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.