All posts by Julie Wilson

  • Why is describing palatal sensation difficult?

    Ever since food and social media started a romance, scores of restaurant marketers have turned their attention to seducing Facebookers, instagrammers or pinteresters with food photos. In fact, Facebook reports that the kind of photos likely to...

    • Posted November 10, 2014
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  • Who’s roasting turkey in the city? Where to eat a good turkey meal, Tokyo style

    Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is a family affair. It’s a time to pause from our daily grind and give thanks for all the graces received and enjoy meals together as a family. And...

    • Posted November 10, 2014
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  • A great indoor play area for kids in Diver city

    I was on my way for an outdoor play with my two-year old when it suddenly rained.  Not wanting to spoil the day, we ran for cover at a nearby cafe where I made a quick online...

    • Posted October 28, 2014
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  • Bubble Football for Kids

    It’s fun, exciting and new. Invented by Norway, (Boble Fotball) Bubble Football is the latest sports craze in Japan. Finally, it has made its way into Tokyo capturing the hearts of many young football enthusiasts just the...

    • Posted October 9, 2014
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  • Grow your own food. Use your veranda.

    Are you ready to take on a new hobby that pays off? You haven’t got a garden? Well then you must have a veranda in your apartment. It is possible to grow your own vegetables even in...

    • Posted September 10, 2014
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  • Snack Spotting: After-school snacks from all over the world

    The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  That age-old saying rings true because food is love. Parents who cook after-school snacks are actually saying “I love you” to their children in an indirect but...

    • Posted September 3, 2014
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  • Rock a bye baby

    Got a baby who won’t sleep? Japanese baby goods manufacturer Combi has got you covered.The Nemulila autoswing guarantees to do the job in no more than 5 min. 36 seconds. ( But only if your baby is...

    • Posted May 7, 2014
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  • Spring salad with anchovy and mint vinaigrette

    This mediterranean-inspired mixed greens and egg is a very refreshing salad that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a stand-alone meal.   Ingredients: 1 cup sweet peas, 2 med size avocados, 1 romaine lettuce, 1 can...

    • Posted May 7, 2014
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  • Tokyo Moms’ favorite hairdressers open a new salon in Azabu Juban

    I often hear gaijin moms ask other mothers where their children get a good hair cut in Tokyo. More often than not, the name “Kei” comes up. For 16 years Kei Sato was a professional hair cutter...

    • Posted May 7, 2014
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  • Before you spend money on medication, read this

    onsumers in Japan buy something at drugstores everyday, according to Japan’s local pharmaceutical search site Pharmacy Kensaku. The same site reports that Giant  chainstore Super Drug Egashira Esai made a record sales of 1.6 billion yen last...

    • Posted April 7, 2014
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  • Eating a big meal after a sleepless night makes you fat

    The result of a study made by Swedish scientists from Uppsala University published in the Psychoneuroendocrinology suggests that it might be wise to avoid a big meal the day following a sleepless night. In the study, 16...

    • Posted April 7, 2014
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  • Stack it baby

    New York pop artist and social activist Keith Haring  puts an amusing spin on toys using what has become his brand of art: radiant colours and strong messages of love and unity.  Children will have fun stacking...

    • Posted April 1, 2014
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  • How to use a prepaid (E saifu) Visa card in Japan

    A payment option for online purchases that has become increasingly popular in Japan for those without credit cards is E-Saifu Visa card. What is E-saifu? E saifu is a virtual prepaid card that works like a credit...

    • Posted March 4, 2014
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  • Boosting your “Qi” with Taichi

    We have learned that oriental Chinese medicine is known to deliver through our body channels,  a bio energy known as “Qi” (pronounced as key). Traditional Tai Chi is a form of martial art that has over the...

    • Posted February 12, 2014
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  • Health gadget

    Tellspec is the newest gadget to watch this year.  It tells you what’s in your food. While this super small gadget can’t really tell you much about radiated food which concerns us here in Japan,  what it...

