May 13

Japanese culture trends in NYC

Events, Food & Drink, Japan Trends Comments Off on Japanese culture trends in NYC

Many of us are now aware that modern Japanese culture has essentially turned New York City into New York-ku, with Pocky and Pretz widely available, new ramen shops and izakayas popping up every week and Japanese hair salons throughout the city.  And of course you can’t swing a Kinokuniya bag without hitting a Japanese style karaoke bar.

But yesterday alone I noticed yet three more examples of Japanese culture–perceived as so impentrable by much of the world–penetrating further into New York-ku:

• City Bakery’s (3 W. 18th St) baked goods now all seem to have Japanese subtitles on the little signs sticking out from the muffins and other items.

• Opening of the Japanese Culinary Center (the “Other JCC,” as New York Magazine calls it) on 711 Third Ave. (entrance on 45th St. between Second and Third aves.) nymtc.com

• Gamar Jobat, a Japanese silent comedy duo (i.e, manzai) currently performing at the New Victory Theater (https://secure.newvictory.org/newvictory/tickets/production.aspx?PID=767&emailsource=GAMAR1212)

Have other examples to share?  Post a comment or send an e-mail to jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.