So. Much. Stuff.

I know, I know. I’ve been back from Japan for almost three months now, but I’m just sorting through the extra duffel bag I bought in Tokyo so that I could buy a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t unpack in, well, in almost three months.

Flipflop socks. They’re cute, so I bought several. But really, when it’s hot and dry enough to wear flip flops here, the last thing I want to wear with them is socks.

Toothbrushes. Without fail, EVERY hotel and inn we stayed at offered single-use toothbrushes. At home, I’m used to a vibrating, substantially meaty appliance to clean these toofers. Not the flaccid little cocktail stir-stick with bristles, accompanied by a minuscule squirt of paste that gets tossed aside after one use. I did bring several home for when my myriad house guests (Ha!) forgets theirs. Beth actually brought her electric toothbrush, but in the name of saving space (for all the stuff I would bring home), I brought an ample, manual brush that I could discard at the end of my trip. (Of course, I brought it home with me anyway…)

Lots of disposable stuff that seemed unnecessary (slippers and little hairbrushes to use during your stay then throw away, and single use bath/beauty products in the hotels,) tiny plastic bottles of condiments, extra plastic packaging on most food items, especially in the vending machines…(you’re expected to take it back to your hotel…) it just goes on and on. The absurd thing is, public trash containers are unheard of. Oh, and eating while walking is a BIG no-no. In Kyoto, announcements were made regularly over loudspeakers as a reminder. But I admit, the streets and tourist areas are immaculate, so very different from Mexico. Bring an extra bag for your disposables, and hand wipes for sticky fingers after indulging in all the goodies on offer. (Just be sure to stand still and off the sidewalk while eating!)

Speaking of personal hygiene, one word. Bidet. I’m hooked. Using a bidet is life-changing. And they are everywhere, from train stations to convenience stores to the tiniest cafe. Adjustable strength and direction of spray. Poo or Pee—take aim! Seat warmer? Music? They even have bidets that blow you dry, for god sake! Japan’s bidets are so perfect they may as well light your cigarette at the end of your “experience”.

Too Many Choices

Which brings me to pillows. Japanese “pillows” are downright cruel. They are usually pancake-thin and filled with buckwheat. So they’re crunchy. Every time I moved my head, I was reminded that I was laying on a pile of cat litter. Invest in a decent travel pillow before your trip. You’ll thank me for it.

Vending machines are everywhere in Japan, and you will never go hungry or thirsty if you’re willing to try whats on offer. They are on every street, in every bus and train station, hotel lobbies and public parks. There is every kind of coffee-hot, cold, black, sweet, flavored…very convenient since lots of restaurants don’t open til late morning. Many of the vending machines have sections for both hot and cold selections of food. There’s even things like edamame, sushi, ramen, hotdogs, ice cream, sake and beer. Some even have grasshoppers and silkworms on offer. Some offer a full meal.

Vending machine meals

Forget your underwear, or have an unfortunate “code brown”? Yep, vending machine to the rescue! Wait! Prefer them used and unwashed? Yep, they have those, too!  (Kinky and just plain nasty, IMHO!!)

Used underwear vending machines

The shopping experiences to be had in Japan, especially Tokyo, are second to none. There are lots of markets and independent shops, but the department stores blew me away. Level upon level(7, 8. 12?) of whatever you want, and don’t want or need. There are typically several stairways and/or elevators on each level, and the location of the departments often make no sense. Walk between electronics to women’s undergarments to stationary… go up the nearest stairs and you’re in another electronics, mens underwear, shoes…. So easy to get sidetracked. I was on the hunt for a watch, but by the time I made my way through the maze of timepieces, I was so confused my brain was mush. Beth and I got separated in ONE STORE, and it took us half a day to find each other. But by the time we reconnected, we each had bags and bags of stuff we wouldn’t unpack for, well, three months.

Snow Monkey boxers

I came home with some things I bought on a whim (Godzilla hand towels, Hello Kitty mittens, Sumo Wrestler ear muffs) , and there are some things that I am kicking myself for not really stocking up on. Kit-Kat bars are hugely popular in Japan, with something like 3,783 flavors (and counting). Watermelon, bacon, sake, teriyaki, wasabi, ginger, matcha, sweet potato, mashed potatoes with cheese and chives,…you name it. And most of them are seriously DELICIOUS!!!

Japan is also renowned for facial and skin-care products. Fortunately, I had researched several recommended brands, and went on a spree my first day in Tokyo. Masks, especially, are a hot item, so each evening, while Beth and I laid in bed and watched Jon Stewart videos, we looked like something from outer-space. I brought home enough beauty products to rationalize a new duffel, but still wish I’d doubled, or tripled, my purchases. At the airport, right up to departure time, I was spending my remaining yen on placenta creams and snail-slime gel. EGADS!!!! I LOVE IT!!

skin/hair care products

So, today I continue to look for space in my bathroom shelves for what goodies I brought back. Guess I’ll leave the rest of it to unpack for the holidays. Maybe I’ll just stick the whole duffel bag under my Christmas tree. Tie a big-ass red bow around it. What’s another four months? Merry Christmas to me!! I can’t wait!!