SHOP & SERVE

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

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 …

I picked-up the TokyoTokio version of the Nurie colouring poster recently. Loving this product – Nurie!  I have decided to award this Nurie poster series a BestLivingJapan Great Product Award. This award will go to products that are both are both curious and creative! Another super fun Japanese kids gift is …

MUJI Ebisu reopened their store at the new Atre Ebisu West building (an extension of the Main Atre Building) in April 2016 and it`s bigger and better than ever. This store occupies the fifth and sixth floors and carries the first makeup counter in the Kanto region. They hold about …

Guide to Dog Food in Japan – Brands, Types, and Where to Buy Dog food in Japan is sold as dry kibble, semi-moist kibble, and wet type, and is marketed towards a certain age group (puppy, adult, senior), dog breed, or dietary issue. As it can be difficult deciphering the …

If your family consumes large amounts of fruits and veggies, you will want to shop at one of the five Bikuri Ya  Fruit and Veggies (びっくり屋) shops in Azabu, Hiroo, Shirogane, and Mita.  This five-store chain is located primarily in Minato-ku and is growing quickly because they offer great value …

I was born with poor eyes so searching out a list of good Tokyo English speaking ophthalmologists was a top priority for me when I moved to Japan. The list below is a vetted list of doctors who can handle regular exams, prescriptions and eye illnesses in English.   If you …

Japanese winters are DRY which is really hard on hands big and small! Here are the Best Living Japan 10 Best Hand Creams for Winter in Japan recommendations.  We carry hand lotions scattered all over our house,  in all of our bags, strollers and car from November – March! Dropping …

The TOC Shopping Center is a bit tattered (built in 1970), but if you are looking for free parking and a one-stop for kids, baby, home and crafting items TOC is the perfect location. I shop at the TOC at least once every few months to stock up on kids/baby …

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 …

Zusso Kids Hair Salon is a great place to get your kids first haircut. They have everything a child needs to keep them entertained; mini cars to sit in, small toys for toddlers, and a selection of Japanese and Disney movies to keep them entertained. They will shampoo, cut, blow …

In an effort to improve the nutritional diets of our families we looked more closely into Japanese packaged kids snacks. Below is calorie, tutorial and allergen comparison of  14 of the most common package snack foods sold in Japan. We all know fruits and veggies are the best but we …

Akachan Honpo baby goods store offers one of the widest selection of pregnancy and baby items in Japan. You can find most Japanese and foreign baby gear brands across strollers, car seats, toys and feeding accessories. Although shopping online is awesome when one does not have time, a visit to …

One of the most helpful and free services the Tokyo Metropolitan Government provides to Japanese and foreigners is the Himawari Medical Information Service. If you are looking for a doctor or pharmacy, you can call or look on the Himawari English language website.  Himawari also provides emergency medical translation services. …

School is in session which means sports and sitting close to each other, but also some contagious children’s ailments. Be prepared and know what to look for. Here are five common contagious children’s ailments in Japan.  We also have a list of skin conditions which are causes by heat and …

We`ve listed a few of the most common illnesses among young children in Japan; the Japanese pronunciation, English translation and ways to describe sickness / pain. Please keep this list handy when visiting your local Japanese clinic. If you have some to add please leave in the comment section below. Japanese …

Tokyo is a clean city on the surface but the everyday pollution and fast pace of life can take a beating on your clothes, so here are our top Japanese laundry products to help you out. As a mom of four and a pet owner I highly recommend these Must …

Reading Japanese Food Labels – Allergens and Tips  A challenging part of life in Japan is navigating the supermarket aisles and deciphering the labels. You may be wondering how to recreate home dishes using ingredients available at your local grocer, or you may have special dietary restrictions or allergies. Food …

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 …

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 …

Although Pokémon was invented in 1995, it continues to innovate and attract new fans who LOVE the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.  If you live in or are visiting Tokyo, you have to visit the Pokémon Center Mega Store at least once. I can assure you a gift …

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. Here are our top five ways to protect baby this summer from bugs, heat, UV and dehydration. While kids take advantage of school vacations and longer day light hours, …

10 Best Gifts From Japan For Babies And Toddlers. Holiday season nearly always means travel. Whether you’re traveling to catch up with friends and family or heading home after your Japan adventure, you probably have a souvenir list that needs to be completed. The 10 Best Gifts From Japan For Babies …