How to experience Japan in Singapore

This Japanese-inspired studio in 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace is a retail shop and café in one. Shop a curated selection of Japanese jewellery brands and clothing – think flowy, oversized linen or cotton staples. Elegant houseware and home decor items are also available for a browse. Asaru Studio also offers two session types: Aruku for a free-and-easy 30 minutes exploring the studio, and Uchi ($30) which comes with some light refreshments. Enjoy the tranquility of the studio while your sip on a bowl of matcha or pour-over coffee. The menu changes each month, but you can expect light Japanese treats like homemade strawberry daifuku and matcha swiss roll. 

Or something like that. Japan Rail Café is a train-themed multi-concept store where you can shop and dine in a single stop. The café stocks products imported straight from Japan, and has a menu that's identical to the JR East restaurants in Tokyo. Expect Japanese and Western-styled Japanese dishes, like The Ultimate A.B.C. burger ($22), or the Watashino curry rice ($18). Other than that, there's even a rail pass counter where you can buy train tickets for the JR lines in Japan! Perfect if you're already planning a trip there. 

Wagyu lovers should make a beeline for Gyu San, a new Japanese butchery and sando shop in Tanjong Pagar. This space serves up top-grade Wagyu cuts sourced from different prefectures in Japan, which you can enjoy in fat-fried katsu sandos – or buy raw for your own cooking at home. If you're here to stuff yourself silly, try the Gyu Katsu Sando, where a thick slab of well-marbled A5 Japanese Wagyu is crusted in panko and fried to a perfect golden crisp. Here for some grocery shopping? There are more than 55 premium Japanese Wagyu cuts available, from a Hida Striploin to a Kamichiku Zabuton cut. 

Singaporean tour guide Lee Xian Jie lives in Japan, but during this time, he conducts a virtual tour around Kyoto for those seeking a virtual escape. His Forest Bathe in Kyoto’s Sacred Mountain will bring attendees deep into the tranquil forest, and into lesser-seen parts of Fushimi Inari where you will discover rock altars and enter a secret location where a sacred waterfall awaits. 

This retail store is the first of its kind in Singapore, thanks to themed features that let you live out your favourite anime fantasies. Browse over 2,600 official goods, including accessories, collectibles, figurines, plush toys and stationery. This is also currently the only place for you to immerse yourself in your favourite anime and manga titles. A themed feature section in the 2,200 square foot store will showcase a seasonal rotation of popular shows. 

Hashida Singapore transports diners to a sushi temple, one where Chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida is at its helm. Walk through the torii gates, and pull up a seat in one of three dining halls – each with a distinct vibe. Traditional detached roof peeks through in the eight-seater room, and an ancient 200-year-old sakura wood beam flanks an intimate seven-seater space. The food here is equally impressive: a dinner might come with belt fish, lightly grilled over the binchotan, is then wrapped with uni and sushi rice to yield a rich, decadent mouthful; or expertly sliced chutoro paired simply with ginger. 

There lies a pocket of Japan within the walls of Marina Bay Sands. Over at Koma, the stunning Japanese restaurant captures the sights, and even mythology, within its expansive space. It even comes outfitted with impressive torii gates and a traditional Japanese bridge that stands atop a reflecting pool.