Tokyo Nugget #24: Shoe shopping is a bit different here

The shoe sizes I’m familiar with are single digit ones (US) and 30-something ones (EU), but in Japan, your shoe size is the length of your foot in centimeters.

I’m a size 23.5 (size 6.5 or 7; 36.5 or 37) in Japan, if anyone cares.

I always find it amusing that shoes are lined up on the shelves according to sizes in Japanese shoe stores. I guess it’s an efficient way to show what they have in your size. If it’s there, it’s there. If the design is not available in your size, it just won’t be on the shelf. Also, both shoes in the pair are on display, which is not the case in Singapore, so you can just try them on both feet without having to call for any assistance — cool.

Another only-in-Japan thing: you don’t need to pay at the cash register at a department store. The salesperson would go to the cashier and get the receipt and you just need to wait where you were when you asked for service. You can then keep browsing as you wait and that’s certainly more interesting than standing in a queue.

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