Celebrate The Year Of The Rat With Takashimaya’s Spring Festival Bonanza

With the start of a new lunar calendar cycle comes a fresh start to a positive year ahead, especially with the Year of the Rat: The first in the Chinese zodiac cycle. In line with this auspicious occasion, Takashimaya Department Store welcomes the return of its annual Chinese New Year Fair with a lineup of 67 vendors offering an assortment of seasonal treats to suit all households and traditions.  

The thematic displays with Oriental fans to symbolise union and happiness, as well as Chinese knots to represent good luck and prosperity...

(Photo Source : Takashimaya)

Auspicious Mix features the sweetness of nature with dried/semi-dried, seedless persimmons and fruit juices imported from Korea. Chewy and slightly moist in the centre, these persimmons are jam-packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants to make a unique yet healthy and nutritious snack or dessert.  

(Photo Source : Takashimaya)

For more savoury selections, check out Aroma Truffle & Co’s new products - Black Summer Truffle Potato Chips (Honey Dijon, $10) and Aroma Black Truffle Hot Sauce ($20). The latter is curated from a blend of sun-ripened chilli peppers, smooth-skin tomato puree, natural spices, and the brand’s signature black Italian truffle to elevate your dishes and snacks in an instant. 

Home chefs looking to up their game this New Year can look out for On Kee's supreme abalone delicatessen, which is also available in a full readily-prepared poon choi / pen cai（盆菜）version for that added convenience, or wholesome handmade wheat flour noodles from Taiwanese brand Yi Lai Shuen with no MSG and no preservatives.

(Photo Source : Takashimaya)

Homegrown staples including sweet and savoury pastry creations from established names like Home’s Favourite, Mdm Ling, and Baker’s Brew.  Golden Moments, HarriAnns and Peony Jade are also retailing both traditional and novel products like durian ice cream,  Nonya Cookies and seasonal gift sets. 

(Photo Source : Takashimaya)

Exclusive to Takashimaya, The Lapis Place will be presenting its Pineapple Lapis, Ichiran with its limited edition aromatic tonkotsu ramen retail packs, with Hong Kong's Hang Heung and Kee Wah with their CNY-themed biscuit tins and wife cakes.

 

(Photo Source : Takashimaya)

For more premium selections, Gano Well is introducing the health benefits of Lingzhi in its low-sugar cookies ($32-42) to provide a healthier, tastier alternative choice for consumers’ CNY snack trays, in addition to its best-selling organic Lingzhi slices ($298) and related supplements.  Celebrating its 65-year-old heritage is Thye Shan Medical Hall, which has curated a series of festive hampers and gift sets ($168-688) with a mix of its popular tonics and seafood products. Traditional high-quality health and wellness products can also be found with Wing Joo Loong, Pryce Tea's contemporary tea sets and NestBloom's Golden Heritage Bloom.

(Photo Source : Takashimaya)

Takashimaya’s Spring Festival Bonanza will be held from now till 23 January 2020 at Takashimaya Square, Ngee Ann City Basement 2. Find out more at www.takashimaya.com.sg.

About Takashimaya S.C.  

The first Takashimaya store opened in Kyoto, Japan, in 1831 as a 3.6m2 outlet selling gofuku (formal kimono). Since then, the brand has evolved into one of the largest department store operators in Asia, based mainly in Japan and with a presence in China, Thailand and Vietnam as well as Singapore. Takashimaya Singapore opened its doors in 1993 at the distinctive architectural landmark that is Ngee Ann City along Orchard Road. With over 130 specialty stores spanning six levels of shopping and dining establishments, Takashimaya Shopping Centre offers the ultimate shopping experience like no other.  

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Gifts From The Heart At Takashimaya

On Friday 08 November 2019, Takashimaya Department Store unveiled an exhibition showcasing Christmas designs from 19 teams of students from Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design.

In a first-time collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design, Takashimaya invited these third-year students to imagine its much-anticipated Christmas packaging for 2019, in line with the campaign theme "Gifts from the Heart". 

"It really is the thought that counts. Our theme of ‘Gifts from the Heart’ embodies that sentiment and encourages our shoppers to put thought into their gift selection, to seek out something truly special for every special person in their life. It multiplies the joy for the giver and the recipient, and makes the whole season more meaningful."

--- Yuko Shibuya, General Manager of Takashimaya Department Store ---

In the spirit of giving, Takashimaya has contributed a generous project fee that goes towards Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design project grant set up to support Design students requiring financial assistance.

The exhibition will be situated at The Atrium, Level 1 of Takashimaya Shopping Centre, and remain open to all until 21 November, and showcases all 19 of the submitted designs, one of which has been adapted for the store’s Christmas wrappers and shopping bags.

"For students, there is no greater validation than to see their works appreciated, commercially produced and showcased. The authentic learning experience that Takashimaya has given our students will stay with them long after the Yuletide season."

