But the Bentgo recently caught my attention. I thought it looked convenient and practical, with built in compartments and a attached lid. However, to my dismay, I saw prices triple that of what it cost in America! I couldn’t justify spending 9,000¥ plus for a lunch box.

Fortunately, since my mom was already headed over to Japan, I asked her to pick one up for about 25 or 30$ and she luckily snagged the last one at her Target!

First impressions

The lunchbox turned out to be surprisingly thin but weightier than my initial expectations. What caught my eye were the helpful illustrations on the back, detailing the precise measurements of each compartment!

I later discovered what added to the lunchbox's weight. The built-in ice pack. Also, the fuchsia pink shade wasn't exactly my top choice, so I'm contemplating adding some dinosaur stickers to give it a personalized touch for my daughter.

Features

Upon opening the box, I was surprised by how slim and reminiscent of a toy laptop the lunchbox looked. The key features include its leakproof design, dishwasher-safe materials, a solid 2-year warranty, and the added durability of drop-proof rubber corners.

What stands out the most for me is its playful yet non-character-specific design, making it suitable for my daughter's use over the next few years, unlike her previous character-themed lunchboxes that she will outgrow quite quickly.

Positive Experience 

Once again, I appreciate the thoughtful portion-specific compartments. It's a relief not having to purchase additional silicon or paper cups, or those artificial grass dividers. This means no more worries about juices from one food item seeping into another, and my daughter's meals stay neatly separated (She's a bit picky).

What sets this bento box apart is its user-friendly design. Unlike traditional Japanese bento boxes for kids that often feature a rubber gasket creating a vacuum seal effect, making them a challenge to open—even for adults—this one opens easier with minimal risk of spills.

Another highlight is the optional built-in ice pack. Its inclusion means I can do away with the numerous small ice packs I have lying around. It's a practical addition that simplifies meal prep considerably.

Negative Experience 

This bento's design suits American-style lunches perfectly, which often consist of drier, finger-food-friendly options. In contrast, Japanese-style lunches replicate complete meals like pasta, curry, or saucy dishes that might not sit well in certain containers.

The difference in design is noticeable too. Traditional Japanese boxes are bulkier and more box-shaped, whereas this one is flatter. This poses a packing challenge—while it's easy to stash sandwiches and chips vertically in a backpack, dishes like fish or curry require a flat position to prevent sauces or oils from spilling into other compartments. The rubberized lid seems like a promising solution to this issue, though.

Moreover, the compartments in this bento are noticeably larger than those in Japanese bentos. It's tempting to fill them all, despite knowing my daughter can't possibly consume that much. To tackle this, I've started using the largest compartment to store her juice or milk box, making more balanced and realistic meal portions.

My Daughter's Experience

She enjoyed having something different, and she didn't struggle with soggy paper cups or have to remove the paper separators, but she didn't quite like the empty space when I took out her milk box. She asked me to put my lunch inside. haha

I haven't let her open the lunchbox by herself yet, but I will the next time I use it!

As I continue to customize this lunchbox to suit my daughter's preferences, I really appreciate its ability to evolve with her ever changing tastes. The Bentgo has certainly earned its place in our lunchtime lineup, promising practicality and ease for years to come. Cheers to hassle-free lunches and happy mealtimes!

I know it seems like all I do is post about traveling recently, but there’s not much else to talk about. My mom arrived safely in Japan for the holidays, so things slowed down quite a bit while trying to ease her into life here.

My daughter is in Kindergarten now, and I’ll be teaching her English in earnest from next year. Her language skills are amazing though. I feel like I’m talking to at least a 4-year-old. She’s extremely articulate, probably because of her bookworm parents, so, we will be doing intensive English study, and I guess I can journey that!

However, this post is to share an impromptu girl’s trip that I went on with my friends two months ago! One day, I casually mentioned I liked Atami, which is a seaside, onsen town in Shizuoka prefecture. I love dried fish, and my husband and I used to go regularly before our daughter.

