So what exactly do they have in Costcos in Japan?

My friend Emori-san took me to Costco today. Costco is one of the inevitable answers I always hear when I ask my friends or neighbors, "Where can I find X or Y?" The other answer is "Joyful Honda." Both stores are located close to each other, but about 10 km away from me, and impractical to visit by bicycle. Can you imagine me trying to peddle 100 rolls of toilet paper home on my little bike? I'd look like the old Charmin commercials the US used to have, with kids stuffing them into their pants so they don't get hurt when they fall down ice skating.

At first glance it would seem impractical for Japan to have Costcos. After all, we've all heard horror stories of tiny living spaces and small cars. And there are no basements to tidily hoard things in, unlike so many places in the US. But the Japanese have figured something out that few in America have: get the neighborhood in on it.

It's genius, right? Three or four people from the same neighborhood will go to Costco, buy what they need, and then come home and divvy up the goods. Inexpensive, efficient, and another reason to maintain neighborhood harmony. I call it a win for everyone.

So, here's the trip in a photographic nutshell:

Our parking spot, if you can believe it!

The view once you walk through the doors.

This is magic steak that would still taste tender,
even if you overcooked it.

My husband's lunch. I kid, but only a little.

Midway down is a full sized pool table.

There? On the right? Squid ink pasta sauce.

There was more. Of course. So much more. Fresh bread, tons of alcohol (literally, I'm pretty sure), clothing, toys, tents, lots and lots of chocolate, and quite a few American treats like Snickers and Dum Dum suckers that were fun to see. But the item I was most excited to find was:

An essential pantry item in the US.
Not so much in Japan.

Yup, you got it. Humble distilled white vinegar. Thanks to a litany of Facebook posters sharing the simple hacks that revolve around this liquid, I felt a little bit lost when I couldn't find it at our local store. Now, look out laundry, and windows, and deviled eggs! My secret weapon is back in my tool belt!