Ode To The 100¥ Store

Back in the US I never went to dollar stores too often.  I just rarely felt like I needed the kinds of things that American dollar stores sold.  Here though, it's a different story, although it did take me a little while to warm up to the 100¥ stores (as dollar stores are known here).  I think maybe it's because stuff here is a little more expensive so I've become more apt to look for bargains.

I know for sure that a lot of it is because there happens to be a great chain called Daiso [die-so] with lots of local locations.  I did a little research and found that there are Daisos all over Asia and Europe but so far only on the west coast in North America.  I've found it's a great place to get all sorts of useful things without paying a lot of money.

the Daiso in Aeon mall

they have a great selection of office supplies

polyester bags that make excellent reusable grocery bags

nail polish/supplies--all cosmetics here are frightfully expensive
so this is a nice option.  although I'm a little hesitant to use them
at the moment because who knows what kind of chemicals they
have to put in it to make it so cheap?

I try to remember to always come here for plant pots, stakes, etc.

tiny bowls, good for condiments and parties

They also have a limited selection of craft supplies and gift wrap, both of which have come in handy.  And they have a remarkably nice selection of socks, including the little Japanese socklets that are so popular here.   It's also a good place to try out weird Japanese candy--if it's nasty you can throw it out and you haven't lost much.

Another good thing about the Daiso is that a lot of the goods are actually made in Japan.  Usually when you see cheap stuff here it's made in China--sound familiar?  Although, for the record, some of the stuff in Daiso is made in China but not all of it.  I think the selection of Japan-made goods are what make it an unusually nice dollar store chain.  And most items are actually 100¥ ($1.26 at the current exchange rate) but they do have some items up to 500¥.  So I always walk out with a basketful and rarely spend more than $10.  Can't beat that, right? :)

Around Asakusa

Here are some photos I took awhile back in the Asakusa area of Tokyo.  This is an area that we were always going through, but never stopping at.  When I finally did stop there I was amazed at what a great part of Tokyo we had been overlooking. 

Asakusa is where the Tokyo SkyTree tower is, and it's also where one of the most famous temples in Tokyo (Sensō-ji) is located.  What I didn't know is that around the temple there is some really, really good bazaar-style shopping with mainly traditional Japanese goods.  It is definitely on my personal list of favorite places to shop in the city.  The only downside is that it can be extremely crowded, both at the bazaar stalls and at the temple.

looking down one of the main shopping streets

The main shopping street is Nakamise-dōri which leads right up to the temple.  You can find kimonos, fans, dolls, haircombs, woodblock prints, traditional foods and a huge assortment of cheap souvenirs.  All the prices are very reasonable.  Off of the main street are many side streets with endless shops and restaurants.

these types of areas of Tokyo are the best

the SkyTree from the bazaar

There has been some kind of temple here since AD 645 but it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times (it was bombed in WWII).  Most of the current buildings have been built in the last 60 years.  The temple is popularly known as Asakusa Kannon and people still go there to pray and make wishes every day.

Hozo-mon Gate at the entrance

Hozo-mon Gate and the 5-Story Pagoda

entering the Main Hall (note the crowds)

inside the temple: to the left right outside the photo were people throwing coins
and praying. you can't seem them, but there are coins flying through the air
into the slats in this contraption

statues on the grounds

I have no doubt I'll be back in this area many time and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo for a short stay.

Please Mr. Postman

So, the sad fact is that many of my days here in Japan are just not that exotic and exciting.  Hence, no blog posts.  I will try to do better.  Please bear with me. ;)

So today, I'm going to blog about the Japanese post office.  Thrilling, right?

The main thing you need to know about the postal service here is that while the mailman delivers letters and small packages he will not pick them up.  Anything I want to mail out, even a postcard, has to be taken to a post office or to a public mailbox (which can be anywhere).

like this one

The blog title is what I want to say to the mailman sometimes.....as in "Please can't you just take this to the post office for me?"  

here is our mailman.  they ride scooters here.

