Machida's Shopping District...

Rather than exploring the giant malls, we roamed Machida's shopping streets surrounding the train station that were closed to traffic. Ashlynn's friends call her Ash, so she liked the name of this salon.

Manga (comics) and anime (cartoons) are a big part of Japanese culture.

In addition to halls for adults to gamble on pachinko (a small upright pinball machine), there were several arcade halls mostly filled with claw and hook machines in which teens attempt to capture stuffed animals and other goodies.

At first glance Ashlynn thought this might be dried fruit, but on closer inspection it is clearly dried squid.

It is unlikely that Ashlynn will get to try on a real kimono, so this will have to suffice.

This colorful assortment of tutus was not in a costume shop, but rather just an accessories shop for teen girls.