Every summer, my kids look forward to one thing above almost everything else: the summer festival at their elementary school. This year, they’d both made plans with their friends weeks in advance. And then the news came — the festival was canceled because of the extreme heat. The look on their faces when I told…
It started with a big cleaning session. The kind where you move furniture, wipe everything down, and end up sweaty before noon. By the time I was done, there was exactly one thing I wanted: something cold. Enter Sugakiya’s Zaru Ramen — chilled noodles with a wafu soy sauce dipping broth, a Nagoya soul food…
I’ve been curling and straightening my hair for years. The kind of daily heat styling that, over time, does exactly what you’d expect — dries everything out, strips the ends, and leaves you with hair that feels like it’s quietly giving up. The tips were the first to go. That light, wispy, almost invisible quality…
Some days just wear you out. Today was one of those — a long trip across town by train to visit a relative, multiple transfers, and a late return home. By the time we walked through the door, cooking was off the table. Convenience store dinner it was. The kids made a beeline for the…
Every summer, my family heads to the beach almost every week. That means sunscreen, cleansing oil, toner, face wash — an entire skincare routine that needs to travel with me. Full-sized bottles are heavy and bulky. Mini bottles work, but washing them every week gets old, and you can never quite squeeze everything out. So…
Instant food culture in Japan is genuinely something to appreciate. It goes far beyond convenience — instant noodles are part of daily life here, but also a go-to for emergency food supplies after a disaster, a quick and easy outdoor meal, and a beloved gift to send relatives living abroad. They travel well, taste great,…
If you’ve ever walked into a Japanese 100-yen shop and walked out with way more than you planned, you’ll understand exactly what happened to me at Seria this week. Seria is already known for its clean, aesthetic vibe compared to other 100-yen chains — but the character goods section? That’s a whole different level of…
If you’ve ever wished your makeup bag weighed a little less — especially on a hot Japanese summer day — this might be your new best friend. I picked up the Fasio Multi Face Stick Waterproof in shade No. 19, and here’s everything you need to know before you buy. What Is the Fasio Multi…
After conquering the amusement park, it was time for the most important mission of any zoo day: lunch. The Food Shops: Too Many Good Options The food area at Higashiyama Zoo is split into several zones with different tenants in each, which means there’s a surprisingly wide variety of places to eat — and also…
Higashiyama Zoo is one of our family’s favorite places to visit. We usually go by car, but today I decided to take the train with the kids — and it turned into quite the adventure! The Train Challenge: Teaching Kids to Navigate Nagoya’s Subway The reason I chose the train? Life skills. My kids grew…
