Seasonal Essentials

Japanese Cooling Body Sheets: Biore vs. Gatsby, Tested in the Summer Heat (From a Japanese Mom)

Which Japanese cooling body sheets actually work? A mom in Japan tested Biore and Gatsby in the real summer heat — coldness, staying power, scents, and prices compared.
2026.07.15
Seasonal Essentials
Japanese Culture & Etiquette

Sumimasen: The Magic Word That Solves Almost Everything in Japan (From a Japanese Mom)

What does sumimasen mean? A Japanese mom explains how travelers can use this versatile word to say "excuse me," "sorry," and sometimes "thank you" in Japan.
2026.07.13
Japanese Culture & Etiquette
Japanese Culture & Etiquette

Japanese Restaurant Etiquette: What to Know from Entering to Paying (From a Japanese Mom)

A friendly guide to Japanese restaurant etiquette for first-time visitors: how to be seated, order, use chopsticks, pay, and why no tipping is needed.
2026.07.12
Japanese Culture & Etiquette
Japanese Culture & Etiquette

Why Are There So Few Trash Cans in Japan? 5 Things Locals Do (From a Japanese Mom)

Why are trash cans hard to find in Japan? A Japanese mom explains where to dispose of waste and five simple habits locals use while out.
2026.07.11
Japanese Culture & Etiquette
Japanese Culture & Etiquette

Japanese Convenience Store Etiquette: 5 Unwritten Rules (From a Japanese Mom)

Learn five unwritten rules of Japanese convenience store etiquette, from using toilets and checkout trays to eat-in corners and trash bins.
2026.07.10
Japanese Culture & Etiquette
Beauty & Skincare

Best Japanese Sunscreens for Your Face — and Where to Buy Them (2026)

Mom-tested Japanese sunscreens for your face — ANESSA, Biore, Curél and more — plus where to buy them in the USA and in Japan without overpaying or getting fakes.
2026.07.03
Beauty & Skincare