Volks. Inc Yokohama by Dennis part 1

Volks Yokohama Show Room

Hello there, I am sorry it`s been such a long time not write in this blog. Actually this article was taken 1 month ago, such a little long time ago. I am sorry about that. But after the screening process from Volks Yokohama, I can write it in here. I am so glad about it. So, let`s begin.

Volks.Inc is a figure and plastic model chain store in Japan, the first store is in Kyoto at 3 December 1972. Concept of this store is a hobby shop, Dollfie, and rental case. The different from another store is Volks.Inc have a lot of goods with his own brand.

Have a complete figure models

Have a lot of cool stuff

Volks.Inc’s specialization is Dollfie. Dollfie is combination between doll and figure. Not like another doll, Dollfie can be custom according the wishes of buyers. You can make up it, change the costume, and decorate it with various accessories that you can buy or you can make your own. Dollfie also have joints like a human framework so it can pose like a human.

great detail

Dollfie have a variety of types, standard Dollfie 27 cm stock from the factory, then Dollfie Dream (60cm), mini Dollfie dream (40cm) and full custom Dollfie. Full custom ordered Dollfie specialty is made to order, from a form of head, body, to the size and height. But full custom Dollfie become more expensive than the other.

full custom dollfie

Next, Volks.Inc has a plastic model airplane which named SWS (super wing series), the good point of this plastic model is having a high details and precision, making it easier to build.

super wing series

Volks.Inc also has another plastic models and robot figures, one of that is Vlockers. Not like the other which has a specific design, Vlockers can be build to be anything you want. From robot to vehicle and you can buy Vlockers only in Volks.Inc.

 volks original goods

to be continued 

Volks. Inc Yokohama by Dennis part 2

volks original airbrush compressor

volks original paint and thinner

To satisfy consumer, Volks.Inc also provides a variety of tools that you can use it to assemble, such as paint, thinner and airbrush compressor. Volks.Inc does not only exist in Japan, but also in Los Angeles and in Seoul.

rental case

Volks.Inc provide a rental case, this case can be rental to sell goods, or anything you want to sell. Such as figures, plastic models, and trading card game. There are various price to rent a case. 1 row of them have a 4 case of 45cm x 45cm, you can rent it 1500 yen ($15) per month for the highest and the lowest one. And for the 2 middle cases you can rent it 3000 yen ($30) per month. Nowadays, rental case is become popular, because you can get the rare item or the limited item that you cannot buy it in store.

When I came there, It was the first day of macross ichiban kuji sell day. Ichiban kuji is lottery that have a beautiful prize. Such as: figures, pillow, pen, keychain, etc. I was very lucky can saw a japanese people make a queue and buy that lottery.  

ichiban kuji priceless prize

Volks.Inc Yokohama
2-13-8 Tsuruya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
Daiichikensetsu 5th floor
Tel: 045-317-5400
Website: http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/shop/yokohama_sr/

If you want go there, you can go to JR lines Yokohama station and take a west exit and go ahead.
From Tokyo station transportation cost is 450 yen and take 28 minutes.

NB: This is my last article for Kanagawa Kankou Kyoukai. Thank for reading my blog from last 6 month. I wish you enjoy it. And I want to say thank you to Kanagawa Kankou Kyoukai for give me such a beautiful experiences. And I feel so lucky because I can study Japanese in Japan and get 2 years of wonderful friends, teachers, and experiences. If you love Japan please come to Japan and feel it by yourself.

Thank you very much

Dennis Pradyasaputra

Getting closer to the Japanese culture (Bon-odori in Yokohama) by Agus

Bon Odori
Obon, is one of Japanese festival to honor The Departed spirits of one's Ancestors.

Obon festival is celebrated on different dates in some places in Japan, but at first Obon is celebrated every 15th of the seventh month on the lunar calendar in every summer.

Obon festival held at the Minato-mirai (Yokohama) is a regular event in every year, but today is festival is held as the charity event, where the profits of the charity activity will be contributed to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

the preparation for the festival

one of the stall corner

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This event begins with uchi-mizu (sprinkling water). Uchi mizu is the ritual to lowering the temperature of summer heat by pouring water into the field, many children and their parents participated in this event.

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The performances

Featured at the festival are Japanese foods and entertainment, followed by female Taiko drumming, the Japanese traditional folk dance is very expressive and cool!!

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Amazing Taiko (Japanese drum) performance by USAGI, they are female Taiko group from Chiba prefecture Japan. In March 2011, the Chiba area is also affected by earthquake and tsunami disaster.

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The main event

When the sun almost went down, the main event of the festival is begin, the bon odori is about to start.

There are many traditional dances in Japan, but bon odori is the one of the most famous dance in every city in Japan. People gather at nearby, make a circle and dance to the traditional Japanese music.

the main dancer of bon odori

The main dancers may invite the public to join in to the dance, there is pros and armatures in this dance, many people as possible can be invited and you can learn about Japanese music and dance by joining them, it's really fun!!

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The stalls

Beside the Taiko performance, there is a variety of stalls from the selling food to the entertaining stalls for children


one of the entertaining stall is kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping). kingyo-sukui is a traditional Japanese game in the which a player scoops goldfish with a special scooper made ​​by paper.

kingyo-suki stall

yoyo stall

super ball stall and wa-nage (quoits) stall

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The festival is foods 

We can also enjoy the foods like yakisoba (Japanese fried noodles) and takoyaki (octopus ball) at the stalls, They are typical Japanese food for festivals.

giant octopus ball, they are bigger than normal takoyaki in size!

normal size of takoyaki

yakisoba with beni shōga (ginger slices)

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The souvenirs

The souvenirs from this festival is uchiwa (Japanese fan) and glow stick for the attribute dance 

Access

Minato Mirai is can be accessed from Sakuragicho Station on the JR Negishi Line (Keihin-Tohoku Line), which is just one stop from Yokohama Station is about 150 yen.

1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-0012, Japan

Transportation Guide: TEL +81-45-221-2166;
Information: TEL +81-45-221-2155

http://www.minatomirai21.com/eng/

http://www.pacifico.co.jp/english/index.html

Reference site
USAGI