Experiencing World Class Shopping (which wasn't really the point)

In the previous two days I actually had fun doing something I never had really done before in my life.  Okay, granted, I bought stuff I needed (like a white-out pen and a bunch of chopsticks), but it was fun touring the commercial parts of Tokyo and Yokohama with friends, both Japanese and not.

Our first stop on Friday was Shibuya, the Japanese equivalent of Times Square.  After waiting about half an hour by some very handy misting machines, our party was complete and we were ready to see [at least part of] the city.

The first thing you notice about shopping in Japan is that almost everything costs a lot more.  Yes, we were in the most commercial district in possibly the world, but that's not entirely the reason.  For some reason, clothing that says it was made in Hawaii is really popular in Japan.  A good deal of people have shirts with some sort of reference to Hawaii.  Most of the T-shirts we saw (we weren't in an area that sold really nice clothing) ranged from about 3000 Yen to 13000 Yen, which can get pretty ridiculous, especially if all the shirt has on it is a picture of a Cherokee Indian holding a music note-shaped bow.

Shoes were the most expensive items.  I suppose they are similarly expensive in the US, but 23000 Yen for some shoes that look like the one's I currently own?  I guess style has some power.

Our "tour guide" (actually one of Taeko's friends) was a very energetic Japanese 20-year-old who was in an internship at Goldman-Sachs.  One of our group members was very interested in economics, and had a good time chatting with him.  He seemed to know Tokyo very well, as he took us to many interesting shops (and some other strange ones).

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One thing you notice in Japan fairly quickly is that the Japanese are fascinated enough with English that they don't really care what it actually means (kind of like what we think about Asian characters).  Thus, you run into a lot of shops with names like Titty & co. or Condomania (hence the picture).  This "Engrish" (as it is popularly referred to) also permeates signs and stickers throughout Japan.  A few great examples:

• On what is roughly the equivalent of a bumper sticker we found the following quotes: 

"Money is good. I love money. I want as much money as possible." (accompanied by a picture of a person with a Yen sign in the middle of their forehead)

"No diving, no matter how sexy she is." (again, pushing the politically correct bill)

"I have janky switch in my brain." (???)

We also discovered that the Japanese have stereotypes about the different blood types.  Type A people are supposed to be very punctual and witty, Type O very generous, and Type B somewhat cowardly (hence the sticker "Be careful of people with Type B blood, they often run away").  To me it seems like a really absurd stereotype, given the relatively recent discovery of blood types, and the inability to actual tell someone's blood type by quick and easy means (unlike racial or ethnic prejudices).  Taeko said it's not a very poignant stereotype, however, so don't expect the Japanese to look down upon you when they find out your blood has only B antigens.

I soon have to leave for another event at Yamate Gakuin (the high school).

Again, direct any questions to the comments.  I will answer them when I get to it (hopefully this evening).

Atiki Masu!