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 to …
Read More »Top Five Ways to Protect Baby this Summer
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 …
Read More »Guide to Baby Formula in Japan – Brands, Types and Where to Buy
Guide to Baby Formula in Japan There is a dizzying colorful assortment of baby formula available on the Japanese market. This guide will help you navigate the aisles by introducing the various types of baby formula and their manufacturers. Packaging You may be surprised to find out that concentrated liquid …
Read More »Make A Tokyo Summer Oasis – 10 Summer Water Play Items
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 …
Read More »Guide to Baby Wipes in Japan – Types, Brands and Where to Buy
Guide to Baby Wipes in Japan As with diapers, there is a large variety of baby wipes available on the Japanese market. According to a survey by Unicharm, a leading producer of sanitary items and the manufacturer of Moony and Mamy Poko diapers, the top three qualities that Japanese mothers …
Read More »Mega Don Quijote, Shibuya – Japan’s largest discount goods store
Mega Don Quijote opened their newest store in Shibuya last month! Don Quijote is Japan’s largest discount goods store with locations all over Japan. Like all the Don Quijote stores, also known as Donki (ドンキ), Mega Don Quijote is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and offers everything …
Read More »Guide to Baby Diapers in Japan – Pampers, Merries, Moony, GOO.N, Genki!
Guide to Baby Diapers in Japan Added to the stress that comes with a new baby comes selecting the right diaper to suit your baby’s needs. Any advertising catchphrase will tell you “__ percent of moms love xx brand!” So, how do you chose the right brand of diapers for …
Read More »Japanese Sunscreen for Kids – Top Selling Products, Ingredients and Protection Levels
Trying to figure out which Japanese drugstore sunscreen for kids is the best for your family? Here is a quick reference list of the top selling 2017 sunscreens for children. Sunscreen is recommended year-round for children 6 months and older. Infants under six months should not be in direct sunlight, …
Read More »Candy Show Time, Omotesando – Kawaii Handmade Candy
If your kids are like mine a trip to Candy Show Time is a good “reward” (aka bribe) for being a good kid while visiting shrines, gardens, and museum. Although started by a couple from Melbourne, Australia the designs and flavors are 110% Japan Kawaii! Now with eleven stores across …
Read More »Aeon Style Mall, Himonya
Aeon Style Himonya is your one-stop shop for all your home needs. Located 10 minutes from Gakugeidaigaku, a small Tokyo suburb between Shibuya and Jiyugaoka with the popular Himonya Petting Zoo and Pony Ride Park, it`s a great spot to shop while avoiding the crowd. Aeon Style is known for their reasonable prices with locations …
Read More »D47 Project Children’s Tools Exhibit, Shibuya – Japanese Gifts for Kids – Ends June 11, 2017
Stumbled across this beautiful D47 Project Children’s Tools Exhibit the other day having lunch at the D47 Shokudo. If you are looking for Japan designed and made gifts for children, this exhibit is the perfect solution. You can find products from the 47 prefectures of Japan including child size bowls …
Read More »Ozu Washi, Nihonbashi Tokyo – Best Japanese Paper Selection in Tokyo
Ozu Washi in Nihonbashi, Tokyo carries the widest selection of washi paper, shodo paper, and sumi art paper. A 300+-year-old store that has always specialized in paper and art materials (brushes, string, and inks). Whether you are an artist or a crafter you this will be your candy store in …
Read More »Easter Goodies in Japan
Finding Easter Goodies in Japan can be quite the challenge with limited quantities which sell out quickly. Easter is Sunday, April 16th so hop to it! We completed a store check yesterday (March 9th) and found Easter goodies including chocolate bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans available at the stores listed …
Read More »Common Illnesses and Terms Among Young Children in Japan
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 …
Read More »MARK IS Minato Mirai Mall, Yokohama – Family Shopping Paradise
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 …
Read More »Shibuya MUJI Play Area and Hourly Childcare – Mokuiku Room 6 months to 6 years
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 …
Read More »Hanamasa Wholesale Supermarkets – Niku no Hanamasa (肉のハナサ)
If you have a big family or big eaters, and live in central Tokyo one of your go to supermarket shopping locations should be Hanamasa Wholesale Supermarkets (Niku no Hanamasa (肉のハナサ). Hanamasa is a wholesale supermarket whose roots began as a supplier to restaurants, but is now open to the public …
Read More »Ameyokocho – Tokyo Deal Shopping
If you are a bargain shopper, Ameyokocho is a must visit in Tokyo. We visited yesterday, and it was crazy busy with shoppers negotiating deals on crab, tuna, sneakers and bags. My favorite items to buy in Ameyokocho are nuts, dried beans and spices that are much cheaper than in …
Read More »Bornelund – The Toy Company that focuses on Education and Fun
Bornelund is one of our favorite stores to visit to test out new, educational toys. Bornelund is a Tokyo based shop which started as a toy store in 1981. They now have over 100 stores and corner shops in department stores throughout Japan, 15 popular indoor play centers, a new indoor …
Read More »Picard Frozen Food Grocery Store (Aoyama, Azabu-Juban & Nakameguro) – French Convenience Food
French food to me is synonymous to fresh ingredients and meticulous preparation, so the Picard Frozen Food Grocery Store openings around Tokyo were a bit of a surprise. Everything in the stores is frozen! If you are a busy family, the Picard store is a dream come true. We bought …
Read More »MUJI Ebisu – One Stop Shop for all your Home & Personal Needs
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 …
Read More »Søstrene Grene, Jingue Mae – Great Value Scandinavian Home Accessories and Crafts
Søstrene Grene a Scandinavian design home accessories, kitchen ware, gifts, stationery and interior furnishings chain has opened their first store in Japan. The store is located right off the main Omotesando strip behind Omotesando Hills. The store offers super value items from yarn, paint, and beads to candles and end tables for your apartment. …
Read More »Yamashiroya Toy Store, Ueno
Adding another Tokyo Store to or favorites list – the Yamashiroya Toy Store in Ueno. Like Hakuhinkan in Ginza and Kiddyland if you are looking for Japanese or International toys and collectibles you will not be disappointed. Yamashiroya Toy Store is a one minute walk from Ueno station so you can …
Read More »Japanese Packaged Kids Snacks – Calorie, Nutritional and Allergen Comparison
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 …
Read More »Gazone Studio, Shinagawa – 753 Portrait Photos
Gazone Studio is a small studio located in the Osaki New City building in Shinagawa. They offer services from maternity to family portraits, and ceremonial to business photos. They also specialize in product photos, travel, wedding photography and commemorative photos. We made an appointment to celebrate and capture our kid`s 753 …
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