went to Saitama Super Arena to spectate “DREAM.7″ with Susumu.

“DREAM” is one of the biggest marshal arts event in Japan, which used to be two separate events “PRIDE” and “HERO’S” and now merged into one big event. “DREAM.1″ was held on March 2008 and “DREAM.7″ is the seventh competition held yesterday.

In the beginning, there was a speech and silent prayer for Hèlio Gracie who is known as founder for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and passed away in January. There were 10 matches in this event, but because “DREAM.7″ was light class competition, most of the matches finished without vigorous KO.

Overall, “DREAM.7″ was worth spectating. Not only the matches, including cute “Round Girls”

Ring of DREAM.7

Other posts you might be interested

• Congratulations on Japan Win the WBC!
• Digital Camera for Public and Private
• I Love Obama?
• New Year in Japan
• Congratulations to the Winner of WBC!

Once upon a time…

Although there are many cool items selling in Japan, maybe most of these will not have a chance for you to take a look. I think this is kind of sad situation. Being a Japanese, I want to introduce these Japanese ‘cool’ things to many people in the world. Also if we can make a chance for customers to get one, isn’t that nice?

This is what I was thinking. And so as Susumu — my friend.

Then what can we do?

How about making a store? Cool!

So this is how Akiba Mart project initiated.

Other posts you might be interested

• Akiba Mart Is Open Today!
• Hello!
• Count Down for Akiba Mart Launch
• 2010 New Year Sale!
• Choosing Ecommerce Application