--- Lim Chong Jin, Director, School of Design, Temasek Polytechnic ---

"I’m sure our students would be thrilled to see their designs on Takashimaya shopping bags and gift wrappers. For shoppers, having a fresh and youthful take on traditional Christmas wrapping will

surely add some uniqueness and fun to the spirit of giving and receiving this Christmas too."

--- Lim Chong Jin, Director, School of Design, Temasek Polytechnic ---

The opening was accompanied by the spectacular light-up of its tallest indoor Christmas tree to-date. Takashimaya’s indoor Christmas tree has become a favourite photo-taking spot for locals and tourists alike. Over the years, it has "grown' to its current height of 16.8 metres. This spectacular Christmas Tree will remain in the Atrium until Wednesday 25 December 2019.

 

Every year, a team of part-time staff are trained in the quintessentially Japanese art of gift-wrapping. It’s another small way in which Takashimaya strives to thank its loyal shoppers.Shoppers enjoy complimentary gift wrapping specially designed by Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design students with any purchase at Takashimaya Department Store and Takashimaya Square at B2. 

The winning design encompassed the bold use of of geometric shapes gives a dynamic pixelated feel that is original in local Christmas packaging. The bright and cheery tones of the warm colour palette emphasizes the heart of the holiday season, one marked by generousity, sharing and giving....

All are invited to enjoy Takashimaya’s "Gifts from the Heart" exhibition and the must-see Christmas Tree at The Atrium, Level 1 of Takashimaya Shopping Centre. More detail can be found on the Takashimaya website at www.takashimaya.com.sg/events/promotions/.

(Source : Takashimaya)

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Five-Footway Festival - Relive The Hustle Of Historical Chinatown

On 23 and 24 March 2019, Chinatown Business Association will host Singapore’s first-ever Five-Footway Festival that celebrates the precinct’s heritage.

Opening of the event by the Chinatown Business Association, CDC and Singapore Tourism Board...

An auspicious start to the two-day festivities...

A gift from Rediffusion Singapore...

    

The festival aims to bring visitors on a walk down memory lane as they stroll through Pagoda, Sago, Smith and Trengganu Streets. Visitors will get to taste popular local street food of yesteryear, participate in traditional games, and browse interesting merchandise at the newly-refurbished Chinatown Street Market.

Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District, shares animatedly about her childhood days, helping her maternal grandmother sell costume jewellery in Chinatown...

The two-day event is held in conjunction with the nationwide Singapore Bicentennial Commemoration, which takes Singaporeans and visitors on a journey into the past, and provides insights into the island’s rich 700-year history.

“We are excited to introduce the Five-Footway Festival that re-creates the street hawking scenes of yesteryears. With its myriad of activities, the Festival offers a multi-sensorial experience that will acquaint the modern-day visitor with Chinatown’s rich history.”

--- Ms Lim Yick Suan, Executive Director, Chinatown Business Association ---

Five-footways refer to sheltered sidewalks fronting shophouses, and were named as such because they were five feet (1.5 metres) wide. The five-footways were useful in shielding pedestrians from the heat and rain, and stall owners would set up shop along the corridors for people to buy goods.

A stop to taste a bowl of piping hot Rickshaw Noodles, a dish unique to Singapore. This dish was named for rickshaw pullers who relied on the noodles as a source of energy for the day. Stewed in pork broth cooked with minced meat and vegetables, Rickshaw Noodles consist of Hokkien noodles (yellow mee) topped with fried garlic and shallots...


The stallholder engaging two tourists to share about Chendol, a handmade dessert with a sweet mix of rice flour jelly, coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar) syrup...

The Five-Footway Festival attempts to recreate the spirit of that time, allowing visitors to experience historical Chinatown through clog races and other traditional activities. Those game to put their skills to the test with friendly rounds of chapteh or hopscotch with friends could win traditional memorabilia such as kuti, paper balls and wooden spinning tops. Visitors can also treat themselves to delicious local foods such as a hearty bowl of rickshaw noodles, roasted chestnuts and ice-cold chendol.

An attempt at five stones, a game traditionally played in kampungs with stones or beanbag cloth pouches...


Seniors happily argue over the correct way to play hopscotch, a traditional children’s game in which one or more players hop over a series of squares drawn on the ground...

Cultural activities such as Chinese opera, reading at a five-footway library and calligraphy writing will acquaint participants with the hustle and bustle of the precinct back then, and those wanting a trim can even look out for the streetside barber.

Chinese street storytelling was a popular form of entertainment in Singapore during the colonial period and up till the 1960s. The storytellers set up makeshift premises in various locations in the evening, and read aloud in dialect to paying customers seated around them on crates or straw mats...

Unique collectables can be found at stalls selling items such as waxed umbrellas and straw fans which were commonly spotted on the streets back then. Additionally, foodie trails and guided tours will give visitors deeper insights into the Chinatown of old.

Meeting the people from the days of yore -
the Policeman in semi-long pants, the Samsui Woman, the Matchmaker...

Follow @ChinatownSG’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/chinatownsg/) for more updates about the Five-Footway Festival.

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