Japan Trove

Japan Trove

Author: JapanTrove Editorial

  • Japanese Drugstore Must-Buys: Best Matsukiyo Finds

    Japanese Drugstore Must-Buys: Best Matsukiyo Finds

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Japanese drugstores — Matsumoto Kiyoshi (“Matsukiyo”), Welcia, Don Quijote — are a shopping destination in their own right. Prices are low, the range is huge, and many cult beauty and health products are cheapest here. Here’s what to fill your basket with.

    Skincare & beauty

    • Sunscreen — the famous light-textured formulas at drugstore prices; see the best Japanese sunscreens.
    • Hydrating lotions (Hada Labo, Hatomugi) and Melano CC vitamin C — cornerstones of a J-beauty routine.
    • Sheet masks (Lululun) in daily-use packs — cheap and great for gifts.
    • Cleansing oils (DHC, Bioré) and steam eye masks (Megrhythm).

    Health & daily-life items

    • Cooling/heat patches and muscle-relief plasters (Salonpas).
    • Kabá / cold remedies and vitamins — check ingredient rules before flying home.
    • Foot-care goods and blister plasters — genuinely useful after temple-hopping.

    Snacks & extras

    Drugstores often sell discounted snacks and drinks too, plus quirky gadgets. Don Quijote (“Donki”) is the maximalist version — open late, chaotic, and full of souvenirs and Kit Kats (see our Kit Kat guide).

    Shopping tips

    • Tax-free is available for tourists above a spend threshold — bring your passport.
    • Bring a foldable bag; you’ll buy more than you planned.
    • Note formulas differ from overseas versions — that’s part of why people stock up.

    Can’t get to Japan?

    Many of these are available abroad on YesStyle , iHerb , and Amazon . For drugstore-only items, use a proxy service.

  • Best Gunpla for Beginners: Grades, Kits & Where to Buy

    Best Gunpla for Beginners: Grades, Kits & Where to Buy

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Gunpla — Gundam plastic model kits — are the perfect gateway hobby: cheap to start, no glue or paint required, and weirdly relaxing. Here’s how the grades work and which kit to buy first.

    Understanding the grades

    • Entry Grade (EG) — the easiest; snap-fit, minimal parts, great for a first build.
    • High Grade (HG) — 1/144 scale, affordable, huge variety; the sweet spot for beginners.
    • Real Grade (RG) — 1/144 but highly detailed and complex; step up once you’re comfortable.
    • Master Grade (MG) — 1/100 scale, inner frames, more advanced and satisfying.
    • Perfect Grade (PG) — huge, expensive, expert-level showpieces.

    What to buy first

    Start with an EG or HG kit — an EG RX-78-2 or an HG of a design you like. They cost little, build in an evening, and teach you the basics without frustration.

    Tools you actually need

    • A good side cutter (nipper) — the one upgrade that matters most for clean parts.
    • A hobby knife or file to tidy nub marks.
    • Optional: panel-line marker and Gundam markers for detail; no paint needed.

    Where to buy

    The best selection and prices come from Japanese hobby stores that ship worldwide — see our guide to buying figures and kits from Japan (HLJ , AmiAmi, CDJapan). Amazon also stocks popular HG and EG kits and nippers. Buying in Japan? Yodobashi and hobby shops in Akihabara are a paradise.

    Tips for a clean first build

    • Take your time cutting parts from the runner — cut away from the part, then trim the nub.
    • Follow the manual; it’s picture-based and easy even in Japanese.
    • Panel-lining is the easiest way to make a kit look pro.

    Looking for a gift for a fan? A beginner kit plus a nipper is perfect — see best gifts from Japan.

  • Japan Packing List: What to Bring (by Season)

    Japan Packing List: What to Bring (by Season)

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Japan is a “pack light” country: you’ll walk a lot, hotel rooms are small, and you’ll want space for shopping. Here’s a practical packing list, plus the season-specific extras that actually matter.

    The essentials (any season)

    • Comfortable walking shoes — you’ll easily do 15,000+ steps a day.
    • Slip-on shoes help at temples, ryokan, and restaurants where you remove them.
    • Type A power adapter (Japan uses 100V, flat two-pin) and a power bank.
    • An eSIM so your phone works on arrival.
    • A small day bag and a foldable tote for shopping (and carrying trash — bins are rare).
    • Cash card that works at 7-Eleven ATMs, plus a coin purse (you’ll accumulate coins).
    • Any prescription meds — check Japan’s rules, as some common ingredients are restricted.

