Toys R Us and Vending Restaurants

Sing with me.

Come on. You know you want to!

"Over the river and through the woods town, to Toys R Us we go... " 

Alright, so the song is cheesy, but the mountains are beautiful! Now that the rainy season has ended we can see all the amazing mountains that surround us. It is a breathtaking day.

We needed to get a birthday gift for an upcoming party, so we headed out to see how Japan does Toys R Us.  Saturday is a great day to shop, but since the young children normally are in school on saturday we thought we would be fine. 

We were wrong. It was a 'holiday' from Saturday school. OK then. Good to know. 

When we got there we were surprised to see a very long line all the way outside of the store. We had no idea what the line was for. We stood in it anyway. (This is what happens when you can't speak or read the lanuage. There was a sign, but it was gooble-ly gook to us, so we stood in line.) 

When we got inside the store and got to the aisles we realized that the line was going straight to the cashiers. What? No one spoke any English so we were clueless to why they were standing in the long lines. 

Now, what? We broke off from the line and started shopping. Actually, Hubby and the kids went shopping. 

I followed the line and watched. The creepy chick you hear about on Japanese television who watches everyone while they go about their normal day.... that's me. 

Hey, I have to learn somehow!

I learned that we just happened to pick the one day this year that new Pokemon cards were being released in Japan. That is my typical shopping experience. Seriously, never get behind me in a line! I can just be standing there and the cash register breaks, the person's card doesn't work or the items need a price check, from .... Africa! I should probably buy a shirt: "AVOID MY LINE AT ALL COSTS!" So, of course, we pick THIS day to shop. It's my world.

Well, I was determined to ignore the line and shop away. I had Yen in my pocket and everyone knows that that doesn't last too long. Whatever shall we find in the aisles...

First thing we noticed is true all over Japan. I am not sure why we were surprised. They leave the toys out. No one steals the toys. Imagine that. A world where you can test something out first. What a concept.

Most of the shoppers stayed in the long line for Pokemon cards. It made the large store rather empty. 

The "Pocket Monsters", which was shortened to "Poke-mon" went it went international, section is huge. It is fascinating to see the different characters next to lettering I recognize but don't know. It makes my brain stop and think a second. 

Then, there was the random Godzilla figure on clearance for $35. I can't imagine why anyone would need one of these things! 

 My youngest son had told us about a farming game that has gotten a lot of attention here. The government actually sanctioned to have to made. Apparently, families used to pass down farmland from generation to generation. Now, young people are having to work office jobs in order to provide for their families. The generation the family is counting on to work the farms now work in buildings. So, how does the government teach the next generation to work the farmland if this generation isn't doing it? You create a farming simulator game, make it fun and cheap so every youngster wants to play it. Hopefully, it ignites a fire in the next generation to work the farmland of Japan. Brilliant.

There was the Shinkansen, or bullet train, car complete with sound effects. It was pretty affordable at only $28. There were some pretty expensive, and extensive, train sets that would make grown man drool. Not my hubby, thankfully.

Here in the Land of the Raising Sun, they have a special affinity to things that are "kawai", or cute. Grown men will wear "kawai" purses simply because everyone loves the 'cute' things around here. It is an... interesting... phenomon. Well, here are the "Matchbox" type cars that are produced in Japan. Aren't they, I know, cute?

When my crew of kids were little they loved their mini, fold-out sofas. They would even share the sofas to watch a show or make it out into a bed to nap. There were a ton of characters available in the States. The bonus for our large family was you could buy the sofas for $20.  Here is one of those sofas on clearance for $54! Did I mention how expensive things are here? 

We had not seen this kind of chair for sale, though we see it at traditional resturants often. The "high chair" it -literally- just inches off the ground. Note the 'walker' next to it and you can compare the height. It is just so short! It is a nice wooden product that would last through several children. Still, the cheaply made cloth sofa is almost as much as this chair. We have been told that items that are made from renewable resources are less expensive, but we rarely find that to be true. It is true in this case.

Our eyes, and our minds really had to adjust to this display. The game of "Life" in Japanese. I know, what language did I expect it to be in? What can I say, it just looks vastly... different!

I'm not sure you heard, but recently the creator of Hello Kitty announced that Hello Kitty is actually a GIRL and not a kitty. 

Huh??  Mind Blown. 

Well, if that is true, and I'm sure it is since he is Japanese and had no reason to lie, then what is on this girl's head? 

Another girl? Weirdness. I'm just not sure what to make of that. 

It is such an adorable Barbie outfit we would have gotten it for our girls. I mean with the traditional "Kimono" clothes, shoes and ribbon. 

