Hachinohe is like a Food Paradise.
From the outskirts of the downtown Hachinohe, where commercialisation and industrialisation monopolises that area, to Hachinohe wharf, food seems to be the culture.
Yokomachi Store Ichibancho is a supermarket approximately 8 mins walk from JR Hachinohe station. This is just as good as a morning exercise of 650m walk. I would consider Yokomachi as a seafood packaging showroom. Packets of nigiri sushi, sashimi and bentos beautifully lined the rows of refrigerator and providing free small sachets of soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi to accompany the purchase of the delicious seafood.
Photos courtesy of my mum
Like many parts of the world, many establishments in Japan are supporting the “say No to single-use biodegradable plastic bags” campaign. To deter shoppers from wasting single-use plastic bags, shoppers need to purchase their plastic bags if they have forgotten to bring a shopping trolley or carry bag. Yokomachi charge 3 to 5 yen for biodegradable plastic carry bags depending on the size. However, smaller plastic bags without handles are free of charge and available after the check-out counters.
Pretty contradicting? I believe that the sellers put themselves in the shoes of buyers when designing their businesses concept. Reputation is more important than being nitty gritty over money. Though purchasers may be housewives or just any common folk, word-of-mouth can pass faster than fireflies.
Seria 100-yen shop
Have you ever had that heart-pumping moment when you’re on your way to a store, practically salivating over the thought of shopping, only to arrive and realize you left your bags at home? It’s like showing up to a buffet with a toothpick—so much potential, yet no way to carry the glorious goods!
Yes, what is 3 to 5 yen as compared to dragging your bag and overbuying? But then again, accumulatively paying 3 to 5 yen for the entire journey for carry-on biodegradable bags which will breakdown into pieces after a certain period of time? I do not think so.
Here is what I love about Ichibancho.
They have a Seria 100-yen shop situated across the parking lot facing Yokomachi shop. Most of the items in the shop cost 100-yen. Forgot your shopping bag? Simple. Just go across to get larger that would be much more durable than single-use plastic carriers then continue shopping at Yokomachi to get your favorite bento.
How to get there: Approx. 10 mins to walk from Hachinohe station to Yokomachi Store Ichibancho and Seria 100-yen shop. Alternatively, bus Gonohe-Hachinohe line for 170yen is a 4mins ride from Hachinohe bus terminal. The frequency of the bus is every 20mins. The bus does not stop by the doorsteps of Yokomachi store. Instead, it stops at Godochosha-mae which is 3mins walk in the direction to the Hachinohe station to get to Yokomachi store and Seria 100-yen shop.
