Girls.CoolerThanThou.net - Cool Girls From Japan And China

Cool J-girl: Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ）

Quite possibly the most famous of Japanese singers is Ayumi Hamasaki.  She enjoys popularity outside of Japan as well as huge popularity inside Japan.  Most Japanese girls find her to be very cool and some copy her in any way possible.

Ayumi Hamasaki's style is copied by J-girls similar to how Madonna was copied by girls during the 1980's.  When she changes her style, masses of Japanese girls follow her lead and try to model their style after Ayumi's.

She held a New Year's Eve concert at Shibuya Ax and it appeared to be an Ayumi Hamasaki look-alike contest outside of the auditorium.

She has been scrutinized for possibly having plastic surgery, which doesn't deter her
fans from trying to follow her style or losing their appreciation of her.  It has led to numerous online forums discussing whether she has or hasn't had plastic surgery.

Part if this discussion is the difficulty in comparing because she changes her style so often and so radically.

Check out these videos and you can see for yourself.

Ayumi Hamasaki - Boys  Girls
Video
Envoyé par oyasutv sur wat.tv

Ayumi Hamasaki - Ladies Night
Video
Envoyé par oyasutv sur wat.tv

Plastic surgery or not, she is a cool Japanese girl.

Recessionistas?

Today I was at a Starbucks in Ginza, I say "a Starbucks" because it feels as if there are ten of them.  In Starbucks,  I noticed something, there seemed to be a decline in the amount of blatant designer labels. I think the recessionistas are emerging in Japan.

Sitting in a Ginza Starbucks has usually led to a coffee shop of inescapable designer labels. Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, and what seemed to be a sea of maroon Louis Vuitton.

Tonight, I could only spot the green and red strap of a Gucci bag.  The bag itself was a plain brown.  I also spotted a woman in a Burberry plaid coat.  Those two items were the only obvious designer labels I spotted in the three hours spent in that Starbucks.

This doesn't mean Ginza was empty and no one was shopping for high end goods.  Just the opposite, Ginza was packed with shoppers.  Boutiques and department stores were bustling.  J-shoppers seem to be hiding their brands and not showing the world that they have a new Chanel bag.  Also, many of the label recycle shops that carry used Louis Vuitton bags or Bulgari jewelry seem to be extra busy lately.

Possibly the new cool Japanese girl is, the J-Recessionista.

Cool J-girl: Namie Amuro (安室奈美恵）

The new Vidal Sassoon girl in Japan, Namie Amuro isn't a new Japanese celebrity.  She's a sexy girl from Okinawa.  Her style influences college girls today.  Most recently she has released an album entitled "60s 70s 80s" and has released three singles, each with a bit of flavor from each decade.  Here are the three videos.

Valentine's Day

Well, it was Valentine's Day in Japan, and for those who may not know, it's different here.  Traditionally, Valentine's Day is the day for girls to give gifts and express their affection to men.  Men reciprocate a month later on White Day.  All the news programs were showing the most romantic spots in Tokyo.  Which, they all seemed to be at the top of skyscrapers at the cost of a few months of rent for an apartment in the same building.  So, my questions is, why not just move there?

There were private rooms in the Mori Tower or the lovely idea of sharing a blanket to stay "warm" at the top of a different skyscraper.  Sorry, but freezing my ass off does not signal romantic to me and when mentioning what I had seen to my girlfriend, she didn't see the romanticism in that either.

Typically girls give chocolate.  Usually the chocolate is delicious and is from Godiva or something similar.  Well, when stopping into a Seven Eleven, I discovered something horrible.  It was a Tuna and Mayonnaise flavored chocolate Onigiri.  Disgusting.

Well, I had thought you in the world would buy such a thing.  About an hour later I found my answer.  I witnessed a man being given this as a Valentine's gift.  Disgusting.  Yes, I know the girl was trying to be sweet and hopefully giving him something he would enjoy.  Judging by the expression on his face, he was not looking forward to trying such a lovely gift.

