Top Japanese things we CAN'T live without!

Since moving to Canada there were Japanese things we missed. These are the top Japanese things we're using in Canada.
*There are affiliate links, but please don't feel pressure to use them.
- Tiger electric water boiler and warmer amzn.to/3LY4V0V
- Tamagoyaki pan amzn.to/3SLm3JA
- Ryusen Knives knifewear.com/collections/ryusen
- Zojirushi rice cooker amzn.to/3LX2Cew
- Rice ball maker amzn.to/3SPLSrQ
- Daikon, garlic, and ginger graters amzn.to/3y9w6jQ
- Tea / Water pitcher www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09QLZHYRD
- Zojirushi thermos / water bottles amzn.to/3rkumR0
- Aji-tama maker www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09YPST3ZX
- Thermos Bento box amzn.to/3rokUMh
- Philips Hue Lights amzn.to/3y8GecJ
- Zebra Pens amzn.to/3ftlju9
- Cat sifting litter box amzn.to/3LWhAla
- Cat pad refills for litter box amzn.to/3UW9iOk
- Cat wood pellets amzn.to/3CrtUqz (if you can find generic wood pellets at a hardware store they're cheaper)
- Diatomaceous earth bath mat amzn.to/3EqTJIL
- Ikea TOFTBO bath mat www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/toftbo-b...
- Panasonic Nanoe Salon Hair Dryer amzn.to/3LVOemZ
- Toto C5 Washlet amzn.to/3yb41bP
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[@LifeWhereImFrom]

We moved to Canada a year ago and these are some of the non-food items that we missed and got Japanese versions of. Most of the things in our home are not Japanese though (and even a lot of the "Japanese" items are made in other countries). I put a list of the things we use in the description. We moved to Canada so that the kids could finish off their high school here. We don't usually ask them to be in the videos as we want them to have their own lives. If they want, they can of course go in, but we're happy with them doing their own thing. I (Greg) go back to Japan a few months out of the year to film, while my wife stays with the kids, which is why you may see me without the family.

[@ivy23173]

Why do you prefer they finish highschool in canada?

[@mbbxx]

Try the Omega Paw kitty litter box. It's the best we found so far that doesn't cost much & without any proprietary bags etc. It's made by a Canadian company

[@stephanieok5365]

We have a kotatsu in Seattle that uses a converter for the power difference. It's very cozy in the Pacific Northwest where winters are mild, so maybe heating just the room you're in is desirable.

[@FlywithmeNetAu]

I'm glad you're able to create videos from both locations, it's great being able to share your life experiences and see parts of the world otherwise hidden away.

[@stephanieok5365]

This new filming set up is giving us more time with the auntie though. 😊

[@peppage]

Honestly, I think the Japanese rice cooker is a "can't live without" item. It's a game changer and who doesn't enjoy the little tunes it plays

[@atari8gen947]

Wait a sec, nobody uses a pressure cooker in the west?

[@peppage]

@@atari8gen947 for rice!? No way

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

I’m so technologically challenged that I always cook beans and grain in a pot on the stove. It takes a lot longer and sometimes grain is over or undercooked, machines confuse me.

[@kellyb8237]

Rice cooker $200 pricey, Teflon cooking bad. I use instant pot $100 stainless steel pot. Hot water boiler , waste of electricity. Grater , many variety available here. I use food processor to do all the hard work. Too many gadgets when one can do it all

[@BlackHawkBallistic]

@@kellyb8237 if you don't use metal utensils on Teflon and scratch it it's fine, you can also get cheaper rice cookers that do a good job cooking rice and have features like stay warm and built in water levels. They'll also cook a lot faster than the Japanese rice cooker, idk why it would take an hour to cook rice.

[@Remcoa7x]

The Japanese toilet is something I'm missing at home ever since my first visit. It's also the very first thing that's going in my home when I finally own one.

[@yongling9825]

The first time I used one in Hokkaido back in July 2018, I love the seat heating feature, especially since the climate was cooler than my bare skin could handle.

