ステフィ Stephie

Why is GABA everywhere in Japan? 🇯🇵 After moving to Tokyo, I kept seeing GABA in drinks, chocolate, and supplements, so I decided to look into the science. GABA is a naturally occurring substance in the brain that's involved in helping regulate nerve activity. Because of that, researchers have studied whether GABA supplements might support relaxation or sleep. So far, the evidence is mixed, some studies suggest potential benefits for stress, while more research is still needed, especially when it comes to sleep. Even so, GABA has become a popular part of many people's evening self-care routines in Japan. I've recently been trying Kin no GABA300 as part of my own routine. It contains 300 mg of GABA per capsule together with ingredients like theanine and lutein, and you can find it at selected Don Quijote stores across Japan. Have you noticed GABA products while visiting Japan? 👀 @makalix_japan @pepper.likes #PR #金のGABA300 #HIROSOPHY #PepperLikes #JapanTravel

A day in my life working in Tokyo 🇯🇵✨ I studied engineering, but now I work a lot with strategy, market entry, and helping foreign companies understand Japan. So yes, my days include a lot of PowerPoint, Excel, research, meetings, and trying to turn messy market information into something useful. I really like my life here though. My colleagues are great, and one of my favorite parts of working in Tokyo is going out for dinner after work. This time we went to Sushi Zanmai Shinjuku East Exit and tried: ・特選すしざんまい — ¥4,708 Special Selection Sushi Zanmai ・極上まぐろざんまい — ¥5,478 Premium Tuna Zanmai The tuna was so fresh and buttery, especially the otoro, and it was such a nice end to a busy work day 🍣 📍すしざんまい新宿東口店 / Sushi Zanmai Shinjuku East Exit #PR #SushiZanmai #sushizanmai #PepperLikes #tokyolife

Affordable J-beauty for everyday skincare ✨ I’ve been trying Meishoku Cosmetics, a brand loved in Japan for generations. Products featured: ① Mofmof Friends All-in-One Facial Serum Gel (~¥1,200 / ~$8) A 5-in-1 gel with hyaluronic acid and collagen for easy hydration. ② Placewhiter Eye Cream (~¥1,150 / ~$7–8) Contains placenta extract and collagen for under-eye care. ③ Pintup Eye Serum R (~¥1,800 / ~$12–13) With niacinamide, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and a retinol derivative, plus a tightening feeling right after applying. Recommended usage order: Mofmof Friends All-in-One Facial Serum Gel → Placewhiter Eye Cream → Pintup Eye Serum R Simple, easy to use, and great value for daily skincare. Available at Don Quijote in Japan 🇯🇵 毎日使いやすいプチプラJビューティー ✨ 今回は、日本で長年愛されている明色化粧品を試してみました。 紹介したアイテム： ① モフモフレンズ オールインワン美容液ジェル（約¥1,200 / 約$8） ヒアルロン酸やコラーゲン配合で保湿ケア。 ② プラセホワイター アイクリーム（約¥1,150 / 約$7〜8） プラセンタエキスとコラーゲン配合で目元ケア。 ③ ピントアップ アイセラムR（約¥1,800 / 約$12〜13） ナイアシンアミド、コラーゲン、ヒアルロン酸、レチノール誘導体配合＋引き締まる使用感。 おすすめの使用順： モフモフレンズ オールインワン美容液ジェル → プラセホワイター アイクリーム → ピントアップ アイセラムR シンプルで使いやすく、コスパも良いスキンケアでした。 ドン・キホーテで購入できます 🇯🇵 #PR #JBeauty #JapaneseSkincare #AffordableSkincare #PR

