Official "Things that can and cannot be found in Japan"

[phenom]

Is it hard to find shoes for big women's feet? 9.5 - 10 American? I guess it's 25.5-26 cm.
Only closer to bigger cities?
Thanks.

It might be possible to find those sizes in a larger city. You don't want to shop for shoes in a smaller city (inaka) anyway. The clothes and shoes they sell are largely geared toward old ladies and farmers (aka curtain's from the 70's sewn into aprons and dresses)

You could always just buy from the men's section. I honestly can't tell the difference between the two styles honestly. The men here are all about being "pretty" and in fashion! lol

You might be better off bringing a few pair with you to last you until your next trip to the states.

[3ngrishsensei]

The clothes and shoes they sell are largely geared toward old ladies and farmers (aka curtain's from the 70's sewn into aprons and dresses)

Are you mocking my style? I've been rocking inaka for awhile now. If there's anything you can learn from these folks it's how to dress completely badass. Just wait. I've seen the rice farmer jump-suits catch on in the cities already. Just cut off a leg and they call it "style".

[phenom]

Looking completely badass in inaka, and looking badass in the city is a completely different animal, 3ngrish. Those looks of awe and wonder you're no doubt getting in the city are probably really looks of "WTF? I thought gaijin were supposed to look cool and hip and....NOOOOOO!?"

[3ngrishsensei]

Looking completely badass in inaka, and looking badass in the city is a completely different animal, 3ngrish. Those looks of awe and wonder you're no doubt getting in the city are probably really looks of "WTF? I thought gaijin were supposed to look cool and hip and....NOOOOOO!?"

why don't you just go screw your little photoshop, phenom?

[phenom]

I'm losing all my friends...first tender, and now you. I suck at this whole friends thing...*sniff* ITIL is such a ronery prace.

[Jennaplus2]

It might be possible to find those sizes in a larger city. You don't want to shop for shoes in a smaller city (inaka) anyway. The clothes and shoes they sell are largely geared toward old ladies and farmers (aka curtain's from the 70's sewn into aprons and dresses)

You could always just buy from the men's section. I honestly can't tell the difference between the two styles honestly. The men here are all about being "pretty" and in fashion! lol

You might be better off bringing a few pair with you to last you until your next trip to the states.

thanks for the info.

[gingerbread]

for women's shoes, your pickings might be kinda slim even in the cities, unless you know where to look. shopping in a department store the other day, the biggest size they carried in the shoes I wanted was a 24.5 (about a US 8.5). i've seen some bigger sizes at little boutique stores. it just takes more hunting. if you don't love shopping, it can be really irritating.

i brought a bunch of shoes with me, and I'm glad I did.

[gingerbread]

party cups
ping pong balls
regulation sized beer pong table
30 racks of PBR

Party cups from CostCo
Ping pong balls borrowed from school
A bunch of folding tables put together
Lots of Kirin

It's not the same, but beer pong is still possible. being on JET is all about adapting, right???

[ten_of_spades]

re: olive oil, I saw several shelves full of various types of olive oil at my relatively small grocery store today.

[cielya]

for women's shoes, your pickings might be kinda slim even in the cities, unless you know where to look. shopping in a department store the other day, the biggest size they carried in the shoes I wanted was a 24.5 (about a US 8.5). i've seen some bigger sizes at little boutique stores. it just takes more hunting. if you don't love shopping, it can be really irritating.

i brought a bunch of shoes with me, and I'm glad I did.

Yea, I'm 9.5 in US sizes and when I was in Osaka I had a terrible time finding shoes. I even decided to buy a pair of men's converses - had the same cutesy designs as the ladies - and had issues in most shops (pretty much only the smaller, converse-only store could help). Department stores? Forget it.

[FamilyMart]

Jock straps.

If you get an international driver's license, how long will it be valid for?

[Shankerbelle]

Me.

[ten_of_spades]

Jock straps.

If you get an international driver's license, how long will it be valid for?

One year from the date of your arrival in Japan / the start date on the permit. Get your AAA to post-date it to start on your first day in Japan.

[scarreddragon]

Has anyone had luck with grape jelly or jam? Even through flying pig there is nada. This makes me sad, strawberry just isn't the same in pb&j.

Oh, and if you posted here going "you can find EVERYTHING here hur hur hur" then send me some grape jelly and I'll believe you. :/

[ten_of_spades]

Has anyone had luck with grape jelly or jam? Even through flying pig there is nada. This makes me sad, strawberry just isn't the same in pb&j.

All my grocery stores carry it, as well as a wide range of jams/jellies. Mixed fruit, grape, blueberry, unknown-berry, strawberry, some yellow one w/ seeds, etc..

[scarreddragon]

All my grocery stores carry it, as well as a wide range of jams/jellies. Mixed fruit, grape, blueberry, unknown-berry, strawberry, some yellow one w/ seeds, etc..

Where are you located and which grocery store? I've asked everyone and they all are like "... grape jelly exists?" -_-

Oh and OP on oregano, it is in my local supaa. Turkey you can get through special order butcher people but you pay out the NOSE on it. Worth it though. The problem is more cooking it...

[ten_of_spades]

Any Fressays or Co-ops in your area? They usually have it.

[3ngrishsensei]

Oh, and if you posted here going "you can find EVERYTHING here hur hur hur" then send me some grape jelly and I'll believe you. :/

I know what you mean. Everything is obtainable in Japan on some level, but some things, depending on your situation, are just more realistically done without (i.e. would you drive 5 hours and spend a ton of yen on it?) My guess is you live somewhere rural?

Friends of mine in the next village once mentioned to their local grocer some items they really like, and the grocer ordered one of the things for them. Not saying it could happen to you, but it helps to get the word out if you are looking for something in your area. For instance, I have long since fully stocked my house with crunchy peanut butter, and yet I still run into people sometimes who are like, "OH! hey! There is peanut butter "crunchy type" at SATY etc. etc......"

And if you ever find your grape jelly.... stock up in case it's never ordered again!

[southpaw]

Has anyone had luck with grape jelly or jam? Even through flying pig there is nada. This makes me sad, strawberry just isn't the same in pb&j.

Oh, and if you posted here going "you can find EVERYTHING here hur hur hur" then send me some grape jelly and I'll believe you. :/

You can't find grape jelly? Both grocery stores in my town have it.

I'm sure this has been talked about multiple times already, but I hate Japanese toothpaste. It makes me feel like I've rubbed my teeth with buttery mashed potatoes.

[ten_of_spades]

Where are you located and which grocery store? I've asked everyone and they all are like "... grape jelly exists?" -_-

Oh and OP on oregano, it is in my local supaa. Turkey you can get through special order butcher people but you pay out the NOSE on it. Worth it though. The problem is more cooking it...

Aren't you also in the crane-in-flight-prefecture?