There comes a point when people tell you to skip Harajuku. Spend enough time in Tokyo (or online) and eventually …
One Day in Harajuku: Tokyo’s Neighborhood of Change
Why Soy Isoflavones Are One the Most Trusted Ingredients in Japanese Skincare
At a Glance If you’re short on time, here’s what you’ll discover in “Why Soy Isoflavones Are One the Most …
One Day in Asakusa: Rediscovering Tokyo’s Most Famous Neighborhood
It had been over a year since my daughter and I last spent a day exploring Asakusa together. Life has …
The Ultimate Guide to Summer Skincare in Japan
Summer in Japan isn’t just hot, it can completely change the way your skin behaves. If you’ve ever stepped outside …
20 Things I Learned After Living in Tokyo for 20 Years
Twenty years ago, I arrived in Tokyo thinking the secret to experiencing “real” Japan was doing as much as possible. …
One Day in Shibamata: Slow Living in One of Tokyo’s Most Charming Neighborhoods
There are neighborhoods in Tokyo that I visit once because they’re interesting. And then there are neighborhoods like Shibamata, where …
Body Shaping in Japan
Many fans of J-Beauty are familiar with facials, skincare, and beauty products. Fewer realize that body shaping treatments are also …
Why Everyone in Japan Is Suddenly Obsessed With Stickers Again (Including Me)
There’s a very specific kind of stress that comes with bringing omiyage home in Tokyo. Anyone who regularly rides crowded …
Avoiding the Skincare Hype Spiral: A Beginner’s Guide to Asian Beauty
Working in beauty content means I’m constantly surrounded by new products. That also means being mindful about waste, overbuying, and …
A Different Kind of Tokyo Reset at Head Spa ZEN
Where do you go in Tokyo when you need a reset… but you don’t want to do skincare, another city …
The Beauty Lover’s Guide to Tokyo
Tokyo isn’t just a great place to buy beauty products. It’s a city where beauty is something you can actually …
Make Your Own Temaki Sushi in Tsukiji
PSA: Not every Tokyo food experience needs to leave you overly full or in a food coma. Some days, you …
Best Japanese Sunscreens
If you found your way here from Pinterest, welcome! Think of this post as your master reference guide to Japanese …
Why Your Skincare Stops Working in Japan and How to Fix It
Why your skincare stops working in Japan and how to fix it isn’t about finding “better” products. It’s about understanding …
7 Places to Shop for Beauty in Japan
Problem: Japan has too many places to buy beauty products. If you don’t know the difference between them, you’ll either …
VT Cosmetics at DAISO
If you’re anything like me…skincare has to work around school runs, dog walks, and those “I just need something easy” …
10 Korean Skincare Brands To Try in 2026
Every December, the internet becomes overrun with “Best of the Year” lists. But this year, I wanted to glow against …
How Life in Japan Is Sabotaging Your Sleep (and Your Skin)
Let’s be real: living in Japan is amazing, but it’s also exhausting. Between crowded commutes, the pressure to ganbaru at …
Best VT Cosmetics
Did you know VT Cosmetics has been in Japan for 7 years now? Time flies when you’re glowing! So, whenever …
10 Japanese Makeup Products Under 1000 Yen
Let’s be real—Japanese makeup is elite, but the prices? Sometimes not so much. So I decided to challenge myself: could …
K-Beauty Shopping in Japan With Qoo10
Being a beauty blogger in Japan at 40 is WILD. But here we are. The truth is: I’ve learned how …
Japanese Sunscreens for Every Skin Type
Japanese sunscreens come in various formulas, including gels, milks, creams, and lotions, catering to different skin types and needs. Here …
Top Korean Sunscreens
I thought I’d fully crossed over to the J-beauty side. But, thanks to professional connections and the thrill of unboxing …
Curly Hair Care In Japan
Dealing with curly hair care in Japan? Welcome to the club! Where “frizz” isn’t a four-letter word, satin bonnets are …
Shopping For Period Products in Japan
Shopping for period products in Japan can feel like stepping into a pop idol’s merch table: everything’s cute, pastel, and …
How To Experience Tokyo like a Local (or a Tourist)
Let’s be real: living in Tokyo can sometimes make us forget why we fell in love with this city in …
My Favorite Feminine Care Products in Japan
Background: I live in Japan, I’m a mom, I move a lot during the day, and I sweat. Like, a …
Daiso Makeup Showdown Featuring UR GLAM, Kyumme and WithCharm
An overdue makeup post, and it’s a Daiso makeup showdown featuring UR GLAM, Kyumme and WithCharm. I tested Daiso’s top …
Top Japanese Cleansing Gels
I’ll be the first to admit: I’ve been a die-hard Japanese cleansing oil fan for years. But, during a recent …
14 Whitening Ingredients in Japanese Skincare Explained
Japanese skincare is all about innovation! And, when it comes to brightening and evening out skin tone, the country has …
10 Korean and Japanese Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without