[@praybogard9736]

Where do you come from sir?

[@Shay45]

My boyfriend’s mom has one. Everytime I’m at her house I have to use it

[@lovemesomeslippers]

You can put it in a rental.

[@johnwang9914]

The trick will be finding a house with power outlets by the toilet, you'll probably have to have renovations to do so especially with older homes which only had the chrome razor outlets, it really wasn't till the 90's that we had GFCI receptacles which allowed full power outlets in the bathroom, prior to that we had one large and expensive GFCI circuit breaker for the outdoor outlets.

[@TokyoCapsuleCollection]

I am Japanese. As a Japanese, I am proud of Washlet. I hope more and more people in the world will know the advantages of Washlet. Thank you very much for your wonderful video😀

[@Grimpmann]

We don't like water squirted in our buttholes.

[@TokyoCapsuleCollection]

@@Grimpmann I can understand why some people don't like that.

[@shooting4star2023]

They enjoy wiping with dry toilet paper.

[@juanmiguel1171]

🤔you should make why you came back to Canada? I’m sure a lot of viewers would want to know!

[@Jordan-inJapan]

I figure the story will come out eventually.

[@michaels3003]

We know why. Why you don't?

[@yongling9825]

Greg pinned his own comment on this video with a brief explanation.

[@Grimpmann]

Maybe because he was living in a country full of people who don't want him there.

[@L0R3NtheS0URL3M0N]

Oh my! I never realized that y'all moved to Canada! I'm glad Aiko and Shin are getting some time in Canada. I wonder if they'd be willing to be in a video explaining the differences they've noticed from moving back and forth!

[@jow.2450]

Is there a video on this?

[@lavidawithjoey]

A Japanese rice cooker could be classified as something one cannot live without once using on a daily basis. The wonderful tunes and convenient nature is unrivaled. I've personally purchased four within the last three years

[@nerd26373]

This is an informative video. Every country out there in the world (apart from Japan) have their own list of things they can’t live without. I feel as if Japan is unique with their list. It’s something that we don’t get to see that often, which makes it a whole lot more fascinating.

[@user-lz5vh9bb5w]

For me it's all about the excellent design of many of their common products. Sure, Japan has a lot of badly designed stuff as well, but while browsing Japanese products, it's a hell of a lot easier to find well designed stuff than products from other countries.

[@TheVenomology]

why are u everywhere

[@bjrnsrensen8456]

I didn't bring any kitchen gadgets, because we have Daiso here, but I did bring a washlet and a rice cooker from Japan in my luggage. I refused to leave Japan without them. They are truly life changing.

[@loverofawesomeness1]

Great recommendations, I do feel that companies in Japan put a lot more thought into the design and usability of their products.

[@banerjeearundhati22]

Oh thatz news. Did not know that you are back in Canada. Best wishes

[@trollenz]

I'm obsessed with Japanese stationary, everything is so well thought and designed. Edit : typo

[@ownlywon]

they have the best pens, not the fancy ink well pens but just regular ball point pens. i cant rememeber the brand but there was one i really liked the .5mm was the best

[@katherinewilliams2674]

@@ownlywon Pilot fountain pens are some of the very best on the market. Everything from really nice $3 disposable fountain pens to really expensive collectible pens.

[@susanurbanczyk9084]

Now I want everything especially the litter box. We have seven cats. Your kitties are adorable.

[@jun_suzuki42]

I bought the water dispenser jug from Nitori! Yes it is so good to use especially during summer! Plus no leak!

[@mtimm9023]

You're taking your kitty for a walk? Awww? So cute

[@atfernando1]

I didn't know you returned to Canada with your family, it would be interesting to know some of the reasons to make that decision. I'm interested in knowing if the Japanese system was a no-no compared to a more "relaxed" Canadian system. But of course this is a hot topic so I will wait for the next video no matter what it is about. Really a fan of your work, Greg. Cheers.

[@sirBrouwer]

I know from years earlier that he said that for the later school carrier of his children he would go back to Canada as the Japanese highschool system is brutal.

