Shop & Serve

Kappabashi is a cook`s paradise. Kappabashi street is lined with shops selling all manner of tools and equipment for kitchens, from knives to Japanese pottery, kitchenware, baking goods and party supplies. Highly recommend a visit during the week when less crowded. Ample parking and easily accessible by train. Here is …

If you are planning a party, Kishi’s Tokyo party supplies is a great place to get all your balloons, table decorations, helium tanks and more.  Love this store since it is one-stop shopping from decorations to party favors. They also have a great selection of festival type kids toys, and …

When I worked in the corporate world and was 10-20 years younger, I dreaded the annual mandatory company Ningen Dock (Japan Physical Check-up). Now I am a mompreneur and who has to pay for my medical care mostly, so I had not had an annual Ningen Dock in four years. …

Have you heard of Kurashinity? We are all super busy moms with work, PTA, Girl Scouts, keeping the family fed, and oh, yes — cleaning the house and doing the laundry. It’s a heavy load to bear, and getting it all done without assistance can seem insurmountable at times. But …

Whether your kids are headed to the beach, or just out and about, sunscreen is a must. Sunscreen is recommended year-round for children 6 months and older. Infants under six months should not be in direct sunlight, and application of sunscreen is not recommended as their skin is highly sensitive …

Saw my first mosquito today, so time to stock up on Japan mosquito repellent and aid products!! All this rain and warmer weather are going to equal a heavy mosquito season in Japan. Usually, in Japan mosquitos start to hatch and bite starting in April and are active through the …

Finding the Easter Bunny and Easter Goodies in Japan can be quite the challenge with limited quantities which sell out quickly. Easter is Sunday, April 21st so hop to it! We completed a store check yesterday (April 10th) and found Easter goodies including chocolate bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans available …

Looking for some great deals on adult and kids clothing and other home items in Tokyo? Then do not miss the annual Nearly New Sale happening new month at the Tokyo American Club.  This popular event is open to the public. The Nearly New Sale (flea market) is Friday, April …

Time to plant your spring garden. D2 Home Center is one of my favorite places to shop in Tokyo. Everything you need for apartment living. Great if you are spring cleaning and need boxes, cleaning products or organizational plastic storage boxes. If you are ready to start a flower or …

domodomo Japan has launched a line of iconic graphic t-shirts that show what we as moms love about Japan. domodomo is an exclusive collaborative between Best Living Japan and graphic designer Ilana Dashe. No more tacky t-shirts from Japan – these make great gifts for family and friends in Japan …

If you`re suffering from excessive sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose or a scratchy throat you might be experiencing an allergy from Japanese cedar pollen, or sugi tree – known as kafunsho (花粉所)/hay fever.  To help deal with the pollen this season we listed a few ideas from Amazon.co.jp to help you and …

Hamley`s entertainment toy store is a fantastic spot to spend a couple hours. Hamleys is the oldest and largest toy shop in the world. It is named after William Hamley, who founded a toy shop called “Noah’s Ark” in London in 1760. Currently, Hamleys operates over 110 stores all over the …

Fukubukuro Lucky Bags in Japan – 10 Tips for Smooth Shopping What are Fukubukuro? Since its inception in the early 20th century, fukubukuro have become synonymous with New Year’s in Japan. Originally intended as a means for shops to sell off excess inventory, these lucky bags typically contain merchandise sold …

Here are our top 10 gifts from Japan to give your friends and family. Although I love Japanese senbei (rice crackers), wagashi (Japanese sweets), Matcha and Origami I know my family and friends do not want to receive those items for their holiday gifts anymore. The gifts below are all …

If you are looking for a birthday present, holiday gift or a fun travel memorabilia check out our recommended Top 10 Tokyo Toy Stores. Although you can buy almost all of the toys on the market from Amazon.co.jp, there is still something fun about checking out the latest and greatest …

Avoid the long lines at the department store fitting room and cashier, out of stock sizes and colors, kids tantrums, etc with Prime Wardrobe Japan. Prime Wardrobe is a Prime-exclusive program where you can try before you buy “at home”. HOW IT WORKS Fill your Prime Wardrobe Cart with 3 or more …

Sharing our top 10+ Tokyo shops for Japanese gifts! If you are looking for that something special for friends in town or overseas? Some of my favourite gifts to bring overseas are hanging fabrics (tengui), calendars, chopsticks, items made from metal or washi paper. Local gift favorites are pottery, glass and …

As moms of six kids, we often get asked about great gifts for Baby. Zero to nine-month babies are typically non-mobile but are highly stimulated by high-contrast colours, sound and motion. Also by nine months many become solid sitters and crawlers. You do not need to invest in a lot …

10 Best Hand Creams for Winter in Japan In case you haven’t noticed, winter is coming. You’re probably already taken out your coats, hats, gloves, and other accessories to protect yourself from the harsh weather, but what about your skin? Dropping temperatures create the perfect environment for one of winter’s …

Squishies スクイーズ are the trend right now in Japan for kids! You can’t walk anywhere in Shibuya or Harajuku and not see Squishies for sale in all the Tokyo kids and teen shops. Squishies can run anywhere from a few hundred yen to thousands of yen. So was so psyched …

Journal Standard Square located between Meiji Jingu and Shibuya stations is one of the best Tokyo one-stop shopping locations for Japanese home accessories and kitchenware.  If you are trying to minimize your belongings, do not step in this store!! Every item for sale is beautiful and a “must have” from …

Dirty Dishes is well known amongst the Tokyo & Yokohama expat community as the “Best” place to stock up on Japanese tableware. Dirty Dishes is a family owned dish trading company actually called Okuno Shokai located in a  sleepy residential area of Kawasaki, Kanagawa-ken. If you have a car and …

Another great spot for Pokemon lovers in Tokyo – The Pokemon Cafe and Center Store. Pokemon Center Tokyo DX opened their cafe and center store earlier this year on the 5th floor of the Takashimaya Department store in Nihonbashi. They offer adorable Pokemon character themed drinks and dishes, exclusive merchandise and …

F&F is a natural food store with 15 locations in Tokyo and 2 in Kanagawa. They carry fresh, pesticide-free vegetables, quality Japanese rice, super foods like Hemp & Chia seeds, additive-free seasonings, homemade lunch boxes and breads, household items and organic baby food, snacks and rice cereal. F&F receives their produce direct …

Tomica (トミカ) is the line of die-cast toy vehicles produced since 1970 by Takara Tomy Co. of Japan. It`s a favorite in our home and among boys in Japan two to seven years of age. You can find Tomica products in toys stores around Japan but if you`re looking for limited …