    Season-specific

    • Spring/Autumn: layers and a light jacket; mornings and evenings are cool.
    • Summer: breathable clothes, a good sunscreen, a hand fan, and a small towel (locals carry them). It’s hot and humid.
    • Winter: a warm coat, layers, and Uniqlo Heattech-style base layers; it’s cold but rarely snowy in the big cities.
    • Rainy season (June): a compact umbrella (or buy a cheap clear one at any konbini).

    What you can leave at home

    • Too many toiletries — Japanese drugstores and konbini have everything, often better.
    • Heavy guidebooks — Google Maps and your phone do the job.
    • Lots of cash from home — withdraw yen as you go from konbini ATMs.

    Leave room for the trip home

    You will buy things — snacks, skincare, stationery. Consider luggage forwarding (takkyubin) between hotels, and read how to buy from Japan for anything you spot but can’t carry.

    Most items above are easy to grab on Amazon before you fly. Then follow the first-timer tips and 7-day itinerary.

  • Best Things to Do in Osaka (Beyond Dotonbori)

    Best Things to Do in Osaka (Beyond Dotonbori)

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you book through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Osaka is Japan’s kitchen and its friendliest big city — louder, funnier, and hungrier than Tokyo. Most visitors only see Dotonbori, but there’s a lot more. Here’s what to do, eat, and where to look beyond the neon.

    The must-sees

    • Dotonbori — yes, do it: the giant signs, the Glico runner, and street food at night.
    • Kuromon Ichiba Market — a fresh-food market; go in the morning for seafood and fruit.
    • Osaka Castle — the park is lovely, especially in cherry blossom season.
    • Umeda Sky Building — a striking floating-garden observatory.

    Beyond Dotonbori (the local side)

    • Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku — retro, gritty, and full of kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).
    • Nakazakicho — a hipster pocket of indie cafés and vintage shops.
    • Hozenji Yokocho — a tiny lantern-lit alley just off the chaos of Dotonbori.

    Eat like an Osakan

    • Takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake) — Osaka’s signatures.
    • Kushikatsu in Shinsekai — remember: no double-dipping the sauce.
    • Kitsune udon — Osaka claims it as its own.

    Day trips from Osaka

    Osaka is a great base for the Kansai region: Nara (bowing deer and a giant Buddha), Kobe (beef and port views), and of course Kyoto — see where to stay in Kyoto if you split your nights. Book tours easily on Klook .

    Practical tips

    • Kansai has its own regional passes — often better value than the nationwide one; see the JR Pass guide.
    • Grab an IC card and an eSIM on arrival.

    Osaka usually closes out our 7-day Japan itinerary — a tasty way to end the trip.

  • Best Things to Do in Tokyo: A First-Timer’s Guide

    Best Things to Do in Tokyo: A First-Timer’s Guide

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you book through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Tokyo can feel overwhelming — it’s really dozens of distinct neighborhoods stitched together by trains. Here’s a first-timer’s shortlist of the things genuinely worth your time, mixing the icons with a few local favorites.

    The icons (do at least these)

    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing — the famous intersection; view it from above at a nearby café or Shibuya Sky.
    • Senso-ji, Asakusa — Tokyo’s oldest temple; go early to beat crowds, then explore the old-town lanes.
    • Meiji Shrine + Harajuku — a forest shrine next to Tokyo’s wildest street fashion.
    • teamLab — the immersive digital-art museum; book tickets in advance.

    Neighborhoods to wander

    • Shinjuku — nightlife, Golden Gai, and the free observation deck at the Metro Government Building.
    • Shimokitazawa — vintage shops and cafés, relaxed and local.
    • Yanaka — old Tokyo alleys that survived the wars; quiet and charming.
    • Akihabara — anime, games, and electronics; see how to buy figures.

    Food experiences

    • Tsukiji Outer Market for a seafood breakfast.
    • Standing sushi, ramen shops, and depachika (department-store food halls) — some of the best cheap eats anywhere.
    • Konbini snacks count too — see our konbini must-buys.

    Easy escapes

    When you want a break from the city, Tokyo has brilliant day trips (Hakone, Nikko, Mt. Fuji).

    Practical tips

    Fitting Tokyo into a bigger trip? Use our 7-day Japan itinerary.

