Saturday, January 22, 2022

DeJapan: Ordering from Japan ★★★

My first unboxing video featuring DeJapan!
(Unsponsored honest review) I have been researching on buyers in Japan, aka Japan proxy shopping service, for a few times now. After reading some reviews and comparison, I decided to give DeJapan a try. They help you purchase products from most Japan sites, have them shipped to their warehouse in Japan, consolidate them (even from different shops), and ship to you. It's a game changer to save on shipping, especially for those Japan-only items. 


Fees
They don't charge commission. All they charge is 100 yen consolidation per item (or per listing), which is very minimal and includes insurance. If you order 2 or even 10 of the same item, it will still just be 100 yen total. If you purchase a bundle of items under 1 auction listing, it is counted a 1 item as well.

They would charge 100 yen coordination fee if you need them to ask the seller a question, want to negotiate the price, or ask about shipping. However, if the negotiation has already been addressed in the listing comments, they will not charge it.

Please note that they charge additional 500 yen handling fee per listing for Mercari and PayPayFleaMarket due to additional coordination involved.

If you are ordering a lot of items from the same site, you may consider skipping the 100 yen per item consolidation fee by unchecking the consolidation box when you order, but please note that it will void the insurance as well. I tried it twice. It made me very nervous, but I ended up receiving the package with no problem and saving a lot on the consolidation fee.

Shops
I have ordered with them from Yahoo Auction, Amazon, Fril, Mercari, ShopDisney, Sanrio, Aniplex, etc. No problems with them. Please note that some websites do block proxy service such as Rakuten, Yodobashi, and Movic. Hence, we cannot purchase from them.

Packing Fees

I have been using the free one and never had a problem with it.

Shipping
Their shipping fees are upfront and are clearly listed: https://www.dejapan.com/en/delivery_fee.html. I have only been using the surface mail to save on shipping. It takes 3 months to arrive, but I haven't have a problem with it. Tracking is provided.

Process
Shop > Submit > Pay for items (PayPal or credit card) > Items arrives at DeJapan warehouse > Combine up to 25 orders (different shops ok) > Pay for consolidation fees + domestic shipping + international shipping

Concern
So far I have only experienced 1 small problem once: The buyer only shipped partial of a bundled listing. I inquired DeJapan about their insurance. They said since it has been more than 3 months (due to the surface mail shipping), it's hard to trace back what happened, and there is nothing they could do about it. They tried to reach out to the seller but had gotten no response. It's ok. What was lost was minimal, offset by the low cost service they offer. I ending up purchasing the missing items I wanted from another seller.

Sample Cost (Items from Yahoo! Auctions Japan)
ItemsCostDomestic Shipping
Blu-Ray Movie Box Set4200 JPY2420 JPY
Illustration Print500 JPY210 JPY
Sticker280 JPY84 JPY
Combination Price (100 JPY x3)300 JPY
International Surface Shipping2900 JPY
TOTAL10894 JPY

Credibility
They are 100% reliable. I have ordered from them a few times and have received my items. Their customer service is great and responsive. If you are unsure about what the Japanese means, they would translate it for you. I would highly recommend them!

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Sushi Nakazawa Pop-Up@Miami

Sushi Nakazawa Pop-Up at Four Seasons Miami. Not Jiro's type of Sushi. Too Americanized... or better categorized as "Fusion Omakase". Daisuke Nakazawa, apprentice of Jiro (Dreams of Sushi), seems to be a hype in America. Wasn't sure about the sashimi with strawberry, unless if they have a really good reason. Mediocre service. They only talked to people they know. When we were at Jiro Sukiyabashi in Tokyo,  we asked Jiro's team about Nakazaya. Unfortunately, they told us that they felt like they have been betrayed (their name was being used). 19-Course for $250 per person. Sake was overpriced. However, this review is specific to the pop-up menu. Went to their Michelin-star New York location in 2019. It was ok but not wow. Dinner was 2 hours. LA branch opening soon.

Here is Jiro Sukiyabashi at Roppongi Hills location for comparison:
https://www.syorithefoodie.com/2014/01/jiro-sukiyabashiroppongi-hills.html






Tamago Toast


Soy Marinated King Salmon

Hotate (Sea Scallop)

Stripejack

Bigfin Reef Ika (Squid) with Shiso Leaf

Tai (Japanese Seabream)

Smoked Bonito


Wagyu Beef

Wagyu Beef with Truffle

Soy Marinated Chum Ikura (Salmon Roe)


Uni (Sea Urchin)

Anago (Sea Eel)

Japanese Tea

Sake Menu

14 Thirty-Five (Oct 7 - Nov 13, 2021 pop-up)
Four Seasons Miami
1435 Brickell Ave
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 358-3535
www.sushinakazawa.com

Friday, November 19, 2021

Naoe@Miami ★★★

Exquisite Kaiseki x Omakase Cuisine. Beautiful craftsmanship. Historic soy sauce & Sake came from Chef Kevin's family breweries founded in 1800's. Exceptional service. Wendy was amazing. We chatted about Japan, Japanese restaurants in LA & Miami during the 3.5 hours dinner and left the restaurant at 12:30am. Limited to 5 seats during pandemic. $280 per person plus 20% service charge. 5 mins walking from Mandarin Oriental.

Chef's Choice Shokado Bento

Oyster Soup


Nichiei "Glory of the Sun" Daiginjyo $170
from Nakamura Shuzou, Chef Kevin's family brewery in Ishikawa, founded in 1800's
50% Polished (very smooth) Yamadanishiki Rice
SMV +5, Acidity 1.6 (clean & dry), ABV 15-16%











Grilled Karasumi (Mullet Roe)

Oyster & Ankimo (Monkfish Liver)









Naoe Soy Sauce from Chef Kevin's family's breweries

Had the restaurant to ourselves

The only sign of the restaurant storefront is a business card

Wendy and Chef Kevin

Naoe
661 Brickell Key Dr
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 947-6263
naoemiami.com