Baby Shopping In Japan

My friend who just had her baby not too long ago, shopped for most of her baby stuff in Japan - because they are ohhh - so cute!  as she puts it.  But because she jogs a lot and walks everywhere in Japan for her daily shopping and groceries - she needed a good stroller but can’t find one that is tough enough for daily walks and jobs.  So she ordered it online - the UPPAbaby Cruz was what I had recommended her - because I’ve seen everyone using it in my neighborhood and they are for the on-the-go parents.  My girlfriend is constantly on the go - so this would be an ideal product for her and her baby.   Lucky for us - we have the internet to buy whatever we need even if we are not in the same country.  90% of her baby stuff were bought in Japan - but the stroller and car seat I know she chose to get it from home.

Tokyo Subway

Unfortunately, I haven’t been on the Tokyo subway on my own - I always travel with someone who have been in Japan for a long time.  The subway in Tokyo is like a huge maze - looking at the maps in the train station can be very mind boggling and intimidating if you ask me.  Even if you approach anyone - they hardly speak in English.  I have never seen a cramp train before - maybe I was lucky - but it can be very crowded at the Tokyo subway - at all times of the day.  But given that there are so many people living in Tokyo alone - it’s not hard to understand that the subway is open till late at night.  But if you are ever in Tokyo - you have to take the subway at least once and experience it yourself.

Shopping In Downtown Shinjuku

If you hear anyone tell you that shopping at downtown Shinjuku is a blast - they are not wrong - there is just so much to pick from - you don’t know where to begin and don’t know where to stop.  I used to be so addicted to shopping in Shinjuku - that I had to put my credit card on freeze for a week to stop my addition.  I would look for those discount ray bans and handbags and the most funkiest looking dresses or shoes.   If you walk in the downtown Japan, you will see that you are surrounded by the most fashionable kids and you just envy them for being able to wear what they do.

How I wished I was young and rich - that way I can buy anything and wear just about anything instead of being confined to work clothes since we spend a lot of time in the office.  But on can’t resist those discounted ray bans for they were so popular once upon a time.  If I can go back to Japan - I would spend a few days just shopping at downtown Shinjuku.

Nijo Castle Kyoto

Like all foreigners who have been in Japan for several months - we tend to go visit our nearby neighbors and Kyoto is one of my favorite place to go to - if there was a long weekend.  I’ve been to Nijo Castle in Kyoto once with some friends and it was pretty quiet and tranquil.

We had taken a bus to Nijo Castle and like most foreigners we thought we were being smart by getting the bus pass - that takes us to several touristy places in Kyoto - but alas, apparently, we are not the only one with smart thinking haha!  Yes ! it was packed but that’s alright - we had fun waiting for the next bus and we met some really nice people going to Nijo Castle as well.

Nijo Castle had very impressive architecture as you can see here at the entrance and it was built to protect the Imperial Palace.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside the grounds but the outside garden was not a problem - like most castles in Japan - this one was quite similar.  Admission to Nijo Castle is about 600 Yen - about $5 Canadian I think and if you want an English guide you have to pay extra.  Nijo Castle is said to be build by a Shogun and they lived inside the castle to protect the imperial palace.

Japanese Wives Club

When I was living in Japan for 6 months - I’ve had the privileged to meet some wonderful wives of my engineers stationed in Japan - and they taught me many things about shopping in Japan.  A lot of people thinks that shopping in Japan is expensive but they are just like us in the West - and only buy quality things and things that are on sale - and using wet seal coupons as well - to get the best deals.  One very important lesson I learned from these Japanese wives is that they never buy things that are not of good quality and of a good deal.  Even when it comes to groceries and marketing - they buy the freshest but the cheapest and make the best dish for their husbands when they come home from work.  So yes!  the Japanese wives club had ladies ranging from the age of 25 - right up to 45 of age.  And for every thing they buy for themselves and for their family - they take care in getting the right things for them.

Pink Pepsi

Strawberry and milk flavor - and I would loved to try it - but only in Japan can you find seasonal flavors for everything it seems - from Kit Kat chocolate and now pepsi drink.  Should be a really interesting drink don’t you think?  Launching out today I heard - wonder how it went.  I haven’t tried it - so I won’t be able to tell you the taste - so those heading to Japan right at this moment or soon - make sure you try this pink stuff.

Baby Cafe In Japan

Not much of a baby’s cafe if you asked me - but what do i know right?  plus it’s white in color - now that’s not so smart eh?  but mothers are supposed to be able to gather here and have some beverages while there children play safely - and really i don’t see much to play - but it’s shibuya - and for an hour’s worth of play time for the kids - it will make you poorer by 500Yen.  Children under 7 only - so it’s pretty exclusive - but the Japanese have the money that’s for sure.

Nail Art In Japan

Nail art from Japan has gotta be one of the most amazing art work that I’ve seen and they really make you feel like yo8u are so outdated.  This is a halloween nail art - so it looks kinda horror but there are so many cute ones that one can choose to wear.   i don’t know how one works with nails like that but when you are shopping in Tokyo - you will see lots of younger girls having nail art on their hands.   I hear they are pretty expensive - but I do like them and will try them out when I do visit Japan again.

Cookie Boy In Japan

Cookie as an art in Japan is not new - in fact everyone loves this place so much and when I was there - I go there everyday because I needed some sweets.  But Japanese do make their food so much more interesting - that I sometimes feel bad eating them.  Nevertheless, when one is in Japan - I’m sure we would just about eat anything and everything.  Even the street food looks so good - and I can’t get enough of them.  So the best ways to suppress your appetite when in Japan is bringing your supplement along else you will end up like me - coming home with at least and extra baggage of 5Kg - I kid you not.

Yabaton In Nagoya

Some said this will caused a cardiac arrest - hahah! but I still had to try it.   A huge pork cutlet with miso sauce with rice at the bottom of the bowl and it was super cheap too.  The miso sauce isn’t as thick but was still good but just be prepared to wait for 15 mins for your seat - I’m just happy that the friend I was with knows the owner and we got in immediately.