Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
The International Friendship Center at CrossPal Niigata
	Shopping As a general rule, stores in Japan do not allow bargaining, and Japanese are used to buying items at the full retail price. If a store has a sale, often they will advertise through a newspaper flier. In suburban areas or on the outskirts of the city, you may find large shopping centers or superstores, while the downtown areas tend to have department stores and smaller grocery stores. Many department stores also have grocery sections on their lower levels, though prices may be more than at ordinary grocery stores. The two major commercial areas in downtown Niigata City are the Furumachi area and the Bandai area. Japan also has many so-called "100 Yen Shops", where everything is on sale for the same price (usually 105 yen including tax). These shops tend to offer household items, gifts, snacks, and other miscellaneous goods. You might also find 300 Yen Shops or even 500 Yen Shops. Clothing Size Clothing sizes can be converted as follows. Shoe sizes are expressed in centimeters in Japan. 1 inch = 2.5 cm Men's Suits   Japan S M L LL       U.S.A / England 34 36 38 40 42 44 46       Europe 44 46 48 50 52 54 56     Shirts & Collars   Japan 36 37 38 39 40 41 42       U.S.A / England 14 14 1/2 15 15½ 16 16½ 17       Europe 36 37 38 39 40 41 42     Men's Sweaters   Japan S - M - L - XL       U.S.A - S - M - L - XL     England 32 34 36 - 38 40 42 - 44   France / Germany 42 44 46 - 48 50 52 - 54 Men's Shoes   Japan 24 24½ 25 25½ 26 26½   27     U.S.A 6½ 7 7 ½ 8 8½ 9   9½     England 5½ 6 6½ 7 7½ 8   8½     France / Germany 38 39 40 41 42 - 43 -   Women's Dresses & Suits   Japan 7 9 11 13 15           U.S.A 8 10 12 14 16           England 30 32 34 36 38           France / Germany 36 38 40 42 44         Women's Blouses & Sweaters   Japan 7 9 11 13 15           U.S.A 28 30 32 34 36           England 30 32 34 36 38           France / Germany 36 38 40 42 44         Women's Shoes   Japan 22 22½ 23 23 ½ 24 24½   25 25½   U.S.A 4½ 5 5½ 6 6½ 7   7½ 8   England 3½ 4 4½ 5 5½ 6   6½ 7   France / Germany 34 35 36 37 38 - 39 - 40 Back to Home
Niigata City International Exchange Foundation 3-2086 Ishizuecho-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City 951-8055, Japan E-mail: nigtief@pavc.ne.jp Phone: 025-225-2727 Fax: 025-225-2733 Copyright (C) Niigata City International Exchange Foundation. All rights reserved