[@letterglettera9318]

yeah i totally agree with you.

[@etherdog]

It is always amazing what you find you can't live without once you have experienced it.

[@Jordan-inJapan]

“This is a pen.” 😂 (English teacher joke.) But seriously, I think if my family ever decides to live outside of Japan (it would be Canada in my case too) we would probably want most of those items as well. Also, one of those fish-grill-oven things that every Japanese kitchen has. (How would I grill eggplant without it??)

[@zam023]

The joke was in the second part, about using it to stab, which got a questioning "huh?" from wife >_

[@sirBrouwer]

@@zam023 both where a joke, made by two different persons.

[@brianflynn5355]

Arai Chu (RIP)

[@user-lz5vh9bb5w]

I have the same Rice Cooker and it's amazing. Even the Quick-mode gives you perfectly cooked rice every time. Although I don't have a holder for the rice scooper.

[@joshwertheim]

I love the Toto washlets, especially the butt warmer. But the first few times I used them in Japan, especially during winter/spring, it was kinda weird because I figured I'd gotten the toilet someone else had just been sitting on 🤣.

[@xra_fan01]

Thank you for the video, it's cool to learn about everyday life with these items/things in such an informative way!

[@turnerwright]

Completely agree on the Toto washlet. I have a round one and need to buy an elongated one if you want to swap :)

[@FlorianBoyd]

I keep replaying the first second of this to hear the cat. So cute.

[@ronagreenfield9545]

Me too! Also love the cat harness.

[@skeesh330]

The most epic bidet install I've ever seen.

[@Mimi-sf5sq]

How cool. I love the items you listed. The Toilet is something I have been thinking about for my home even though I've never used one.

[@jameshepburn4631]

Haven't been in Japan for decades but I remember they still had the hole in the ground traditional 'benjo' in many places back then. So called 'western toilets' were at the airports, hotels, and newer buildings. Ah memories.

[@Tensei888]

The Frixion erasable pens are my favorite. They are just like ball point pens, except they can be erased with a friction generating eraser tip. Pens don’t go dull unlike pencils so you can take a ton of sharp looking notes, they are usually multicolor so it’s great for highlighting certain things, and you can erase them to keep the notes clean.

[@kameronpan2939]

Yeah, those pens are cool, but they fade in the sun lol I know this bc half of my senior class did their final math exams using those pens, and the teacher grading them left them outside for a full school day and all the people who used erasable pens had to redo them 😅

[@isamo3606]

@@kameronpan2939 it is not about sunlight but temperature. The “eraser” is a simple Silikon/plastic rubber that increases the surface temperature above 60 Celsius by scratching, at which temperature the special ink evaporates. So to avoid fading one needs to avoid any high temperature places. Put it in a completely dark sauna room, the writing would disappear too.

[@jessicaandersson4313]

​@@kameronpan2939 He could have put them somewhere cold and everything would have appeared again.

[@sonnyson01]

Ever since visiting Japan, I had to buy a toto for my home. Luckily was able to get one on sale a few years ago. Definitely a QoL upgrade that many don't realize they need. I just feel dirty every time I go somewhere that doesn't have a Toto.

[@unoriginalcyn]

I need that aji-tama maker in my life! Had no idea such a thing existed!

[@emmaura]

Thanks for the video!

[@hasitdawnedonyou]

I really enjoy all the ‘small’ items that make a big difference in making day to day living more practical, simple and enjoyable. I like things that make sense and I’m happy I saw this video. Thanks for it!

[@HappyDay2512]

zojirushi rice cooker is simply amazing!

[@naticaatticaable]

Absolutely agree with the rice cooker is a must. Bought a Japanese one from Japan last trip and love that the rice is perfect each time. It does take longer but it makes it so much easier with the different settings for rice and the water levels marked. The inner rice bowl nowadays comes with a nice thick metal and non stick that doesn’t peel.

[@crp5591]

I want those bento boxes!! *With your lunch! Looks SO GOOD!

