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Since the key to bikepacking is finding the balance between having all your gear while packing light enough to keep your bike agile, you need a good set of bags custom-made for this activity. A roll handlebar bag is a great place to keep soft gear like a sleeping bag, tent and clothing. Smaller handlebar bags work great for delicate electronics or small things you need easy access to.However, since you don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere before realizing the bag you chose wasn't right for your needs, it can be overwhelming to pick a bag for your trip. So, we came up with a list of the best handlebar bags for bikepacking. Topping it is Ortlieb's quick-release bag, which provides convenient top access and roomy storage. Check out the rest of our picks and don't miss the important information we've included in our buyer's guide.

A Japanese gyuto knife is similar to a Western-style chef's knife, and is perfect for cutting foods like fish or meats. Many home cooks and chefs use them as their primary blade in the kitchen. But with all the different manufacturers, like Tojiro, Aritsugu and Misono, and all the different materials they're made from, it can be hard to choose the right one for you.We rounded up products from sites like Amazon Japan, Rakuten and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them for the following:How sharp they areHow well they hold their edgeUsabilityTake a look at our rankings and check out our buying guide, so you can learn about gyuto knives and pick the best one!

Japanese toilets are known worldwide for having advanced features like bidets. They are also called "Washlet" or "Shower Toilets," and are sold by many manufacturers, including TOTO, Panasonic, and LIXIL. Among these options, there are two types: hot-water storage types and instantaneous types, each offering different perks. With the many options available, it could be hard to figure out which one is right for you. In this article, we gathered the eight best-selling Japanese toilet seats from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Bidet qualityEase of installation Ease of cleaningWe then ranked the eight best products based on our test results and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese toilet seats available in 2022. 

Vinegar plays a major role in Japanese cuisine, most notably in sushi, for example. Vinegar is a great way to add acidity to your food and balance a dish, and it offers many health benefits. Japanese vinegar is perfect for marinades or salad dressing. Its milder taste compared to white vinegar makes it a versatile addition to your pantry, even if you only cook Japanese food infrequently. However, with so many different types of Japanese vinegar available from different brands like Marukan, Mizkan, and Tamanoi, to name a few, it can be difficult to know where and what to look for.We found the best options available online to help you find the right Japanese vinegar for your needs. We especially like Marukan's Rice Vinegar since it's perfect for cooking. Continue reading to see the rest of our recommendations, and look at our buying guide to figure out which one is best for you! 

Washing your face at the beginning and end of the day is an essential step in a healthy skincare routine. Using a soft foam facial wash can help make your everyday cleansing much easier, leaving you and your skin feeling extra-refreshed!  With a variety of drugstore brands, such as FANCL and DHC, and specialized products, such as carbonated foam cleansers and those with menthol for acne-prone skin, it can be very difficult to find a product that is suitable for you and your needs.To figure out the best Japanese cleansing foam, we gathered the 33 best-selling Japanese cleansing foams available on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and @cosmeSHOPPING, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Cleansing abilityMoisture retentionIngredientsFeelFoam densityThen, based on our tests, we ranked the 10 best Japanese cleansing foam face washes in 2022. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese face wash foam! Keep reading to find out more.

Whether you're studying, writing, or drawing, erasers are essential while working with pencil. However, some erasers just don't erase as well, simply smearing your paper with pencil lead, or crumble to pieces when you use them. Japanese stationery is known worldwide as having superior quality, often with thoughtful designs and user-friendliness in mind to optimize efficiency, and erasers are no exception. However, With so many options available on the market, all from major brands like Tombow, Mono, Pilot, and Mitsubishi Pencil, to name a few, as well as with so many design options, it can be challenging to figure out which eraser fits your particular needs best.To help you narrow down the best Japanese erasers, we gathered the 35 best-selling products from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Ease of erasingEraser shavingsWe then ranked the 10 best products based on our test results and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese erasers available online in 2022. 

Sleeping bags are an essential tool when backpacking and camping. From high-end products and trusted name-brand manufacturers such as Nanga and Snow Peak, to more accessibly priced products by individual retailers, there is a wide variety of options on the market. Not only that, but sleeping bags also come in many different shapes, the two most common types being the mummy or rectangular type. With the plethora of options available, it can be challenging to figure out which one is right for you.To help you out, in this article, we gathered the 18 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Sleep comfortInsulationPortabilityFunctionalityThen, we chose and ranked the 9 best Japanese sleeping bags based on our test results. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese sleeping bags for a variety of needs, so keep on reading to learn more.

