I became fast friends with The 100Yen Store soon after moving to the apartment. It's the Japanese counterpart ot the US Dollar Store, but the merchandise tends to be of a higher quality and everything actually IS 100 Yen (105 including tax).

If I had had to pay a regular price for things like a broom, dishpan, hangers, shower squeegee, coffee mugs, waste basket, rubber gloves--you get the idea, the little things you take for granted at home--I would surely feel compelled to try and bring it all back to the States with us when our time here is up.

The apartment is fashionably decorated thanks to the Kojimachi branch of the 100Yen store. Luggage straps which will come in handy later to prevent our suitcases from exploding on the carousel, a hankie for the table and I'm done. Who knew it could be so simple? (The hankie has since been replaced by a coaster, it seemed a little overdone. What is happening to me?)