[@abdullahak2204]

Wow Japanese items have such innovative designs ! Your cats are adorable!

[@seranastorey3003]

Water heater Me: A British person 'You mean a kettle?'

[@michaels3003]

It is more than a kettle. Are kettles insulated in the U.K.?

[@michaels3003]

Sorry, it is called water boiler and warmer in the UK. YT refused to let me correct my own comment...

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

Nah, it's different. Water heaters are somewhat LESS useful in GB compares to JP due to fact that 230V of electricity boils water considerably faster than 100V (Japan). Also, black tea requires 100ºC boiling water, whereas green tea tastes better if you use water that isn't boiling. Since a basic kettle just turns off once the water is at a rolling boil and most have rather crude thermostats to regulate this. You can get a fancier kettle but these cost more and at that point, you can pay a bit more and get a proper insulated water heater. Water heaters have more control over the temperature of the water and can keep the water hot. I haven't seen an actual study done, but I'm going to guess it's more efficient as well to keep water hot than to keep reboiling it. Most of the time, you're not using ALL the water in the kettle so what remains in the uninsulated kettle cools down, throwing away that energy.

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

@@michaels3003 No, they're not... at least not the cheap ones that most have.

[@TheGreenManThom]

cheers for the rice cooker. Was looking for one so seeing you showing your one off was just meant to happen. Was able to get that one thanks to your link so now I am enjoying the best rice.

[@sharezerglazedilao2329]

I heartily agree with you Greg. I'm a Filipino who has lived and worked in Japan for 5 years now. Everytime I go back home for a vacation, I always say that I miss my Japanese toilet the most!

[@C.C.8441]

I have some of these items. Thanks for the links.

[@lawrenceakini9507]

Thanks for this vlog. I agree with you. You have an amazing day. Doomo arigatoo.

[@leslielewis3564]

I bought two of the thermoses after your vid on them I absolutely love them will buy again when needed

[@PrettyTranslatorSarahMoon]

hot dang, that iced tea/water jug is amazing.

[@verycarla67]

i have SO MANY of those Zebra Sarasa pens! they're fantastic!

[@andreaban313]

A lovely video. I enjoyed watching it. The rice cooker looks like something I may buy. Please do more videos. I always look forward to watching them

[@splitloopgaming3523]

are you back in vancouver? If so, i would love love love a "vancouver by bike" video. ive been down there a few weekends over this summer ( i live in the okanagan) to try and emulate your tokyo ride.

[@oaktree__]

For anyone in the GTA, the Centrepoint Mall has a Miniso store, and there's an Oomomo at Don Mills and Eglinton. And Muji at Yorkdale Mall if you're fancy ;) You can get pretty much all of this stuff at those stores, should you so desire!

[@Entertainment-]

Miniso is not Japanese

[@oaktree__]

@@Entertainment- Never said they were. However, they do sell these products. Hope this helps

[@adorabell4253]

The stores are everywhere. Almost every big mall has a muji, there are 2 Oomomo, miniso aren’t something to bother with, overpriced and the selection leaves you wanting and if you cant find anything in a Japanese store all the large Chinese and Korean ones will have what you need.

[@pvsnp3620]

Love your videos. And miss the little hosts who must be all frown up and ready to move out😊

[@studentdeljuego]

The pitcher is my favorite 😂.

[@ronagreenfield9545]

Your cats are so cute! (Loved the video and am ordering a few of the items on Amazon. Thanks!)

[@jackl3891]

Had so much fun watching this video! 😂

[@heroired3973]

the bento boxes look really good for someone that brings lunch to schoool

[@ogiejii7885]

I have, and use, tamagoyaki pan, It makes perfect scrambled 4 fold eggs for biscuits or sandwiches. A mini rice cooker, nigiri forms and more, the go lunch stuffed doesn't get used since I retired.

[@redevil14]

Thanks!

[@juliachampion2734]

On my last trip to Tokyo just before the pandemic border closures I bought that same Panasonic nano hair dryer (well the updated model available in Jan. 2020) after using one in the hotel we were staying at. And I have to admit I long for a Toto washlet after using one in the Japanese hotel.