Carbonated face washes use carbonation to remove dead skin cells and deeply cleanse our pores. With various drugstore brands, such as DHC, DUO, and Bifesta, and a myriad of specialized skincare brands with such face washes, it can be tough to choose one that best suits your skin. These also come in foams, powders, and other textures.To figure out the best Japanese carbonated face wash, we gathered the 16 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, @cosme SHOPPING, and Yahoo! Shopping for the best Japanese carbonated face washes available online and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Cleansing AbilityMoisture RetentionIngredientsFeelPore Cleansing AbilityWe then ranked the products and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese carbonated face wash available online.

Japan has always been a major exporter and global leader in electronics, especially TVs. 4K TVs have four times the pixel count of HDTVs, improving your sports and movie viewing experience with sharper graphics. There are two main types, LCDs (liquid crystal display) and organic LEDs (light-emitting diode). However, with major manufacturers such as Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba to smaller manufacturers such as Hisense making various options, it can get confusing to figure out what makes the brands different and which is the best for you.To help you in your search, we gathered the 17 best-selling Japanese TVs from e-commerce sites popular in Japan (such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping) and tested them all.We then ranked the 10 best Japanese TVs based on our tests. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese TV in 2022.

Are you Interested in learning Japanese? Have you been studying the language for a while but want to brush up a bit? Yearning to move to the country but are unsure of the language barrier? Well, Japanese language books can help! Whether studying abroad, traveling, or watching anime or films, exposure to Japanese is more accessible than ever today. However, with so many books available, such as those that focus on helping you pass the JLPT test, phrasebooks, or even just books focused on grammar, as well as different levels, it can be difficult to know what books can help you learn the best.To help you out, we've compiled a list of the ten best Japanese learning books and a buying guide to help you find the best Japanese language book.

Do you want to minimize back pain? Do you want to make your bedding more compact? A Japanese futon, or shikibuton, may be exactly what you need to wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. Japanese futons are laid out directly on the floor and can be put away during the day.However, finding a futon that will meet your needs can be difficult. So, we carefully curated this list of the 10 best Japanese futons to help you get a good night's rest. Read on to find out about our favorite Japanese futons, and check out our buying guide to help you decide which product is best for you!

Are you looking for a serum that can add plenty of moisture your skin? Do you want something that can help minimize signs of aging, like sagging skin and wrinkles? Do you want your skin to regulate sebum production better? Vitamin C serums are popular in Japan for their skin firming, beautifying, and moisturizing effects. Additionally, they can help minimize dark spots and prevent excess melanin production. In Japan, where having bright, moisturized, and plump skin is most sought after, there isn't a shortage of vitamin C serums available on the market.When it comes to ingredients, ascorbic acid is known as the purest form of vitamin C as a serum. However, other kinds stabilize this pure form to make them water-soluble, oil-soluble, or long-acting to make them a safe skincare item to use daily. Still, even if you know what kind of vitamin C you're looking for, there is an abundance of brands like Fujifilm, Dr. Ci:Labo, and Rohto, to name a few, all with different concentrations and formulas that address different skin concerns, making it difficult to know where to begin looking.To help you find the best vitamin C serum for you, we gathered the 52 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten Ichiba, Yahoo! Shopping, @cosme SHOPPING, and tested them all.Then, based on our tests, we chose and ranked the 10 best Japanese vitamin C serums available online. Alongside information regarding the effectiveness of each serum, we also included information about each product's acne and spot care abilities and compatibilities with skin sensitivity and sun exposure. To learn about all of this, read our handy buying guide. 

Japanese nail products are incredibly popular among nail enthusiasts, whether it be Japanese gel nails or even nail clippers, thanks to their incredible quality and thoughtful, user-friendly designs. Japanese nail files are no exception and can help you create clean and beautiful nails while placing the least amount of stress on your nails as possible. While most are made with either glass or metal, some are made from disposable plastic, while still others are even electronic. Regardless of the material, nail files aren't just great for maintaining style and hygiene but are also effective at preventing onycholysis (a condition where the nail separates from the skin underneath) and filing down hardened nails, which can be common issues among seniors and men. However, with so many brands, like Yoshida, Green Bell, and Kai releasing all kinds of products, it can be really difficult to know what to look for.To figure out the best Japanese nail file, we gathered the 20 best-selling nail files on e-commerce sites popular in Japan like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them all.We then ranked the 10 best Japanese nail files based on our test results. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best product for you. We also asked a professional nail technician for expert advice. Keep on reading to learn more!

