Stationery

Day 20 (-11) Stationery

Wandering around a card shop or other stationery shop in Japan is a treat. The detail of the cards is a reflection of the paper folding design and skills of the Japanese.
Behold this simple card!
Some of the most interesting racks of cards are the style of envelope called Goshugifukuro that is used to give a gift of money to an individual, couple or family. There are envelopes for happy occasions, such as the birth of a new child, or for sad occasions, such as funerals (in Japan you give money for a funeral). The money is placed inside an envelope that is then wrapped in a decorative “envelope” or piece of paper folded in a certain way around the inner (money bearing) envelope. The final touch is a bow or decoration wrapped around the outer paper.






I was up early to see Gerry off. We avoided rain on our 5 minute walk to the station, and managed to get on to the full train at Meguro with suitcase and bag. Thankfully some people got off as we waited to board, but we just kept getting squished back and back. Lots of people got off at Shinagawa so that was OK. After we got her ticket at the very helpful JR ticket office, we waited for a while chatting and looking at the crowd as it streamed endlessly by. Looking at the photo you can see why we missed each other last week!
And this flow was still going when I came back into the terminal 30 minutes later!
I am amazed at the (generally) patient Japanese. We passed a cafe yesterday where people were waiting for a seat; popular places have some seats available outside for the wait. It is a sign of a good restaurant seeing the queue, and they are usually ramen or soba shops where you eat and leave.
No one really hangs around in restaurants; very different to the cafe life style.
It started raining heavily as I left the station and continued for about an hour. As well it got decidedly cooler When I went out later to the Post Office (forgot on my way home) I added a long sleeve shirt!!

Convenience

Had to go and pay the gas bill today. All utility bills can be paid at ANY convenience store and there are loads of them Lawsons, Mini Stop, News day, 7 Eleven, MiniMart, Daily Yamazaki etc. As well as bill payment and food purchase they have ATM's (no good to me) Copiers and fax machine, booking as well as pickup point for on-line sport theatre etc bookings, digital camera printing, delivery services of parcels or luggage, delivery companies will drop off there (if you will not be at home) and some postal services, stamps and postcards. All very convenient.

The other thing today is that school is back, and now there are kids everywhere in their summer hats and big school bags. Most of the uniforms are severe navy and white but the newcomers seem to have a pale blue dress. The bags are big! solid sides but light weight. I checked these out in a bag store, not sure who got to use the coloured ones as I've only seen black ones in use.
After paying my bill I walked along the street & stopped at the Cafe of Book-Off and had an iced tea. The cafe was full of people who looked like they were settled in for the day. There is no pressure to move on in any cafe I have been in, in fact in Mr Donut (stopped in one in Yanaka to dry off my feet!) they come round with coffee refills. At Book-off there is a big table and often people there with laptops or kids reading books while mum or dad browse. A very relaxing environment!

Shirokanedai neighbourhood.

When I knew where this apartment was, Shirokanedai is at the edge of most of the Tokyo area maps, so I thought it must be in the middle of nowhere! What an Aussie coloured expectation!
The apartment is a 5 minute walk to the station, Shirokanedai, that is one stop to Meguro, on the circle Yamanote line, so very convenient.
On a little exploration I find it is walking distance to my 2 favourite spots, Happo-en(a garden) and Teien Art Museum ( set in an Art deco house).
The approach street has low 2-storey houses, and a small children's park. On the corner is Book -Off a bookstore with cafe and 2nd hand English books. I have a handy (2 actually) supermarkets; last time I had to shop in the food halls of the department stores (not so cheap) and a green grocer, as well as the great 100yen shop.
Next to the station and visible from my room is the Tokyo Science University with lovely grounds and buildings.
I hope to find more as I explore the back streets and areas. There is a building at the end of the street surrounded by a brick wall, but haven't got to the entry to see what it is yet

One Room Living

After a 6 room house in Australia, I was apprehensive about living in a "closet" in Tokyo, but it is surprising how little one actually really needs!
This area has many houses and cars!, rather than huge blocks of flats, so the neighbours are not inches away, and I actually have trees as a view!
Compared to the apartment I had earlier in the year this is much more spacious, and the square rather than oblong shape allows for much more light. I have three sliding glass door that only one is actually a balcony, but having them open as the day cools down is very pleasant.

I have a typical "Unit bath"toilet, basin, shower and bath, all in one compact room; a 2 gas burner and small grill, a large sink and draining board, as well as a small fridge and microwave.
Two chairs and a table are adequate for me. My computer (wireless internet) at one end and place mat (called a 'runchi matto, (lunch mat)when I tried to find one) at the other. In this muggy climate the air-conditioner is a welcome necessity. The TV is not bi lingual, so it's good I didn't have TV at home so it's not a problem for me; but I do enjoy the children's shows which I can follow fairly well!
All in all I am very well set up!