[@LisaMarli]

I live in San Jose, CA. We have many homesick Japanese here. As a result, Daiso is helpful for Japanese things (though more expensive than in Japan). We also have great Japanese markets and restaurants. Japanese rice makers are the only ones worth buying. Even America's Test Kitchen recommends them.

[@thatboyscotty]

Traveled around Vietnam and Thailand in 2019 and the toilet setup is similar, the only difference being they use a hose with a spray nozzle (similar to what you might find at a kitchen sink) for cleaning up as opposed to the whole toilet seat fixture. A little less technologically hip, but the intent and results are the same. I'm really glad I found a roommate when I returned to the US who just happened to have a similar setup to what you have at home. It's the Toto Washlet, and has all the same functionality yours does, albeit without a remote. I'm going to be traveling again soon and have scouring the internet for the best travel bidet I can find. Seems there are quite a few out there!

[@pizzawarlord9232]

Love my Zojirushi rice cooker and water bottle Gotta try some of the other stuff

[@tecknoboi0]

Removable upper lid when pouring hot water from the back of the lid area. Hold the handle and pour from the back. I had not burned myself with it.

[@tango_gru]

I just fell in Love with the video and the simple but really useful gadgets (wish there was a better name for them). Thanks a lot for the video.

[@DraxTheDestroyer]

I totally understand your reasons for that Toto device, that thing is like inspector gadget lol

[@TheNzmana]

We have been using TOTO washlet since early 1980’s in Japan. My brother now 67 years old said to me he can’t have no 2 without Washlet. He means he needs stimulation by water shower to make it. So he had constipation when he went abroad. On the other hand, I have lived outside of Japan 25 years where don’t have washlet and I am alright without washlet for no 2. Our case doesn’t tell everything but there might be pros and cons😂

[@sathyanarayanan2358]

Liked the video among all other of your content.

[@virgilwilliams2378]

Wow Tiger Electronics is still around. I remember when they use to electronic hand held games in the early 1980's.

[@deemon710]

I hear you on the good knife and rice cooker. 👍

[@cheef825]

I do wish washlets were more common here in Korea! Living in Taiwan, they were everywhere, and I'm surprised a Korean company hasn't started making an equivalent

[@paranoidhumanoid]

Coway, AlphaBidet, and Inus are all Korean manufacturers that design and produce bidets with similar features to the Washlet shown here (e.g., Inus N21) and are affordable.

[@piggypoo]

I like the pitcher the best. I need a few of those...

[@reviveu2242]

Oh god they all so useful, I think I'm going to buy everything listed here 😱

[@rachelfinder]

Hot water pot and rice maker. Game changers!!! My hot water pot needs replacing and I'm sooooooo lost without it! Also, we call the end jingle on the rice maker "the happy rice song." Everybody does a dance.

[@tommykay7427]

The eggs looked amazing!

[@tnsw166]

I can totally relate about certain things I can't live without. Last year, I discovered pruners made by a Japanese company called Okatsune. They were an absolute delight to use in the garden. But more importantly it was the opportunity to work overseas and live in different countries and the people I met and the friends I made that I miss the most. I hope that your kids have the same positive experiences in Canada minus the cold long winters and mosquitos in summer! ;)

[@shantidutbansode2]

I always thought that I might bumped into seeing you somewhere in Tokyo....too bad you guys left.....hope you will come back to Tokyo again!!

[@CandycaneBeyond]

I haven't watched the show yet but I'm going to guess Japanese wrap for food in the kitchen. I heard it's better than any other wrap! 💯

[@sebke5952]

I liked Japanese toilettes so much that after a few years I bought one. The TOTO SW2044. I had to do plenty modifications to the wall tubes and tank fittings to adapt to the different diameters and also had to run cables and a V110 to V220 transformer but no regrets, it is just amazing. I also have the zojirushi rice cooker and a couple zojirushi thermos to keep our coffee/tea hot/cold.

