MATOKA

My favorite places to shop that are fashionable and affordable (>$100 USD)

Shibuya is a must see for anyone visiting Japan for the first time and yet it still pulls me back everytime I'm in the area. It's hard not too with great shopping and entertainment. My favorite karaoke place, my favorite sushi restaurant, my favorite Don Quijote, Shibuya has it all!

If Asakusa isn't on your bucket list, you better put it on there. Home to Tokyo's oldest temple and featuring an outdoor market that leads to the temple grounds, this is an amazing place to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and try different Japanese confectionaries and foods, such as monjayaki! It's a popular area and gets even more crowded during festival season during the spring and summer, so plan accordingly! And visit Kitchen town while you're in the area!

Shinjuku has a special place in my heart and is probably one of the most exciting areas in Tokyo. It has it all; from entertainment like movie theaters and arcades to great restaurants and bars as well as a great nightlife, there is so much to do. And travel east of the station to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some quiet time in the neighborhood bordering Shinjuku Gyoen Park.

Known as the central hub of fashion and shopping, Harajuku and Omotesando appeal to the budget shopper and the high-end connoisseur alike. From thrifting to name-brand clothing, this area has it all. And when you're not shopping, you can visit one of the many aesthetic cafes to fill up on coffee and continue that shopping spree. Don't forget to visit sites like Meiji Jingue Shrine and Yoyogi Park!

There is so much to see during the Autumn in Japan - from the changing of the leaves and all of the festivals to celebrate this to the start of illuminations and the preparation for winter, you're not gonna be bored with everything that is going on!

If you haven't checked out my Shinjuku Travel Guide, that's a great place to start, but this one is specifically for the foodies and covers even more food options that you can't miss out on!

Japan boasts a beautiful landscape that fills with vibrant color during the autumn season. With many areas to see the maple leaves (momiji) and ginko leaves change colors, it's a hot spot for autumn visitors!

While I wouldn't necessarily recommend making Odaiba “home base” during your trip, it is a great place to find the best attractions and theme parks and is also very family friendly, having the most attractions for your kids as well! If Shinjuku wasn't deemed the “entertainment district” then that is what I would call Odaiba! Spend the day going to the fish market and museums before heading back to the west side of Tokyo or Roppongi for more of the nightlife!

Yokohama is the place local Japanese escape to in order to get a bit of western vibes and culture…without having to leave Japan. The architecture, shops and food all embody western culture, while also being very Japanese, so you get the best of both worlds. While staying here for the weekend during my latest trip, I really felt like I was back in America - even though everyone was still speaking Japanese. But with tourist attractions like the ramen museum and cup noodle museum, it's a great getaway from Tokyo!

Some might think of Ginza as “rich people land”, but Ginza is accessible to everyone. With both high end and budget shops nearby as well as great food options, you can easily spend a day (or multiple days) exploring the restaurants, museums, and high rise malls with new exhibits popping up monthly! So whether you're trying to live your best bougiest or budget life, put this spot on your itinerary!

Some of the best souvenirs can be found bargain hunting in one of Japan's many flea markets. This takes the place of garage sales, as most Japanese homes do not have enough space to be able to sell their goods directly. Japanese secondhand goods are usually in great condition and there are many flea markets that have vendors selling unique home crafts that you won't be able to find in general stores.

If you're getting into Japanese foods and Japanese cooking, here are some essentials that you need in your kitchen.

While some American skincare is harsh and not ideal for sensitive skin, Japanese skincare is great for dry, sensitive skin types! These are my favorite products that I would live and thrive off of when I was living in Japan! And yes, they're pretty affordable too cause I wasn't living life as an お金持ち!

Milk tea in the Bay Area is a huge thing! We have an extensive list of milk tea places and as someone who is a former barista and self-appointed milk tea aficionado, I'm here to share some of the best and not so great places to get your next tea fix!

If you're new to the Bay Area and are a badminton player or you are new to badminton and want to play more, here is my guide to find places to play, shops to get equipment, and forums to help find that doubles partner to lead you to your next tournament win!

As a seasoned content creator, I want to share with you the equipment that I use, the programs I use for editing, and how I'm able to stand out from the crowd!

Lighting is the key to good video, and while natural light is key, sometimes you need extra background lighting for the best shots.