Today I ventured out to Conan. I had been told it was like Wal-Mart on steroids. I have to say that I was impressed but it wasn't Wal-Mart :( They don't have clothes, shoes or toys but they do have a lot of other fun things to look at! They also have a small grocery store on one side and a McDonalds so it is somewhat comparable to a Super Wal-Mart. I managed to spend about $60! Based on the sign out front I have no idea how people know it is named Conan, but they do. I just call it the big red donut place!

Conan

Japanese toilet - they have controls for heating, a flushing sound for when you are doing #2, a lighter flush for #1....

Japanese Snuggle

Japanese Diapers

Diapers

Trinket machines in lobby of store! They have these everywhere!

Trinket machine up close - 200 yen = about $2

Below is a picture of our van. It is not the fanciest but it gets us from point a to point b and it fits all of us plus strollers, groceries, etc. Most people around here have vans or very small compact cars. I would say that 70% of the people in my neighborhood own a van similar to mine! (Our neighborhood mostly consists of families.)

Our 8 seater Toyota Noah! Yes it is purple!