I'm an American who went shopping at a mall in Japan. Here are 13 things that surprised me.

Nickelle TilleyApr 9, 2023, 19:54 IST

After moving to Japan, one of my first stops was the local mall.Nickelle Tilley

As an American living in Japan, I've found that shopping here is a vastly different experience.
The mall I usually visit has incredible amenities for families, including a separate kids' bathroom.

I'm an American who visited a shopping mall in Okinawa, Japan, and the experience was full of surprises.

Since moving to Okinawa, I do most of my shopping at Aeon Mall.Nickelle Tilley

Aeon Mall supplies complimentary carts that shoppers can take from store to store.

Shoppers don't have to lug large bags around Aeon Mall thanks to these carts.Nickelle Tilley

The shopping center also offers sanitized strollers for infants and toddlers.

My daughter loves riding in the stroller, and it makes it easier to bring her shopping.Nickelle Tilley

The mall has a wide range of shops, from designer stores to dollar stores.

Almost all of the items at 3 Coins are about $3.Nickelle Tilley

In Japan, the clothing sizes tend to run smaller than they do in the US.

I wear a small or a medium in the US and a large or extra large in Japan.Nickelle Tilley

Customers remove their shoes before entering some dressing rooms to keep the spaces clean.

Some stores request that customers leave their shoes outside the dressing room.Nickelle Tilley

Some stores provide mesh head coverings for shoppers to wear while trying on clothes.

The head coverings keep makeup from getting on the store's garments.Nickelle Tilley

The bathrooms are clean and have so many helpful amenities for parents.

The bathrooms in Aeon Mall have places for kids to sit when adults wash their hands.Nickelle Tilley

Kids have their own restroom at the mall, and it has children-sized toilets and sinks.

Aeon Mall has a children's bathroom with a small toilet and a sink.Nickelle Tilley

Aeon Mall has a fully stocked supermarket, so I can get groceries in the same place I shop.

The supermarket is immaculate and has all of the groceries I need for the week.Nickelle Tilley

Not only does the dining hall have sit-down restaurants, but also it has a section just for kids.

The food courts are spotless in Japan, and the restaurants serve high-quality food.Nickelle Tilley

The food court has such high-quality food that some people come to the mall just to eat.

When I order a meal in the Aeon Mall dining room, my meal comes out on dishes, not on plastic or Styrofoam.Nickelle Tilley

Technology, like food-delivering robots and high-tech vending machines, elevates the dining experience in many Japanese malls.

I usually get a beeper after ordering at the Aeon Mall food court.Nickelle Tilley

Aeon Mall's self-checkout stations make the payment process efficient and convenient.

The machine scans every item in my bin, even if they're tangled.Nickelle Tilley

From the child-friendly amenities to the high-quality dining options, there are a lot of things I'll miss about Japanese malls when I return to the US.

My family moved to Okinawa from North Carolina.Nickelle Tilley

I went to Disney World and Universal. The former is currently more expensive, but the quality is unmatched.

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