Yep, these are found almost everywhere in Japan and perhaps all over the world, but they are really different in Japan. You can find almost anything at the 7/11 here. Umbrellas, pre-paid cell phones and so much more can be bought here.

   This is the rear view from the 8th floor apartment balcony where we stayed in Moriyama most of our time in Japan. Moriyama is considered the countryside and where many desire to come to relax from the larger cities. The tall building in the distance is part of Ritto and 20 minutes away by foot or 5 minutes by train. This apartment building in Moriyama is perfectly situated. It is just a short walk away from the train station or one grocery store (see below), many shops and restaurants, temples, shrines, parks, gardens, and just about anything you can think of needed for daily life. Within walking distance was a huge performance center hosting internationally known acts and it is right next to another huge park with multi-use sports complexes (baseball, tennis etc.), walking paths, gardens and fountains. Another five minutes by bicycle would put you out in the middle of rice paddies all around fields of lotus blossoms and where there is virtually no other building or person to be seem. Right across the street in the front of the apartment is a large department store and even a McDonald's.

   Food is very expensive in Japan, but in comparison, what is delivered fresh to our American grocers TODAY, may well have been considered OLD, two weeks ago in Japan. We saw fruits and vegetables, fish and so many other products, I have never seen anywhere else. True, the peaches seen above cost about $6 a piece, but there are no bruises or any imperfections to be found. They even come with their own cute, soft and protective little baskets. Watermelons the size of a soccer ball, were $30 each. We had the opportunity to try both which were given to us while we were guests in a home in Goido near Nara and the world's largest wooden statue of Buddha. A next door neighbor provided the watermelon from her own garden, because she knew her neighbor was having company (us). The peaches were nearly all white in color inside. Both the watermelon and the peaches were absolutely incredible! Gift-giving and company care is a BIG DEAL in Japan. We were treated like royalty! Gladly we were liked, but one does not even have to be liked if you are treated to their hospitable ways.

   Some things we saw in the grocery stores were wrapped (fish), and were so fresh, they were literally moving. Yes they were still alive. Even though one would expect the Japanese refrigerators to be smaller than ours since their people are generally smaller, but this is NOT the reason for the smaller appliances that keep their food fresh at home. The Japanese would generally, NEVER keep anything refrigerated longer than about a day. This of course means, they would most likely shop everyday, but when I write the word fresh, the food is FRESH!