5 Things I've Noticed When Shopping in Japan

From the talking trucks to singing train stations Japan is very different to Australia including your shopping experience. Good service is very important in Japan and shop staff work very hard just to offer the service which is expected of them. Furthermore, there are some different rules of etiquette required of a customer when they enter a store. Here are some points I've noticed after spending 5 months in Japan.

Be sure to let me know about your experience shopping overseas in the comments section!

1. Umbrellas in the rack

During the rainy season an umbrella rack will be placed at the door of the shop. It's expected that customers place their umbrellas in there. Bringing them into the store may wet the floor, making it dangerous for other customers or simply damage the merchandise. Angelic Pretty has an umbrella stand outside for customer umbrellas and inside for their umbrellas - just be careful not to mix up the two or forget your umbrella when you leave.

2. Bags don't belong on the floor

In Australia I didn't worry about putting my bag on the floor when I went to cafe or restaurant. In Japan, cafes, restaurants and some shops offer baskets or tables to put your bags on. Victorian Maiden have a coat rack and a chaise lounge to put your belongings on and shop staff will kindly take your coat and bag when you enter the store. 

3. I'll see you to the door

If you purchase something at a store the staff will often carry your shopping to the door for you! If available they will also get you a new version of the item from the back of the store, wrap it up all nicely in a bag and perhaps include a sticker or postcard form the store. It's a way to thank you for your patronage and ensure that each customer feels attended to individually.

4. Kawaiiiiiiiiiii <3

Shop staff will compliment you if you try something on - without fail. I'm still not used of it myself but it's all a part of serving the customer individually and encouraging further patronage. The most popular comments I've heard are kawaii - "cute", suteki - "incredible/amazing" and o-niai desu - "it suits you". Shop staff are also forth coming when you're browsing the blouses: yoroshikereba, hirogete mite kudasai - "you can unfold it to see what its looks like if you wish" and when you're drooling over dresses: yoroshikereba, kagami de awasete mite kudasai - "you can hold it up in the mirror to see what it's like if you wish". They will also help tie up bonnets and do up your shoes if you try them on.

5. No shoes in the house

Or rather in the change rooms. Change rooms will often be carpeted and you will need to take your shoes off before you enter. There are also stores which have make up covers that you're encouraged to wear over your head and some places won't let you try anything on unless you're wearing a camisole.

I've always thought that shopping in Japan was like that feeling you get in your dream where you're in your school... but it's not actually your school. The setting seems to be the same but the feelings and things you experience are completely different. I take my hat off to the shop staff who work so hard to make everyone's shopping experience so special.

Let me know about your shopping experiences in foreign countries in the comments. What happened? How did it make you feel?

Until next time...

Ta-Da!

~*First Post Wow*~

First A Little Bit About Me...

Hi, my name's Sarah. I'm an Australian in my mid-twenties and currently in Japan on a Working Holiday. I have a lot of hobbies including drawing, singing, scrap booking and lolita fashion. I really love Sailor Moon, Japanese culture and theatre. 

What I would like this blog to be...

I would like this to be a log of the things I do and places I go in Japan. Uploading photos and talking about my experiences for other people to see.

First of all some pictures of Lolita...

I've been interested in Japanese fashion for around 5 years but I only recently began purchasing lolita dresses in October 2012. Actually my first Japanese brand that I fell in love with is Liz Lisa. I quickly realised that the style didn't suit my taste, which is unfortunate because their clothes are adorable. I never thought about being a Lolita until I met someone at a party wearing a Lolita dress. I recognised the style immediately and fell in love with the beauty of the clothes and the extroverted style. 

I enjoy being able to jump out of my usual jeans and T-shirt style and wear something outrageous! I love the thematic aspect to the clothing and the artistic detail that goes into the prints and design. A huge part of the appeal is the conservative nature where bloomers and high necks are common place. I, personally, don't like short skirts and low cut tops which make me feel uncomfortable but I understand that other people wear these things and don't mind if they do. 

What I'm looking forward to at the moment...

It's Golden Week soon in Japan, which is basically a big clump of National Holidays that occur in May. I'm going to be able to get my hands on the clothes I sent over in the post including the only pair of Lolita shoes I brought over! This will mean 30% more going out in Lolita including wearing my newest item in my wardrobe *drum roll* Chess Chocolate OP in Ivory!

Hopefully I can head out with my Lolita friends in Chocolate coordinates and go to a cafe. I'm excited just thinking about it!

Until next time! 

Sarah - The Drop Bear Lolita

99% fat free Haul post #1

~*The (pitiful) culmination of my 3 months in Japan*~

It's been a little over 3 months since I got to Japan and my only haul was this gorgeous lavender Ribbon logo cutsew from BTSSB.

It's the matching cutsew for the recent Usakumya-chan is a petite patissier series. It's gorgeous.

~*Last month's diet haul*~

A lack of sufficient work hours has meant I've been on a haul diet since I arrived but last month I was finally able to secure another job so when the pay check came in I have been able to get my grabby hands on a couple of things on my staple items list.

A pair of white pumps from a shoe store called Esperanza and a short umbrella from Baby, the stars shine Bright! I've wanted white shoes and an umbrella for ages!

The shoes were on sale and the relatively simple style means I could use them outside of lolita as well. Japan, surprisingly, has a lot of shoe clips, which I may utilise in future or simply make my own. 

~*What I'm looking forward to at the moment*~

In a couple of weeks time I'll be heading to Osaka to purchase this beautiful Cotton frill jumper-skirt from Victorian Maiden. I plan to match it with the Rose bouquet over dress which I've had waiting patiently in my closet (tags still attached) since I bought it over a year ago.

The Rose bouquet over-dress I have is in the pink colour way.

I finally got my clothes that I sent across from Australia including Dream Sky and extra cut-sews. In the next month I would like to dress up a lot more in lolita and also take photos! Hopefully, I will continue to get more work as the month continues so my next haul can be 100% full cream next time. 

P.S. I never did get to dress up in Chess Chocolate. I finally have my shoes though so if the weather isn't too hot then... maybe -fingers crossed-