It was great to get out to Nelson Airport on Friday morning and begin our adventure to Japan. We had to check in a full hour early as our ticket was bought as part of an international fare even though the first international flight was 3 days away.
Karen's sister Rhonda met us on arrival at Auckland airport, and took us to an amazing store in Onehunga. The Asia Gallery Kimono Emporium apparently sells more kimonos than any other establishment... in the entire world! It brings in container-loads of kimonos and some other Japanese goods direct from Japan, many from Kanazawa. It has literally thousands of gorgeous kimonos of every colour, mens' and womens', new and old. Some are secondhand, others are purchased brand-new from stores that have closed. Many are beautiful top-quality silk or wool (often from New Zealand apparently). Prices are utterly extraordinary. These are kimonos that would sell for hundreds, even into the thousands, in Japan, but at the Emporium you can buy a brand-new pure wool full-length kimono for $12.50! The highest price was $50. We were blown away. The choice was overwhelming, and Rhonda bought us a kimono each for this year's birthdays, to use as light dressing gowns with a bit of style. Karen got another couple of amazing kimono jackets, each still just $12.50. We were thrilled. What an amazing place, and a fantastic way start to a Japanese holiday.
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| A tiny fraction of the kimonos on offer |
