Shopping

I have often heard of Japan having a ‘bicycle economy’ - in other words, stop pedalling and you fall off. Well, most economies are like that, but shopping here seems to be something of a national sport. If you have enough yen and a tiny figure, clothes shopping could be great fun - especially if you love designer clothes, because even the scruffiest people here are fashionably scruffy. But I say ‘could’ because I have never attempted it. Apart from being a terrible shopper and having no interest in fashion, I don’t even bother to think of clothes shopping here; although I have no problems getting my size in the UK, in Japan I would probably have to find an outsize shop or look in a maternity section.

But the shops here are interesting. In swish malls you can find bright, fashionable clothes on the same floor that you might find all the necessary items for being a Geisha. Electrical shops are like an adult’s playground and there is no problem in trying out the goodies; while I was busy getting a massage a few days before by moving from one massage chair to another, my sister-in-law was having great fun trying out the exercise horses - little mechanical bulls designed for toning core muscles and thighs in the comfort of your own home (alternatively you could put it on its highest setting, get a couple of cowboy hats and invite your friends round for some beer and rodeo).

My weakness, however, is for homeware shops and 100-yen shops. Japan is big on cookery and food presentation, so it is a great place when looking for ideas. And as for the 100-yen shops, these are to be found everywhere. Surprisingly, they actually sell some pretty decent stuff too. (Just look for the Y100 signs, they usually can’t be missed.) And if you are between shops, you can always use a vending machine - cigarettes and non-alcoholic drinks are on sale everywhere in machines on the side of the street or at train stations.

The only disappointing thing about Japanese goods is that the really enticing stuff - the ultra-modern electrical items are for the very low Japanese electrical current (110v). If anything, I suppose it stops me from feeling tempted to buy a new stereo system, a massage chair and a mechanical bull. Shame. But I shall never be short of chopsticks.