GUIDES & STORIES
This archive brings together guides that explain how to choose Japanese-made products — such as “Japanese-made frying pans”, “domestic kitchen knives”, “baby tableware”, or plush toys — along with makers' stories and special features. Use it as a starting point when you want to carefully discover tools and daily essentials made in Japan.
Japanese rice cookers run on 100V and a transformer costs more than the cooker. Buy the 120V version — Zojirushi's best US models are still made in Japan. Read More
About 15 min read
Why people import Japanese sunscreen: the US approved its first new UV filter in 25 years only recently. Plus sake le... Read More
About 14 min read
Topre is not a mechanical switch, and that is not the point. HHKB vs Realforce, which layout to order, and why the mi... Read More
About 14 min read
Final, Audio-Technica, Fostex. What is worth buying at $50, $500 and $5,000 — plus the T50RP mod scene and why your 4... Read More
About 15 min read
Benriner is the professional standard — and mandolines send 24,000 people to US ERs a year. Which model, which blade,... Read More
About 13 min read
The sauna world wears wool felt. Japan wears Imabari towel — machine washable, built for the cold plunge. Which one s... Read More
About 15 min read
Miura and Mizuno are the start, not the end. Japan's ji-club forging houses, why heads sell without shafts, and how t... Read More
About 15 min read
King, Shapton or Naniwa? A Japanese #1000 is not an American 1000-grit. Which grit to buy first, soak vs splash-and-g... Read More
About 15 min read
Ten Japanese perfume brands made in Japan, from J-Scent and SHIRO to EDIT(h), and where to buy them in Japan or abroad. Read More
About 21 min read
Most umeboshi sold abroad is sweetened with additives. Learn the three real types, how to read the label, and which K... Read More
About 13 min read