  • Japanese Convenience Store Must-Buys: Konbini Snacks & Essentials

    Japanese Convenience Store Must-Buys: Konbini Snacks & Essentials

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Japan’s convenience stores (“konbini”) — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson — are a genuine highlight of any trip. The quality is astonishing and prices are low. Here’s what to grab on your first konbini run, from meals to snacks to little life-savers.

    Meals & hot food

    • Onigiri (rice balls) — cheap, delicious, and the wrapper keeps the seaweed crisp; tuna-mayo and salmon are classics.
    • Sandwiches — the egg salad (“tamago sando”) is legendary.
    • Hot counter — FamilyMart’s fried chicken (“Famichiki”) and Lawson’s karaage-kun are must-tries.
    • Oden (winter) and fresh bento boxes — surprisingly good for the price.

    Snacks & sweets

    • Seasonal Kit Kats and chocolate — see our Kit Kat guide.
    • Konbini sweets — the pudding, roll cake, and mochi desserts rival dedicated shops.
    • Umaibo, Jagariko, and regional chips — cheap, fun, and shareable.

    Drinks

    • Bottled green tea and barley tea — unsweetened and refreshing.
    • Canned coffee (hot or cold from the machine) and unique sodas.
    • Chilled dashi/soup and vitamin drinks for when you’re worn out.

    Non-food life-savers

    • ATMs (7-Eleven and Japan Post accept foreign cards), ticket machines, and clean toilets.
    • Umbrellas, phone chargers, socks, toiletries — whatever you forgot.
    • Tax-free at some larger stores if you spend enough — bring your passport.

    Want konbini snacks at home?

    You can recreate the experience abroad with a Japanese snack box, or order specific items via a proxy service. New to Japan? Start with our first-timer tips and 7-day itinerary.

  • Best Japanese Kitchen Knives for Beginners (and Where to Buy)

    Best Japanese Kitchen Knives for Beginners (and Where to Buy)

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    A Japanese kitchen knife is one of the best things you can bring home — or buy online. They’re prized for razor-sharp edges, light weight, and precision. Here’s a beginner’s guide to the styles worth knowing and how to choose your first one.

    Knife styles to know

    • Santoku — the all-purpose “three virtues” knife; great first choice for meat, fish, and veg.
    • Gyuto — the Japanese take on a Western chef’s knife; longer, versatile.
    • Nakiri — flat blade for vegetables; effortless chopping.
    • Petty — a small utility knife for detail work.
    • Deba / Yanagiba — specialist knives for breaking down and slicing fish (for the more serious).

    Steel & construction (the basics)

    • Stainless — easy care, rust-resistant; best for beginners.
    • Carbon steel — takes a keener edge but needs drying and occasional oiling; it patinas over time.
    • Handle: Western (heavier, bolstered) vs Japanese “wa” (light, wood). Try to hold before buying if you can.

    Choosing your first knife

    For most people: a stainless Santoku or Gyuto around 165–210mm. It covers 90% of home cooking and is forgiving to maintain. Add a Nakiri later if you chop a lot of vegetables.

    Care

    • Hand wash and dry immediately — never the dishwasher.
    • Cut on wood or plastic, not glass or stone.
    • Hone regularly; learn to use a whetstone for sharpening.

    Where to buy

    Reputable knives are available on Amazon (look for established makers) and specialist Japanese knife retailers that ship worldwide. Buying in Japan? Kappabashi in Tokyo and knife shops in Kyoto/Osaka are famous — and you can carry it home in checked luggage. For anything Japan-only, use a proxy service.

    Cooking-curious after your trip? A good knife also makes a memorable present — see our best gifts from Japan.

  • Best Gifts from Japan: 15 Ideas Under $30

    Best Gifts from Japan: 15 Ideas Under $30

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Whether you’re bringing back souvenirs or shopping for a Japan-loving friend from home, these gift ideas hit the sweet spot: distinctly Japanese, genuinely useful or delicious, and mostly under $30. Here’s what to get and where.

    Edible gifts (crowd-pleasers)

    • Regional Kit Kats — matcha, sake, and local flavors in gift boxes; see our Kit Kat guide.
    • A Japanese snack box — the easiest “wow” gift, delivered monthly; compare the best snack boxes.
    • Matcha or sencha tea — a small tin of good green tea is elegant and light to carry.