Luckily, during my time in Japan I haven't received anything quite like that.  Yes, I have been given some odd gifts, but nothing edible.  Japanese girls are typicaly trying to be sweet and it can be hard to tell them that something really isn't that great.  I hope to never receive any odd flavored chocolate and just receive odd gifts that I'm not sure what is supposed to be done with them.

My Valentine's gift was a dinner in the Tokyo Dome City at Bubba Gump's, it was delicious and I didn't have shrimp flavored chocolate for dessert.

Foxy Tokyo

Walking around Tokyo today while in Meguro and Tamachi, I noticed something.  I noticed that a lot of girls were wearing faux foxes.  Not only did I notice this, but my friends I had dinner with also noticed it today.

Now, this isn't the first time I've seen these stoles/scarves but, today it just seemed like every girl in Tokyo was wearing them.  Now, I don't really have anything against wearing fur or especially faux fur.

The thing that my friends and I found a bit creepy, is the head.  You are standing at an intersection or riding the train and you look over.  You don't see the girl's face next to you.  What you see are these little beady fox eyes looking back at you.

I know this style has its beginnings in the 1920's and I can see how it is stylish.  I was relieved to find that I wasn't the only person a little creeped out by looking at foxes wrapped around cute girls' necks.

Well, I'm sure I will be seeing this a lot more, unless today was an anomaly.

Japanese Girls and Victoria's Secret

Japanese girls love Victoria's Secret!  The odd thing is, I can't think of a single Victoria's Secret store in Japan and neither can any of the girls that I know.  They seem to primarily be interested in pajamas, thongs, and the various Victoria's Secret Secret Garden collection.  However, without a Victoria's Secret store in japan, what is a girl to do?

Well, she has two options.  Find an American in the military and buy some on a base and get it at a military discount (about $2 cheaper) or buy it from a store or website that sells the lotions and fragrances at twice the American price.

Every Japanese girl I know at my university and outside of my university becomes ecstatic at the mention of Victoria's Secret.  They ask where to buy it, if it is available on the base and if so, at what price?  Then I am asked if I can buy it for them because I still have base access.  Victoria's Secret topics will last for the next 15 minutes of conversation because there is more.  They want to know if there are clothes they can buy, or better yet, underwear.  Especially the girls who prefer thong underwear.  From what I've been told, quality thongs are hard to come by in Tokyo at a reasonable price.

If Victoria's Secret doesn't have any shops planned for Tokyo, maybe I should open a shop catering to the thong crowd... hmm....

Although in the United States Victoria's Secret is most famous for it's lingerie; in Japan it is the fragrances and lotion that girls most desire.  To see Japanese girls using Victoria's Secret products is entertaining.  They use it sparingly, unless of course they have a steady source or the income to frequently buy a small bottle for over $30.

Victoria's Secret is almost a status symbol.  A girl who opens up a Victoria's Secret lotion in front of other girls instantly becomes the center of conversation.  Every girl wants to know where she got it from and how much was it.  Sometimes the girls tell and at other times they keep their source a secret.

It makes me wonder why Victoria's Secret hasn't opened a shop in Japan and if they will be soon.  I certainly wouldn't complain about passing  by girls and catching a brief hint of Love Spell.

J-Snowbunnies

It's winter in Japan.  As for me, that means it's time to break out the skis and hit the slopes in Nagano and Hokkaido.  There is plenty of good skiing in Japan.  Personally I prefer Hokkaido over Nagano because Nagano's snow is a bit sticky.  However, I digress, this isn't about skiing, this is about Japanese snowbunnies!

   

The above photo is from Tsugaike Kougen(栂池高原) in Nagano Prefecture(長野県). Of course Nagano isn't the only place to find cute Japanese snowbunnies.  Also, as you can see they travel in packs(like Japanese girls do) and are there to have a good time.

Most of the Japanese skiers and snowboarders that I know always try to have the newest styles and snow gear.  Girls and guys want to be the coolest on the slopes.  Which can be amusing, because someone will be dressed as if they are a pro, but then they go down and they hesitate on the bunny hill.

