at least last time it stopped raining so I didn’t have to get a new one immediately. just had to fork over another 2k yen cause its literally storming. rip my student pockets 🙁
I had an umbrella stolen outside a convenience store in 1996. It was *dumping* down rain and I was also a student, with no money to buy another umbrella. Walked home in the pouring rain.
In the 25+ years since, I haven’t once left an umbrella outside a shop. I give it a good shake, wrap it up, and carry it inside with me.
Maybe a total coincidence but I’ve found nobody ever steals the more expensive black ones, but the clear plastic ones seem to be fair game
I saw people in twitter writing some curses on the umbrella, e.g. “Go to hell if you steal it”.
Wait, you paid 2k for a konbini umbrella? Are they usually not like 500-600 yen or something?
When you pop it in the stand, don’t wrap it up nicely. Stick it in all messed up and grubby looking on an angle. Also have the handle plastic peeled half way and rolled up all gross looking
Because of [selfish people like this](https://metropolisjapan.com/mi-kasa-es-su-kasa/) that think umbrellas are common property. And when someone takes their umbrella they feel entitled to steal someone else’s.
Awful people.
Edit: and while I feel bad for people who have had their umbrella stolen, passing on that hardship to someone else is a shit move.
Next time take your umbrella with you. That’s what I do.
After having this happen to me a few times, I now 1) never buy expensive or nice umbrellas and 2) always carry it into the shop with me – I keep a little plastic bag in my bag specifically for this since some places don’t have the plastic coverings at the door.
I’m sorry you had to deal with that though.
I used to buy nice umbrellas. I stopped for this exact reason.
Clear umbrellas and shitty mamachari bicycles are basically the only two items that are socially acceptable to steal in Japan. No idea why. I suppose because they are both so ubiquitous and all look alike; one has plausible deniability in claiming it was a genuine mistake and thought it was theirs.
Out in the wild you either become the prey, or you become the hunter.
Is this a Tokyo thing? It’s never happened to me in 5 years
Yes, absolutely! It hurts more when it’s a pretty one 🙁 I now either carry a plastic bag with me or use the store provided (narrow but doable) ones and keep the umbrella with me instead of leaving them on the rack outside.
I carry a foldable umbrella around with me. If the rain is light I wear a waterproof jacket instead
I learned that although Japan is a safe country, expect 2 things to get stolen: umbrellas and bicycles.
U live enough to become one
Don’t you know that umbrellas in any rack in front of a building are communal property?
Like I’m not joking. Buy a cheap plastic one and if you’d is taken take someone else’s.
This is the way.
Umbrella from my bicycle parked in almost enclosed area. Bicycle seat rain cover and some petty one also stole the umbrella holder. Always when it is pouring. Had to get home on a wet butt today again. Makes me want to put some unremovable paint on the stuff. Marking umbrellas with tape and nonsense writting on it helps a bit against theft.
I think it’s cuz everyone has the same one so no one knows which one is theirs. It happened to me today. I went to eat and came back out and there were like 3-4 umbrellas which looked exactly the same as mine. Luckily , I remembered mine had a white handle. The rest were black handles. However that was the only difference.
No thefts in my home area but if I’m in tokyo I don’t leave my umbrella.
After the second time of getting mine stolen. Some people are just assholes.
If you live near Kichijoji DM me I have like 8 extra ones in my closet, I will give one free to you.
Tie a pink ribbon to your handle, no one will ever steal it
Where the hell are you buying an umbrella, 711/family/Lawson everywhere series em for 5-700, 2k it better carry itself!
I have expensive umbrellas, so I never leave them outside. I always take them inside with me.
Step 1) buy a pot of citadel blood for the blood god technical paint and some clear coat Matte varnish
Step 2) take a tooth brush and dip it into blood for the blood god paint pot. Flick flecks of blood paint on the handle
Step 3) use matte varnish on the handle.
If someone picks it up, find a way to simulate fecal stains on your handle.
Two days ago, I’m at the Family Mart in Aoyama, near the construction going on, left my umbrella outside in the holder to grab an onigiri an drink before the gym, when I step back outside, I step to the side of the door so I’m not blocking it while I put my drink in my backpack, a grandpa in a suit walks up to the door, about to go inside the store and suddenly stops, sees my umbrella in the holder and he looks inside the Family Mart, checks that no one is in there, then grabs it and tries to run off, I yelled at him after 2 steps, he drops my umbrella and keeps running off.
It’s sunny, the rain ended 2 hours ago.
While not as sturdy as the full size counterparts I always carry a retractable umbrella and shove it in my bag. I hate carrying around bulky umbrellas. The smaller ones can even fit in shopping bags in a pinch if you don’t normally carry a bag.
It’s a calculated payoff:
– All those years fussing with the store umbrella condom – vs going nama and leaving it in the rack
I had my umbrella stolen couple times at my language school. But it was more to do with “everyone’s umbrella is the same” lol. I started using colour tapes and tape it on my umbrella, at least that way, no one would assume that my umbrella is theirs
my umbrella was 700 en? and theres some at a 100 en shop i saw too
yup. bring a plastic bag and carry your folding umbrella with you inside.
bicycle and umbrella theft are very common.
