A note on shopping

Gomen ne! I have been too busy to write anything for a few days.

Shopping in Japan is quite fun. There's a lot of random Engrish on everything. But as much as it makes me laugh, I appreciate it too, because sometimes it provides a useful hint as to what I'm actually looking at.

Also, when I'm trying to decide which brand to buy, sometimes I can't resist buying the one with the hilarious (or super cute) Engrish on it. So I guess it's effective for them in more ways than one...

Every day you can enjoy delicious yogurt.



Kasugai Peas & You. Is it just me, or does this sound like a good title for a daytime soap?



In an effort to eat a little bit more healthily, I broke down and bought some cereal and milk. (I've looked for soy milk, but it doesn't seem to exist here, at least not in the big grocery stores.)

This milk has a super-charming backstory. Could you resist it? 'Cause I sure couldn't.



My katakana has also improved immensely since I've been here, and I think it's mostly from just trying to read the packaging on things.

Suddenly I like brands a LOT more. I'm buying stuff I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole back home, like Kraft cheese. Even if I don't buy the name brand, seeing a brand I recognize can help me identify what a whole group of products is -- e.g. Nivea (hand lotion), Pantene (shampoo and conditioner), Kraft (cheese), Kelloggs (cereal). So I always feel this sense of relief when I see brands I know.

Happy Time lotion. Familiar brand, not so familiar product...



Nivea also helped me out with the sunscreen. Er, sun protect water milk. Whatever, it gets the job done.



Also, I've developed a new respect for packaging that has pictures that clearly depict what a product is. It's amazing how many packages don't, when you take the text away.

Give me the brain... the pineapple is looking at me.



I've been eating a lot of Japanese junk food and bento from the grocery store. I like to play the game of buy-some-random-thing-and-see-what-it's-like! I've already found a couple of things I really love. Like these little chocolate cookie things. They are SO good.



And these, too. Mmmm.



It's not just the grocery store, either. Here's a little something from the Daiso:

Five-Finger Socks. That totally made sense to me for a second, and then I was like "...wait, what?" Bonus: "A fluffy and puffy nice feeling!"



I'll have to include the large size of this next one so you can read it. Instructions for a flashlight. "Don't drop it hard things. It causes damage and the breakdown."



We know you wanted leg warmers with a cool border, but unfortunately this is all we've got.



And finally, I leave you with this:



I know you were going to smork, but you can't, OK? You just can't. It says not to right there.