Ginza reset spot ✨ I visited Pluspa, a relaxation massage salon in Ginza. It’s super easy to access, about 2 minutes from Ginza Station Exit A7, or only 30 seconds from Higashi-Ginza Station Exit A2. I tried their 60-minute relaxation massage, usually ¥9,614. It’s not a strong-pressure massage, but more of a gentle treatment using warm hands and soft touch to help your body relax. They also have a Breathing Academy, a program focused on deep breathing to help relax the body and mind. The salon felt calm and peaceful, perfect when you want to take a break from busy Tokyo. 📍 Pluspa 4-10-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Sigma Ginza First 4F 🕒 11:00–20:00 Closed Mondays, except holidays. 銀座でリセットしたい日におすすめのサロン✨ 銀座にあるリラクゼーションサロン「プラスパ」に行ってきました。 アクセスも便利で、銀座駅A7出口から徒歩2分、東銀座駅A2出口からは徒歩30秒くらい。 今回受けたのは、60分のリラクゼーションマッサージ。通常価格は9,614円です。 強く押すマッサージというより、手のあたたかさとやさしいタッチで、体をゆっくりリラックスさせる感じ。 呼吸を整えるブリージングアカデミーもあるみたいで、深い呼吸で体と心をリラックスさせるプログラムです。 店内は落ち着いた雰囲気で、忙しい東京の中でゆっくり休みたい日にぴったりでした。 📍 プラスパ 東京都中央区銀座4-10-16 シグマ銀座ファースト4F 🕒 11:00〜20:00 定休日：月曜日（祝日を除く） #PR #GinzaMassage #TokyoSpa #RelaxationTherapy #JapanWellness

Do you like matcha enough to put it in your ramen? 🍵🍜 I tried matcha ramen at MENSHO District in Yoyogi-Uehara, and honestly… it was way better than I expected. The broth is made with matcha, giving it that deep green color, but the flavor is smooth and balanced, not too bitter, and still tastes like proper ramen. 📍 Location: Yoyogi-Uehara (1 min from station) 💰 Price: ~¥1,200–¥1,500 depending on toppings 📸 Instagram: @team_mensho This spot is part of the MENSHO group, known for creative ramen and high-quality ingredients with a “farm to bowl” concept. If you’re into matcha or just want to try something different in Tokyo, this is definitely worth it. Would you try matcha ramen? 抹茶をラーメンに入れるくらい好きですか？🍵🍜 代々木上原にある MENSHO District で抹茶ラーメンを食べてきましたが、正直想像以上に美味しかったです。 スープは抹茶を使っていて見た目は緑ですが、苦すぎず、バランスが良くてちゃんとラーメンの味も楽しめます。 📍 場所：代々木上原（駅から徒歩1分） 💰 価格：約¥1,200〜¥1,500（トッピングによる） 📸 Instagram：@team_mensho MENSHOは「Farm to Bowl」をコンセプトに、素材にこだわったラーメンで有名なお店です。 抹茶好きや、ちょっと変わったラーメンを試したい方におすすめです。 食べてみたいですか？ #PR #TokyoFood #RamenTokyo #Matcha #JapanFood

Love my girlies and love this city!!!! 🤍🖤 Yakiniku restaurant: @yakiniku_like #PR #Yakiniku #clubbing #tokyo

Looks like hot sand… but it’s actually a fermented wood bath ♨️ Visited En Fermented Thermal Wood Bath in Yoyogi-Uehara. We started with a fermented drink to boost metabolism, then got buried in warm hinoki powder heated naturally through fermentation. 15 minutes = intense sweating + full-body reset (they give you water for a reason). We also used facial & body scrubs during the bath, and my skin felt insanely smooth after… no lotion needed. Afterward: private room, another enzyme drink, and a face mask. I chose propolis for its antibacterial and skin-repair benefits. You can relax for ~50 min after. Such a unique mix of detox, skincare, and relaxation. まるで熱い砂みたいだけど、実は“発酵”で温まる木浴体験♨️ 代々木上原の えん 発酵温熱木浴 代々木上原店 に行ってきました。 最初に発酵ドリンクで代謝を上げてから、ヒノキパウダーに全身を包まれます。 発酵の自然な熱で15分しっかり発汗（水分補給も必須）。 木浴中はフェイス＆ボディスクラブも使えて、終わった後は本当にツルツル。 その後は個室でクールダウン＋発酵ドリンクとフェイスマスク（私はプロポリスを選びました）。 約50分リラックスもできます。 デトックスと美容を同時に体験できるユニークなスポットです。 #PR #TokyoWellness #EnzymeBath #JapaneseWellness #SpaDay

