A Fukuokan's Notes from Sapporo

Bon Repas

How could I describe…

I think I can see what this supermarket wants to seem to be, probably adjectives like “luxury”, “up-market”, or “high-end”. But I tend to think of “overdoing”, or “showing-off”, or “nouveau riche” when I shop here.

I don’t mean to ridicule it. It does stock a good range of unusual products, some of which used to be found only at department stores and speciality shops. And the perishables are always fresh and nice. This store actually made my life easier in a way where I am no longer have to go to the city centre for a bottle of vinegar or a pack of Miso.

But everything is too expensive here, at least 30% higher than my standard.  As a “luxury” supermarket, this store is equipped with clean and spacious toilets with a powder room, and the shop staff is always kind and nice… which give me a weirdly mixed feeling. Actually, when shopping there, I feel like someone special, but I can’t help wondering why I have to pay extra for the “special”. At the same time, part of me scream: “Hey look! I am shopping here!”  Too complicated to explain!

So after shopping here, because of the psychological struggle (maybe an aftereffect of my “bubble life” in the 80s),   I always feel somewhat awkward and somewhat drained, though it’s just shopping at a local supermarket, not a job interview.  

Today I bought:

A bottle of “made in Kyoto” vinegar.

Two bottles of curry powder, one of which was by Fauchon.

From these, could you see how it feels there?

My verdict:

Somewhere between department store and supermarket (I personally think recently department stores have been more accessible, though), or the remains of Japanese “Bubble” age.