    • Posted January 8, 2014
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  • What to look for in a pre-school

    Looking after your children’s needs in the first two years is relatively easier compared to the task of looking for a good preschool.  That’s because there are too many things to consider for families especially those new...

    • Posted December 17, 2013
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  • Mom finds a solution to picky eaters

    Feeding kids with nutritious food is always a sore topic in some households.  Moms constantly struggle at finding the right strategy to avoid frequent meal battles. Samantha Lee,  mom to two daughters, has chosen her battles wisely...

    • Posted November 11, 2013
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  • The Purr-fect solution

    Landlords commonly say no to tenants with pets.   That’s not to say that the Japanese are indifferent to animals.  After so many years of  renting apartments in Japan, I have come to understand that properties vacated by...

    • Posted November 7, 2013
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  • Party venues

    Shidax For Karaoke-themed parties,  Shidax offers a big and small type of venues for rent. You can even tag along the pet to join in the fun.   http://www.shidax.co.jp/sc/room/#kids Mygym Not just a venue to rent but they...

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • Where to get party supplies in Tokyo

    Tokyo Party Fun  (www.tokyopartyfun.com) This newly opened online funhouse offers imported supplies from party hats to garlands and streamers with festive designs. Tokyu Hands To pull off an exciting theme party,  check out Tokyu hands in Shibuya. ...

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • Wilton Cake Decorating School

    Wilton is a school in Daikanyama that teaches housewives and foodies, the art of cake decorating.They take orders for special occasions.   Price range ¥5,000 and up.  Pick-up or Delivery: 2 weeks upon order. http://entrecraft.seesaa.net

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • Oguni Store

    If you are looking for Japanese-inspired designs, Oguni store has a wide range of funny, interesting and unique creations never before seen in a cake!   Price range ¥3,150 and up (depending on size and options).  Delivery: 1-2...

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • M-cakes

    New in town, M-cakes specializes in custom-designed American decorative cakes.  They can pretty much do any design and trick to make your cake look unique.   Sponge flavours include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, pink and green velvet,...

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • Kyle Good Finds

    Kyle Good Finds This is a typical American homestyle bakery where you can order the flavour and cake motiff of your choice.  Cake price ranges anywhere between ¥3,400 – ¥8,600.   It takes a week to order.  Pick-up...

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • Choosing a birthday cake

    In western culture, a birthday cake is the star of  the show.   It’s no wonder –  candle-blowing scenes are the most heavily photographed at parties.  When choosing a birthday cake, remember that not only should it look...

    • Posted September 12, 2013
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  • The birthday tradition

    The Guiness Book of World Records names Happy Birthday as the most recognized song in the English language.  For many decades now, the song has been traditionally sung at most birthday parties (often out of tune).    It...

    • Posted September 11, 2013
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  • Bulgari Il Cafe

    Your best bet to catch up with friends or family for coffee or weekend lunch in a stylish setting is at Bulgari’s Il Cafe.  But that’s not to say that a trendy place such as this offers...

    • Posted September 11, 2013
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  • Tokyo’s coolest buggies

    Infants and toddlers are susceptible to dust and pollution.   Aprica’s Air Ria was specifically madewith high seats (53 cms) to combat air pollution and irritants.  It is also equipped with the new “breath air” technology that automatically...

    • Posted September 11, 2013
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  • Tokyo’s Coolest Buggies

    The Combi White Label MC-400 Mechakaru (Japanese term for “ultra light”) ranks high in preference by Japanese moms because of its ultra light quality. Weighing only 4.4 kgs, this super cool buggy is suitable for traveling to...

    • Posted September 11, 2013
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  • Tokyo’s Coolest Buggies

    Air Buggy Coco Brake (three-wheel model) This latest  air buggy is designed for 3–5 months old babies up to 3 years old. It’s a 3-wheel model, very light at 9.5 kg  and measures W96cm X D53.5cm X...

    • Posted September 11, 2013
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