A little piece of Sweden has arrived in Tokyo 🇸🇪 Swedish lifestyle brand GRANIT has opened its first store in Japan, located in Jiyugaoka, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo. Known for its stylish cafés, independent shops, and interior design stores, Jiyugaoka feels like the perfect home for the brand. GRANIT combines Scandinavian simplicity with practical, functional design. While the brand is known in Sweden for its signature black and grey color palette, the Japan store also offers more colorful designs, exclusive items, and Japan-limited products. The two-floor shop carries around 1,000 products, with prices ranging from ¥550 to ¥33,000. You can find kitchen and dining items, stationery, storage, furniture, lighting, textiles, bathroom essentials, candles, diffusers, and fabric sprays. The fragrance selection is especially impressive, with many scents that are rare in Japan. And as a Swede, I was very happy to see proper large bath towels and kitchen towels too! The store feels a little like home, but with a Japanese touch. Save it for your next day in Jiyugaoka 🤍 📍 GRANIT Jiyugaoka @granit_japan 東京都目黒区自由が丘1-26-16 3 minutes from Jiyugaoka Station, Main Exit 🕚 11:00 to 20:00 #GRANIT #GRANITJapan #Jiyugaoka #TokyoShopping #NordicDesign ScandinavianDesign TokyoInterior

A rainy day in Tokyo doesn’t have to be a wasted day ☔️ Here’s our rainy-day itinerary in Roppongi: 🥐 Brunch at Common Cafe 💄 Exploring the Shiseido pop-up at Roppongi Hills ☕️ Swedish fika at Blue Bottle Coffee 🤍 The Moomin exhibition at Mori Arts Center Gallery 🎨 A stop at The National Art Center, Tokyo 🌿 Walking through Tokyo Midtown 🍻 Ending the day at Torikizoku with drinks and yakitori Brunch, beauty, fika, art, Moomins and yakitori, a pretty perfect rainy day in Roppongi. 📍 Roppongi, Tokyo Save this for the next rainy day in Tokyo ☔️ #Tokyo #Roppongi #TokyoTravel #JapanTravel #RainyDayTokyo

POV: You find this little old-town escape hidden in Tokyo 🏮🌿 Part 2 of exploring Jindaiji, one of my favorite discoveries for a slower day in Tokyo. We wandered around Jindaiji Temple and the little traditional streets surrounding it, cooled down with kakigori (Japanese shaved ice), and tried a daruma omikuji 🎐 With a daruma, you make a wish or set a goal and fill in one eye. Once it comes true, you fill in the second 👁️ We also painted our own pottery at Musashino Jindaiji-gama and, of course, tried Jindaiji soba, which the area is famous for 🍜 Temples, traditional shops, local food and little activities, all surrounded by greenery and right next to the botanical gardens from Part 1. 📍 Jindaiji, Chofu, Tokyo 🍧 Try kakigori in summer 🎨 Paint your own pottery 🍜 Try the local Jindaiji soba 🌿 Combine with Jindai Botanical Gardens Save this for a different side of Tokyo 🇯🇵 #jindaiji #深大寺 #chofu #tokyo #tokyotravel

Have you heard of this side of Tokyo? 🌿🌺 Just outside central Tokyo in Chofu, you’ll find Jindai Botanical Gardens, a huge botanical garden that feels completely different from the busy city. There are thousands of plants across different areas of the garden, including a rose garden, greenhouse, ponds and lots of quiet green spaces to explore. In summer, everything was incredibly lush and almost felt like stepping into a Ghibli movie 🌱 📍 Jindai Botanical Gardens (神代植物公園) 🚃 Chofu, Tokyo 🌿 Perfect for: a slow day, nature, photography and escaping the crowds And this is only part 1 of the Jindai area. Nearby you can also visit Jindaiji Temple, eat local soba, try pottery and explore the traditional streets around the temple 👀 Save this for a different kind of Tokyo day trip! #Tokyo #TokyoTravel #JapanTravel #Chofu #Jindai