Get a cute umbrella like Precure. Problem solved(?).
Just pay it forward next time – Reddit doesn’t have umbrella police
I’ll put a sticker or something uniquely identifying it on the handle, and people reaching for a “generic” conbini umbrella will think twice before grabbing the unique looking one.
And this is why I just have a collapsible umbrella that I just stuff on my side pocket of my backpack when going indoors.
Yes my umbrellas always get stolen.
Putting on a “Property of the police” sticker may become a deterrent.
I’ve been extremely lucky I guess. Been here 7+ years (Tokyo/Chiba area) and never had an umbrella stolen.
That said even though I know Japan is one of the safest places to be I’ll never stop being a paranoid gaijin (lol) so I often carry my umbrella with me even if there’s a stand outside. That’s not to say I never use the stands. I do. Usually only at a konbini though, where I know I’ll be in and out in a few minutes, which minimizes the risk. Sometimes at restaurants as well, like it’s a nice restaurant and I’d look like a weirdo carrying my wet umbrella to my table, etc.
Even at work, I have never used the office umbrella stands. Ever. I trust coworkers less than random strangers at the konbini (when it comes to my umbrella). I’ll bring it to my desk and hang it somewhere or open it and let it dry if there’s space.
Nope, my umbrella usually gets fucked by the wind before that happens.
My advice: Get a nice inverted umbrella, preferably with a bag. You’ll keep the floors dry thanks to it folding inwards. No need for these weird umbrella plastic bags some supermarkets have outside. With a bag you can strap it to your back and can shop hands-free. Big plus: When you’re going back outside it feels like unsheathing a sword from your back 😀 Mine also comes with such a handle you can nicely fit over a coat or jacket sleeve when holding, allowing you to use your hand for example to look at your phone.
One time I went to a bar and put the my umbrella that I had just purchased a few minutes prior into the umbrella stand. After being seated I glanced at the stand outside and noticed it was already gone, not even a minute later.
I stepped outside to see if I could figure out who took it, and it turned out that some dude had my umbrella and was walking with 2 other people who were under it together with him. I went up to him and the exchange went something like:
Me: Excuse me, that’s my umbrella
Him: No it’s not…
Me: Yeah it is, I just bought it and put it in the stand in front of the bar.
Him: This isn’t your umbrella
I guess one of the bar staff saw when I ran out to confront the guy because a girl who worked there came out and backed me up. Once she told the dude it was my umbrella he handed it over and his group walked off in the rain.
Nowadays I just don’t use the stands if I can help it.
40 comments
I had an umbrella stolen outside a convenience store in 1996. It was *dumping* down rain and I was also a student, with no money to buy another umbrella. Walked home in the pouring rain.
In the 25+ years since, I haven’t once left an umbrella outside a shop. I give it a good shake, wrap it up, and carry it inside with me.
Maybe a total coincidence but I’ve found nobody ever steals the more expensive black ones, but the clear plastic ones seem to be fair game
I saw people in twitter writing some curses on the umbrella, e.g. “Go to hell if you steal it”.
Wait, you paid 2k for a konbini umbrella? Are they usually not like 500-600 yen or something?
When you pop it in the stand, don’t wrap it up nicely. Stick it in all messed up and grubby looking on an angle. Also have the handle plastic peeled half way and rolled up all gross looking
Because of [selfish people like this](https://metropolisjapan.com/mi-kasa-es-su-kasa/) that think umbrellas are common property. And when someone takes their umbrella they feel entitled to steal someone else’s.
Awful people.
Edit: and while I feel bad for people who have had their umbrella stolen, passing on that hardship to someone else is a shit move.
Next time take your umbrella with you. That’s what I do.
After having this happen to me a few times, I now 1) never buy expensive or nice umbrellas and 2) always carry it into the shop with me – I keep a little plastic
bag in my bag specifically for this since some places don’t have the plastic coverings at the door.
I’m sorry you had to deal with that though.
I used to buy nice umbrellas. I stopped for this exact reason.
Clear umbrellas and shitty mamachari bicycles are basically the only two items that are socially acceptable to steal in Japan. No idea why. I suppose because they are both so ubiquitous and all look alike; one has plausible deniability in claiming it was a genuine mistake and thought it was theirs.
Out in the wild you either become the prey, or you become the hunter.
Is this a Tokyo thing? It’s never happened to me in 5 years
Yes, absolutely! It hurts more when it’s a pretty one 🙁
I now either carry a plastic bag with me or use the store provided (narrow but doable) ones and keep the umbrella with me instead of leaving them on the rack outside.
I carry a foldable umbrella around with me. If the rain is light I wear a waterproof jacket instead
I learned that although Japan is a safe country, expect 2 things to get stolen: umbrellas and bicycles.
U live enough to become one
Don’t you know that umbrellas in any rack in front of a building are communal property?
Like I’m not joking. Buy a cheap plastic one and if you’d is taken take someone else’s.
This is the way.
