SHOP & SERVE

TANKYODO Japanese Antique store is a little gem of a store located in Minami Azabu, Tokyo. We love this store so much we have added it to our favorite Japanese Antique Stores list. A bonus is that it is located in the same neighborhood as the Best Living Japan Studio so …

Although mold grows year round the months from May to September are the months the Japan house mold fighting products are in high usage. The combination of heat and humidity is a breeding ground for mold.  Keeping on top of prevention every day is an absolute must to keep your family healthy …

domodomo Japan has launched a line of iconic graphic t-shirts & bags 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 & bags from Japan – these make great gifts for family …

Here are our favorite Japanese sunscreens – 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 …

I have been collecting Japanese antiques for over 30 years, so I am sharing with you the Best 10 Japanese antique stores in Tokyo. These stores have excellent selections and are owned and run by true experts in the field of Japanese antiques. If you can’t find what you want …

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 …

Here is our 5-day quarantine Lunch and Dinner meal plan. Cooking 3 meals a day while working and home schooling takes a toll. Remember to take time to breathe, take a walk in your neighborhood, give yourself a break and order in. Delivery options at the bottom of the post. …

We put together the best Tokyo food delivery services websites/Apps to use when living or visiting Tokyo. Do you have one to recommend? Leave a comment below. RESTAURANT DELIVERY   Uber Eats Japan – Uber Eats makes ordering food easier – for you and for restaurants. We team up with delivery partners …

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 (花粉症)/hay fever.  Here are our recommended Top 10 Ways to Survive Hay Fever (kafunsho) Season in Japan.  Kafunsho is …

Shopping in a Japanse supermarket can be overwhelming, but navigating the cleaning aisle can be a search in dispiriting. Don’t struggle any longer. I have probably tested every cleaning product in Japan and here is my recommend Must Have Top 10 Japanese Cleaning Products. If you miss your favourite home …

At Best Living Japan, we offer various craft classes that use Japanese washi, so we are “experts” on where to find the best selection. Here are our top 10 locations to buy Japanese washi in Tokyo. Many smaller Japanese souvenir shops may also sell sheets of Japanese washi, but for …

Shibuya is undergoing a huge facelift bringing it out of the bubble 1980/90s to the 2020s with the new Shibuya PARCO Building, Shibuya Scramble, Shibuya Stream and others.  The backstreet “teen grudge” shopping still exists but new shiny multi-service complexes are now popping up all over. The new Shibuya PARCO …

The farm to market focus in Japan is lower than in many western countries but is slowly gaining traction at Tokyo Farmers Markets. Below you can find five Tokyo Farmers Markers that moms love! Always so much fun to take the kiddos and find fresh fruits, veggies and handmade bake …

Okadaya Shinjuku is a great place to go to for textiles. They have two buildings; one with six floors of fabric (cotton, velvet, silk, satin, organic cotton, fleece, velor, wool, etc), traditional Japanese materials and other special textiles; and the adjacent building carries seven floors of basic materials (buttons, thread, string), …

Got Lice? Learn how to treat lie in Japan. Lice is SHIRAMI in Japanese (シラミ).  First reaction is ick, yikes, embarrassment, worry. Get over it quick and take action. Lice are very common in Japan, especially on kids in daycare, nursery and elementary. Any kid can get it. We talked …

With four men & boys in our house,  I have been researching and shopping at Tokyo Men’s Big and Tall stores for quite a few years. Here is a list of the top locations in Tokyo and also the best online resources (domestic and international). I have shopped at, and …

Shibuya MUJI Play Area and Hourly Childcare (木育ルーム) is a special place where parents can play with their kids or leave them to play with a caregiver for up to three hours Friday – Monday. The play area and hourly childcare are in the same area on the 5th floor …

Only a 33 min express train ride from Shibuya station MARK IS Minato Mirai Mall in Yokohama is a family shopping paradise. MARK IS is a six-story building connected to the Minato Mirai train station where you can shop close to 200 stores, enjoy every type of Japanese and international …

Do you have kids who love Hello Kitty? Check out our list of Everything Hello Kitty; stores, transport, hotel, theme parks and more. We’ve got you covered. If you have other recommendations to add to the list, please let us know! 1. SANRIO PUROLAND (Hello Kitty Land), Tama New Town, …

Obento making is a daily occurrence in homes with children who attend Japanese yochien. We spoke to veteran obento making moms and these are their recommended obento making items. Many can be found at Toys R Us Japan, department stores like Aeon Style or on Amazon Japan. We have highlighted Amazon products below which …

Are you a sandals person like me? If so, head over to Boudoir Day Spa for a pedicure to kick off the sandal season. Boudoir has been in business for 18 years and specializes in pedi, mani, facials and hair removal.   My trip this past week was to summerize …

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 …

We surveyed Japanese mums and listed the most common essentials to get through the day in Tokyo. The snacks, toys and lip balm vary and not pictured are everyday essentials; hat, gloves, sunglasses, and mini hot patches. Most products, aside from the stationary & legos, can be found at Japanese drugstores …

The Pokemon Cafe and Center Store is another excellent spot for Pokemon lovers in Tokyo. Pokemon Center Tokyo DX opened its cafe and center store in 2018 on the 5th floor of the Takashimaya Department store in Nihonbashi. They offer adorable Pokemon character-themed drinks and dishes, exclusive merchandise, and a …

The Best Time For Shopping in Japan – Tips and Tricks For Saving Yen. Japan has a reputation for being an expensive place to live. But if you know when to shop, you’ll be able to plan your purchases and save some serious yen. Here’s a handy Japanese shopping calendar that’s …