Unboxing: Japan 2024 Travel Haul

You know what's great about Japan (aside from the food and high-tech toilets)? Duty free shopping for tourists! 

Sholayered Light Green 1945 Eau de Toilette
Shiro Fragrance Earl Grey Hand Serum and Eau de Parfum
House of Rose Aroma Rucette Body Wash & Bubble Bath in Pink & White Grapefruit and Mandarin & Bitter Orange
House of Rose Sakura Fufufu Milky Body Cream
House of Rose Doux Surge Moisture Body Milk and Moisture Body Cream
Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara x 2, DeJavu Lash Knockout Extra Volume Mascara, DeJavu Fiber Wig Ultra Long Mascara, and Rohto C3 Cool Eye Drops x 3
Sunstar Ora2 Stain Clear Toothpaste in Peach Leaf Mint x 3 and Fresh Kiwi Mint x 3
Asahi Mintia Breeze Sugarless Candy in Fresh Peach x 5 and Fresh Grape x 5
Souvenirs: Cosmetics pouch, hair brush, coin purse, and glasses case
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Mug — Tokyo
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Mug — Osaka
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Mug — Japan (Spring Edition)
Starbucks Been There Series: Across the Globe Collection Tote Bag — Japan (Spring Edition)
Uniqlo "Asakusa" and "Daruma Dolls" by Bog Craft UT Graphic T-Shirts
Uniqlo "Asakusa Icons" and "Kaitenzushi" UT Graphic T-Shirts

Not included in this post are the plethora of random skin ointments and lip balms I got at pharmacies and the atrocious amount of jeggings and sweatshirts I got at Uniqlo (which are HALF THE PRICE than they are here!!!!!).

Sholayered

Shibuya Scramble Square, 5/F

2 Chome-24-12

Shibuya, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0002 

+81-03-4221-4280

Shiro

Shibuya Scramble Square, 6/F

2 Chome-24-12

Shibuya, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0002 

+81-03-6803-8246

House of Rose

Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, 3/F

1 Chome−2−3

Dogenzaka, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0043

+81-03-6427-0709

Uniqlo Asakusa

Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building, 1-2/F

2 Chome−6−7

Asakusa, Taito City

Tokyo, Japan 〒111-0032

+81-50-3355-7798

Unboxing: Tokyo 2023 Travel Haul

My only rule when it came to shopping in Japan was that I could only buy domestic products that I either couldn't get in Canada or that was significantly cheaper in Japan, which resulted in buying a lot of random stuff:

House of Rose Amanatsu Orange Body Soap and Jelly Lotion + Green Lemon Body Soap and Jelly Lotion
House of Rose Oh! Baby Body Smoother Set(Clockwise from top: Muscat Grape, Yuzu, and Lychee)
House of Rose Oh! Baby Yuzu Lip Balm Scrub and Hand Mirror (Gift with Purchase)
Sholayered Lemon Peel Body Spray

We were casually perusing the many floors at Shibuya Scramble Square when I came upon a boutique for a Japanese body products brand called Oh! Baby by House of Rose, and was immediately suckered in by all the colourful packaging. They do your typical body products like body wash, body scrubs, body lotions, etc., but all the scents are specifically Japanese- or East Asian-based, like amanatsu orange and green lemon or sudachi. So after smelling literally everything in the boutique, I bought a few select items. (The girl who was working there was so freaking adorable, too, trying to explain all the scents in broken English so cheerfully, I just wanted to buy everything from her.) Then seeing me buying so much at House of Rose, the girl at the neighbouring boutique for a Japanese fragrance brand called Sholayered decided to come up to me and offered me a scent card. I ended up smelling all their fragrances and fell in love with one called Lemon Peel — super-fresh, citrusy, and clean with a slightly green undertone — and bought the Eau de Cologne Body Spray. I'm a sucker, but it is the perfect fragrance for summer.

