Hardware Store In Japan

I don’t think I’ve seen any home hardware store like that ones we have here in Canada or the United States - so if you are thinking of fixing your own things in Japan - you might have a hard time finding them. Or if you want some bearings while you are living in Japan - I guess you might just have to order it from a catalog or get someone from home to mail them to you from US.

The Japanese are big on Hello Kitty and Disney World and even their TV stations - but when it comes to Home Dept - or a Lowe - sorry!  don’t have that - all the hardware stores I’ve seen so far are only shop houses - that sells cans and even alcohol - yes! alcohol! in those hardware store  hahha!  or they have specialize bike stores in Japan - lots of them - but nowhere to find bearings or paint - or even flooring.  So I really don’t know where they go for stuff like that - strange to me - when in Japan you can get just about any kind of electronics.

iPhone 4 Adverts In Japan

We all know that the Japanese are very innovative but creativity also comes along with the Japanese - can you see what they did with promoting the iPhone 4?  yes in the subways!  where millions of people go thru’ these gates everyday.  Pretty smart eh?  I wished the folks here were more creative.

Banana Vending Machine

Yes..!  a Banana Vending machine in Shibuya and Ginza - but you would think they would have one banana in the vending machine instead of a bunch?  for passerby who wants a snack or a fruit?   Who would be walking with a bunch of banana and then go shopping? or taking the subway?  hahah!!  we all know the Japanese are pretty innovative - oh wait a minute - the girlfriend just corrected me - a banana cost 130 Yen and a bunch cost 390 Yen - so yes - they do sell just one banana.   Pretty cute!

Nagoya Pokemon Center

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I had almost forgotten about the Nagoya’s Pokemon Center because there is another one in Tokyo - that looks a lot nicer than this one.  But if you are in the Nagoya’s vicinity - and a Pokemon crazy fan - you can check it out.  If I remembered correctly it’s located in the Oasis.   Do check out the internet/manga cafe while you are there - pretty interesting - hopefully they are still there though.

StarBucks Japan With LCD TV

One would think with Japan being so high tech and having one of the largest electronic stores there - an LCD TV inside Starbucks Japan wouldn’t be a bad idea right?  I had written a comment on one of their comment card many years ago - but i see they didn’t take me seriously at all.  But look out for their flavor of the month for this summer - dark mocha & orange Frappie.  Yums!  And if you are wondering about prices for some starbucks caffeine - check below.

One Short Ice/Hot Coffee of Starbucks Coffee in Tokyo is ¥290

One Tall Ice/Hot Coffee of Starbucks Coffee in Tokyo is ¥340

One Grande Ice/Hot Coffee of Starbucks Coffee in Tokyo is ¥390

Coffee Jelly Frappuccino  (Tall ¥480, Grande ¥530)

One thing about Starbucks anywhere in the world - the employees are all so chic and hip.  Don’t you agree with me?

Square Enix, Japan

For the geeks going to Japan and thinking of visiting Square Enixin Hatsudai - don’t be too disappointed because i found that it was way too expensive for my liking - even though the engineers that was with me did buy some very expensive t-shirt.   But it was a good trip as far as I can remember - and if anything - the life size statue of Sephiroth was pretty impressive. And then we went on a eating spree of course and I was like thinking to myself - i need to find some  diets that work because even though you can get the healthiest food in Japan - one tends to overeat while you are there… and I was there for 6 months.  Next - food in Japan - I promise.

Gadget Savvy Japanese Gals

If you think or in your mind think that all Japanese girls are demure and shy - then you are wrong - those that i know are very gadget and tech savvy and knows all about  car insurance and unlike me - who needs to wait for the spouse to do that for me.   When i was a kid, i had an exchange student in my class and she had all the cutest looking thing one can ever dream of.  And now - that same girl that I’ve known all my life - is the most tech and gadget savvy japanese gal I know.   The classic japanese gals in Japan has a HP notebook, and ipod touch, cellphone, digital cameral and of couse the USB key but of course they had to be cute looking - quality to a Japanese gal is more important than quantity - no wonder the Japanese has new stuff every year to satisfy the needs of the tech and gadget savvy Japanese gals.

Homes In Japan

Most commonly seen item in any Japanese home is a rice cooker - and you can imagine the Japanese having one of the most high tech kind of rice cooker or any kind of kitchen gadget you can find.  Not only are the makes of things in Japan consumer friendly - they are all designed to suit the individual taste of the different age group of Japanese ladies and men.   The other common item seen in a Japanese home are   wall sconces, the Japanese are the most meticulous people I’ve seen, they can certainly make their home look really pretty without spending too much money.  But having said that - they would rather buy 1 good quality furniture than 10 which are inferior in quality.

Solar CellPhone Charger

Trust the japanese to come up with not only useful gadgets but darn cute one .. like this Hello Kitty solar Cellphone charger.  Unlike the 115334 vacuum motor this seems a lot less complicated eh.   This mini solar charger is so light .. it is also eco friendly.  But note that it only gives like 500 charges and then you have to throw it out and get another one.  But it’s darn cute.. and i’ll take this anytime.. then to carry my charger around.  What about you..??

Halloween @ Asakusabashi

Shinjuku is a great place to shop but if you want the really good stuff, I would recommend Asakusabashi - a wholesale area and also known as the handicraft town.   Halloween being round the corner, you can see a lot of Halloween stuff on sale now.