Five Cool Souvenirs to Buy at Tokyo's New Trend Spot, AKOMEYA TOKYO

AKOMEYA TOKYO

AKOMEYA TOKYO, which opened in Ginza in 2013, is a new lifestyle shop that focuses on "rice," the core of Japan\'s food culture. The shop sells a wide selection of products including carefully selected rice, otomo (food to eat with white rice) that makes rice even tastier, tableware to dress up the table, and items to make cooking fun. There is also a restaurant on the premises, AKOMEYA Chubo, where you can enjoy rice cooked in a clay pot served with dishes made with the food, seasoning, and tableware sold in the store. Events and workshops to experience Japan\'s food culture and the production of traditional goods are held regularly in the event space on the third floor, and are popular among trend-conscious young women and others. Here are some recommended products that can be purchased at AKOMEYA TOKYO.

1. Kamekonya Rice Bag

The fat sparrow that is AKOMEYA\'s symbol is called a "fukura suzume" and is a very auspicious pattern that denotes prayer for prosperity and abundant grain production. The Kamekonya Rice Bag (3,000 JPY (excl. tax)) is a product that has the fukura suzume on it. Kamekonya is a long-established dyeing factory in Niigata that has continued valuing craftsmen\'s techniques and produces products using the same methods since it first opened 260 years ago. The bag was originally designed as a tote bag to carry 2kg of rice so it is sturdy and long-lasting. It is a convenient size (22cm H x 25cm W x 10 cm D) and is likely to be useful in a variety of situations.

2. AKOMEYA Original Ohitsu Rice Cooker

AKOMEYA has a full selection of tools for cooking tasty rice. A particular recommendation is the AKOMEYA Original Ohitsu Rice Cooker. The rounded and thick clay pot retains heat very well so that rice can be cooked to fluffy perfection. It can be put in the microwave, oven, or on a stove, so it can be used to reheat cold rice or simmer dishes such as curry and stew. It comes in two sizes, a 1-go cooker (1 go = approx. 0.1809 liters) (3,000 JPY (excl. tax)) and a 3-go cooker (3,800 JPY (excl. tax)). This is a useful product likely to become a regular on the table.

3. Handmade Storage Cans

These are AKOMEYA original handmade storage cans ans (1,650 JPY each (excl. tax)) made by Kato Seisakusho, which has been producing tea and nori seaweed cans in Asakusabashi since its establishment in 1895. All stages of the production of each can, from cutting the solid tin plate to forming the cans, is done by hand using time-honored techniques so the cans are airtight and light resistant and are perfect for storing items vulnerable to the damp, such as tea leaves, coffee, and cookies. The cans come in a simple design that you will not tire of and can be used as decorative items as well. They are also just right as gift containers for souvenirs from Japan.

4. Sanmaboroboro

The most popular rice otomo is the Sanmabororo (700 JPY (excl. tax)), which are flavored flakes made by mixing Pacific saury, burdock root, carrots, and sesame seeds. Pacific saury has an abundance of DHA and EPA, which are said to prevent lifestyle diseases and to activate the brain, so it very healthy. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as on top of freshly-cooked rice, mixed in with the rice, and as a topping for pasta and salads.

5. Rice

At any given time, AKOMEYA has more than 20 different brands of rice procured from around the country. The rice is sold in bulk by the kilo and is polished after the order is placed to preserve the flavors. A special benefit is that the rice can be polished to the desired level. The set of AKOMEYA\'s six types of recommended rice in packs of around 450g each, the AKOMEYA Osusume 6-shu Tabekurabe (5,520 JPY (excl. tax)), is perfect for those who can\'t decide which rice to choose. This set will open your eyes to how different rice can taste depending on the variety and where it was produced.

AKOMEYA has carefully-selected rice and a variety of superior products that will brighten up the table. We hope you will pay them a visit. You are likely to discover some beautiful products that will add richness and luxury to your everyday life.