As you can tell… I can talk until the cows come home about all the cool gadgets, food and shopping in this city. However, there is a stash of goodies that I do like to stock up on when I’m outside of Japan on holidays, back in my hometown of Melbourne or visiting my Hubby’s home city of Edinburgh.
Up until now, this list has been in a pinterest board of mine… but I think, now, I’ll use it at my personal reference list too, so I don’t forget anything in future.
My list has gotten much shorter compared to when I lived in other parts of Japan (Tokyo is very international these days) and now that there are options like Amazon, Ikea, Costco and iherb to lean on.
* Please note: this is just what I do. Other people might like to order things from overseas while here or have warmed to more local products. This is just my list.
Bubble bath
In Japan, the bathing culture means that the body is to be washed and clean before soaking in the tub, so, naturally, there is no market for bubble bath as the bubbly-soapy part of the washing process is done outside of the tub.
We all bathe western-style in my house and occasionally – we like to go bubble crazy.
Also, the wet-room set up in a Japanese bathroom is perfect for bubble bath fun as the bubbles can overflow anytime and it doesn’t matter one little bit! Woohoo!
Sunscreen & Mosquito Repellant
I prefer to use sunscreen that we know well with our kids. Just so I know that my children won’t have any reactions etc.
And as for the mozzie spray – I haven’t found anything hard core enough either. The Mosquitos here are nasty and love to go completely ‘vampires-at-a-buffet’ on my Husband and daughter.
Swim Nappies
For some reason, we find swim nappies for babies and toddlers really expensive here so we try to stock up when on holidays.
Children & Adult Pain Killers
Japan has extremely high quality medication but I often find it to be much weaker than the Western over-the-counter options. Another reason that I purchase medications in Japan is just purely for my peace of mind. I know how my children react to our favourite / familiar brands – so I don’t need to keep an eye out for any unexpected side effects or funny reactions.
Another random item we would bring when my kids were babies was Baby Vicks Vaporub. I’ve only found the 2+ version here.
*Please be very careful though. Japan has strict rules about which medicines are allowed in the country. Here is a list of rules regarding Japan and allowed medication.
Books in English
Understandably, imported books are more expensive here. The same goes for English magazines too.
Head lice Treatment
Fortunately, we haven’t had to use it but it is hard to find treatment kits here so I make sure we are stocked up. Just in case.
Baby Food
In rural areas, baby food and snacks aren’t always found in supermarkets.
You will have more luck in a drugstore, a baby goods store like Akachan Hompo, or even some stores like Yodobashi Camera or BIC Camera.
I suggest packing lots of baby food you ( or should I say baby) are used to – regardless- as many Parents dislike the amount of sugar in most Japanese baby food items. Lots are jelly form. So I recommend bringing your own OR bringing a hand blender and making your own with fresh fruit and vegetables.
For more things that may surprise you about Japanese supermarkets you might like this post here.
Fluoride Tablets
I’m about to buy this on our next trip to the U.K. There is no fluoride in the tap water here so I worry about all of our teeth.
Licorice
I’ve yet to find it in Japan. If I want to eat it – I need to bring my own.
Bigger sized clothing and footwear
I have size EUR 40 feet and it is very difficult to find footwear here so I almost always buy shoes overseas – you know, where my giant feet aren’t a complete freak-show in a shoe shop.
Same goes for bigger sized clothing. Japanese people are smaller in almost every way so even the international stores here don’t need to necessarily carry anything above a medium.
Bras
If you’re looking for extra padding – this is your boobie-holder shopping dream come true. Most bras are padded. If you’re bigger than a C cup I recommend shopping outside of Japan (online or otherwise.)
Tampons
Coz I’m loyal to my favourite UK & Aussie brands.
Deodorant
Men’s and Women’s deodorant. We bring back a large stash every time as we have only been able to find the sprays that “cover up” smells but not antiperspirant deodorant.
Favourite beauty-related products not sold in Japan
In my personal case it is purple shampoo for my ..err… “natural” blonde locks.
I also love stocking up on blonde hair ties. That’s not certainly easy to come by in Tokyo.
Colgate Toothpaste
Not sponsored. This is just our brand of choice and , although we can find it at the International Supermarkets, it’s pricey, so we come back with several tubes at a time.
Vitamin Supplements
Including the chewable versions for children. Into the suitcase they go.
Popular (Overseas) TV Character Toys & Tshirts etc.
My kids are going through a Paw Patrol and Mickey and the Roadstar Racers stage and we can’t find many of the toys here so we keep an eye out each time – depending who they are into at that moment. Much cheaper than shipping internationally.
I sometimes buy figurines of my children’s favourite characters and throw them on top of a plain birthday cake.
Cards
Some people might be surprised at this because Japan does have some truly spectacular cards. But if. like me, you like to give our birthday, deepest sympathy, congratulations etc cards it can get very expensive and they are harder to track down here ( especially anything more than a birthday greeting.)
I usually bring those packs of 10 at a time to bring with me when I can.
And it is a bit morbid but I also recommend bringing sympathy cards – they are not readily available here.
Decorations and Cooking Ingredients for Special Occasions
I find things like Christmas trees (even the fake ones) to be expensive and, naturally, not so easy to find. I also like to have treats from home on special occasions and that might mean a certain ingredient will need to make the journey with me too.
I have friends who pack their own gravy mix for their thanksgiving turkeys,
Not a thing to pack but…
If you love getting your nails done, I’d get them done before coming to Japan. The cheap nail salon is not a thing in Japan. They are more glam here and the prices reflect that notion accordingly. Many Japanese women who are trying to be savvy buy the DIY nail kits and do them at home. I’m not that talented.
See here if you’d like to see my Tokyo Gift suggestions to pack for heading away from Japan , including a gift guide for kiddies .
See here if you’re looking for my packing for Japan with Kids suggestions.
