The Carp

merchandise. I'd seen a fair bit of stuff around town – mainly snacks, cakes and 'cheering' equipment(!) – but figured there would be a much bigger selection at the store at the Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium.

Unfortunately by the time I got back from my trip to Miyajima and walked to the stadium it was just after 4.00pm and the store had literally just closed. This was a bit of a bummer. I could hope to find some stuff in one of the department stores in downtown Hiroshima, or I re-arrange my travel plans so that I can get to the store when it opens at 10am (I had planned to be on my way to Tokyo by then).

My trawl through the department stores almost was successful, but I kept thinking that there would be a much bigger range at the proper Carp store. So in the end I didn't buy anything and instead decided to get a later train to Tokyo.

I was right the Carp store was big and had all kinds of random merchandise. I ummed and ahhed and in the end bought a Carp baseball shirt. It cost 8,000 Yen (about £62) and I'm now wondering when I'll ever actually wear it!