For Kids

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Tomica (トミカ) is the line of die-cast toy vehicles produced since 1970 by Takara Tomy Co. of Japan which can be purchases at Tomica Specialty Shops (Marunouchi & Sumida, Tokyo). It`s a favorite in our home and among boys in Japan two to seven years of age. You can find Tomica …

With four kids, I am always on the search for quality and quantity at a good price. If you have kidshaircuts on your list of things to do, I recommend a quick stop at Blue Forest Plus in Azabu Juban (located at the bottomof Sendaizaka). Blue Forest Plus, Azabu – …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The 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. In today’s post, we’ll take a …

*** 2019 UPDATE: The Pokemon Center Mega moved to the 8th Floor in the Marui next to Sogo at Yokohama Station.*** If your child is a Pokemon fan we recommend a quick trip to Landmark Tower in Yokohama. Although the store is a smaller version of the Pokemon Center Mega …

10 Best Baby And Toddler Items For 100 Yen When you have little ones, it’s strange how things just seem to disappear!  Sure, you can get baby and toddler goods online or at retailers like Akachan Honpo, but not to be overlooked is the 100 yen shop. Japan’s 100 yen …

10 Best Japanese Items For A Toddler My daughter just turned 15 months old not too long ago, and it’s still a shock having a “toddler” in my care. Luckily for me, my sister-in-law, who is a mom of 2, has been there to help me on my journey. She’s …

Buying a First Balance Bike for Your Child? Is your child ready for his or her first bicycle? Get your child riding confidently and safely with the right two-wheeler. There are a number of different features on balance bikes to consider; weight, size, tire type, and brakes. We listed the top 5 bikes foreign mothers purchased, …

10 Baby Proofing Items You Need In Your Japanese Home We love to watch our babies grow and explore their surroundings, but we don’t often realize what’s dangerous until they’ve gotten their little hands and months on something! Baby proofing items are called itazura boushi guzzu (イタズラ防止グッズ) and you can …