Birthday in Shanghai 🎂🇨🇳✨ A day exploring some of the spots you can’t miss in Shanghai, starting at the Bund with its iconic skyline and historic architecture, crossing the Huangpu River for another view of the city, and birthday drinks at Bellagio Shanghai 🥂 We ended the night at Haidilao and obviously chose the EXTROVERT birthday celebration, which meant screaming, singing and dancing at our table 😂❤️ Also still not over the fact that you can order cake, boba and basically anything else from other places and have it delivered directly to the restaurant while you’re eating?! Feeling very happy and grateful to celebrate another birthday somewhere new 🥹🫶 📍 The Bund 📍 Huangpu River waterfront 📍 Bellagio Shanghai 📍 Haidilao Hot Pot #shanghai #上海 #shanghaitravel #chinatravel #shanghailife

Yoga with 1,700 people in the middle of Tokyo 🧘‍♀️🌙 JINGU STADIUM NIGHT YOGA takes place right on the field at Meiji Jingu Stadium and it’s completely FREE! The session is around one hour, everything was incredibly well organized, and there was even an English-language support area. Just bring a yoga mat or towel + water and enjoy yoga under the open sky in the Tokyo summer evening breeze. 📍 Meiji Jingu Stadium, Tokyo 🎟️ Free 🧘 Bring your own mat/towel ⏰ Registration in advance required 🌙 Limited dates throughout summer Definitely one of the coolest free summer activities I’ve done in Tokyo. Save this for your Tokyo summer bucket list 🇯🇵 #tokyo #tokyolife #tokyothingstodo #japantravel #tokyosummer

japan fit check love my vintage celine leather belt and uniqlo trousers

wanted to dress up for midsummer but lowkey looking like a flamenco dancer🥸

Skiing, strawberry picking, giant Buddha statues, cafés, and onsen all in one day. Honestly, this might be one of my favorite winter day trips in Japan. We started the day skiing at Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort in Niigata with perfect weather, sunshine, fresh snow, and amazing mountain views. After that, I went strawberry picking at Dunk Buns Farm. It was around 2,400 yen for one hour, and the strawberries were incredibly sweet and perfectly ripe. Fruit in Japan is usually so expensive, so being able to eat unlimited fresh strawberries honestly felt luxurious. Then I stopped by the giant Kannon statue in Takasaki, which had such a peaceful and calming atmosphere compared to the ski resort earlier. There was also a super cozy café nearby with amazing yuzu tea and even a cute cat. And finally, I ended the day at an onsen, which felt like the perfect ending after skiing. I really love how winter in Japan can go from snow and mountains to strawberries, temples, cafés, and hot springs all in the same day. スキーして、いちご狩りして、でかい観音さま見に行って、カフェ行って、最後に温泉。 これ、冬の日本でかなり最高な日帰り旅行だったかも。 まずは新潟県の石打丸山スキー場へ。 天気も完璧で、青空と雪景色と山の景色が本当に綺麗だった。 そのあと、ダンクバンズファームでいちご狩り。 1時間2400円くらいで、めちゃくちゃ甘くて完熟のいちごを好きなだけ食べられました。 日本ってフルーツ高いから、こんなにいちご食べられるの普通に幸せすぎた。 その次は、高崎の大きい観音さまへ。 スキー場とは全然違う、静かで落ち着いた雰囲気で、すごく癒された。 近くのカフェもすごく居心地よくて、ゆず茶も美味しかったし、猫までいた。 そして最後は温泉。 スキーしたあとに温泉入るの、本当に最高。 日本の冬って、雪山、いちご、観音さま、カフェ、温泉を全部1日で楽しめるのがすごいなって思う。 #JapanWinter #SkiJapan #いちご狩り #JapanTravel #温泉

