Shop & Serve

If you are looking for art supplies for a school project, new crafting passion or a Halloween costume here is a short list of the best Tokyo arts and crafts supply stores.  I have listed up a few places that are my go to locations in Tokyo; many of these also …

If your child suddenly has a skin rash the cause could be heat to a virus – check out six common children’s skin rashes in Japan. The summer months in Japan are warm and moist with lots of outdoor play which can lead to skin rashes and bug bites. Inspect …

Nitori is the IKEA or Bed Bath & Beyond of Japan selling affordable furniture and interior goods.  Nitori is a nationwide chain with more than 300 stores throughout Japan and around 50 stores outside the country. It’s a great place to shop if you are setting up a home in Japan or if you want …

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 …

If you are heading to the beach in Japan, here is our Family Beach Bag Packing List.  This list will differ slightly depending on the age of your kids, but I have four kids 19-6, and we still pack the same stuff. Most beaches in Japan have convenience stores and …

Summer in Japan is hot and humid, but it brings plenty of opportunity for kids to go out and enjoy themselves. While kids take advantage of school vacations and longer day light hours, we must also be vigilant in keeping them safe from insects, intense heat, harmful UV rays and …

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 …

Sakana Bacca (サカナ バッカ) is a retailer that deals with seafood delivered directly from fishermen and the Tsukiji fish market. The Nakameguro branch sells a wide variety of fresh seasonal fish that you can`t find at your local supermarket, sashimi, seasonings and cooking utensils from all over Japan. They even have tuna-cutting …

Top recommended Tokyo baby kids clothing stores. If you are looking for Baby or Kids Clothing in Tokyo, here are some boutiques, mass brand, department and general merchandise stores in Tokyo that BestLivingJapan moms highly recommend. If you have a store to recommend with great selection and service, please add …

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 need to stock-up for your new apartment or a new seasonal wardrobe for you or the kids, there are 10 greater Tokyo area outlet centers. Japanese outlets usually offer a 30-50% discount off of department store prices – although most of the product is made specifically for outlets …

My two favorite home shopping centers in Tokyo are D2 and Super Viva Home Center. If I need something quickly, I bike over to the local D2, but if I need a wider DIY selection a visit to Super Viva Home Center is the answer. If Home Depot had a …

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 …

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 …

Curious and creative Japan families if you have young kids most likely they are obsessed with slime, so here is our Japan slime info based on month so searching where to buy and how to make with Japan-sourced materials. Rainy days are great slime making days, so buy some of …

It is hot outside and getting hotter – time to make a Tokyo summer oasis on your patio or balcony. No matter how small your space, you can create a fun and refreshing area for your family. Here are our recommended ten summer water play items.  All are for sale …

If you`re looking for affordable furniture and inspiration to decorate your home, garden or office look no further than IKEA Japan. IKEA has 9 locations in Japan; Tachikawa (Tokyo), Kohoku (Yokohama), Tokyo Bay (Chiba), Shinmisato (Saitama), Tsuruhama (Osaka), Kobe, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Sendai (Miyagi). They carry everything from ready to assemble furniture, kitchens, …

We are sharing our favorite Japan rainy season survival items to make your life easier and safer. Rainy Season in Japan starts in mid-June and runs through most of July. It is hot, wet and sticky – the perfect conditions for mold and bugs; so keep your home as dry …

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 …

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 …

Okachi-machi is known by most as the wholesale area for clothing and food, however, there is a hidden jewel of 2K540 Aki-Oka – Japanese artisan stores.  2K540 Aki-Oka Japanese artisan stores and studios are under the elevated train tracks if you walk along the line towards Akihabara. In December 2010 over …

Walking into art and craft supplies stores for me is like walking into a candy store. Not only do I buy what I wanted, but end up buying all kinds of “cool” stuff for future projects. Don’t despair it may take a bit of searching but you can find most …

Akihabara is no longer just for electronics shopping. About 500M away from Akihabara station a renovated train station with cool new food and boutique. The train station integrity was maintained so you know you are in an old train station due to the shape of the walls and walkways at …

If you have a small or big child who loves building cars, battlefield displays or general construction models the Tamiya Plamodel Factory is one stop you should not miss while in Tokyo. The store has the entire line of Tamiya products (over 6,000 SKUs). The first floor and basement are …