Back to Don Quixote

[setsuled]

One of the best things about where I'm currently living is that I'm just a few blocks from a Don Quijote, a "tax free" discount store known for its eclectic and expansive selection of merchandise. If you're interested in Japan and you've never been to Japan, you've probably watched YouTubers strolling through its aisles of chaotic kitsch. You can also get groceries there, though their selection of produce is not consistent. But they have a lot of packaged and foreign foods, especially oddball items that evidently didn't find success on other store shelves, such as the Hot and Spicy Stir-Fried Lobster Pringles I bought a few weeks ago (I thought they were pretty good). Their liquor selection is also surprisingly great. You can get Johnnie Walker Red, Black, Double Black, Black Ruby, and even Green Labels, though I've been partial to Cutty Sark these days. They also have clothes, appliances, stationery, Halloween costumes, camping gear, and who knows what else.

A few days ago, I noticed they had a huge display for the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future and I again marvelled at the cultural currency that movie currently exerts in Japan. Now at Don Quijote you can get a variety of remote controlled Delorians, tote bags and thermoses with the fictional Pepsi logo from Back to the Future Part II, and bags with mystery prizes. Apparently in Shibuya there's even a full sized Delorian. You can see a full list of goods on their website. Look at that, I'm using Japanese English, saying "goods" instead of "merchandise".

I can't find any information on the origin of the name and how much it has to do with Cervantes' Don Quixote. I searched and searched but soon realised it was a quixotic quest.