Well, my friend happens to have a vacation home near there and invited me to stay the night.  She rented a car and drove us around to different places.

It was so nice seeing the rural side of the area by car even though it was rainy. I’ll share a few places that we went that might be of interest to anyone who is going to be in the area!

Mishima Skywalk

The first place we visited was the Mishima Skywalk, which is a pedestrian suspension bridge that spans over the Kano River and connects Mount Mishima and Mount Ryuo. It was so beautiful walking across the bridge and once we got to the other side, there were some shops and adventure courses. I want to bring my daughter because there is a dinosaur forest, but I instead bought her this unique dinosaur scrunchie. 

There’s an owl petting zoo, a small museum and café, and an ice cream stand with blue ice cream that’s colored with butterfly pea! It began to rain, so they also gave us free ponchos since no umbrellas were permitted on the bridge.

There’s also a big pavilion with tons of souvenir shops near the entrance and also what they call a luxury bathroom, that looks like a Victorian room.

We ended the day by eating hot, fresh croquettes in the car, which I highly recommend!

Izu Village Station

For lunch, we visited a roadside market. We ate at the small restaurant inside. Service was fast and the food was good. 

The hot pot was extremely delicious and I topped off the night by getting in my friend's onsen. It was so relaxing and I might make it a goal of mine to have an onsen in my home!

Oratche Farm

Before heading back the next day, my friends and I went to a nearby farm. It has a petting zoo feel. We fed the goats, rabbits, and other small animals.

This farm also has a butter-making workshop and various other workshops. It’s small but eventful! 

We ate lunch at the onsite restaurant and I went home with some of locally made honey butter, which is divine! I feel spoiled because my friend bought me another tub just recently.

Recently, I visited Hakone, Japan for the first time. Living in Kanagawa, Hakone is a popular day trip spot, boasting beautiful nature and clear views of Mt. Fuji. Although less known, compared to other popular tourist destinations, such as Kyoto, Nikko, and Osaka, I find myself wanting to recommend Hakone as a must-see area for tourist to drop by to enjoy the slower, more traditional, and nature filled side of Japan.

Location

Hakone is a mountainous town in Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan. It's known for its hot springs (onsen), beautiful views of Mount Fuji, and the volcanic valleys surrounding Lake Ashi. Many people visit Hakone for its scenic landscapes, traditional ryokan (inns), and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. The area is also famous for its art museums, including the Pola Museum of Art and the Hakone Museum of Art.

Transportation

To get to Hakone, we took the Odakyu Romance Car from Machida, Tokyo, and was in Hakone in little under an hour! If you are coming from Yokohama, there's easy access from Shin-Yokohama Station using the bullet train as well. On the way back, we took the Tokaido Line Green Car to Yokohama station from Odawara.

The Odakyu Romance car was a really quick and quiet ride. The conductor told us when we would see Mt. Fuji, and I felt like just when I was relaxing in my seat, we were already arriving at Hakone-Yumoto station, which is in the heart of Hakone!

Although the Autumn leaves had yet to fully appear, the sheer amount of nature was so refreshing. Our hotel was right on the riverside and a few minutes from the transportation hub of Hakone. Because it was only a one night trip, I didn't book a hotel with a onsen, but next time, it's a must!

Hakone Open Air Museum

The first day of our trip, we visited the Hakone Open Air Musuem, which was amazing and fun to just meander and look around. To get there from Hakone-Yumoto station, you'll just take a 40 minute train up the mountain, and can experience the interesting switch-back technique the train uses. 

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is a unique art museum located in the town of Hakone, Japan. What sets it apart is its vast outdoor exhibition space that showcases various sculptures and art installations set amidst beautiful natural surroundings. The museum features a diverse collection of sculptures by both Japanese and international artists. I loved the variety of pieces, and the informal atmosphere and how integrated into nature it was. There was a nice little café inside to take a quick break, and we even took advantage of the free foot onsen (Ashi-yu), which was really fun and refreshing.

Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields

After the Hakone Open Air Museum, we ate a small burger joint, and then we went to the Sengokuhara Grass field. The Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields in Hakone are expansive fields covered with tall golden pampas grass, also known as susuki grass. This natural attraction offers stunning scenery, especially during the autumn months when the grass turn a vibrant golden hue. While possible to get to the grass field from the museum, I don't recommend this journey if you have a baby or stroller since you'll need to take a long walk from the train station to the bus, but if you're young and adventurous, it is quite nice walking alongside the trees as you descend the mounting, exploring the non-touristy side of Hakone.

The grass field was also really nice, especially because we arrived a little before golden hour, so the sun made the grass glisten! The main field is not as vast as I thought it would be, and the trail just cuts right down the middle, but it's a cute photo spot and easy on the eyes. Plus, there's a park nearby and convenience store as well, so you could possibly have a picnic nearby.

To end the day, we ate at the Japanese restaurant Kinosuke, and I had the most amazing, tender, grilled mackerel marinated in Mirin (Japanese sake). I loved the traditional Japanese meal, and the cozy atmosphere.

Hakone Shrine

On our second day, we set out early to go to Moto-Hakone-Ko, which is another popular destination in Hakone known for its red torii gate on the lake Ashi. We visited Hakone Shrine, a short walk from the bus stop, so that I can get my stamp from the temple, and then we boarded a majestic pirate ship to cross lake Ashi! 

Although boarding the pirate ship is free if you buy the Hakone free pass, if you pay around 900 yen, you can get VIP entry, which allows you lounge access at the front of the ship and a bar offering a variety of drinks. We opted for the VIP entry, which was nearly empty and had unobstructed views of Mt. Fuji the whole way there! Totally worth the extra fee!

Owakudani

We took the ship to Togendai because we wanted to ride the ropeway through the volcano valley. The wait was extremely long, but we boarded the ropeway and off we were to Owakudani. Owakudani, also known as the "Great Boiling Valley," is a volcanic valley located in Hakone, Japan. It's a popular tourist destination known for its active volcanic activity and scenic views. The area was formed from the eruption of Mount Hakone around 3,000 years ago. It is also known for its black boiled eggs called Kuro-tamago. They are boiled in the sulfuric water, which makes the shells turn black. It is said they add 7 years to your life if you eat one!

Unfortunately, we didn't get to eat a black egg, as they were already sold out when we arrived, but it was okay because we actually got to take a tour through the volcanic valley and saw the eggs being boiled and harvested! It was such a nice experience, and if you can, I recommend you to book a tour as well, since they are only 500 yen!

Hakone Yuryo

After enjoying soba, which Hakone is known for, it was time for the finale. We booked a day spa at a spa resort. We booked access to the public onsen and a meal at Hakone Yuryo! Hakone Yuryo is a popular hot spring (onsen) facility located in Hakone, Japan. It's known for its relaxing and therapeutic hot spring baths, making it a sought-after destination for both tourists and locals seeking to unwind and experience traditional Japanese bathing culture.

It was my first time going to a public onsen, but I got used to it quickly. It was almost empowering just seeing women being natural! Kids can get in too if they graduated from wearing a diaper! The water felt amazing and there were many different pools, indoor and outdoor. The meal was also really tasty and I just felt so relaxed there.

As you can see, we did quite a lot in two days, and for me, I actually don't recommend it if you actually live in Japan. I would have liked to explore piece by piece and not cram so many activities! I would like to go back, just randomly, because I felt like I missed so much.

Another thing is that we underestimated was the transportation. The transportation was slow due to the windy roads and traffic congestion, and the trains and buses were super crowded! We often had to wait for the next bus because it was just too full. I also felt queasy holding onto the bus strap for nearly 40 minutes on a windy bus. It felt like a god send to be able to sit. 

