Random shopping in Japan

This post is about some of our random shopping experiences in Japan. Let's start with the ubiquitous vending machines. At times more than 10 can be found in a row, like here is Kamakura:

The real joy about these machines is their capacity for both cold and hold drinks. That's right, the coffee cans at top right come out of the machine at the perfect temperature for drinking.

Seeing Tommy Lee Jones on this Suntory vending machine, we could not help thinking of Bill Murray in Lost in Translation.

Now let's move to the the grocery stores found in the basement of every department store. We noticed these beautifully wrapped fruits sold at mind-boggling prices.

This mango (yes, one piece) cost 105 Euros...

while the melon on the left had a price tag of 210 Euros!

Our understanding is that such absolutely perfect fruits are purchased only for gifts on special occasions.

As we moved on, we reached the butchers section with some wagyu beef.

Here's the priciest piece at 78 Euros for one portion of steak. Notice how the fat is marbled into the meat. Apparently the cow lived the life of a princess, drinking beer while enjoying a massage and listening to Mozart...

 

In electronics stores we discovered all sorts of  appliances and gadgets. Needless to say, in a country where rice is the main staple, rice cookers were prominently on display...

with the most expensive one by Mitsubishi costing 930 Euros!

Special mention to the washlets for toilets...

where Panasonic stole the show with a 750 Euros model!

We were also pleasantly surprised by the prestige of the 'Made in Belgium' brand in Japan. Besides Marcolini, Neuhaus and Wittamer chocolate shops in various department stores, we came across this café in a food court:

And a Leonidas store in Kamakura ("the famous Belgian pralines") - if only the Japanese knew that Leonidas sells low-end pralines in Brussels metro stations...

And finally, a "Manneken Belgian Waffle" in Kyoto which was doing some good business.

Their uji matcha (green tea from Uji region) waffle was delicious. If only these could be found in Belgium!