Clothes Shopping in Japan

Clothes shopping in Japan can be very difficult.  As a foreigner at 176.5 cm (5' 9.5"), I have a difficult time finding clothes long enough or big enough (I HAVE HIPS) to purchase in Japan.  I have had luck, however, at Uniqlo.  

NOTE: I have NOT shopped in store (or online) at Uniqlo in the States, so please let me know if something is the same there that I don't know about.  

Trying on clothes in Japan is a little bit different than the States.  

The same: 

1. Inside there is a row of fitting rooms

2. They want to know how many pieces of clothing you want to try on (you get a number) 

3.You go into your own cubicle to try the clothes on  

Different: 

1. There is only one fitting room, so men and women use the same one.  

2. There is a slightly raised platform in the cubicle and you have to remove your shoes before you stand on it, as if you were going into someone's home. It makes perfect sense.  It keeps that area where people are in their socks cleaner.  Those same socks will be touching their floor at home later that day when they leave.  

3. I went to try on a dress (yay for dresses that are supposed to be long on Japanese women!) and they gave me this: a face covering. On one hand it makes perfect sense: many women wear make up and I have seen foundation on clothes that I have wished to try on in the States and I have been grossed out.  On the other hand, I felt ridiculous! 😂

4.  This is where I don't know if Uniqlo in the States uses this technology for check out; if they do, that's awesome!  If they don't, then here's a little video.  I checked out in less than a minute.  It might have been even faster if I had their app (I should probably download it, since it seems to be my go-to store for clothes now). 

My basket of clothes.  This was filmed in winter, thus the jacket.  

SIDE NOTE: In the States, fire extinguishers are in glass boxes mounted on a wall.  In Japan, they are just sitting around in stores, sometimes not even in a holder like this one.  Why do you think this is different?  In the States it seems that there is a smaller degree of trust in individual people and so I would assume that they are behind glass so that no one uses them at the wrong time.  But in Japan trust seems to be put more in people, like people leave their shopping carts in a parking area after paying for things at Costco and waiting in line to buy food,  AND NO ONE TOUCHES ANYTHING. They also leave crane toy prizes ON TOP of the machines NOT LOCKED UP and NO ONE TOUCHES ANYTHING.  Any ideas as to what the difference is?  It's got to be cultural and perhaps based on the individualism in the States versus doing things for society as a whole in Japan.  

So what do you think of clothes shopping in Japan? Do you think the differences make for a better experience? Let me know!

Random Kyoto Pictures

 All of the pictures that weren't from any particular activity from our trip will be here. 

Here is proof that we made the most of our Saturday in Kyoto! I did more than two times my step goal and TEN TIMES my stair goal! (Thanks monkey park and Fushimi Inari Shrine!)

 

Kyoto is gorgeous!

It was a very peaceful scene.  Then I noticed a butterfly!

C said he'd like to ride in this boat, hahaha, yes, please!

Miffy.

Random cuteness!

The masks I wear the most have Rilakkuma on them! Had to check out this store!

The garden in back of the store.

Rilakkuma themed treats.

We didn't buy and Rilakkuma treats or souvenirs, but we did get sakura (cherry blossom) mochi flavored ice cream! It really tasted like sakura mochi!  

We rode in the Demon Slayer (anime) themed train car on the way back.  Philip has a selfie of us with a cut out.  I'll have to ask him for it and update later.  

Philip was so nice to C.  It was a lot of walking that day!

In the train station.

It seems there are these kinds of towers all over Japan. It doesn't make them any less beautiful. 

The Pokémon Center

We visited the Pokémon Center in one of the local malls (at a train station). Basically the Pokémon Center is a store completely dedicated to all things Pokémon and you can get things that aren't available elsewhere. Sorry these pictures aren't the best. There were a lot of people and I was trying not to directly take pictures of anyone I didn't come with. 

It was a Saturday afternoon, so unfortunately it was very crowded. 

Piplup, the cute penguin!

Lots of different charms to choose from.

Fun stationery.

There were several options of eco bags. Have I mentioned everyone brings their own bags here? If they don't, they pay for a bag (I believe convenience stores are the exception).

They must hold events here, but nothing happening this time. 

Lunch accessories and mugs/cups.

The different trainers.

Kitchen items and bags! I was so tempted by the spatula and spoon! 

I was also very tempted by these pikachu rice bowls.

I thought this was so cool, but it was just for one person. 

I would definitely use these sauce dishes, but I should stick to the 100 yen shop for stuff like this. The smaller items are chopsticks rests.

Lots of jewelry to choose from!

Stickers! I got a Chansey on and Papa P got a sticker as well. 

I was also tempted by the Cherubi earrings. I love Cherubi and Cherubim. 

This was a Poregon phone case. It was soooooo heavy!

The line looked like one from an amusement park.  There were even posters and merchandise to look at and pick up. 

We thought this looked cool, but when we looked up the location, it's nearly two hours by train. Our 12 year old said, "Worth it!" So maybe we will at some point. By car it's a bit less than an hour and a half. 

C loves owls and these Rowlet socks. I am thinking Christmas. 

Both boys liked this shirt, but it was only in youth sizes (why are my kids growing up?!) It reminded us that we need to figure out our Japanese clothing sizes.  I have figured out my shoe size (for running shoes). 

The boys got to pick out an item in a certain price range. G picked Bronzong, one that you wouldn't usually see in a stuffed animal. 

C picked the new grass-type starter Pokémon from the newest game coming out, Sprigatito.

I picked out a hair clip of Mimikyu.

It was a cool place. If we end up going to see the Pokémon fossils I'll be sure to make a post about it.