Therefore, if Hakone is kind a of a once in a year or lifetime trip for you, definitely do all the activities you can and take advantage of the Hakone free pass. If not, then I recommend taking it easy and dragging things out over time! 

Have you been to Hakone? Please tell me your experience in the comments below, and also any hidden gems or activities you'd recommend for foreigners!

It has been such a long time since my last post. However, I have been so busy! There's so much I would like to write about, such as my trip to Sapporo, my daughter turning 3 years old, and more, but today I am going to talk about a short, pleasant surprise that reminded me to slow down and smell the roses.

Today, I want to talk about Tama and Sayama Lake! Tama and Sayama Lake are two fresh-water reservoirs located in Northern Tokyo and Saitama. From my location in Yokohama, it took about an hour and a half to travel to Tamako Station. Once arriving at Tamako station, the reservoir was a short 3-minute walk away. 

Lake Tama is known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves and is a popular place for relaxing. It was constructed between 1923 and 1923, and many people visit for bird watching and to see the ruins of Jomon-style dwellings.

It was amazing seeing such a big, still body of water with lush nature surrounding it. I couldn't believe we were still in Tokyo. Although there was a festival at the park that day, there were many families from the neighboring town and bikers. There were little to no crowds and my friend and I were able to enjoy a peaceful picnic while looking at the vast, blue water. 

After our picnic, we went down to the festival and enjoyed some gelato and the perfect fall weather. All the leaves had yet to change, but I believe it will be even more beautiful once all the leaves change.

Since it was still quite early, my friend and I decided to visit the Saitama side of the lake. We took a very short train ride on the cutest people mover called the Leo Liner. We walked up a steep hill for about 10 minutes before we reached the river.

I was left speechless because this side was even more peaceful and beautiful. We walked along the long walkway on the edge of the reservoir. 

Sayama Lake straddles the border between Tokorozawa City and Iruma City, located in the south-central part of Saitama Prefecture. This artificial lake was completed in 1933 as a water reservoir for Tokyo, and its official name is the "Yamaguchi Reservoir''.

My friend and I sat and talked before we found out that there was a lot of "forest" that inspired the Ghibli film Totoro, which was inspired by the nearby Sayama Hills area. We sat off to explore and soon found one of the Totoro Forest!

We also found a bike rental stand and decided to ride bikes. Fortunately, sunset was approaching so we were able to ride bikes through the park and near the riverside with the sun setting and Mt. Fuji in the background!

If you are looking for a serene getaway that's not too far or expensive, look into visiting Tama and Sayama Lake in Autumn for Autumn foliage or Spring for Cherry blossoms!

My friend and I had made plans to meet up at a café a station over, and although it was raining that morning, it had cleared up around one that afternoon. I decided, against my better judgment, not to take an umbrella. All was well until a few hours later, just as we were walking to the station, big, fat, raindrops began to fall from the sky. 

I thought I'd brave the 15-minute walk home from the station, but my friend spotted an umbrella rental stand at the entrance of the station, and I thought it was the perfect time to check it out!

If you live in Japan, you may have seen these umbrella stands at various stations. I know I have, but I've never really paid attention to them. Well, these umbrella stands are owned by a company called "アイカサ" or "Love Umbrella", and you can rent an umbrella for as little as 110 yen a day!

What I recommend you do before getting started is to confirm the location of the umbrella stands. You can do this easily by downloading their app (Which you'll need to do anyway if you plan to use the service) or by visiting their homepage.

Right now, they have locations all over Japan! However, you do need to know that you can't exchange umbrellas just anywhere, such as taking an umbrella rented in Tokyo and returning it in Kyoto. If you don't plan on taking it across regions, I say this service is easy and convenient to use.

After downloading the app by scanning the QR code on the umbrella stand, you need to select a plan. Right now, they have an unlimited plan and a pay-as-you-go plan. The unlimited plan seems really convenient for those who frequently forget their umbrella or hate carrying around umbrellas. It's 280 yen a month and you can have two umbrellas "rented out" at the same time! There are no extra fees or charges, and it seems like an economical deal.