[@Unan1mouz]

Your cats meows are soo cute and gentle 😍

[@csvega]

Buy a Zojirushi Rice Cooker! It's the best appliance I ever bought

[@hillppari]

Gotta love the negative ion scam on the hairdryer and positive ion scam on the toilet. also theres ventless dryers

[@sciencelab4225]

yeah, it's a bit sad to see

[@rocketman3770]

sorry but can you explain?

[@sciencelab4225]

@@rocketman3770 There is a great video by Veritasium called "Do salt lamps work?" which explains it.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks.

[@thursded]

I have the exact same rice cooker. It's a bit over 10 years old now and still going strong.

[@firstprototype]

Nice practical objects 🎉

[@madmommy]

We have a different brand of bidet seat. I love the heated seat in the winter, and it also has a nightlight built it.

[@kaiserped]

I have a solder iron called 'Goot' and it's so good. More than 20 years and it's still working. Another Japanese product I like is NT Cutters. Nothing beats it.

[@nama1243]

I really agree how japanese household goods is so well designed and also they always have unique tools for something I didn‘t even thought before 😊

[@MrAndyshanahan]

Giggling over how many of these items I also 'can't live without' in Australia - that I bought because I visited Japan. Tamagoyaki pan, rice cooker, Bento boxes, up to and Including the toilet seat. :)

[@forevergogo]

If you want to cook rice fast, use an instant pot. I used to use a microwave rice cooker that worked really well, but after getting and trying my instant pot- its amazing ! And there are different items you can put inside to steam some veggies / dumplings / potstickers or whatever well above the rice inside, cook an entire meal in 10~ minutes.

[@azureishdragoon3155]

Sorry to comment before watching the video, but my cat has that same harness! So cute

[@ShAmW0W808]

This is why I’m so thankful I have a Daiso where I live

[@sct4040]

I have a Zojirushi rice cooker, it really is the best.

[@leylafashion]

Philips is from The Netherlands, we have these lights in our whole house, very convenient

[@brandontownsend6955]

You MOVED!! Wow, heart broken today. I always loved your videos from Japan. Shogenai. Good luck in Canada, eh.

[@UberSprite]

Thanks! I'm not likely to ever buy these things. However, they are AMAZING aà!

[@gbat6727]

I could not live without my hot water boiler. I live in Ontario Canada, it is so useful. From making things like Tea to having water hot to top up my canner during summer. Yes, they are kind of pricey but worth it. This is my 3rd. Hubby has to fix the one like the kind you showed so I have a pump one. Got mine a second hand store for 25 dollars didn't really need it but had to have it

[@Mighto]

When we renovated our Bathroom last year we got a Toto Toilette too. Was very easy to buy in Germany.

[@lisanaga9369]

You can get alot of Japanese things imported at huge price increases...especially any thing zojirushi...welcome home 😊😊😊🇨🇦🇯🇵.

[@adorabell4253]

I got mine from Costco.

[@ayeshanasir9916]

Bento boxes are love

[@belavet]

The rice cooker is hands down my favorite appliance. Spend the money on some good high grade rice and you will wonder what you ever did eating the standard sacks of long grain from the grocer. We bought a grain storage system to buy the 50 pound bags at the asian grocer since it's much cheaper that way. I agree, couldn't live without that cooker.

[@damedesuka77]

I'm watching this video muted right now and for some reason I found that the way you're gesturing and demonstrating these items reminds me to TV shopping shows from my childhood. The ones that usually air late at night and shows how great the items they're selling using dramatically exaggerated skits. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but I find it funny 😂

[@s.s.athome7982]

100% with you on the washlet. There is no way we are ever living without that again.

[@jmanrunner1]

Zojirushi has a little indentation in the water boiler that makes pouring easier. The lid is removable too. Have used for 15 years. Each one lasts 5-6 years with proper cleaning.

[@sumozmom]

if you take the top off the Tiger electric water boiler and warmer its easier to pour water out