Fabric softeners give your clothes a pleasant fragrance and fluffy texture and make wearing freshly washed clothes feel even more refreshing and comfortable. However, some fabric softeners can either have an overpowering scent or don't make your clothes feel as fluffy or soft as you'd hoped. If you're looking for fabric softeners that won't overpower your nose while still making your clothes feel just as good, consider Japanese fabric softeners. Since a wide variety of fabric softeners are available from well-known brands such as Landrin, Flair, Soflan, and Downy, many people may not know which one is right for them.To help you figure that out, we gathered the 13 best-selling Japanese fabric softeners from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We then chose and ranked the ten best products based on our test results and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese fabric softeners available online in 2022. 

Are you really using the best laundry detergent for your clothes? Are you trying to reduce your water consumption or lower your gas bill? Are you tired of using detergents with too much fragrance? Do you want to extend the life of your garments as much as possible? Japanese laundry detergents are formulated for maximum cleanliness while using less water than their American counterparts and have less intense fragrances while ensuring your clothes are fresh and clean. Additionally, they're formulated for use with cold water in mind, which is less abrasive and better at preserving colors than warm water!Laundry detergent is an indispensable necessity for daily life. Not only are there a plethora of laundry detergents made by famous manufacturers such as Arielle, Attack, and Top, but various detergent formats, such as powder, liquid, and pods. With so many options available on the market, it can be hard to figure out which one is right for your particular needs.To figure out the best Japanese laundry detergent, we gathered the 25 best-selling Japanese laundry detergents from popular Japanese e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them all.We tested each of the products for the following:Cleaning powerDeodorizing powerEase of useWe then ranked the 10 best Japanese laundry detergents based on our test results and compiled what we learned into our buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese laundry detergent. If you're also interested in finding out if you've been properly using your laundry detergent and tips and tricks for removing stains, keep on reading!

Face washes are fundamental and essential for men's skincare, cleaning off dirt and grime and removing excess sebum that can cause various skin problems. However, some face washes can remove too much sebum that your face ends up feeling extra dry.Japanese face washes for men balance cleansing ability with moisturization. However, there are a wide variety of men's face washes, from popular brands such as Rosette, Muji Shiseido, Null, and Tokiwa Pharmaceutical, to name a few, all selling different types of face washes. With so many options, figuring out which product is best for you can be difficult. To help you out, we found the 25 best-selling Japanese men's face washes on Japanese e-commerce giants (such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping) and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Cleansing abilityMoisture retentionIngredientsFeelWe then ranked the 10 best Japanese men's face washes based on our test results. We also put together a Buying Guide to help you choose the best Japanese men's face wash with help from beauty researcher, Mizuha, who evaluated each product's ingredients. 

Do you avoid using hair dryers, since they tend to sap all the moisture from your hair, making it difficult to style it? Are you tired of loud hair dryers that still take forever to dry your hair? Do you simply want more functionality out of your hair dryer? While many people think using a hair dryer is bad for you, attributing it to hair damage and even breakage, modern Japanese hair dryers have worked around this problem, not only drying your hair but also keeping it lush and beautiful, even providing scalp care at the same time! Many manufacturers and brands have been churning out these more advanced hair dryers, from major brands like Panasonic and its Nano Care series to the higher-end options provided by brands such as Holistic Cure, and Ya-Man. Of course, there are also more accessible and affordable models from companies like Tescom and Koizumi. However, with each of these products providing many different features and perks, from hair care and stronger airflow for quicker drying to noise reduction and multiple settings, it can be overwhelming to figure out which hair dryer is the right one for you. To help solve this problem, we gathered and tested 65 best-selling Japanese hair dryers from popular e-commerce sites in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Drying speedFinishFeelThen, based on our tests, we ranked the 11 best Japanese hair dryers. We also put together a buying guide to help guide you through the process of finding the best Japanese hair dryer for your specific needs. Keep reading to learn more!

Do you love cooking Japanese food? Have you ever wished you had a cooking utensil that kept you away from the heat source? Are you sick of oil splashing around when you're deep-frying? Do you wish you had more precision when plating? Then consider Japanese cooking chopsticks! Japanese cooking chopsticks are a must-have kitchen appliance, capable of handling multiple roles, whether it be stir-frying, whisking eggs, or even for deep-frying. There are various types on the market, from affordable everyday options available at 100 yen stores (dollar stores) to higher-end options. However, with many options that vary in size, material, and design, it can be difficult to figure out which one is best for you.To figure out the best Japanese cooking chopsticks, we gathered the 23 best-selling products available on e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them all.We tested each product for the following: Ease of useEase of cleaning We then ranked the 10 best products based on our tests. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese cooking chopsticks for you, as well as introduce some helpful tips.

