Stuff it in the Bunny

The Trader Joe’s cashier always flashes me a smile whenever I hand him a Japanese eco-bag to stuff my groceries with. That’s because Japanese bags come in all kinds of off-beat shapes and colors. So imagine handing the cashier this lil fella:

I’ll guarantee, he’ll do a double-take and ask why you gave him a plush doll. Upon which you tell him, “I have a crush on you.” And he’ll say, “Really?!” And then you respond, “No, just kidding. Pack my groceries, please.”

A nylon tote bag – folded into the rabbit called Picnica – spreads over a foot wide, so you can get some medium-sized grocery shopping done while looking animal chic. And when you’re not shopping, Picnica makes for a great travel companion. Though don’t expect him to help you through the carpool lane.

If he’s sitting in the front seat, you’ll never forget to take him to the grocery store. So many times, I’ve forgotten to bring my eco-bag because they were stowed away in the back trunk. Such a waste.

Picnica comes in four different colors: black, brown, gray and orange. With a $45 price tag, he’s pricier than a real Peter Rabbit, but no worries, this one will do you a world of good.

Himawari

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Bag up Your Junk!

I’ll be the first to admit, girls haul around a lot of junk! Here’s what’s in my purse: wallet, keys, tissue, lip balm, tweezers, medicine, umbrella, two cell phones (one for the office), Wetnaps (just in case), a Trader Joes ‘eco’-saving grocery bag, digital camera, hand lotion, cough drops, oh and did I mention a bowling ball? That’s what friends assume is in there. Oof! =P

And if you’re a girl armed with heavy load, you know what a pain it is to take stuff out. It’s while I’m driving when I get the sudden urge to moisten my chapped lips. At a red light, I reach my arm to the passenger seat, running my fingers around the bottom of my purse until I feel something plastiky and cylindrical. Out comes a water bottle! Try again. …a mini-can of hairspray! Darn, darn, darn.

The people at MUJI are ingenious, thinking to make a bag for one’s bag. I’ve seen a similar product advertised on American TV, but MUJI’s is far cuter — cute enough to make it your main purse.

I bought my grey, cotton MUJI ‘bag in bag’ in Tokyo for only $12. I couldn’t stop staring at it through the window. It’s the texture of soft sweatpants and the inner lining has thin, white-and-grey stripes. Very cute. There’s at least 10 pockets, including one mesh and a couple pen slots. It also comes in other color schemes and fabrics, ranging from $7 to $15 — the ideal price for a bag you may never ever reveal to others.

Seems they’re selling like hotcakes in Japan. Some other friends happen to buy the same bag! I guess we were all thinking the same thing: How do I organize my junk without having to get rid of anything? Heehee.

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

I *heart* School Bags

I gotta admit something to you: I have an obsession with Japanese school bags.

A blue book bag is a signature accessory for Japanese students. They sling it over shoulder as they walk home, or throw it on the ground as they take Purikura shots with friends. I’ve only gone to a Japanese high school for a semester so I never had my own. But just last year, I found one at a Tokyo department store, and now it’s mine!

Maybe it’s because they make me feel young again, but I carry one around and instead of books and pencils I stash away candy and makeup. On the zipper loop, I hook on a dozen Hello Kitty key chains, and in the little side-pocket I stuff my cell phone, cramped with another dozen key chains.

Now I have to admit an even more juvenile obsession: grade school bags. I’ve yet to buy one because they run in the $300-$600 range. It’s an absurd price to pay for a 6-year-old. But strangely enough, you’ll never see a kid without one. I think it’s a peer pressure thing. Either way, they’re super cute.

They’re called ‘randoseru’ – a hard-case backpack made with leather and silver buckles. They’re water-resistant and inside are a few cool pockets to keep notebooks and erasers.

Because they’re so expensive a lot of times they’re made into family heirlooms, being passed like a pair of vintage jeans. Luckily the style of the backpack hasn’t changed throughout the years so you could totally rock grandma’s randoseru like it’s 1899! (Or maybe not. =P )

If you’re a fan of anime, you’ve probably seen a character or two with them. It’s a classic accessory. And hopefully one day it’ll be mine… even if I have to rob a kid to get one! (^.<)V

Himawari

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Bag It Up!

Eco-bags are big in Japan right now, but before supermarkets were even invented, Japanese women were slinging their knick-knacks in a huge handkerchief called a furoshiki. They’re intricately weaved from natural material like cotton or silk and come in sizes big and small. Every time I’m in Japan, friends hand them to me as gifts because they’re classy-chic and haul a load of junk with only a faint trace of a carbon footprint.

Back in the day, ladies used the furoshiki to carry their unmentionables down to the public bathhouse (Furo means ‘bath’). Though after World War II, cloth bags were replaced by plastic disposable ones. (Imagine a time when it was all the rage to throw away your bags.) Now that we’re far more aware of our environment maybe furoshiki will make its mainstream comeback. Check out this clip to see how you can actually use a furoshiki.

Here’s the site that not only sells furoshiku ($9-$16~) but tells you how to wrap things like wine and watermelon. You Have fun! \(^_^)/

Himawari

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Thinking of doing business in Japan? We can make it easy for you!
japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more
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