None of these tips are “must do” rules but here are some tips and shortcuts that I’ve learned along the way, as a foreign Mum in Japan – so I wanted to share!
Have one ultra plain, ultra conservative black (or black and white) outfit hanging in your wardrobe
This is the standard, spoken yet unspoken “Mum uniform” for school meetings, concerts, interviews etc.
Don’t worry – I’m not asking anyone to conform… get out the colours and patterns and your own style any other time. You’ll thank me later when you don’t need to even think ahead for that school event or when you turn up and see that is what everyone else is wearing.
I recommend a simple black shift dress or black or white shirt with black trousers or a long black skirt ( Sorry to be super conservative but cleavage and above the knee skirts aren’t really the done thing either…. not at these events…)
So make sure you have your boring Mum-uniform in the cupboard and some closed toe heels or flats and you’re always “formal school-event ready.”
It’s not an interesting tip – but trust me – you’ll thank me later.
Obento style lunches look tricky but they are fab when your fridge is quite empty
It looks so fiddly right? All those pieces to get ready.. but actually it’s totally acceptable to have lots of random pieces. Don’t judge me, but some days I’d put half a cheese stick in one section, one strawberry for each child in another section, a quarter of a toasted ham and cheese sandwich in another section. And guess what? In those pretty lunch boxes? It just looks like a really balanced meal.
Remove small children’s shoes in taxis and on longer train trips
This is especially the case for little legs that can’t reach the edge of the train / taxi seats and could get them dirty. The polite thing to do is put the shoes neatly under the child’s seat ( another reason to have easy on and off shoes as I talk about in my Packing for Japan with Kids post here.)
Always bring children’s birthday party gifts in gift bags
I’m Australian and the gift bag thing for presents is a reasonably common thing too.. but in Japan – everyone does it. The gifts are often placed on a gift table and a lovely new bag is “the done thing” in Japan ( for any type of gift, come to think of it.)
Make the obento for tomorrow while you’re making dinner
A Japanese Mum taught me this tip.
Leftover chicken or beef strips? Pop them in the lunch box as you go. Then add the rice, sandwiches and fresh veggies and fruit in the morning.
*Extra tip: learn how to operate the timer on your rice cooker. You can make sure the rice is ready right as you wake up.
Small things left over – makes up a bento
If you forgot your own eco-friendly bag at the 100 shop buy a large gift bag
As mentioned above – you’ll always need a gift bag. You’ll be glad you bought it later.
It’s not weird to not invite people over
I’m definitely not saying don’t invite people over ( in fact, I think it adds a new and more familiar layer to a closer friendship) but I just wanted to let anyone who is self-conscious about their home or is a particularly private person that you actually don’t have to invite people over. It’s not that common in Japan to do so, especially for those who live in a big city. It’s totally up to you and isn’t considered to be strange or cold or anything as most catchups with friends and colleagues and other families happen at picnics or restaurants etc.
Barefoot going from outside to inside is something almost unthinkable in Japan
Japanese people remove their shoes before stepping into the home- that’s pretty much common knowledge, right ?
Then it also makes sense that the idea of walking around barefoot outside and then stepping inside is also a no-no ( ie. the outside germs and dirt are now inside.) If you have a toddler who likes walking around barefoot outside all of the time, in the sandpit etc… then the polite thing to do once you move indoors is to either a) slide on some clean socks OR b) give their feet a thorough scrub down with baby wipes before you step up from the entrance, shoe removal area into the room/ hall/ inside space.
Always have a plastic bag with you
As I’ve mentioned many times before, rubbish bins aren’t easy to find in Japan so you will have to carry around your own trash until you get to a garbage can or you get home ( yes – even for dirty nappies.) For other things to have in your diaper/nappy bag see my blog post here.
If you make too much rice, freeze it in little portions
My old boss taught me this and I still do it to this day. I make a bit too much rice and then make it into a large rice ball shape and flatten out with my hand. Then I freeze ( about the size of small pikelets or hotcakes.). Then, when I need them for lunch boxes or to add to a meal, I just pop them in the microwave for a little over a minute.
… and if you like rice tips.. did you know that the microwave-able rice from convenience stores is actually pretty good? I wouldn’t eat it daily or anything but… after we’ve been away for the weekend and needed something quickly.. it is perfect !
Cold food (which you may be used to serving hot) is fine
Sorry to focus so much on lunchboxes for school but I think it’s worth pointing out. Even when in Australia I still often serve up Japanese style bentos for my kids and many people are surprised to see spaghetti or a piece of quiche or chicken tenders in my children’s lunchboxes.
In Japan this is not unusual at all and kids don’t mind one bit.
You don’t have to include these kinds of items, of course, but if you wanted to … just wanted to let you know it’s pretty much a standard.
Whole & Non-Peeled Fruit
If you do host a playdate or bring food to a park to be shared, it’s worth noting that whole fruit ( as in fruit that is not chopped up) and fruit with skin is not commonly eaten as is in Japan ( even grapes are often peeled before eating.) So, pack a small chopping board and a knife and you’ ll have more happy “consumers.”
Shopping every second day actually, once you adjust, makes sense
Controversial !!! – Especially as I grumbled about this so much when I first moved to Japan with kids. “Why would I want to shop more than once a week?” “Buying in bulk just make sense!”
The main reason Japanese people food shop every second or third day ( and some actually pick up food items every day) is mostly to do with house size. Walk-in pantries and double-door fridges are a rarity in Japan so .. basically… why have more fresh food than you can store?
Another reason – I believe fresh produce of the day is valued more highly – as is making use of seasonal ingredients ( a concept that took me a while to get my head around when I was younger – but makes perfect sense now.) Think about it… strawberries or certain root veggies etc are, of course, not going to taste as good all year round ( and if they do.. then they are either imported or stuffed full of chemicals.)
Another reason for shopping often over one big massive food haul for a family in Japan?
The convenience stores are full of fresh salads, veggie and dairy ready made options, eggs, meat etc… which means that filling out your plate with something green or a hearty side dish is just that much easier. If the options are there and you pass at least 3 convenience stores on the way back from the station… naturally this way of shopping will also start to play a role in your meal prep routine.
A Japanese friend of mine explained to me when I lived alone in Kobe – think of that Family Mart down the road as an extension of your own refrigerator. They will keep those products fresh for you. They will restock when you run low… and they never ever close!