Now that I’ve embraced both K-beauty and J-beauty, my skincare and makeup routine is a blend of the two, incorporating …
Japan’s Must-Have OTC Remedies: Your Guide to Pain Relief and Comfort
Traveling in Japan is exhilarating! Between the bustling streets of Tokyo, the temples of Kyoto, and the fresh mountain air …
The Ultimate Guide to Lululun Sheet Masks
When it comes to Japanese skincare, Lululun sheet masks are a must-have. Founded in 2011, the brand quickly gained popularity …
Where to Buy Korean Skincare and Makeup in Japan
Korean beauty, or K-beauty, has captivated beauty enthusiasts worldwide with its innovative products and effective skincare solutions. If you’re in …
10 Things Kids Can Only Experience in Edogawa City
As a mom and proud resident of Edogawa City, I can confidently say that this area is a treasure trove …
Low Budget Kid-Friendly Adventures in Tokyo
Living the single mom life in Tokyo means that I’ve got to be cautions and creative when it comes to …
The Colorful World of Japanese Tinted Sunscreens
Welcome to the technicolor world of Japanese tinted sunscreens, where superior sun protection meets a spectrum of skin-perfecting hues! The …
Best Japanese Lipsticks Worth Trying
Konnichiwa, lipstick lovers! February calls for a burst of color, and what better way to embrace the month of love …
Practical Products For Your First Apartment in Japan
Moving into your first apartment in Japan can be an exciting time OR an overwhelming event if you’re not adequately …
10 Tips To Make Your Japanese Apartment Kid and Dog-Friendly
Ready to kick off 2024 with a new vibe for your (new) Japanese apartment? As we step into the Year …
The Best Japanese Gifts For Kids
Is “travel” on your list of new year’s resolutions for 2024? Whether you’re a Japan bucket list visitor in search …
Gender-Neutral Japanese Baby Names
In the journey of welcoming a new life into the world, choosing the perfect name for your baby is a …
My 5 Favorite Places to Shop in Japan For Kids’ Clothes and Shoes
My latest post is inspired by a recent shopping adventure at GU to pick up a few pieces for my …
What (Not) To Wear in Japan: A Guide For Professional Women
The biggest fashion mistake you could possibly ever make as a foreign woman in Japan is one that would probably …
Top Japanese Cleansing Oils
Cleansing is the most important step in an effective skincare routine. Daily cleansing removes sweat, dirt, makeup, old skin cells …
Japanese Products For Babies and Toddlers With Sensitive Skin
Writing about children’s skincare is something I never thought I’d do as a beauty blogger! However, this post about Japanese …
Getting Your Child Ready For Japanese Daycare or Kindergarten
It’s been a little over a year since I updated my post, An Inside Look At Kindergarten in Japan. I …
10 Best Japanese Skincare Products Under 1000 yen
New to J-beauty but don’t know where to start and you don’t want to spend a fortune testing new products? …
Where to Buy Skincare Products in Japan
It’s come to my attention that as much as I blog about J-beauty and skincare, I actually haven’t sat down …
Japanese Sunscreens To Try This Summer
Ready for another sweltering summer in Japan? One thing we’ll all need in our arsenal is some serious SPF. So, …
Preparing An Emergency Kit In Japan
I’ve been living here in Japan for my entire adult life, but no matter how comfortable I feel living here, …
An Inside Look At Kindergarten in Japan
Years ago, when I began gathering info on Japanese kindergartens for my daughter, I realized that I needed to overhaul …
An Inside Look At Daycare in Japan
While this post is titled, An Inside Look At Daycare in Japan, it is based on three factors: my research …
Learning From the Japanese Approach To Anti-Aging Skincare
I’m back with a (very) lengthy update to my beauty and skincare category. There’s a lot of information to cover, …
Japanese/English Baby Names For Boys and Girls
No baby fever here! I wrote this when I was doing research for a post about the cost of childbirth …
Pregnant In Japan? Here’s What You Should Know
Being pregnant is a life-changing event. And being pregnant in Japan? Here’s what you should know: You’ll discover that you …
Japanese Products That I Use On My Natural Hair
It’s time for another beauty post, but I won’t be talking about skincare or makeup. Instead, I’m introducing the Japanese …
The Truth About Japanese Whitening Cosmetics
One of the biggest misconceptions about Japanese skincare begins with a single word. Whitening. If you’ve ever browsed a Japanese …
Where To Buy Makeup In Japan
Ready to try out the latest makeup products in Japan but don’t know where to start? Here’s a rundown on …
My Experience Going to Driving School in Japan
Last year, I posted to Instagram Stories about my experience renewing my Japanese driver’s license. I got lots of questions …
Karaage Namban, the 5 Minute Japanese Dinner That Even Veggie Haters Will Love
As much as I love cooking, “quick, healthy, and actually eaten” is the holy trinity, and most days, something has …