I changed from the Shinjuku line at Sumiyoshi Station to the Hanzomon line to ride up to Kinshichō Station and the shopping area above. I may have said before, but the Kinshichō area is one of my most favourite places to shop this side of Tokyo. It isn't as touristy as Shinjuku, more reasonable than Ginza and less hectic than Akihabara. It has all the big brand stores, spread over four large shopping centres and half a dozen streets around the station area where more local stores are located.
Parco is one of the shopping centres, which was the main destination for me yesterday morning, right above the metro station and home to a big branch of one of my favourite Japanese retailers, Muji. Or, to use its full name, Mujirushi Ryohin / 無印良品, which effectively means 'No brand, quality goods'. They stick true to their name; all the products are super good quality, not very expensive and free from any branding. I was looking for a jumper, similar to one I purchased a couple of weeks ago, although a different colour, as I have far too many dark blue jumpers, sweaters, sweatshirts and other such tops.
I was disappointed; the colour I wanted was in stock in all sizes, except the one I wanted, therefore my cast was down as I gazed around at the other products. One thing you'll notice in a lot of Japanese shops, like Uniqlo, GU, Beams, and United Arrows, carry sizes XS to XL in store; bigger sizes, XXL and XXXL, are often only available online. Muji, on the other hand, often has XXL products on its shelves. In Japan, sizes are slightly smaller than UK/Europe sizes, and I do favour XXL in jumpers and the like as they give plenty of room to wear a shirt or T-shirt under it and still not be tight over my fat belly!
Despite the absence of the desired garment in my size, I did manage to find and purchase a few other items that just jumped into my basket and demanded to be taken home. I also picked up a few snacks from the packet food section that Muji has. The lovely cashier complimented my somewhat limited Japanese, which was nice, although she continued to converse with me in English! She seemed genuinely pleased after I voiced my delight and pleasure at being a visitor in her country and its beauty. She wished me a good day as I packed my goods and almost skipped out of the store.
Having spent ¥16,240, I happily walked home, along wide streets and busy roads as the sun warmed my face, resplendent with its smile. Shopping is, or at least it can be, one of life's great pleasures. I suppose that's why some call it 'retail therapy', as endorphins are sent careening through the body after money is exchanged for goods and a sense of happiness envelopes one. That joy remained with me, all the way home and afterwards when I spread my booty upon the bed for further admiring looks. Now, I don't know why I do that, but whenever I've been clothing shopping, I always spread it out once I get home, no matter where it comes from. I do it when I'm travelling, I do it when I'm home, and I even do it when I'm at other people's homes. I can't help it; I just have to look at my new additions to the wardrobe of Jason. It is one of the many pleasures of shopping.
