Winter is just around the corner. Wanted to share my curated recommendations on preparing for winter – 10 Items to make living in Japan more comfortable. Below are products that have excellent customer reviews in Amazon.co.jp, and are shipped for free immediately from Amazon. If you have your recommendations, please add below in the comments section. We also have a recommend list of products to keep baby warm this winter.
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Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
1. Mini Hot Patches – 30 for about ¥1,000 – These are great if you or your kids are outside a lot in the winter. Individually wrapped you just peel, and they heat up! These heat patches fit nicely in mittens, in the bottom of boots or into pockets to keep your hands warm. We keep a box right in our entrance way so the kids can grab as they head out! Portable warmth!
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
2. Pure Enrichment Humidifier – about 4,500 yen – Japanese apartments and houses tend to be very dry in the winter, especially when you have central heating. We have a humidifier in each bedroom and living area. This new Pure Enrichment humidifer is a great design, and also can be used with Aroma oils. This humidifier is perfect for the average size bedroom, holding 1.5 liters of water and lasting 16 hours of run time per fill. Easy to use, diffuses well and cute to boot. It also has a night light that can be on or off. We also like this humidifier from For more humidifiers check here.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
3. Electric Blanket 130×80cm – ￥ 2,000 – If you want to keep your electrical bill down, but want to stay warm invest in some electric blankets. This one is perfect for a twin bed. Here is the full selection of electric blankets on Amazon.co.jp. These blankets can be used under or over the body in bed. Most Japanese electric blankets are machine washable and a mix of polyester/acrylic.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
4. Smart Phone Gloves EVOLG MARSH Deep Blue & White – ￥1,500 – 3,000 – Keep your hands warm while checking your smartphone. These Evolg gloves are excellent quality and will never let you down in mid-text. They are one size and made from a combination material (Acrylic,Nylon,Polyester,Wool,Rayon,Polyurethane). Also available in many other colors and styles on Amazon.co.jp.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
5.Heated Carpet 176 X 176cm – ￥ 6,000 – If you have small ones who play on the floor keep them warm with a heated carpet. This 100% polyester electric carpet is easy to wash away spills and will keep little toes toasty. Just the right size in front of the sofa or in the play area. Lightweight (3Kg) so it easy for one person to move and store it when not needed. Here is the full selection of heated carpets at Amazon.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
6. Sharp Humidifier and Air Cleaner – about 15,000 yen – If you have a larger room (up to 23 tatami) this is a great humidifier and air cleaner. Great for adding moisture, but also removing smells. Comes with a HEPA filter. The size is quite compact at 39.9×23×61.5cm, and only 7.7kg. For all humidifiers check here.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
7. Tissue Paper with Water lotion infused (five pack) –￥554 – Never be short of tissue paper. This is not the normal type of paper which is harsh on runny noses it has special water lotion what makes it really soft. It is not wet tissue but instead infused with water like lotion which is dry to the touch but ultra soft. No more lugging paper home!
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
8. White Duck Down Comforter (Single long size 150 x 210 cm) – ￥ 15,000 – This comforter is absolutely WONDERFUL. It is so warm, fluffy and comfortable…it actually feels like a big hug. Great value for the high quality of down. Available in five sizes; king, queen, single long, double long, semi-double.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
9. Hand Lotion from Pax Naturon 70g – about ￥ 800 – One of the most items to have ready is a tube of super hand cream. This is the highest rated and ranked cream on Amazon.co.jp due to it’s no smell and non-chemical ingredients (olive oil base). This high-quality lotion is made in Japan. Perfect size to slip into your bag. Never suffer from dry hands in the coming season. Many other lotions also available.
*****Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
10. We love this three-piece set Kotatsu. (less than 10,000 JPY ) – The kids love reading and playing games around the Kotatsu from Nov – February each year. 
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Preparing for Winter – Top 10 Japan Essentials
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