Tokyo Meets Fukushima: Nihonbashi Fukushima-kan MIDETTE

A window to traditional Fukushima Prefecture in the heart of Tokyo

Nestled in the heart of downtown Tokyo's bustling Nihonbashi district is a window into the traditional crafts, foods and culture of Fukushima Prefecture.

Fukushima is a name that is often associated abroad with the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. But in Japan, the name conjures images of rice fields, sake, snowy mountains and fascinating traditions.

One Tokyo shop hopes to share this fascinating side of Fukushima with the world.

The Nihonbashi Fukushima-kan MIDETTE shop in downtown Tokyo is dedicated to introducing Fukushima crafts, cuisine, and culture to tourists from Japan and around the world, and to providing information to those planning a visit to Fukushima Prefecture. To that end, MIDETTE is stocked up with some of the prefecture's finest sake, fresh seasonal fruits, dairy products, interesting handicrafts and even a restaurant and sake bar serving its best regional dishes.

MIDETTE offers a large sampling of Fukushima products, including dozens of local sake selections

Featured fresh and packaged food from Fukushima

Hand-crafted kokeshi dolls made in the local styles of several craft centers throughout Fukushima

A quirky take on the beloved Fukushima 'akabeko' red cow

A bowl full of okiagarikoboshi, traditional new years gifts of good luck

Shoppers can try a huge variety of award-winning Fukushima sakes at MIDETTE

Fresh Fukushima fruits and dairy products for sale

Special offer with purchases over 3000 yen

For travelers in Tokyo from late August through September, MIDETTE is featuring a special offer. Shoppers who purchase more than 3000 yen worth of goods at the shop between Aug. 21 and Sept. 30 can choose between a complimentary bottle of Fukushima sake or juice, a traditional handicraft, or a food dish at the shop's restaurant.

The dishes available rotate throughout the offer period, but include renowned Kitakata Ramen, rice topped with Fukushima-sourced pork, and buckwheat soba noodles.

Customers who spend more than 3000 yen on shop purchases can choose from one of these special gifts: Fukushima sake, peach or apple juice, a hand-crafted daruma doll, a lacquered plate, or a meal at the restaurant

Visitors can try the famed thick, wavy noodles of Kitakata Ramen from Fukushima at the shop

Handmade soba (buckwheat noodles) available at the shop's restaurant

A bowl of Fukushima-sourced pork over rice, another Fukushima treat

Samurai armor experience

In addition to food, drink and traditional crafts, from September 12 to 16, MIDETTE is also hosting a particularly special event. Visitors to the shop during this time will have the opportunity to try on a complete set of traditional samurai armor from Fukushima Prefecture, free of charge. Staff who specialize in armor dressing will be available to help customers don the armor themselves (and help with picture-taking). Children are welcome to try too!

An authentically-crafted samurai armor set, which visitors can try wearing themselves from September 12 to 16

Your author trying on Fukushima samurai armor for his first time—this could be you in September!

The MIDETTE shop is located just a few minutes' walk away from easily-accessible JR Kanda Station, Shin-Nihonbashi Station and Mitsukoshi-mae Station, and is open from 11:00-20:00 on weekdays and 11:00-18:00 on weekends and holidays.

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Nihonbashi Fukushima-kan MIDETTE