She said she regretted getting My Melody stuff now that she’s a big fan of Cinnamoroll but when we were in Japan, Sanrio Gallery was Raven’s favourite place and she wants to go back there so she can buy more of her beloved blue character as if she doesn’t already do so here in Australia.
Everything Cinnamoroll.
For all my daughter’s and nieces’ patience — what with all the walking and the temple visits that they probably didn’t enjoy as much as the adults did — this shop was their me-time. And we made sure to give them enough time to explore the overpriced joint and spend their travel allowance on whatever caught their fancy within the limits of their budgets.
Sanrio Gallery was the epitome of “cute stuff” that had the potential to bankrupt parents over items and trinkets manufactured purely for aesthetics. I mean, sure, you can use the bags and the headbands and I myself bought Raven a lunch box and a cutlery set to use for school so they’re still practical somehow but Hello Kitty Iodised Salt? Really?
Although I have to admit it did cross my mind to get one just for the heck of it because, why not? I ended up buying a Kuromi key chain instead because while I like to think I’m practical, I’m not that practical!
Next door to Sanrio Gallery was Inobun, a multi-storey department store where you can get boutique clothes and household items and what-not.
It was here that I found and bought my fair share of stationeries and washi tapes. Seriously, Japan makes the cutest letter stationeries! And don’t get me started on their paper quality. They’re so nice and silky that pens glide on them as smoothly as silk, but with enough traction to not slide around like a sloppy dancer. You know what I mean?
So, yeah, on this day, this was my happy place.
This was also the place where I realised I might be doing an okay job raising my daughter.
See, the shop had this little table set up where you can write your wishes/goals in life on paper and hang them on what looked like a tree branch that was full of paper wishes and goals of the other customers before them. Raven looked so serious jotting hers down that it made me curious what was on hers.
I kid you not, these were the three things she wrote (and she was only 7 years old at the time):
- Beautiful home
- Happy family
- Successful life
My precious girl. I hope she keeps those goals close to her heart because I have to admit, she’s right on the money. Add good health to that and she’s all set to living a great life with insight and appreciation for the things that truly matter.
Later, at a pet shop called P’s-First, she also wished for this cute kitten but no way we were importing a cat all the way from Japan no matter how doe-eyed it was.
Definitely a hard pass.
With the afternoon winding down, we took a taxi back to our machiya to take a break from the day’s activities before heading out to dinner later that night. Of course, we also stopped by at FamilyMart.
For one reason or another, we’re always there every single day.
*Raven at 7 years old
the pauses between 