Tokyo Street @ Kuala Lumpur

By ST.Fan -

Is there a Tokyo Street in Kuala Lumpur? Not really but there is a Tokyo Street at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. It's just a name created by some  marketing genius from Pavilion shopping mall to boost more shoppers and visitors to  the mall.  Tokyo Street at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is located on the 6th floor of the mall.

Giant Tokyo Street lantern
Giant Lantern at Tokyo Street Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. - A570 IS 1/30S f2.8 ISO200


Based on the advertisement they put up and the write-up by the press, I got the impression that the Tokyo Street occupied a big portion of the 6th floor or at least half of one wing of the mall. I also imagined all of it are Japanese shops or shops dealing with Japanese products.

Actually,  Tokyo Street Pavilion occupies just  the end corner of the Mall on the 6th floor. There are 32 shops at the time of writing but some are really tiny. Maybe the lot size and the rental rate follow Tokyo properties as well.

The entrance is marked by a giant lantern similar to the iconic landmark lantern of Asakusa, Seno-j Buddhist Temple in Tokyo.

The center lane or main street of Tokyo Street
The center lane or main street of Tokyo Street Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. - E-p1 17mm 1/30s f5.6 ISO200

The Tokyo Street area is shaped like the letter "E".   There are three lanes leading in. The center one is well decorated with the right deco and atmosphere. Walking all the way to the end will take you to Daiso, the Japanese giant chain store that sells everything at 100 yen each  (RM5) or a multiple of 100 yen.  The Daiso in Tokyo Street Pavilion Kuala Lumpur has only 100-yen items at the moment.
Tokyo Street restaurant and food area
Here is where the crowd is in ToKyo Street where most of restaurant and cafe are located. - A570IS 1/60s f2.6 ISO 100


The left lane is occupied by many Japanese restaurants on both sides. The most popular one seemed to be the Hokkaido Santouka Ramen as there was quite a queue when we were there during lunch time.   However, many of the items in the menu were still not available so the choice was rather limited.

Hokkaido Santouka Ramen restaurant
The popular Hokkaido Santouka Ramen restaurant. - E-P1 17mm 1/8s f4 ISO200

The right lane has a mini mart, retail shops, take-away food stores and a beauty salon. There is a funky camera shop called the The Click Shop selling unorthodox cameras, Lomo cameras, Russian film cameras and collector items.

Decorative Japanese lantern and kimono
Decorative Japanese lantern and kimono near the entrance of Tokyo Street Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. - E-P1 OMZ-50mm-f1.8


The setting and decor in Tokyo Street Pavilion Kuala Lumpur was very Japanese but the shops were very local in the sense that you just don't get the "Japanese feel" or "Japanese touch".

Japanese culture is a very big part of the Japanese people -  their collective thoughts, beliefs, discipline, upbringing and education all form the core of their unique culture.  Therefore, it cannot be duplicated easily by look alike, or materials means.   Nevertheless, Tokyo Street at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will keep most visitors busy and delighted with their visit.

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