Later that day

 Our trip has been jam packed with visits for the time we have been here, so it's good that we have a few hours of free time this afternoon to browse the neighbourhood around the hotel.The  first stop is close to our hotel, where like many of the Japanese stations we have travelled through, there is a huge shopping mall, full of a range of retail outlets from little coffee shops to huge department stores. There are lots of well dressed people shopping and the shops themselves are of a high quality; the big department store we go into reminds me of Fenwicks in Leicester or Selfridges in Birmingham. It actually has 2 basement floors dedicated to all sorts of food items - fresh, cooked, store cupboard staples - you name it, you could probably buy it here!

We have been impressed by the quality of the the food we have eaten on the trip, whether in hotels or restaurants, or bought on the move; the fruit in particular has been fantastic and we have learnt a little about the Japanese love of strawberries, not the tasteless ones we can buy here out of season, but really tasty varieties grown under glass in Japan through our winter and spring. It's an example of the Japanese eye for detail and quality that they are displayed according to the variety and taste, as shown on this chart by the strawberries.



However they are expensive - this special box costs around £25!


Some of the fruit is presented in very special baskets, individually wrapped ( and probably individually polished too!) These are often taken as gifts, which seems a lovely idea and much healthier than a box of chocolates!


Given the small delicate stature of most Japanese women, I soon realise that most of the clothes on sale would probably only have fitted me when I was around 12 and certainly not now! This is a real shame, as there are some lovely linen outfits and very stylish but simple dresses and tops made from good quality cotton, but I do spot these very blingy handbags ( and know someone who would love them!)


They are only about 9" high and made from a shimmery, diamanté type of fabric that I haven't seen before.
Examples of items we don't often see in such quantities in the UK are several racks of hats, different styles and suitable for summer or winter wear ( our tour guide Hiro always wears her little bucket hat) Also racks of gloves, again different styles for winter or summer wear, including long lacy styles which may be for wearing with traditional dress. 
One major difference we realise afterwards is the large number of shop staff available to serve customers in each area, they are not 'pushy' but available to help, answer queries and assist with your purchases - a far cry from the situation in most of our department stores where shop assistants seem to have vanished completely!







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