Shiseido Integrate Matsui Girls Mascara in Curl and Volume + Kose Fasio Permanent Curl Mascara in Long and Volume
Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara, Isehan Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Eye Designer Volume Mascara, and DeJavu Lash Knockout Extra Volume Mascara
Left: Sunstar Ora2 Me Stain Clear Toothpaste in Fresh Kiwi Mint and Peach Leaf Mint + Rohto C3 Contact Lens Eye Drops in Cool and Aqua
Right: Threeppy Resin Chopsticks in Monotone Colors and Black Tea Fragrance Perfume

I also bought a lot of random shit from the drugstore, like 7 tubes mascaras, 4 tubes of toothpaste, two bottles of eye drops, and two bottles of Clear Care contact lens solution (because there's a huge shortage in North America right now due to one of the factories getting contaminated last year) — all of which are SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying in Toronto or online. (Seriously, that toothpaste was on sale for ￥290/$2.90 and it's $7.99 at T&T here. Those eye drops? On sale for￥208/$2.08. It's $12.99 at T&T. Even the Clear Care was on sale for ￥1,288/$12.88 and I used to buy a single bottle for over $16 here, even at Walmart.) Speaking of cheap, we went to the Daiso flagship store that also houses their "fancier" brands, Threeppy and Standard Products, and I bought a set of chopsticks and a tea-scented body spray (that oddly smells like mango, so maybe a mango bubble tea) for ￥1,300/$13. I only regret not having the luggage space to buy more here. 

Left: My Melody and Hello Kitty takoyaki-themed ankle socksRight: Randomized dessert-themed plush gachapon
Left: Uniqlo UTme! Ginza Flagship Exclusive Collaboration TeesRight: Ginza Torishige x Uniqlo Ginza Exclusive Collaboration Tee
Left: Ginza Kimuraya x Uniqlo Ginza Exclusive Collaboration TeeRight: Ginza Manpuku x Uniqlo Ginza Exclusive Collaboration Tee

I went a little wild at the Uniqlo flagship store in Ginza. I mean, c'mon, it's 12 storeys. (We spent nearly 2 hours in there.) Since Uniqlo is available globally, I was determined to get only Japan-exclusive items in there and it was on the UT floor that I really scored. I found not just Japan-exclusive items, but Ginza-exclusive items. Uniqlo Ginza collaborated with several Ginza institutions on some graphic tees, so I chose three of the food-related ones (obviously): Ginza Torishige (a famous yakitori restaurant),  Ginza Kimuraya (the oldest bakery in Japan and the birthplace of anpan), and Ginza Manpuku (one of the oldest ramen restaurants in Tokyo). Who cares if I didn't actually go to those restaurants...?

Uniqlo UTme! Custom Print TotesLeft: Uniqlo UTme! "Japanese Desserts" Custom Print ToteRight: Uniqlo UTme! Tarepanda Custom Print Tote

I also made two custom-designed tote bags at Uniqlo. At their UTme! Custom Print Service booth (available at selected stores worldwide), you can pick the item you want (the Japan locations offer short-sleeve and long-sleeved tees, as well as pullover and zip-up hoodies, and two different tote bags) and then you sit at one of the design stations and customize your item on an iPad (there are a multitude of different logos, images, stickers, and typography that you can choose from — the stickers are provided by a ton of different designers and brands, but the variety is dependent on location). I decided to make one featuring a variety of Japanese desserts and then another featuring Tarepanda (one of my childhood faves) in a sundae bowl and THEY ARE ADORABLE. Even the girl assisting me was like, "Aiii, kawaii!"

BT21 Planet Japan Tote Bag
BT21 Japan 6-Piece Sakura Chocolate Box
BT21 Japan 6-Piece Sakura Chocolate Box
BT21 Japan Minini Key Covers in Shooky, Mang, and RJ
Left: BT21 Japan Minini Cooky Figure KeyringRight: My Neighbor Totoro Metal Keyring
Studio Ghibli My Neighbor TotoroChu Totoro and Chibi Totoro plush toys
Studio Ghibli My Neighbor Totoro Totoro, Chu Totoro, and Chibi Totoro plush keychains
Sanrio x Koupenchan Pochacco plush mascot keychain and Yeastken Shibakoppe plush keychain

The sole reason we went to Harajuku was not for trendy clothing or shoes or even food, but for a massive toy store called Kiddy Land. Yes, five glorious floors full of character products. We happened to go on a Saturday so the store was packed, but let me tell you, despite its name, I only saw like, 10 kids in there. Because let's be real, Kiddy Land is for nostalgic adults with money, not children. After 45 minutes, I came out with a random assortment of My Neighbor Totoro and BT21 Japan merch, and realized I have an obsession with keychains. (Weirdly enough, BT21 is a Korean brand but they seem to be even bigger in Japan. And the majority of the BT21 products sold in Japan are actually exclusive to Japan, so you can't find any of it in Korea.) Anyway, I guess I made up for not buying any BT21 merch in Korea...

