Day 13, Karaoke!

Today is just a chill day. I wake up and work on some homework.

Later we go check out the Festival this weekend. There are lots of food and some games for the kids. I try squid (I think) on a stick and it is really tasty but chewy.

Next we run on down to a Karaoke spot and stay for 3 hours! It was so much fun. I know Teresa doesn’t care for karaoke much, so I was glad she obliged me. She did get her rap on though!

Day 12, Odaiba Island

Today we take a water taxi to Odaiba Island. I was a little worried about what a water taxi really was….under water? I guess that would be a submarine.  I just figured there wouldn’t be much space or that it would sink or something. Once we got inside, however, I was relieved. It is very spacious and they even serve coffee! After a while they opened up the roof deck. This was the best part. The smell of the sea air, the nice breeze, and the wonderful view.

Once we got there, we went to a science museum and Panasonic. Obdaiba Island seems like it has a lot of cool things to see, so I’d like to come back here again someday.

I leave to meet up with Teresa for the weekend and I forget where the subway station is located. Google maps leads me to a bus station (hey, the bus and subway kinda look the same, so it was user error this time!). I end up asking several people for help because I have never ridden a bus here. The schedule and Google are very confusing, so I ended riding about four different buses before I figured out where to finally get off to ride the subway. I definitely got lost in Tokyo this time.  I have to admit, at first, I was a bit overwhelmed and could feel the nerves kicking in. I just used that handy mantra and decided to make it an adventure instead. I knew eventually I’d make it to my destination. It was all feeling great and then I got off at a stop and the building behind me was playing the theme song from “The Neverending Story”.  It made me crack up laughing, so then I really knew I was gonna be good. The rest was just fun times.

Day 11, Company visit to Prometric

Today we visited a company called Prometric. They proctor testing all over the world. I’m not sure how much I can share, but it was very interesting to visit a Japanese business and hear their perspective on things. They also had an informal discussion with us about Japanese culture. They were all really nice. Surprise!

After the visit, I went back to the hostel to get out of the dress clothes and then I went to an amazing sushi go round restaurant. This one was a bit more expensive then the first one I tried, but I think I liked the sushi better.

Day 10, Clover Café and Rest!

Today I decided to skip out on Sumo. I wanted to go, but there was a mix up with the scheduling and they put it on the optional list for today instead. I decided to get some much needed rest.

After class, we head to the Panasonic living building, but soon learn that it is closed on Wednesdays. I go straight back to the hostel, which really means a quick detour to the Clover Café (they were open this time!). This place was on my checklist and it tasted soooo good! Oishii! And Kawaii!

After this I walk a little bit and discover this interesting café. I decide not to go in since I’d just had a Clover Latte and I’m also not really feeling this place.

Now its straight to the hostel for a long nap. Gotta keep that grumpy monster at bay!

Popular products in the US that are also sold in Japan

Popular products in the US that are also sold in Japan

Comparing the package, price, promotion, and distribution/intensity

1)      Starbucks, Espresso Roast (Ground)

Product

The logo remains unchanged and the branding of the package is very similar to the US product except for the big “E”.

Price

Japan price: 665 Yen ≈ $5.58

US price: $7.48

*Pulled from Walmart.com

Promotion

Besides the Japanese writing, I do not observe anything different promotionally.

Distribution/Intensity

As far as, buying Starbucks in a store, I would say there is just as much availability of product within the store, but I would have to do more research to see how many types of stores it is in. I have found it in Don Quijote and 711.

Also, they have origami drip coffee, which I have never seen sold in the US. I, of course, bought some. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ll let y’all know how it is.

2)      Axe Body Wash

They sell their shampoo and body wash in bags. The directions on the back show it pouring into another bottle. They also sell the bottles, but they look different.

Japan price: 570 Yen ≈ $4.78

US price: $3.97

*Pulled from Walmart.com

Unique Things That Affect The Consumer Process In Japan

Unique things that I have noticed the short period that I have been in Japan. These things are a big part of shopping in Tokyo.

o   Customer service - always above and beyond, its like nothing you see in the US.

o   Promotion of products through anime, cartoon characters, quirky ads - I would say 80% of ads that I've seen have these traits. I wish it was like that in the US. Its so fun!

o   Plastic food displays - This is the coolest thing to see what you're food will look like before you even go in the restaurant. Its a great way to figure out where to dine while you're walking down the street deciding where to go.

o   Holidays/festivals – There seem to be festivals every weekend. During these times, the streets are filled with vendors selling food and games. There are also items to buy that are specific to that festival.

o   Walk/bike everywhere – Because everyone walks and/or bikes alot, there is a heavy demand for convenient drinks and food, specialty foot care and shoes. As a result there are many vending machines and convenient stores to provide these items.

o   Humidity – Because everyone walks everywhere and it is so humid, there are many products to accommodate this such as small cloths/towels, fans, vending machines with water, and even menthol wet ones.

Different Retail Store Types in Tokyo

Department Store:

Mitsukoshi

Discount Store:

Daiso

Convenience Store

Daily

Supermarket

Life

Specialty

Fujiya Sweets

Category Killer

BIC Camera

Budget for a family in Japan

Budget for a family in Japan

This is an approximate monthly budget for a family of 2 living in the Yokosuka area.

Rent for 1800 sqft (approx.), 3 bd, 2 toilet, 1 shower room – 260,000 yen

Utilities (water, gas, electric) – 24,000 yen

Transit – 8,000 yen

Food – 70,000 yen

Entertainment – 30,000 yen

Health Insurance - Deducted from paycheck

Loyalty Cards in Japan

It’s a little difficult as a foreigner to discover loyalty cards in Japan, but this was a school assignment, so I gave it my best shot. Of my family and new friends in Japan, I didn’t find anyone that used any.

Lawson convenience store

I did, however, easily discover that Lawson has one called Ponta. Just by the visuals of the signage and brochures, I could tell that its a loyalty card. Then a visit to the translated website confirms it. I love how they use cartoon ads and a character to represent it.

One cool thing about this card is that you can earn points not just at Lawson, but at their partner stores like banks, hotels, gas stations, etc. You can also share your points with other people. Then you use your points to get certain items from Lawson.

Starbucks

I have a Starbucks rewards card in the US, so I thought it would be cool to get one in Japan. Before, I came to Japan, I contacted Starbucks to see if I could use my own. They said that Japan has a separate program and that the US card wouldn’t work in Japan.

On one of my initial outings to Starbucks, I obtained a card and put yen on it. With the help of my sister n law, I registered it online. After all of that, I discovered that they don’t yet have a rewards program in Japan. I suppose I can just keep it as a souvenir for now.

Cobranding in Japan

One example I found while getting lost in Japan:

Eneos Dr Drive (Gas/ReCharge Station and Repair/Maintenance)
Cobranding with Bridgestone.

Manufacturer label vs Private label

·         Manufacturer label vs Private label

While I normally go for hot coffee drinks, these looked so tasty and we don’t have anything like this in the US, so I thought I’d try them. I won’t go into all the brands I tried. This posting will just compare Starbucks, Doutor, and Family Mart.

Price

Starbucks and Doutor – 200 Yen

Family Mart – 125 Yen

Packaging

They are all pretty much the same, but the off brand of Family Mart is a little bit harder to punch the straw through the top lid.

Taste

They are all very similar, but the Family Mart brand is not as strong and bold as Starbucks and Doutor.

Overall

Try out all your options and decide which you prefer.  All the combinis have their own version and there is also a few more main brand names. I will definitely miss all of these options!