Feeling like you’re in Japan while you’re in Malaysia? Yes! These 9 places in Malaysia gives you the atmosphere and scenery that almost teleport you to Japan!
1. Selangor-Japan Friendship Garden
This park is a very unique new attraction for someone who wants to experience Japan without going to Japan. This Japanese-inspired park has 5 zones and is about 3 football fields in size. The construction of this park is actually a symbol of trade and investment relations between Selangor and Japan. The interesting landscapes are also often an attraction for tourists to take pictures.
Address: Persiaran Bandar Raya, Seksyen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Contact: +6011-3799 5848
2. Jonetz by Don Don Donki
Why go to Japan if you can set foot in Jonetz by Don Don Donki outlet or store? Various items such as groceries, household items, cosmetics, and more including food are available! All the products are from Japan.
You definitely don’t want to miss the Japanese cosmetics section! CosmeDONKI, sells high quality health and beauty products including exclusive DONKI products as well. Girls, this is your paradise! Lipstick, blusher, powder? Everything is available. Famous products like DHC and K-palette are also sold here.
Pork- & lard-free
Address: Ground Floor, Lot 10, Shopping Centre, G8-G11, 50, Jln Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2303 1211
3. Japanese Village
This is a place that will captivate the hearts of Japanese fans. The Japanese Village brings a true Japanese village theme that you must see when on vacation in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. Feel for yourself the atmosphere as if you were in the land of the rising sun. Not only that, you can also experience wearing traditional Japanese clothes. Here, there’s a shop that offers rental services for traditional Japanese clothing, namely Kimono, for all age categories. It’s a loss if you don’t try wearing traditional clothes and walking around this Japanese village.
You can also choose to go to this place by your own vehicle or with an intermediary vehicle provided at Colmar Tropicale. In addition, there’s also a koi fish pond and lush green plants in the area of this place. The specialty of this Japanese Village is the Japanese Tea House. It’s not complete if you don’t take pictures in this beautiful place. The result of your photo with the background of a tea house and wearing Kimono is like you are on vacation in Japan.
Address: KM48, Persimpangan Bertingkat Lebuhraya Karak, Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, 28750 Bentong, Pahang.
Contact: +609-221 3888
4. Urban Retreat Onsen Spa
Experience a relaxing Japanese onsen experience right here in KL. Rejuvenate yourself with body scrubs and essential oils. Some relaxing experiences that you can pamper yourself with are self-choosing your onsen salts and body scrubs as well as breathing in the aroma of essential oils with a rejuvenating massage.
Address: 2 locations in KL.
Contact: Contact respective outlets.
5. Fujiwara Tofa Shop
The Initial D story is so popular and has fans all over the world that people are willing to spend time and money to collect the vehicles that appear in the manga series. The original shop in Japan is famous for selling car accessories and toys. On the other hand, in Malaysia, this ‘Tofu Shop’ features an Initial D concept cafe atmosphere to allow customers to relax and experience real food and drink in the animated story including tofu.
You can come to take pictures because in front of the cafe there is an exact replica of the Initial D animated car model. You can take a picture with the ‘legend’ car which is the Toyota Corolla AE86, Mitsubitsi Lancer Evo used by Takumi Fujiwara when racing in the animation and many more!
There is a wide selection of food that you can try such as tofu fa, nasi lemak, tomyam fishball and many more.
Pork- & lard-free
Address: 19, Jalan Industri USJ 1/16, Taman Perindustrian Usj 1, 47600 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
6. Kogetsu
Located inside the Saujana Hotel, this Japanese restaurant will immediately transfer you to Japan. During the day, the view of the lake and swaying bamboo trees gives a calm feeling while you dine. Expect fresh sashimi and exquisite sushi, alongside Japanese staples such as tempura and miso soup.
Pork- & lard-free
Address: The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Persiaran Golf, Saujana, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Contact: +603-7843 1234
7. Ramen Bar Shishido
Interested in having a bowl of steaming hot savory ramen in the streets of Japan? You can try visiting Ramen Bar Shishido in Gasket Alley PJ. Authentic tonkatsu (pork bone) broth is served here to complement the springy ramen noodles. Besides ramen, they also serve yakitori, gyoza, donburi and karaage.
Non-halal
Address: The Gasket Alley, 15-5 @, Jln 13/6, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
8. The Japan Foundation KL Library
If you feel like visiting a library that depicts Japanese culture, you can come to the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL). This comfortable library was established in 1972 in Kuala Lumpur. If you don’t want to be distracted from your studies while you’re here, you can go to a separate room provided so you can isolate yourself from other visitors. The security system in this library is also very safe. You will definitely feel comfortable and calm while spending time here.
Address: 18th Floor, Block B, Northpoint, No. 1, Medan Syed Putra Selatan, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2284 6228
9. Ki To Wellness
Ki To Wellness offers natural therapies and facilities to complement wellness. They believe in energy balancing amidst the rapid changing lifestyle and environment surrounding us. There’s a Japanese Crystal Garden for energy enhancement and an Onsen Stone Bed where you can burn calories.
Address: B102 Block B Ground Floor, Phileo Damansara 1 Jalan 16/11, Off, Jalan Damansara, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Contact: +603-7956 3622
Written by Kartini Kannan
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