Hyakuen shop ... in the Philippines?

When I was still in Japan, I frequent the hyakuen shops where I can buy all sort of things -- things that I would only realize I need them when I saw them in 100yen shops.

And when we went back home, I was only able to bring home some of those 100-yen stuff, and had to throw away most of them. :(

Luckily, I recently discovered this shop that promotes and upholds the concept of 100-yen shops in Japan. As I scan around the items sold at the Japan Home Centre, I could see familiar stuffs that I usually buy back in Japan. But no, the price is not 100 yen, but 88pesos. At first, I was excited to buy some, but after thinking twice, I felt it is a bit expensive for me. In Japan, it is easy to buy anything for 100 yen. But buying the same thing for 88pesos here in the Philippines, the price is doubled. So, in the end, I just grabbed a pack of bathroom tissues (hoping that I could flush it in the toilet bowl, the way I used to do in Japan) and bathroom cleaner.

Anyway, I think I would still visit this shop to buy those only-in-Japan products that are not/hardly found in other shops.

So, if you want to try out Japan-made stuffs, go visit the shop.

Photo from: Japan Home Centre website

Sale...90% OFF

Just imagine that! 90% OFF? Unbelievable, isn't it? But it's TRUE. It is just like giving it away (this makes me wonder why don't they just give it away?).

I'm just one lucky person to have stayed in this part of the world where SALE is abundant. And I am NOT talking about my usual bazaars, coz that's another story, thus another post. I am referring to the discounted prices of baby stuffs in the luxurious shopping mall where, expectedly, prices are sky high. This is the same place where my son and I love to hang out, and where items I could only afford to look at and admire, wishing that somehow someday I'd be able to buy at least a few of those pricey stuffs for my son.

Good heavens heard my wish, I guess. For there's an ongoing mallwide price down of up to 90%. Of course, I am especially interested in baby stuffs (what else?). With my happiness, I instantly bought a "few" stuffs.

Due to necessity, I once bought my son a pair of shoes for 700yen at 50% OFF, but the same sets of shoes are now sold at 100yen. Even the fancy little girl's hats are also 100yen, which are originally priced 1800yen. Baby clothes of all sorts of styles are also on sale at 100yen cheapest, others are priced 300yen or 500yen, with original prices ranged from 1500 to 2300yen. It's as if I am in a 100yen shop (I'll tell you more about this in another post).

My bugdet is tight, I have to admit that. But I just can't resist this irrestible temptation to buy, for I know that this comes only once in a blue moon.

Happy shopping indeed!

Good buys

Most of my friends know that I am exceptionally addicted to the color brown, thus, my romantic fascination for wood.

In Japan, many wood-based home thingies abound, and expensive too (probably because woods are imported). Take for example our wooden stool, which is just as simple as something you can sit on -- no artistic whatsoever -- costs 1200yen each. And we bought a pair. It would seem lonely if we buy only one. ;)

Did I just say they are expensive? Well, everyhing here is pricey, so it isn't a surprise anymore, is it? Luckily, in my bazaar hunting and in some SALE days, I chanced upon some good things that I really like, and I can proudly say it is indeed a one good buy.

Take this thing I call a mega mini-drawer. The three layers are so small that I could only probably store pins and other flat things (like my precious lapad, hahaha!). But it doesn't bother me at all of its very limited usability because I am dead happy for its aesthetic beauty and elegance as a desktop ornament. For now, though, I shall be content with it as a flat base for my indoor sword plant (which, by the way, doesn't seem to grow; hmmm, is this a living thing?)

And here's the most recent addition to my sari-saring collection. It is not made of wood, but it is one of my best buys ever. Yeah, it is a plate but I have no intention of using it as one. It is a bit heavy and too beautiful to put your food on it. Its coarse finish just proves that it is made out by some good hands devoting some innate skills to draw a beautiful piece on a very solid material. And I believe this rare piece of artwork deserves its rightful place as a center ornament in my receiving room displayed strategically as a matching accessory to my wood-motiffed and/or wood-based interior design.

I'll show more next time. In the meantime, lure your eyes and envy me. Hahaha! ;)

Bazaar mania

These are my Pinoy friends whom I rightly call my bazaar-friends. These are friends back in Los Baños who are now somehow transplanted here in Japan. They have stayed here more than we do, so they know more of the ins and outs here -- especially about upcoming bazaars. Take a look at the large paper bags in the picture, you bet those are nice things bought at the recent bazaar they went to with only about 100yen spent on all those.

While bazaars are not patronized by all Japanese, they are most looked forward to by those who want to buy things at a cheaper price. Sometimes even at a jackpot price, as my friend has coined it, for buying a very-slightly-used kiddie bicycle for her son for zero yen. That's really a WOW.

Bazaars are done mostly for charity purposes, especially those organized by the church. Any proceeds go directly to their chosen/intended recipients. In fact, the annual bazaar in our church is scheduled in the first week of June. Hmm, I need to get ready with my coins. ;) Yeah, you only need coins, for prices are really low. And lots of freebies too!

So far, I have bought so many sari-sari (assorted) things from the bazaars that I happen to go to. Most of my son's toys were bought in the bazaar. Just recently, we bought him a big size of Pooh bear (again???) who now becomes his best buddy, a Sesame Street mini-toy kingdom, and a lego-like shapeblocks (om, what's its name?) I also enjoy buying kitchen wares which are unique only to Japan, and which I intend to display ONLY at my cabinet back home (weird? ah, please don't mind me).

I'd say my money and time are worth the things that I bought from these bazaars. Especially when you are trying to live frugally in an expensive and stlyish city such as Tokyo, bazaars are a good source of stuffs you need for your home -- stuffs which are either slightly used or unused at all. Quality is still valued even in this kind of market, and I assure you, your yen could go a long, long way.

Till next bazaar day!