On the slopes and on the lifts are wonderful times to talk with snowbunnies, and don't be surprised if they start the conversation.  The most common questions I'm asked when on the lift with them are: "Where are you from?" and "Why are you in Japan?"

Not only can you talk with them on the lifts, but you can talk with them on the slopes.  They're frequently relaxing in the middle of the easy runs.  Just stop near them and say, hello.

it's also fun to do a trick or something to get a,"Sugoi!" out of them.  They will certainly remember who you are when they see you later in the day, or if you're lucky, ride on the lift with them.

Japanese snowbunnies are cute, fun, and far from a bore.  They are out of Tokyo and are just wanting to have a good relaxing time.  You never know what will happen, so if you ever have a chance, hit the Japanese slopes and get to know some Japanese "Yuki usagi"!

Tokyo Girls

    The girls of Tokyo come in all different types of personalities and styles.  There are a variety of girls, but the cutest and sexiest girls can be found in Ginza, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku.  Of course these girls can be found in other parts of Tokyo,but their style and shopping habits bring them to these places.  Each can be identified by simply walking down the street.  I recommend taking note of their style, based on my experiences, the J-girls love it when a guy can guess where they spend a lot of their time.  But enough of this, let's get started with the girls.

GINZA
 

GINZA GIRL

Tokyo's Ginza is where the girls of Tokyo who love Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Coach go to shop, dine, and drink.  If girls who wear designer labels and drive exotic cars are your interest, then Ginza is where to look.  Ginza is lively all day and every day, but most especially on Sundays when the main road is closed to traffic and open to foot traffic.  Ginza also hosts fine restaurants and clubs.

SHIBUYA


SHIBUYA GIRLS

Shibuya is the center of Tokyo's pop culture center.  It's full of shopping, techno clubs, and more shopping.  Anything that's new in Japan seems to have it's start in Shibuya.  However, Shibuya is really for the younger crowd.  All the girls range from schoolgirls to college students.  If you are 30 and trying to be part of the Shibuya crowd, you might not be too fortunate.  Better to try your luck in Roppongi.  The girls of Shibuya hold throngs of girls that either look like they are made of plastic and wear pajamas to young professionals.  Shibuya 109 is the center of a Shibuya girl's shopping experience.  Shibuya girls travel in gangs and have meetings in the middle of the street.  They are also frendly and usually willing to talk.  Shibuya is one of my favorite places in Tokyo.

HARAJUKU


HARAJUKU GIRLS

A short walk from Shibuya through Yoyogi Park leads to the famous(thanks to Gwen Stefani) Harajuku and it's Harajuku girls.  There are such a variety of Harajuku girls.  There are maids, schoolgirls, geishas, and punk girls.  The primary spot for photo ops and meeting these girls is on Meijijingubashi.  The bridge between Harajuku Station and the Meiji Shrine.  There are always cosplay girls and boys sitting around and are looking for people to take their picture with them and to maybe talk.  If you want to see more of Harajaku's cosplay culture, a simple and crowded walk down Takeshita Dori will lead you by the shops these girls buy their costumes at and a chance to meet more Harajuku girls than imaginable.  If you need a break from Harajaku girls, take a stroll up Omotesando Dori and get a taste of Ginza.

SHINJUKU


SHINJUKU GIRLS

For girls who are of the rock/punk style, check out Shinjuku.  Although it is one of Tokyo's more seedier areas, it is still a good place to visit.  There are plenty of izakayas and nightlife.  Actually, the night is when Shinjuku's Kabukicho area comes alive.  Howevr, if you aren't looking for a gay bar, be careful of where you enter in the ni-chome area.  Although, Shinjuku's gay bars often have female patrons.  The girls of Shinjuku sometimes look a bit more intimidating than other girls in Tokyo, but are usually friendly.  If you are looking for girls who like rock or punk music and dress like rock stars, Shinjuku is the place to be.

Of course there are other areas/styles of the Tokyo girls, but to do that all in a single post would be a bit exhausting for everyone.  We'll get more in depth, but for a start, Ginza, Shibuya. Harajuku, and Shinjuku are centers of Japanese girl style and culture.