Do you wish your nail polish lasted longer or was more vibrant in color? Have you ever tried gel nails but wanted to be able to change the look of your nails more easily? Have you wanted to try out gel nails at home? Japanese gel nail polishes are convenient products that allow you to enjoy gel nails but with the simplicity of regular nail polishes. With various colors and finishes available, you can enjoy the glossy look unique to gel nails while applying them easily at home and can take them off easily, too. However, with so many options to lower the hurdle of gel nails, such as all-in-one products and peel-off gel nail polishes, it can be difficult to choose a product that's best for you.To figure out the best Japanese gel nail polishes, we gathered the 27 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:FinishEase of applicationThen, we ranked the 10 best Japanese gel nail polishes based on our test results. We also asked professional nail technician Kimiyo Ishido for advice on how to choose a gel nail polish and how to use them properly. Keep on reading to learn more!

If you've ever been to New York City, you know one of its biggest appeals is the food. Whether you're looking for Michelin star restaurants or just want to grab a dollar slice of pizza, it's going to be good. That doesn't stop at chocolate chip cookies, either!We asked locals and searched for reviews on sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and more to come up with a list of the bakeries and shops that offer the best chocolate chip cookies in NYC. Whether your jam is gooey and soft, thin and crisp, or chocolate-stuffed cookies, we have an option for you. We've even found some allergy-friendly choices. Read on to see what we picked, along with tips for finding the best cookie place on your own!

Have you ever wished for sharper scissors that could cut through most things with ease? Have you ever felt that your scissors are slightly difficult to use? When it comes to stationery, Japanese products are some of the very best in the world, with thoughtful designs that lead to products that are incredibly easy to use and well-made. Japanese scissors are no exception to this. Being an essential tool to have in your household for daily use, cutting things such as paper, milk cartons, and cardboard, there's nothing more stressful than a pair of scissors that don't quite cut as well when you need them to. However, with so many manufacturers, such as Kokuyo, Nakabayashi, and Plus, to name a few, as well as styles, features, and coatings, choosing the best scissors can be pretty difficult. To figure out the best Japanese scissors, we gathered the 36 best-selling products from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:SharpnessEase of UseWe then ranked the ten best Japanese scissors based on the results of our tests. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese scissors!

Rice is something we've all probably had at one point in our lives, and is featured in many recipes around the world. However, short-grain sticky rice is an essential part of the Japanese diet and culture, and is an indispensable food item. While most of the short-grain rice in the US is grown exclusively in California, mostly in the north, rice is grown in every prefecture in Japan, where varying climates offer different types of rice. However, with well-known brands like Koshihikari and Akitakomachi and so many other brands, seeing all of these rice brands lined up at the grocery store can be overwhelming - where do you even begin to choose? How should you choose between different textures and flavors, light or sweet, chewy or firm? And what is the deal with rinse-free rice? With each brand having different sweetness, texture, and flavor profiles, it can be difficult to choose the perfect rice for your needs. To figure out what the best Japanese rice is, we gathered the 38 best-selling Japanese rice available on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:DeliciousnessFragranceWe then ranked the ten best Japanese rice in 2022 based on the results of our tests. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese rice for you. Keep reading to find out more!

What could be better than having Japanese-style shaved ice whenever you want at home? High-performance Japanese shaved ice machines that can make almost professional-grade fluffy shaved ice are becoming a popular appliance. Shaved ice machines are generally either electric or manual and are again either stationary or handheld. Some of them come with special containers to make ice in first, or you can use loose ice. However, with so many manufacturers and brands to choose from, such as Doshisha and Ladonna's Toffy series, deciding which one is best for you can be challenging.To figure out the best Japanese shaved ice machine, our editors gathered the 16 best-selling products on Japanese e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Rakuten, Ichiba, and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Ice FinenessTexture of Shaved IceEase of UseShaving SpeedWe then ranked the 10 best products based on our test results and compiled what we learned into our Buying Guide to help you choose the best Japanese shaved ice machine for you available online in 2022. 

Nail clippers are indispensable for keeping your nails looking clean. There are many varieties of nail clippers made by trusted Japanese manufacturers, such as Muji, Kaijirushi, Feathers, for example, that focus on top-notch quality. Some are even widely used by professionals in nursing and nail salons. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between the many options and choose the right one for you.To figure this out, we gathered the 24 best-selling Japanese nail clippers on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping, and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Ease of useFinishNail scatteringWe then ranked the ten best products based on our test results. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best nail clippers. Keep on reading to learn more!

