Category Archives: Obentō 01-139
Presents お土産 おみやげ omiyage
souvenir お土産 おみやげ omiyage
present プレゼント purezento
birthday present
たんじょうびの プレゼント
present プレゼント purezento
birthday present
たんじょうびの プレゼント
tanjōbi no purezento
デパートで depaato de
In the department store
Mr and Mrs Shimada go shopping for a birthday present, so a present of some beautiful Noritake porcelain seems just the present for their best friend. In the department store there is so much choice and it makes it difficult to choose. How many will they choose?
おきゃくさん okyakusan customers
おきゃくさま okyakusama customers (staff language)
さら sara dishes
おさら osara dishes (very polite language)
おさら osara dishes (very polite language)
花 はな hana flowers
お花 おはな ohana flowers (very polite language)
たくさんのおさらがあります。
takusan no osara ga arimasu
There are lots of dishes.
すみませんが、このおさらはいくらですか。
sumimasen ga, kono osara wa ikura desu ka
Excuse me, but how much do these dishes cost?
きれいですね。。。何がほしいですか。
kirei desu ne… nani ga hoshii desu ka
Beautiful, isn’t it… what would we like to have?
カードもいりますね。
kaado mo irimasu ne
We also need a card, don’t we?!
すみませんが、このカードはいくらですか。
sumimasen ga, kono kaado wa ikura desu ka
Excuse me, but how much do these cards cost?
あっ、このカードにしました。
ah, kono kaado ni shimashita
Oh, we have decided to have this one.
あかいばらのカードがすきです。
akai bara no kaado ga suki desu
We would like this card with the red rose.
お花もすきです。買いたいです。
o-hana mo suki desu kaitai desu
We like some flowers too. We want to buy some.
このあかい花がすきです。
kono akai hana ga suki desu
We like these red flowers.
If you want to count items without any particular purpose in mind, or if you are not too sure about the exact counter, you use the following system. Certain is that Japanese do not count, while asking for a certain quantity, by using いち、に、さん etc. Maybe surprising, but true!
Huis Ten Bosch Theme Park, Nagasaki
Standard of the Dutch Royal Family, the House of Orange.
Huis Ten Bosch Theme Park
One of the problems with this park is that although the name is remarkably Dutch, there is very little authentic Dutch signage, or Dutch language places anywhere. Surely “Welkom” would have been better than the English “Arrival”, even if 入り口 would have been underneath. Japanese would have perhaps seen the pun 入口, which is the short-cut for 入り口. Everything in the park screams ‘short-cut’, while there is no need for it at all. It is quite pleasant, if by necessity fake. In any case, the word “Arrival” would have been used at a station somewhere, not at a theme park. Even “Aankomst” would have been better – silly, but better. Never mind.
Dom Tower Utrecht: Nagasaki
NAGASAKI Holland Village (now called Huis Ten Bosch).
Here is a replica of the 112.5 m DOM TOWER of UTRECHT.
Here is a replica of the 112.5 m DOM TOWER of UTRECHT.
This looks more like American Disneyland than anything Dutch.
Never mind.
Sogo Department Stores そごうデパート
The largest Sogo department store is not far from one of the highest buildings in Japan, the Landmark Building in Yokohama.
There are different Sogo stores around the Yokohama and Tokyo area. However, the largest department store in Japan is presently Sogo in the middle of Yokohama. It is built right over the railway station and the entrance hall is renowned for its clock. The it’s-a-small-world creation attracts tens of thousands of visitors and shoppers every day.
A kind soul recorded the Sogo clock faithfully.
The sound file is 78Mb, so take care when downloading!
The sound file is 78Mb, so take care when downloading!
Like other department stores it sells high quality goods. The departments are spread over many floors with at least two floors underground, linking the enterprise to the subway system as well.
The store displays goods of exceptional quality and one will be mesmerised by the displays and the sheer craftsmanship. Sometimes it feels more like a museum, than a shop.
The Event Corner attracts many visitors who would like some free instruction, information or some free entertainment. Anything to keep shoppers busy and constructively occupied. Today’s topic seems to be Italy, or more interestingly Italian wines – one might as well push the sales in the process.
Right in the heart of Yokohama on top of the station
Yokohama Railway Station and Subway Station
On the roof this time of the year the feature is a traditional Japanese garden, which gives the shoppers a pleasant outing to have a look at something beautiful.
Mitsukoshi Department Store 三 越 デパート みつこし デパート
Mitsukoshi is a well-known brand name for quality shopping. The department store chain has many branches, but perhaps the best known branch is the one in the Ginza. It is a huge building with many floors in the most expensive real estate streets in the world. When you shop at Mitsukoshi you get quality and that’s what you pay for. If you buy your gift there, you are not “stingy”.
Behind the famous blue ‘noren’ lies of world that equals shopping paradise. Mind you, it is a shopping heaven within reach for the middle class customer.
Mitsukoshi is such a huge company that it can afford to have its own credit department. Gold or Platinum, Ma’am? For certain products, the large department stores have an advertising, possibly subletting arrangement with big brand names. These photos show German Loewe, French Le Tanneur, Italian Louis Vuitton etc. to their advantage.
Mitsukoshi also takes care of the needs of the ‘Inner Customer’; they provide quality restaurants, amazing groceries and bakery departments – you name it!
The food and the service is perfect. Despite the size of the building as a whole, each department is housed in a subsection that gives the idea of a more personalised home setting. Hence one feels one is walking through a small shopping village. All staff are waiting just for you:
You’re welcome!
よく いらっしゃいました。
yoku irasshaimashita
In the larger central reception areas special events are held. It could be an ikebana exhibition, a bonsai display with commentary, or as in this case, a young opera star aiming to make his fame and fortune. Customers will enjoy a free concert and feel refreshed after such an event. In western department stores one might see a ordinary car display of a ‘latest’ model. The Japanese prefer something more special and educational. Anyway, cars are not that sophisticated.
Mixing of religious ideas, as long as it impresses!
The perfect set of Hinamatsuri dolls. Good quality dolls could set you back a few hundred thousand yen.
Have you been to the Italian Fair already? Here’s your chance!
Mr Piaget will help you with your diamond needs.
They even have a garden centre where they can advise you on your gardening needs – in the middle of Tokyo! Maybe it is more your veranda needs, or your balcony requirements… Whichever. All gardening needs will be taken care of.
Back to food again!
And fashion…
Well… OK, one car at the back somewhere!
But it had better be a very good one though!
Anyone for antiques, or antique-looking furniture?
Bonus payment celebration time! Long live the wallet!
Twice a year at bonus time, one needs to buy presents for all people who have helped you achieve your present, well-deserved state of happiness. The department store is prepared and many presents are pre-packaged. We have one here, just like that one, all wrapped up waiting for you!
Here is that lovely furoshiki! Pure silk! Very dignified!
Here are those yummy delicacies for your ‘bestest‘ friend!
Here are those cute, fluffy toys for your grandchildren!
Here is that gorgeous matching shopping bag for the discerning housewife!
How could winter be brutal?
Winter at Mitsukoshi is cosy and warm and friendly!
Judo 柔道 じゅうどう
Department store デパート でぱーと
Family restaurant ファミリーレストラン ふぁみりーれすとらん
Disneyland ディズニーランド でぃずにーらんど
Tokyo Disneyland Information: