THIS Part of Singapore Feels Surprisingly Japanese

was there earlier this year. Personally I dont like the toilets in Novena square mall. Kinda small and squeezy with only 2 cubicles for ladies toilet at the side. Good is there are many food options and not crowded at all. Actually West Coast has a sizable japanese community as well due to japanese kindergartens, high school and primary schools in the vicinity.

i see that Sandai has kept alot of the old products from back when they were the only oversea branch of Chao Chao Gyoza

Bugisも日本人多くて快適ですよ♪

Novena isn’t _the_ closest to “Japan living” in Singapore, but it does have some Japanese touches. Here’s how it stacks up:

*Novena: Some Japan vibes, not the main hub*
– *Japanese-inspired places*: You’ll find spots like Ikigai condo — a boutique freehold condo with Japanese architecture, UYA unagi restaurant at Oasia Hotel Novena, Maji Curry award-winning kare raisu at Square 2, Cafe Gui Japanese-Korean cafe at Royal Square, and Chao Chao Gyoza.
– *But it’s not the core Japanese area*: Novena is a medical/hospital hub with malls. It’s convenient to Orchard/CBD, but Japanese residents aren’t concentrated here.
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*Where most Japanese in Singapore actually live + eat*
– *Historical “Little Japan”*: Pre-war, the Japanese community was centered around Middle Road/Bugis area — Hylam Street, Malay Street, Bugis Street. That was Singapore’s original “Little Japan.”
– *Current Japanese clusters*:
1. *Orchard/Claymore area + Liang Court*: Liang Court mall served the Japanese community with lots of Japanese restaurants. Orchard Plaza is called a new “Little Japan” for hole-in-the-wall Japanese eateries.
2. *Robertson Quay/Tanjong Pagar*: Lots of Japanese expats, izakayas, and Japanese supermarkets.
3. *Cuppage Plaza*: Nicknamed “Little Japan” for Japanese KTV, massage, and 7 eateries.
4. *East side*: Tampines 1 has Kuriya Japanese Market Yokocho.
5. *Boon Keng/Bendemeer*: Bendemeer Shopping Mall is called Singapore’s most “Japanese” shopping street — feels like a shotengai.
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*For “Japan living” feel today*:
– *Orchard Plaza + Cuppage Plaza* = most concentrated Japanese eateries/bars, called “Little Japan” now
– *Bendemeer Shopping Mall* = most “Japanese street” vibe
– *Liang Court area* = historically Japanese resident hub with supermarkets
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*Bottom line*: Novena has Japanese restaurants and Japanese-inspired design, but if you want the closest thing to “living in Japan,” head to *Orchard Plaza/Cuppage Plaza* for food/nightlife, or *Bendemeer* for the shotengai street feel. Historically, it was *Middle Road*.

U can probably find 10 Japanese things in any mall in Singapore tho