5 Tools for Getting Started with 'Sumi-e'
Japanese 'sumi-e' ink wash painting is a great hobby to pick up—it's cheap and easy to get started!
12 Things Every ALT Needs from the ¥100 Shop
Being an ALT is a resource-intensive profession. The ¥100 shop has almost everything you need to be ready for the classroom!
¥100 Shop Stationery
From basic writing tools to adorable character goods, ¥100 shops are the choice for getting papered in style—without breaking the bank!
7+ Kinds of Calligraphy Brushes
The kind of calligraphy brush you need depends on the kind of lines you want to draw. Here are seven-plus options from a historic shop in Toyohashi that you can order from anywhere!
Looking for a Next-Level Sharpener?
Made in Osaka, these next-level pencil and makeup sharpeners boast of being 'light as an apple peel, sharp as a samurai sword.' Try them out to be sure!
7 Prime Presents from the ¥100 Shop
These great items may only be ¥108 after tax, but your friends and family don't need to know that! And the quality's so good, they probably won't be able to tell!
10 of the Best Gift Shops in Kyoto
Kyoto is a great city to look for souvenirs, but personally, we think these 10 shops in Kyoto take the cake when it comes to bringing back a bit of Japan back home with you.
Life-Enhancing Stationery (& More) from Muji!
For many, Muji stationery sets the bar. Compact and cool, it's perfect for gifts and personal use. And if you're not sure what to set your sights on, here are our nine best recommendations!
Masterful Memo Blocks & Drawing Pads
These memo blocks and drawing pads are so good they garnered a Good Design Award and have been featured in the UK's Monocle Magazine.
Dive into a Daiso
Take a four-minute tour through all the weird and wonderful stuff at Daiso, Japan's largest ¥100 chain.
Perfectly Equipped Tablecloth for Craft Fairs
Check out this tablecloth specifically designed for fair booths, and how it makes all the difference in staying organized!
Baby Keepsake Calligraphy Brushes
The concept of saving your baby's hair after their first haircut isn't uncommon, but families in Japan can opt to turn those shorn locks into unique calligraphy brushes!
Luxurious Stationery from Itoya
Itoya is an historic brand that that offers luxurious stationery in one of Japan's most fashionable districts.
3 Historic Fan Shops in Kyoto
Japanese fans are as much about fashion and art as they are about keeping cool, and these traditional shops have really mastered the craft!
Learning to Love 'Sumi' Ink Sticks
Ink sticks, or 'sumi,' were a practical way of conserving and transporting ink. They're the classic tool for writing Japanese calligraphy—and using them has an almost Zen-like quality.
Painted Imaginary Camouflaged Leaf Insects
To avoid becoming prey, leaf insects use mimicry to blend into their surroundings. But what happens when the insect's natural environment has been completely destroyed?
New Akihabara Animate for Your Ikemen Needs
Opened on June 16, 2016, Akiba Girls Station is a massive, seven-floor shopping center dedicated entirely to anime/manga for the female audience.
Have a Cuppa in Kanazawa’s Old Town
While traveling in Kanazawa, be sure to stop for a nice, fresh cup of tea from a tea shop dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1868)!
Dustless Chalk & Erasable Window Crayons
Make playtime a little cleaner with dustless chalk made from scallop shells, and crayons that can draw on windows and then wash off like the art was never there!
4 Ingenious Office Supplies from Japan
Make quick work of your office tasks with these modern and ergonomic tools—great for scrapbooking fans!