When you buy something at stores, they ask you if you need plastic bag. Plastic bags are not free; In July 2020, the government made into a law to charge plastic bags to reduce garbage and protect the environment. So whenever I go shopping, I take shopping bags with me. it’s called eco bag in Japan because it is eco-friendly not using plastic bag.
Japanese eco bags
We have varieties of eco bags in Japan. It seems there are new types of eco bags coming out all the times. I like looking at shopping bags.
Some popular ones are：
- Shupatto -easily foldable. This is popular brand that you can probably find it in many places.
- Ultra light kind-It’s so light and thin, you can put it in your purse or pocket.
- Various sizes-Some are really small, just the right size for Conbini bento box.
- Eco bag with cases-I just bought one that can be stored in card case. That way, you can just take this small card case to go to Conbini.
- Various designs-We have lots of different designs including ones with characters. You can buy hello kitty, Snoopy, Miffy and etc.
Where can you buy eco bags?
- Loft or Hands: If you like to see ones with new functions, you will find it in Loft and Hands
- Franc Franc or 3 coins: If you like girly designs.
- Sanrio: If you like Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and Kuromi
- Department stores: If you’d like designer shopping bags
- Kinokuniya, Seijo Ishii, Meidiya etc: High end supermarkets have their original shopping bags.(Just like Whole Foods)
- Supermarket: You will find sturdy eco bag at supermarkets for reasonable price
- Daiso, Can★Do, Seria: 100 yen shops have basic ones. You may not see so much variety and designs but quality is fine. I use one I bought at 100 yen shop a few years ago and it’s handy.
Furoshiki-traditional eco bag
History of Furoshiki
Flat wrapping cloths have existed since ancient times and have been found at various archaeological sites. However, it was not until 14th century that the term ‘furoshiki’ was coined. It is said when the feudal lords who were close to the Shogun used the bathhouse where they wrapped their own clothes in a cloth with their family crest on it to avoid being confused. At the time, it was called hirazumi (平包) but gradually the name furoshiki (風呂敷) seems to have taken root. Furoshiki literally means Furo (bath) shiki (to lay) so a cloth to lay (before) bath. It is a piece of square cloth. The most common one is made of cotton or polyesther. The formal one is made of silk.
How can you use it?
Easiest way is to put something in the middle and tie around and carry. You would be surprised there are so many different ways to wrap things. There are ways to wrap bottles to watermelon. You can find how to in YouTube videos.
Nowadays, there are handles that you can buy separately and use furoshiki like handbags. Since you can find many Japanese designs (some are traditional, some are modern) , this can make unique bag for you. You can also change furoshiki and design will change.
Where can you buy?
They are generally sold in either department stores or Kimono related shops. Depending on size and material, price will change. Silk one can be quite expensive.
Good Sourvenir
Eco bags can be a good sourvenir. They don’t take up spaces, light and practical. If you can find designs that you can only find here in Japan, or one with unique convenient features, it would be a good gift.
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