I heard somewhere that the Japanese postal system was modeled on the British one so maybe this is also how it works there.  I dunno.  All I know is that I've been in the Japanese post office way more than I was ever in an American one.

our local post office

You can recognize a post office by the red "T" with an extra bar.  That's the kanji for "yuubinkyoku" which is the word for for post office.  And the signs are usually red and orange.  I have mailed many large packages here at the counter inside, they are always very nice and helpful to the poor foreigner speaking pidgin Japanese.  And so far everything has reached it's recipient.

click to enlarge to read the services
(it's in English too)

And last, an interesting note about delivery services other than the postal service.  They will deliver packages any time of day or night here.  They have come at 8pm on a Friday night, 8am on a Sunday morning and any time in between.  I have no idea of the names of some of these companies....I know DHL and FedEx are in Japan but they come only rarely.  Yamato Transport (also known as "black cat delivery" because of their cat logo) is a popular one here but they come rarely too.  The ones who deliver to us most often I don't know.  If we are not here, they will leave a slip and we have to call to arrange a delivery time.  Usually, they will say "We'll be there in an hour.".  Even if it's 7pm.  They'll show up at 8pm with your package.  It was pretty amazing at first, but we've gotten used to it.  I have a feeling that American delivery services are going to be pretty disappointing when we go back.....

Update 6/22/12: I had to call today for package redelivery and it is actually the postal service (Japan Post) that brought the package.  And turns out they do bring most of the packages, so there you go.  They are also the best, because they have a number you can call to arrange redelivery in English.

Kimono Chic

So I've been meaning to do a post about kimono-wearing for a long time but never quite got around to it. I decided now was the time, mostly because as summer begins kimonos are starting to pop up on the streets and in the stores again.

First off, yes, Japanese people still wear them in the summer to go about their daily business. Mostly older people, younger people tend to wear them only for special occasions, like festivals. Second, the fairly casual ones people wear around these days are not technically "kimonos" but are instead called "yukata". A Japanese person will almost always kindly and politely correct you if you call a yukata a kimono. The word "kimono" seems to be reserved for the really formal, old-fashioned ones.

I have seen yukata in the mall, the supermarket, on the subway, on the streets, at festivals, you name it. The last time I went to Tokyo alone I rode the subway with a stylin' old guy wearing a yukata and a fedora. It was very Japanese Mad Men. Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo without treating him like a zoo animal. Sometimes though, I can grab a sneaky shot, like the one below which was at a hotel in Odaiba. The international ikebana (flower-arranging) festival was being held and a lot of the Japanese ladies had busted out their best yukata.

the photo doesn't do it justice, it was beautiful.
note the muted colors--typical for older ladies.

The one above was obviously very high-quality. I can only imagine how much it cost. I do know that you can get cheap ones over at Aeon (which, again, is basically Wal-mart) which will run you about $100. And that is just for the yukata and the obi (waist sash). You also need the geta (wooden flip-flops) and usually there is a tiny matching purse and hair accessories plus I think you may have to get some sort of slip to go under it separately. Altogether a super "cheap" ensemble will run you about $200.

a cheap one for sale at Aeon--it looks pretty, but the
fabric is super rough, scratchy cotton

at a fireworks festival--these are the cheaper variety
and they are bright and patterned because the girls are young

As for the formal kimonos, it's my understanding that you can rent one for your wedding or another very formal occasion. You can see a photo of a wedding kimono here--I know a Japanese girl who rented one for her traditional wedding a couple of years ago. I saw her pictures and it looks like the one at the link, hat and all. Of course, she also had photos taken in a Western-style gown too, which I think is pretty common.

I'm also looking forward to trying to spot some real geisha in their real kimonos when we go to Kyoto next month. We're taking a short trip and staying in Gion, which was the old geisha district and there are still plenty of them wandering around in traditional dress.

a local kimono shop, just for renting I think

I may or may not purchase one for myself before we leave but that's not to say I haven't bought any at all....wrap-style "kimono" outfits are really popular for babies, especially newborns. ;)

See How My Garden Grows

Awhile back I bought some corn.  As in tiny corn stalks.  Three for about $1.50.  They're planted in my front yard.    You don't see much corn growing around here and the ears they sell in supermarkets taste like plastic.  If I get so much as one ear I will be thrilled.  Heck, at this point, if I can just get it to grow to a respectable sized stalk I'll be pretty happy.

I'm much more confident about my cucumbers, although this is also my first time growing them.  They're growing as fast as the baby.  Is this not the prettiest little cucumber you ever saw?

Tomatos and I are old friends.

And my herbs (basil, oregano, parsley) are doing nicely, except that the empty space on the end has had a couple of cilantro (called coriander here) seeds buried in it for almost two weeks.   The other herbs were bought as tiny plants.  I don't do very well with seeds for some reason.  I always thought you just put some seeds in dirt, watered them and set them in the sun but apparently I'm wrong. ;)