But, the $20 price tag stopped us. 

We would have to buy two of those puppies. Nah. Maybe for a birthday gift, but not just for a normal Saturday. 

Random tidbit of the day: "kimono" literally translate into "a something to wear". 

You can often tell if a woman is married by the length of the sleeves on her kimono. 

When a girl turns 20 she has a celebration for 'coming of age'. At that ceremony she is given a 'furisode'. The garment looks like a kimono, but has longer sleeves. The sleeves can be almost as long as the dress itself. 

As we were leaving we saw how people were using their new trading cards. (Each buyer was limited to 5 packs of new Pokemon cards.) There are computer consoles after the check out where you can 'play' the trading game against the computer itself, or against others across Japan. These machines were packed. (Come on, how many of you would stand in a long line for a playing card so you could stand in another long line for the kids to play with those trading cards. Not this girl!)

The other 'news' we saw when we were out and about was... in the bathroom. 

Now, there's a statement I never thought I would make!

There was a "No Smorking" sign in the restroom. Smorking.... I guess I will avoid doing that. Whatever that is.

Little C went to the restroom and ran out to say, "There are jackets on the toilet paper." 

"Umm....wait... What did you say?"

I went into the bathroom with my camera to investigate. Another statement that should never be said. 

Things you don't see everyday. Toilet paper in a fur coat. Check that one off of my bucket list. Ha!

The next fascination was a dual faucet. Have you ever seen one? It dispenses both the soap and the water. (Soap on one side, water on the other side.)

G washed her hands 

twice so I could get  picture. She is that sweet. The only bad part for us continues to be the height of the sinks. Can you tell how far she is bending down?

After we spent some yen at Toys R Us, we found a new place to eat. 

Wow, we do that a lot don't we? Well, that's what you do when you live in a new place. You 'test drive' all the new stores and restaurants. 

We went to a noodle place that seats 18 people. It is a 'moderate' seating place here. Places are truly that small! We are a family of 6, squeezing into tiny stores all over Nippon. (Nippon is what Japan calls itself, much like Germany calls itself Deutschland.) Yes, we are an oddity. But, come on, if you are reading this you already knew how ODD we are!

Today, we tried a "vending" restaurant. You order your meal at a vending machine that is actually in the entrance of the store. The machine spits out tiny little receipts (one for each dish you order). You take the receipts to a waitress who processes your order. The waitress and staff never touch money. Talk about keeping the money 'germs' away from the food! How about you don't allow money in the restaurant at all? That will keep the 'germ police' from bugging you. 

The labels on the machine are changed everyday to reflect the fresh fish that came in that day.

We are trying to educate the kids as much as possible. It is kinda the blind leading the blind at this point. Here,  A&M are deciphering the numerous entree and side dish options.

The girls don't eat too much. That makes them the easiest to order for. They always get the kid's meal. It's great because we get to see how the different establishments view kid's food. Plus, they often times get a little toy or sticker. They love that part.

In Japan, a 'combo' meal is called a 'set'. The "kids set" at this eatery was about $3. It came with ramen, juice and "dessert". The "dessert" was chips, but whatever. The girls loved it! Their meal comes with a separate bowl so they can 'cool' the noodles or separate them from the broth. As you can see, our little prissy chick was thrilled with her food. 

A&M both went with ramen in various flavors. I went with Tappen Rice. It is a skillet dish with a fried egg on the bottom, rice and meat on top. They pour soy sauce on it as they put it on your place. It was delicious. Typical to most places, we all recieved miso soup as well.  

Another adventure in our new country done. 

Another day where the locals were probably scratching their heads about those 'silly Americans'. 

We didn't solve world peace. I wish we could. Only open hearts and prayerful attitudes can do that. But, we gained a little confidence in ourselves and in our surrounding.

We were watched and wondered about when the six of our bowed our heads before we ate. It is hard for locals not to stare when our blond haired, 8 year old proudly talks to Jesus. She loudly blessed the food, prayed for the people at the table and asked for forgiveness for running into someone at the store. (We are working on having Japanese manners, but we still have some American tendencies at times.) Her heart is full and she is not ashamed to be a Christ follower.

What did you do that got you noticed today? I did not do as much as that little girl did. I need to up my game.

I am praying for you. Where ever you are right now. My family is praying for you. That you would be blessed and feel the love of Jesus today.

Until next time sweet readers, this Southern Belle needs to research.

I am off to find some donut recipes. The Japanese are wonderful, but they have not conquered the sugary, sinfully sweet, finger licking goodness of a hot Krispy Kreme.

Peace be with you,

~Aggie Amy