Mintia Breeze in Shiny Pink, Fresh Grape, Fresh Lemon, and Fresh Peach
KitKat Mini in Matcha and Banana Caramel + Giant Pocky in DreamPocky Assorted Flavours

Surprisingly, I didn't bring back that many snacks. Partially because they're quite easily accessible in Canada, but mostly because I had no room left in my luggage. I did randomly get addicted to these sugarless mints called Mintia Breeze and decided I had to get all the flavours I could find. (I have not figured out what "Shiny Pink" flavour is yet, but I imagine it's quite magical.) Also, while at Don Quijote, we found Japanese KitKats on sale for ￥290/$2.90, which is why I decided to get two bags. (We can get them pretty easily in Toronto, but they're usually around $10 a bag, which is highway robbery.) And finally, at one of the duty free stores at Narita Airport, I found Giant Pocky in the DreamPocky assortment and HAD TO HAVE IT.  (Yes, out of all the incredible snacks from duty free, Giant Pocky is what I decided was a must-have.)

Anyway, you see now why I needed to buy an extra suitcase.

House of Rose

Shibuya Scramble Square 5F

2 Chome-24-12

Shibuya, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0002 

+81-03-4221-4280

Sholayered

Shibuya Scramble Square 5F

2 Chome-24-12

Shibuya, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0002 

+81-03-4221-4280

Matsumoto Kiyoshi

1 Chome−14−25, クロスアベニュー原宿

Jingumae, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0001

+81-03-5413-3066

Threeppy (Daiso Flagship)

Marronnier Gate Ginza 2 6F

3 Chome−2−1

Ginza, Chuo City

Tokyo, Japan 〒104-0061

+81-70-8714-2960

Uniqlo Ginza Flagship

Ginza Komatsu East Building 1-12 F

6 Chome−9−5

Ginza, Chuo City

Tokyo, Japan 〒104-0061

+81-03-6252-5181

Kiddy Land

6 Chome−1−9, キデイランド原宿店

Jingumae, Shibuya City

Tokyo, Japan 〒150-0001

+81-03-3409-3431

Don Quijote

3 Chome-36-16

Shinjuku, Shinjuku City

Tokyo, Japan 〒160-0022

+81-05-7007-7611

Unboxing: Seoul 2023 Travel Haul

So, over the course of 5 days in Seoul, I bought at least a year's worth of skincare:

Epictetos Beomcheol Heo (허범철) Soothing Serum and Soothing Skin
Epictetos Beomcheol Heo (허범철) High Density Soothing Cream and Soothing Suncream SPF50 PA++++
Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin, Balancing Lotion, and Balancing Cream
Innisfree "Green Holidays" Special Edition Black Tea Youth Enhancing Ampoule and Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum
Innisfree Apple Seed Cleansing Cream, Apple Seed Lip & Eye Makeup Remover, and Perfect 9 Intensive Eye Cream
Innisfree Squeeze Energy Masks in Hydrating Green Tea
Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Watery Toner, Watery Essence, and Combination Watery Cream
Nature Republic Jeju Sparkling Foam Cleanser, Essential Lip Balm in Grapefruit and Peppermint, and Good Skin Ampoule in Madecassoside (Soothing) and Noni (Healthy Skin)
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner and Propolis Light Ampoule, and Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence Special Set
Rom&nd Bare Water Cushion in 05 Sanad
Korean cartoon socks
J-Hope — Jack in the Box LP (Vinyl)

Korean skincare is literally half the price of what it is in Canada, so I had to stock up. (Plus, a lot of stores were having 30 - 50% off sales, too. It would've been foolish to resist.) I also got some cute Korean socks at 3 for ₩5,000 from a random vendor in Namdaemun Market, a black sweatshirt, a black cropped jacket, and best of all, J-Hope's Jack in the Box on vinyl! It was sold out on Weverse Shop in about 5 seconds, and I somehow found one lone copy available at retail price at the A-KPOP pop-up store in Insadong so I didn't have to pay the most ridiculous shipping fees.

On another note, can you believe I didn't buy any BT21 stuff in Korea?! (To be fair, it's because I bought all the stuff I wanted online in January and February, so there wasn't anything new that I thought was worth lugging back. But still.)