    Beauty & self-care

    • Japanese sunscreen — the cult textures make a great, affordable gift; see the best Japanese sunscreens.
    • Sheet masks & skincare — a little set from our J-beauty guide.
    • A quality nail clipper or beauty tool — Japan’s are famously precise.

    Things they’ll actually use

    • A great pen or notebook — from our stationery guide; the JetPens gift sets are perfect.
    • A furoshiki (wrapping cloth) or tenugui (patterned towel) — beautiful and flat-packing.
    • Ceramics or chopsticks — a nice pair of chopsticks with a rest feels special.

    For the hobbyist

    Anime and gaming fans love a figure, a keychain, or a beginner Gunpla kit — see how to buy figures from Japan.

    Where to buy from abroad

    Many of these are on Amazon and YesStyle . For anything Japan-only, use a proxy — see how to buy from Japan.

    Tip: gift-intent shoppers convert best on pre-packaged sets (snack boxes, tea tins, stationery kits) — they look premium and travel well.

  • Japanese Etiquette: 15 Rules Every Visitor Should Know

    Japanese Etiquette: 15 Rules Every Visitor Should Know

    Japan is famously polite, but the “rules” are mostly common sense once you know them. You won’t offend anyone by making an honest mistake — locals are forgiving with visitors — but knowing these will help you blend in and travel smoothly.

    Trains & public spaces

    • Keep quiet on trains. No phone calls; set your phone to silent (“manner mode”).
    • Queue neatly on the marked lines, and let people off before you board.
    • Escalators: stand on one side (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka), walk on the other.
    • Backpacks off in crowded trains; hold them in front or on the rack.

    Eating & drinking

    • No tipping — it’s not expected and can confuse staff.
    • Say “itadakimasu” before eating if you like; “gochisousama” after.
    • Chopstick manners: don’t stick them upright in rice or pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (funeral symbolism).
    • Slurping noodles is fine — even encouraged.
    • Don’t eat while walking in most places; step aside or eat where you bought it.

    Shoes, temples & onsen

    • Shoes off where you see a step up and slippers (ryokan, some restaurants, homes, temples).
    • At shrines/temples, be quiet and respectful; follow posted photo rules.
    • Onsen (hot springs): wash thoroughly before entering; no swimsuits; keep the small towel out of the water. Tattoos can be an issue at some places — check ahead.

    Everyday courtesy

    • Carry your trash; public bins are rare. A small bag helps.
    • Cash handling: place money on the little tray, not into the hand.
    • A small bow or nod goes a long way; “arigatou” and “sumimasen” cover a lot.

    That’s it — nothing scary. For more practical basics, see our first-time-in-Japan tips, then start planning with the 7-day itinerary.

  • Where to Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas & Ryokan for First-Timers

    Where to Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas & Ryokan for First-Timers

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you book through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Kyoto’s sights are spread out, so where you sleep really matters. Pick the right base and you’ll walk to temples in the morning and reach the train easily. Here’s a first-timer’s guide to Kyoto’s best neighborhoods and what to book.

    Best areas to stay

    Near Kyoto Station — most convenient

    Best for easy arrivals/departures (the Shinkansen stops here), buses to everywhere, and a wide range of hotels. Less atmospheric but the most practical base, especially for short stays.

    Downtown (Kawaramachi / Gion) — central & atmospheric

    Walkable to shopping, restaurants, the Nishiki food market, and the geisha district of Gion. The best all-round location if you want to stroll in the evening. Pricier.

    Higashiyama — traditional & scenic

    Steps from Kiyomizu-dera and the old lanes. Quieter at night and full of character; ideal for early temple mornings.

    Arashiyama — nature retreat

    The bamboo grove and riverside. Beautiful and calm, but further from the center — great for a night, less ideal for your whole stay.

    Stay in a ryokan at least once

    Kyoto is the place to try a ryokan (traditional inn) with tatami rooms, a kaiseki dinner, and sometimes a private onsen. Even one night is memorable. Filter for ryokan and machiya (townhouse) stays on Booking.com and Agoda .

    Booking tips

    • Book very early. Kyoto sells out first in cherry blossom and autumn seasons.
    • Mind the buses. Kyoto relies on buses; staying central saves a lot of transit time.
    • One-night ryokan + central hotel is a great combo: splurge once, stay practical otherwise.

    Coming from Tokyo? See whether the JR Pass is worth it, and slot Kyoto into your 7-day itinerary. Staying in Tokyo too? Here’s where to stay in Tokyo.