Umbrella from my bicycle parked in almost enclosed area. Bicycle seat rain cover and some petty one also stole the umbrella holder. Always when it is pouring. Had to get home on a wet butt today again. Makes me want to put some unremovable paint on the stuff. Marking umbrellas with tape and nonsense writting on it helps a bit against theft.
I think it’s cuz everyone has the same one so no one knows which one is theirs. It happened to me today. I went to eat and came back out and there were like 3-4 umbrellas which looked exactly the same as mine. Luckily , I remembered mine had a white handle. The rest were black handles. However that was the only difference.
No thefts in my home area but if I’m in tokyo I don’t leave my umbrella.
After the second time of getting mine stolen. Some people are just assholes.
If you live near Kichijoji DM me I have like 8 extra ones in my closet, I will give one free to you.
Tie a pink ribbon to your handle, no one will ever steal it
Where the hell are you buying an umbrella, 711/family/Lawson everywhere series em for 5-700, 2k it better carry itself!
I have expensive umbrellas, so I never leave them outside. I always take them inside with me.
Step 1) buy a pot of citadel blood for the blood god technical paint and some clear coat Matte varnish
Step 2) take a tooth brush and dip it into blood for the blood god paint pot. Flick flecks of blood paint on the handle
Step 3) use matte varnish on the handle.
If someone picks it up, find a way to simulate fecal stains on your handle.
Two days ago, I’m at the Family Mart in Aoyama, near the construction going on, left my umbrella outside in the holder to grab an onigiri an drink before the gym, when I step back outside, I step to the side of the door so I’m not blocking it while I put my drink in my backpack, a grandpa in a suit walks up to the door, about to go inside the store and suddenly stops, sees my umbrella in the holder and he looks inside the Family Mart, checks that no one is in there, then grabs it and tries to run off, I yelled at him after 2 steps, he drops my umbrella and keeps running off.
It’s sunny, the rain ended 2 hours ago.
While not as sturdy as the full size counterparts I always carry a retractable umbrella and shove it in my bag. I hate carrying around bulky umbrellas. The smaller ones can even fit in shopping bags in a pinch if you don’t normally carry a bag.
It’s a calculated payoff:
– All those years fussing with the store umbrella condom
– vs going nama and leaving it in the rack
I had my umbrella stolen couple times at my language school. But it was more to do with “everyone’s umbrella is the same” lol. I started using colour tapes and tape it on my umbrella, at least that way, no one would assume that my umbrella is theirs
my umbrella was 700 en? and theres some at a 100 en shop i saw too
yup. bring a plastic bag and carry your folding umbrella with you inside.
bicycle and umbrella theft are very common.
Get a cute umbrella like Precure. Problem solved(?).
Just pay it forward next time – Reddit doesn’t have umbrella police
I’ll put a sticker or something uniquely identifying it on the handle, and people reaching for a “generic” conbini umbrella will think twice before grabbing the unique looking one.
And this is why I just have a collapsible umbrella that I just stuff on my side pocket of my backpack when going indoors.
Yes my umbrellas always get stolen.
Putting on a “Property of the police” sticker may become a deterrent.
I’ve been extremely lucky I guess. Been here 7+ years (Tokyo/Chiba area) and never had an umbrella stolen.
That said even though I know Japan is one of the safest places to be I’ll never stop being a paranoid gaijin (lol) so I often carry my umbrella with me even if there’s a stand outside. That’s not to say I never use the stands. I do. Usually only at a konbini though, where I know I’ll be in and out in a few minutes, which minimizes the risk. Sometimes at restaurants as well, like it’s a nice restaurant and I’d look like a weirdo carrying my wet umbrella to my table, etc.
Even at work, I have never used the office umbrella stands. Ever. I trust coworkers less than random strangers at the konbini (when it comes to my umbrella). I’ll bring it to my desk and hang it somewhere or open it and let it dry if there’s space.
Nope, my umbrella usually gets fucked by the wind before that happens.
My advice: Get a nice inverted umbrella, preferably with a bag. You’ll keep the floors dry thanks to it folding inwards. No need for these weird umbrella plastic bags some supermarkets have outside. With a bag you can strap it to your back and can shop hands-free. Big plus: When you’re going back outside it feels like unsheathing a sword from your back 😀 Mine also comes with such a handle you can nicely fit over a coat or jacket sleeve when holding, allowing you to use your hand for example to look at your phone.
One time I went to a bar and put the my umbrella that I had just purchased a few minutes prior into the umbrella stand. After being seated I glanced at the stand outside and noticed it was already gone, not even a minute later.
I stepped outside to see if I could figure out who took it, and it turned out that some dude had my umbrella and was walking with 2 other people who were under it together with him. I went up to him and the exchange went something like:
Me: Excuse me, that’s my umbrella
Him: No it’s not…
Me: Yeah it is, I just bought it and put it in the stand in front of the bar.
Him: This isn’t your umbrella
I guess one of the bar staff saw when I ran out to confront the guy because a girl who worked there came out and backed me up. Once she told the dude it was my umbrella he handed it over and his group walked off in the rain.
Nowadays I just don’t use the stands if I can help it.