Life around Kumamoto City part 3# second-hand store and traditional market

As a student or someone who temporary visiting one place, the second hand store could be another option for you to find something (like electronic devices such as iron, hair dryer, winter coat?) that you need in the reasonable price. The good thing in Japan is, the secondhand stuffs are well maintained and still looks good. The price could be very much more cheaper than the new one with the quality is till good. 

I think in every city in japan, it is quite common to find the second hand-stores. I got an idea to find the second store from googling. In the first search, I found Hard off Gakusei store (Kumamoto branch) as the second-hand shop. On the clear sunny day, I was by-cycling with the guide from the google map. I took around 5 km from my dormitory to go there, and surprisingly before i reached the Hard off gakusei, i found another second-hans stored, namen Second-street. 

The Second-street store is quite good store, has many second-hand stuff ranging from clothes, electronic devices, cooking ware and some antique stuff like ceramic and other things. This store is easy to be found, located in the Higashi Ward, Goryo, 3 Chome−18 and can bee seen from the main street. Across from this stores, there is big McD (it can be seen for you to find this store). 

The price in this store is quite good, if you lucky enough, you can get the good stuff with cheap price as i got the japanese iron for just 200 yen only. Some fashion and clothes also considerably cheap, as I saw the winter sweaters were priced generally 500 yen, with relatively still proper to be used. 

the arrangement of the store also  good, it makes us easy to find the intended stuff. 

Cycling for around 15 minute (1.3 km) from the second-street, finally i found the Hard off Gakusei, I could say that this store accommodates more stuffs with occupied dominantly by the electronic devices and more expensive things (such as Pc, electric guitar and etc). For those who wan t to find action figures or some gundam, this store can be an alternative. you can also find the used- clothes and shoes. Some home appliance also can be found here such as blanket, bedding set (futton).

This tore located near to the book off which sell the discounted book, comic, DVD, CD and of course all of them are not new one. 

2nd Street Re-use shop

on the way to the secon-hand store

Book off just located next to hard off

Hard off Gakusei entrance

some pictures of shoes sold in Hard off Gakusei

The iron that i got from the second street for just 200 yen

For you who likes to go to traditional market, Kokei market can be one of alternative. This market is not far from Kumamoto University. Easily can be reached by bike, bus or even if you want you can walk. Along that street, there are a lot of traditional seller that offer their product (mostly vegetables and some ingredient for cooking). This market open around 9 am. I do love to visit this market, since it is the nearest traditional market from the university and dormitory, and also the price is usually cheaper than the supermarket. The quality of vegetables and also fruit are also good. In this are also, it is located the Moeslem Friendly Ramen, Ramen Rinki. So for you who want to try japanese halal ramen, you can come this store (open at 5 pm). 

Kokei market street in the night

Ramen rinki entrance

Being able to cook in japan is a good way to save your money. You can see the quite big difference price for the raw material and the ready-to eat in japan. So, If you stay for quite long time it is better for you to be able to cook and try the experience to do transaction in Japanese local market.