If you're like me and have tons of umbrellas and get caught in the rain only once in a while, then I think the pay-as-go-plan is sufficient enough! It's 110 a day and you'll only be charged up to 550 yen a month, as additional fees will roll over to the next month.

After you've decided on a plan, you'll need to add a payment method. I tried using LINE pay, but for some reason, it wasn't working or I wasn't understanding, and I had to add my credit card. It was easy and painless, but beware that the app is only in Japanese. You can find an English explanation/tutorial online here!

After that's all setup, you just need to rent your umbrella! You'll select "borrow/借りる" from the app, select your area, and then you'll scan the QR code on the stand. After that, you'll just slide out the umbrella of your choice!

I was really surprised at how big the umbrella was but also that it was lightweight! The one I got was the basic gray color, but it seems like there are umbrellas available with different designs as well. 

I was glad that I could bring my umbrella home and not worry about returning it until the next day. Not only was I dry, but I also had peace of mind, which is so important during the rainy season. No one likes wet socks and soggy pant bottoms.

When it came time to return the umbrella, everything was just done in reverse by pushing the "return/返す" button! So far, I've only had to use it once, but I hope to be able to use it in the future...not intentionally though! If you've used "Aikasa", definitely leave a comment below sharing your experience!

*This post is not sponsored in any way!

A few weeks ago a young man stopped by our office and presented us with an envelope full of discount tickets to Konica Minolta Planetaria in Yokohama. I had never been to a planetarium before, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to check it out, as it's only a few minutes walk from my office.

So, if you are like me and hadn't a clue what a "planetarium" is, it is like a dome-shaped movie theatre, and the night sky is projected onto it. At the Konica Minolta Planetaria in Yokohama, there are about 4 to 5 different shows that are playing that revolve around stars and the night sky.

The official website allowed me to find out information about each show and the showing times. You can also view the menu of the café and the goods at the gift shop. 

I decided to buy tickets online, which means you can make a reservation up to three days in advance. The show I decided to see was 星日和　－上を向いて歩こう－ (Hoshibiyori - Let's walk while looking up). This show showcases the stars based on the season and explains some of the most famous constellations and myths, such as Ursa Major and Aries. The website also mentions who the show is aimed at, such as those who are tired, those who want to relax, etc.

The Planetarium is located on the 2nd floor of the Yokohama Gate Tower building. You won't miss the grand staircase or the ball shape of the building. You can enter the theatre 10 minutes prior to the showing. However, you can enter the gift shop/café at any time. 

For the show, I ordered the blue lemonade that comes in a starry bottle that lights up, and I got an order of the herb and salt popcorn. Unfortunately, they had run out of herbs and salt. Instead, they offered me the truffle and pepper and gave me a little extra for the inconvenience, which was super sweet. Plus, the truffle and pepper popcorn was super delicious! 

While I waited, I wrote a wish on a little star that you can hang up to celebrate Tanabata.

The planetarium has two types of seats, the bed-like seat and reclining theatre seats. I was going to get a bed-like seat, but I thought I should start small with the reclining theatre seat and if I like the experience, go for the bed-like seat next time.

The theatre wasn't packed at all, even though it was the premier of the show. I heard that they have English audio guidance available, but I don't know if you need to request it beforehand, so I just listened to the Japanese.

When the show started, I immediately thought about how real everything looked! It was really cool, and at only 40 minutes long, I didn't feel exhausted or bored and felt like the show was the perfect length.

After the show, I thought I'd definitely like to come back, especially if they are showing something I am interested in! Adult tickets are 1600 yen a person for the general reclining theatre seats, and I feel like it's totally worth it!

If you'd like to experience something new or just want to relax after work on a Friday evening, definitely check out your nearest planetarium!