Epictetos Pop-Up Store

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

281 Eulji-ro

Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-2-2153-0000

Innisfree

164-1 Donggyo-dong

Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-2-322-1817

Nature Republic 

27 Myeongdong-gil

Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-2-3789-5636

Olive Young

53 Myeongdong-gil

Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-2-736-5290

Namdaemun Market

21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil

Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-02-753-2805

A-KPOP Pop-Up Store

Annyeong Insadong

49 Insadong-gil

Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-2-6954-2910

Unboxing: Boxing Week Haul and Holiday Gifts

This post probably seems a little late given that we're already mid-way through January, but I did quite a bit of online shopping during Boxing Week and all my items finally arrived.

Rebecca Minkoff Edie Maxi Crossbody Bag
I'd been eyeing the Rebecca Minkoff Edie Maxi Crossbody bag for months now, and they finally had a sale — 25% off sitewide! — during Boxing Week, so I decided to bite the bullet and splurge on it. Frankly, after paying for the shipping (which includes the taxes and duties already), it came out to the same retail price of the bag without the discount, so it was really just getting free international shipping. But still, at least I saved $140 CAD and the bag is exactly what I hoped it would be.

Quay Australia High Key Extra Large Sunglasses in Gold/Brown Fade and Wired Extra Large Sunglasses in Milky Tortoise/Smoke

I was looking for some new sunglasses and decided to check out Quay Australia after a while to see if they were having any Boxing Week deals, and lo and behold, they were having a BOGO sale — the best deal I've ever seen from them. So I got a pair of my favourite High Key Extra Large sunglasses and got the Wired Extra Large sunglasses for free. I did have to pay some duties at Canada Post when they arrived, so it was more like Buy One, Get One 50% Off, but it was still a great deal.

Shiseido Limited-Edition Holiday Eyelash Curler + Clarins Supra Volume Mascara and Supra Lift & Curl Mascara

This one isn't really a Boxing Week sale, but more like I randomly went into Shoppers Drug Mart after work one day to buy a carton of half and half, stopped in the cosmetics department and picked up the Shiseido Limited Edition Holiday Eyelash Curler to replace my old MAC curler, and then realized I had $100 worth of Optimum points to redeem at checkout. So I decided to look for some new mascara, and the Beauty Advisor highly recommended two from Clarins, of all brands. Now in the 15 years that I worked in the cosmetics industry, I never, ever thought to try Clarins mascara. To me, they've always been a skincare-focused brand so I never gave their makeup a second thought — but then again, when I worked at MAC, no one even realized they made some great skincare, either. So I decided to give Clarins the benefit of the doubt and bought both the Supra Volume Mascaraand the Supra Lift & Curl Mascara. I redeemed my $100, and all I paid was the tax and my coffee cream. But I gotta tell you, I regret not trying Clarins mascara sooner because these might just be my new holy grails.

COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner Double Pack, Propolis Light Ampoule Double Pack, and Propolis Light Cream Double Pack
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, The Hyaluronic Acid 3, Cica Serum, and Cica Cream

Then, Olive Young — my kryptonite, apparently — had a huge Boxing Week sale where they were giving a 25% discount for all purchases over $190. I've been really interested in COSRX's Propolis line because I've been suffering from dry, irritated skin this winter. Coincidentally, COSRX was on a promotional sale already, so with the extra 25% off, the discount was closer to 60%. It would've been churlish not to stock up. So I got double packs of the toner, the ampoule, and the moisturizer, and also picked up a few other products for extra hydration and calming because when in Rome, you know?

BTS x AmorePacific Lip & Pop Edition Lip Sleeping Mask Set
BT21 x The Crème Shop Chimmy and Cooky Hydrogel Undereye Patches + Universtar Printed Essence Sheet Mask
BT21 x The Crème Shop Printed Essence Sheet Masks
BT21 x Chatime Colour Changing Cup (Outer Box)
BT21 x Chatime Colour Changing Cup (Empty vs. Filled with Cold Water)
BTS Album Cover Ceramic Coasters
Finally, I got some holiday gifts! Like, really belated holiday gifts. (And that's okay because New Year's gifts are so much more fun and unexpected than Christmas gifts.) Between Ying and Iris, I got another set of BTS x AmorePacific Lip & Pop Edition Lip Sleeping Mask Set, a variety of BT21 x The Crème Shop Printed Essence Sheet Masks and Hydrogel Eye Patches, the BT21 x Chatime Colour Changing Cup, and a beautiful set of BTS album cover ceramic coasters. All I gotta say is, ARMY friends never disappoint.

Anyway, I think Boxing Week was pretty successful. 🙃