A Bit of Shopping 3

 We seem to be going shopping quite a bit in Japan. You might think that this is quite natural - so many cool things to buy in Japan, after all! However, I am referring to grocery shopping that we do way more than we would in Los Angeles. Yes, with us, the household number of people here is 2 more than in Los Angeles, yet this is not the biggest factor. The main reason for this is that it is not as common to stock up with produce and other items as in the U.S. The Costco's do exist in Japan, but nothing on the level and size as American versions. Moreover, the portions/sizes are normally smaller as well.

Whether fruits and vegetables (such as the above watermelon and lettuce), meat, fish, bread, snacks, and etc., portions/sizes allow for a chance to waste less food - just get only as much as you need - and keeps things fresh. I have yet to see anything bigger than a carton of milk - no gallon (or equivalent) size in any of the supermarkets that I've visited. Of course, if you suddenly need more, then off to a store you go :) This is not to say that you cannot buy a whole big watermelon, but buying a piece is useful to be able to eliminate some of the guesswork since you can see how ripe a watermelon looks inside.

Speaking of looks... On a supermarket store shelf, among various herbs, it was hard not to miss these nice little flowers:

These are chrysanthemum flowers. The sign says to "boil quickly in water with a small amount of vinegar then soak in water. This will add a lovely color and fragrance". They are also used without cooking for aesthetic purposes, like adding to bento boxes for a splash of color. In Los Angeles I have seen bento boxes with plastic chrysanthemum flowers, and always thought them wasteful even if visually pleasing. The real ones look prettier anyway.

All the extra containers, bags, and wrappings might seem rather wasteful and not particularly environmentally friendly, but the recycling in Japan is way better than in most other places. Many stores/restaurants have recycling bins for various types of recyclables. I would say that it is easier to find a recycling bin than a trash can. The fact that the general public properly participates in recycling helps as well.