Are you a tea lover that wants to make Japanese tea in the traditional way? Do you want to maximize the experience? Then consider Japanese cast-iron teapots! Japanese cast-iron teapots offer several unique advantages, such as imparting extra flavor to your tea, heating quickly, and retaining heat for longer. They’re also intricately designed, and some are even beautiful enough to be gifted or served during parties. They can also add an extra layer of authenticity to your green tea, helping set the mood when you want to enjoy a quiet cup of tea.The right teapot for you will depend on its type, size, and various other factors. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the best 8 cast-iron Japanese teapots online. Our favorite is Kitsusako’s Nanbu Tekki Teapot because of the quality of its ironware and its convenient size. Continue reading to see what else we recommend, and be sure to check out the buying guide!

Hair oils are best known for being a hair care product, but hair oils can also help style trendy hairstyles like the wet look and see-through bangs.Depending on the product, hair oils can provide a wide range of textures and finishes. Some give your hair a light and soft appearance, while others give a shiny, glossy, or even wet-looking finish, making it pretty difficult to find the perfect product for your desired finish. Moreover, with multiple brands such as KOSE, Nature Lab, and Hoyu, all releasing hair oils at varying price points, it can be pretty difficult to know where to even begin looking.To figure out what the best Japanese hair oil is, our editors have searched e-commerce sites popular in Japan such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping for the best Japanese hair oil products available online. We then picked out the 63 most popular ones and tested them all.We tested each product for the following:Damage CareStyling abilityFeelWe then ranked the products based on the results of our tests and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese hair oil available online.

A tamagoyaki pan enables you to easily make delicious Japanese omelets for your bento lunch, as a side dish, or for breakfast. It might be confusing for you to choose one, though, since they come in various materials and have different features that can affect how your eggs come out.Our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping and gathered the 17 best-selling Japanese tamagoyaki pans and put them all to test.We tested each product for the following:How tamagoyaki turned outThe ease of useEach pan's nonstick capabilityEase of maintenanceWe then ranked the 10 best tamagoyaki pans based on our tests. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best tamagoyaki pan for you.

Whether you're a horror movie fan or a newcomer to the genre, Japanese horror movies are sure to terrify and entertain you. Japanese horror movies, often shortened to J-horror, take inspiration from Japanese folk tales. The culture, combined with incredible practical and special effects and dreadful, creeping suspense, make these movies unique. As some of the most popular horror films, J-horror movies are found on many popular streaming sites like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and more. We searched through popular Japanese horror movies across many different streaming services and compiled a list of our 10 favorites that will shock and terrorize you. Our favorite Japanese horror film is Ringu because its story is full of mystery and scary moments. The film also proved its influence by helping to popularize J-horror across the world, spawning a trend of Hollywood remakes of J-horror films in the early 2000s. Our buying guide goes into more detail on which criteria to keep in mind when selecting the perfect Japanese horror movie!

Do you want your child to have a fun, balanced, healthy lunch? Are they tired of carrying many containers? A Japanese bento box may just be the thing you need to ensure your child gets the most out of lunchtime! Unlike typical lunch boxes, Japanese bento boxes provide a more efficient way of packing food by using a single compartmentalized box instead of needing to use multiple containers. They also keep different foods separated and can help you balance portions. We carefully put together this list of the 10 best Japanese bento boxes for kids to help your child enjoy lunchtime even more. Our favorite is the Waon Bento Box Set for its traditional beauty, convenient drawstring bag, and onigiri box that allows you to make your own rice balls from scratch. Read on to find out about our other favorite picks, and be sure to check out our buying guide to help you decide which bento box is right for you!

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Japanese chocolate is a great choice for satisfying your cravings. Chocolate companies in Japan focus on the rich texture and flavors of their products. Plus, you can find region-specific and seasonal flavors if you want to try something new!If you're unfamiliar with the world of Japanese chocolate, we're here to help. There are a ton of products and brands, like Royce', Pocky, Meiji, and even Kit-Kats exclusive to Japan, it can be overwhelming to know what to look for. We’ve done the research and worked with our Japanese team to select the 10 best Japanese chocolates available online. Our favorite was Meiji's Milk Chocolate Bar. Check out our best 10 picks, and don’t forget to read our buying guide for tips on how to choose the best Japanese chocolate for your tastes.