We chart Hyper Japan’s top 7 attractions for culture vultures.

Not everyone can afford to splash out on a return ticket to Tokyo, so for those that can’t Hyper Japan is there to immerse visitors in modern, Japanese pop culture. From anime to catchy Japanese pop, we’ve explored Hyper Japan to choose the top 7 must see’s at the Japanese culture convention.

COSPLAY

Wandering round Hyper Japan, you can almost imagine that you’re at Harajuku Station on a Sunday morning, surrounded by the hoards of local cosplay kids. Dressed up like their favourite manga characters and alter egos, the cosplay kids of Hyper Japan are the stars of the show and are more than willing to pose for photos. While a full cosplay costume can set you back hundreds of pounds, visitors can browse the rails of for a bargain Lolita style skirt or a synthetic wig in girly pastels.

SWEETS VS SUSHI

The first word everyone associates with Japan is nearly always ‘sushi’ and while sushi is a big hit at Hyper Japan, we think visitors should take a lesson from the locals and give into cravings from their sweet tooth. From the famous Pocky pretzel sticks to Kit Kat’s exclusive range of Japanese flavours, we’re sure there will be something to satisfy your palette. Wasabi Kit Kat anyone?

JAPANESE SING-A-LONG

The Japanese are well known for being partial to a spot of karaoke and Hyper Japan is no different. With a Karaoke competition as well as performances from Japan’s best Karaoke stars, you’re bound to get in the mood for a sing-a-long. Who cares if you don’t speak Japanese, the poppy beats and catchy dance moves will be enough to get you joining in.

GET LASHED

If there’s one thing that can be said about Japanese beauty industry experts it’s that they know their eyelashes. From the natural lashes to extreme falsies, Japan’s beauty bloggers are all over eye enhancement. With possibly the world’s best eyelash glue – three day wear ladies – it’s well worth stocking up on Hyper Japan’s beauty goodies.

BAG A PLUSHIE

We might be grown-ups now and well past the stage of having teddybears on the bed, but it’s still so hard to resist a kawaii plushie. Withthe largest collection of Japanese favourites, from Hello Kitty to Pokemon, there’s a plushie at Hyper Japan to tug at everyone’s heartstrings. We were particularly fond of the Moschino-esque cuddly fries and a plushie collection from the Plants vs Zombies game.

RETRO GAMING

Fancy reliving the early 00’s with some 16-bit gaming? At Hyper Japan, as well as seeing the latest offerings from the likes of Sony and Nintendo, you can also rewind to the years of games gone by. We caught visitoors playing retro Mario Adventures and old school Pokémon Colour and couldn’t help feeling a little nostalgia towards the days of Game Boy Advance.

HARAJUKU STYLE

Harajuku girls are so notoriously cool that Gwen Stefani even wrote a song about them. Tokyo’s Harajuku district is the place where trends are born and Hyper Japan allows visitors to get a sneak peak of what’s hot in the world’s capital of cool. Whether it’s looking for style inspiration at one of the many fashion shows or searching out the next UNIF amongst the Fringe Fair, you’re sure to come away from Hyper Japan with plenty of ideas and a significantly lower bank balance.

 

Words: Lizzie Renfrey

Photography: Joseph Kent