Living in Northern Canada has made me realize how many small Japanese things quietly made my life easier.
Some of them are practical, some are comforting, and some just make everyday life feel a little less overwhelming — especially during long Yukon winters.
Whenever I go back to Japan, these are the things I always stock up on before returning to Canada.
If you live abroad, travel often, or just love Japanese products, you might want to add some of these to your list too.
1. Furikake (Especially Noritama and Otona no Furikake)
As someone who’s probably a little ADHD and not naturally good at cooking, furikake is honestly one of my favorite Japanese inventions.
You just sprinkle it over rice and suddenly you have a comforting meal with almost zero effort.
My favorites are:
- Noritama
- Otona no Furikake
They make plain rice taste amazing, and they’re perfect for low-energy days when cooking feels impossible.
In the summer, I also make simple onigiri with furikake and bring them on hikes around the Yukon. Easy, portable, and surprisingly satisfying after a long walk.
2. Japanese Cup Noodles and Instant Ramen
For basically the same reason: low effort, high comfort.
There are decent instant noodles in Canada too, but Japanese instant ramen just tastes different.
Whenever I’m tired, overwhelmed, or freezing after being outside all day, having Japanese noodles at home feels weirdly comforting.
The only downside is that they take up a lot of suitcase space, so I can never bring back as many as I want.
Some of my favorites are:
- Nissin Yakisoba (You can buy at T&T if you live in Canada!)
- Sapporo Ichiban (Salt (Shio) is not sold in Canada)
- Popular Ramen restaurant series
- Instant Miso Soup (Freeze Dried)
3. Japanese Skincare Products
One thing I didn’t expect to miss so much after moving to Canada was Japanese skincare.
Especially hydrating lotions and lightweight moisturizers.
In Canada, skincare routines tend to focus more on toner and thick creams, but Japanese skincare often focuses on layering hydration.
Living in the Yukon, where winters are extremely dry, I’ve become obsessed with Japanese moisturizing products.
I especially stock up on:
- hydrating lotions
- sheet masks
- lightweight moisturizers
Honestly, Japanese skincare deserves its own separate post because I have way too many thoughts about surviving dry Canadian winters.
This is a toner I am using, it is pretty common one in Japan
Hydrating Milk I am using
4. Small Japanese Gadgets and Home Appliances
Japan is incredibly good at making oddly specific products that improve daily life.
I recently bought something called “Gorilla no Hitotsukami,” and it turned out to be surprisingly amazing.
It’s one of those products that sounds unnecessary until you try it.
Japanese gadgets somehow make everyday life feel a little more comfortable, cozy, and efficient.
And honestly, that matters a lot during long northern winters.
5. Japanese Stationery
One thing I never realized I would miss so much is Japanese stationery.
My absolute favorite is the Jetstream pen.
It writes incredibly smoothly, doesn’t smudge easily, and somehow makes everyday tasks feel less annoying.
As someone who gets overwhelmed easily, small quality-of-life things genuinely make a difference for me.
Japan is amazing at creating tiny everyday improvements, and stationery is one of the best examples.
Even after living in Canada for years, I still buy Japanese pens whenever I go back home.
You can buy them in Canada too but it’s not cute ones
Living abroad has made me appreciate so many small Japanese things I used to take for granted.
A lot of them aren’t expensive or flashy — they just quietly make life easier.
And honestly, those are usually the best kinds of products.
If you’ve lived in Japan or traveled there before, you probably have a few items you always bring back too.