
Target is America’s second-largest retailer, and its humongous stores have everything you could possibly need, from food to clothing to household goods. For a Japanese person visiting America for the first time these stores can be a tourist attraction in themselves as they gaze at the enormity of it all, and then leave without buying anything because it’s too overwhelming and they’re scared of doing something wrong.
However, our writer Japanese found something in a Target store that may even surprise Americans too.
Our RocketNews24 Japan writer Yoshio had a startling experience when he visited one particular Target store.
Everyone knows escalators, right? They’re not surprising at all, especially not in Japan where you can find them both indoors and out and pretty much every train station next to even the shortest flight of stairs. But in this store was a super special escalator, not for people – but for shopping carts! As you can see from our report’s photos, this escalator has been specifically designed to fit the wheels of a shopping trolley and carry it safely up to the next floor while its owner rides the escalator beside it.
Yoshio had never seen this kind of escalator before in either Japan or America. To start with, Japan has very few of these enormous supermarkets save for a few wholesale stores, and in supermarkets that do have more than one floor there will either be cash registers on each floor that you have to pay at before moving on to the next one, or you’ll be expected to cram yourself and your cart into an elevator.
Yoshio’s conclusion after seeing this: America rocks.
Have you seen this kind of escalator in your own country?
Source: RocketNews24 JP
Photos: RocketNews24




America! Our Japanese Reporter Approves of Julian Apple Pies, and You Should Too
Our Japanese correspondent’s report from his first-ever San Diego Comic-Con
Nine things the US does better than Japan (according to our cosplaying Japanese reporter)
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Major Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Japan’s heart-melting, mouthwatering cat-shaped bread can now be ordered online【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says