The more I get out of the city, the more I develop a longing to try living in the suburbs.

I recently just finished reading the best-seller – Ikigai, the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. The book introduces the island of Okinawa, whose residents live longer than people anywhere else in the world. Many of them lived as long as over 110 years old.

A healthy diet, a simple life in the outdoors, lots and lots of green tea and shikuwasa, and one that I yearn the most – clean air. You have probably heard me say somewhere before that I want to “retire” (by the way Japanese people never retire. A lot of these longest-living people work until the day they die, and believe it or not that’s what help them to live that long!) in a small village in Japan planting daikon haha. read more

Many people have told me that some of their favorite blog posts from all the 2000 over that I have written, are from the “The Meaning Of…” series. I have written a few so far:

1. The Meaning of Itadakimasu

2. The Meaning of Mottainai

3. The Meaning of Umami

These are some of my favorite too. Recently I read the trending book called Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. I have my very own definition of Ikigai, but let’s reserve that for another time. What I want to say is that, sometimes I really learn so much from just researching about one single Japanese word that carry such profound, sophisticated meaning. read more

While I am busy discovering more #lazymama hacks, it is worth noting that it requires skill and effort to be “lazy”, as you keep yourself updated with new technology and innovations, which eventually sets you free from spending too much time to fuss over unnecessary things.

For skin care, I choose to go fuss-free too.

Today I’d like to introduce one of my favorite cleansing products from Japan – ORBIS Powder Wash +.

I have recommended it end of last year on Instagram, but I think it deserves a full blog post! read more

Do you know that the humble kitchen towels in your home is actually a lot more useful that you thought, other than cleaning up the mess in the kitchen?

A while ago I posted a video on IG about cutting a block of butter with kitchen towel so that you get to slice your butter effortlessly without the butter sticking to your knife, and the best part is that the knife won’t get greasy either!! I love this hack so much because as a #lazymama #busymama, you want to save as much time and trouble as you can. read more

I started using MamyPoko Air Fit (by “I” I mean Sakura, haha) since June last year, so it has been more than half a year now. I think I have touched and changed and disposed enough MamyPoko diapers right now to be able to pass a fair comment on the quality.

My only choice had always been made-in-Japan diapers. Before using MamyPoko Air Fit, I honestly thought all the Japan-made diapers are equally good in quality, because they were all far more superior than any other diapers I have used before. I didn’t mind any of them. read more

This is a blog post on tips to self-drive in Japan!

Last December, our family went on a road trip and toured around Kyushu. I received lots of questions asking me about renting a car in Japan. Japan’s public transport is beyond amazing, and to be honest, I would pick a shikansen ride anytime because it’s super relaxing.

We did consider whether we wanted to rent a car or take public transport to move about in Kyushu. For me I wanted to take the train because I didn’t want the danna to be too tired driving (he’s not very good with sitting for long hours considering his job requires him to be standing most of the time). But he insisted driving because it was the best option for our family. read more