One of the things I appreciate about military moving is how supportive other spouses can be when you first arrive. This is especially helpful moving to a foreign country. There are so many questions and so much to learn. There are even questions I don’t know to ask until someone shows me the answer. Case in point – Thrift Store Shopping. 

Before I begin, I need to provide background information. I have been asking around my social groups about how to get started teaching English to Japanese. All roads were leading me to one specific person. I finally had the opportunity to meet with her a couple weeks ago and asked her about teaching. From there, Micky took me under her wing and invited me to one of her Thursday morning classes. Today we went and I shadowed her during the class. It was fun. Six Japanese ladies, all over 60, who have been getting together for 30+ years with a slew of English speaking spouses. There is a potential spot opening early next spring and I might be able to slide into a regular teaching gig. In the meantime, I will be a substitute. In preparation for our day, she asked if I had any time restraints. Nope. “Want to hit some thrift stores on the way home?” Yes, please! 

We started at a thrift store chain called Watt mann / BOOKOFF. Obviously, BOOKOFF provides me no value (a used Japanese bookstore). Watt mann however is a whole different story. It’s like going to the upscale recycle store. Perfect for buying Japanese items at a discount and perfect for selling American premium labels for cash. 

So many dishes

Dishes

Clothes & shoes for little people


The largest women’s shoe I saw was a 6. Most were a 5.5. Seriously!?! Also, lots and lots of purses. There is a whole row behind me and a lot of them still had tags!! 


From here we went to “the next place.” As with a lot of Japanese businesses, they don’t have an English name and so they are given a nickname by expats. This thrift store was in no way on the same level as Watt mann/ BOOKOFF. In many ways, it was better. It was mostly household items and very few clothes. Considering the sizing issues, I was good. It truly was a treasure hunt.

Open the drawers – there might be a treasure inside


And then I found the mother load. Kokeshi Dolls. They are traditional Japanese dolls hand crafted out of wood and painted. There are so many different ones with a variety of meanings. They are so beautiful and can be expensive. I purchased these two little ones at the NEX (on base) for ¥4500. They are about 6 inches high. 

At the recycle store, I found these guys. 


Some, if not all, were coming home with me!! I picked out three and an amazing cat. All four items were ¥3000. Seriously. 

Check them out. The tallest one is 18 inches. Then 14 inches and 12 inches. I already had the Tansu (Japanese wooden staircase). I purchased that years ago in Maryland with my mom. I feel like I brought brought it home where it belongs. 


What about the cat, you ask? 


All together now… 


Did I ever find “joy in this journey!”