All-you-can-eat fruit and dessert? This is such a good Yokohama date idea. We started at Sweets Paradise, where you get around 90 minutes of cakes, fruit, waffles, ice cream, drinks, pasta, and curry for about 3,500 yen. Honestly, the unlimited fruit was the best part because fruit in Japan is usually so expensive. After that, we went to Round 1 for arcade games and purikura, and then finished the day with omakase sushi. Yokohama is perfect for dates because you get shopping, cafés, games, good food, and a calmer vibe than Tokyo. フルーツとスイーツ食べ放題？ 横浜デートにかなりおすすめ。 まずは「スイーツパラダイス」へ。 約3,500円で、90分ケーキ、フルーツ、ワッフル、アイス、ドリンク、パスタ、カレーまで食べ放題。 正直、いちばん良かったのはフルーツ。 日本だと果物が高いから、食べ放題はかなり嬉しい。 そのあとはラウンドワンでゲームとプリクラをして、最後はおまかせ寿司で締めました。 横浜はショッピング、カフェ、ゲーム、ご飯が全部楽しめて、東京より少し落ち着いてるからデートにぴったり。 #Yokohama #JapanDate #JapanTravel #横浜デート #TokyoLife

China keeps surprising me! We visited a 24-hour spa in Shanghai called 漾·SPACE汤泉生活. Entry for the spa and bathing area was around 299 RMB, about $40 USD, and included access to the bathing area, saunas, relaxation rooms, drinks, fruit, and ice cream. I also added a massage and body scrub, which made it feel like a full reset, but those are extra. The crazy part is how much there is to do: you can bathe, eat, nap, play games, watch TV, sing karaoke, go to the arcade, relax in aromatherapy rooms, or even lie down in a warm sand room. Food and extra treatments cost more, so the total depends on what you add. Definitely one of the most fun and unexpected things I did in Shanghai. 中国は本当に毎回びっくりさせてくれる。 ここはただのスパじゃなくて、ほぼ一日過ごせるライフスタイル施設みたいでした。 上海の24時間スパ「漾·SPACE汤泉生活」に行ってきました。 入場とお風呂エリアは約299元、だいたい40ドルくらいで、お風呂、サウナ、リラックスルーム、ドリンク、フルーツ、アイスなどが楽しめました。 私は追加でマッサージとボディスクラブもしましたが、これは別料金です。 すごいのは、できることの多さ。お風呂に入って、ご飯を食べて、寝て、ゲームして、テレビを見て、カラオケして、ゲームセンターに行って、アロマルームで休んで、あたたかい砂の部屋でリラックスもできます。 食事や追加メニューは別料金なので、合計金額は何を追加するかで変わります。 上海で体験した中でも、かなり楽しくて意外だったスポットです。 #ShanghaiTravel #ChinaTravel #ShanghaiSpa #24HourSpa #travelexperience

I’ve really fallen in love with China, and there is so much to this country that I feel like we completely miss in the West. One of my favorite experiences in Shanghai was Gong Yan / 宫宴, a traditional Chinese palace-style dinner theater. You can dress up in traditional Chinese clothes, take photos, and then enjoy a full dinner show inspired by ancient Chinese court culture. For around 600 RMB, about $80–85 USD, it felt really worth it. You get around 8 dishes, 3 appetizers, drinks, and the whole performance experience. The show itself is about 1.5 hours, but with outfits and photos, I’d plan around 3 hours total. Definitely recommend if you want something more memorable than a normal dinner in Shanghai. 中国に本当にハマってしまいました。 この国には、まだ海外ではあまり知られていない魅力がたくさんあると思います。 上海で特に楽しかった体験のひとつが、宮宴 / Gong Yan という中国の宮廷風ディナーシアター。 中国の伝統衣装を着て写真を撮って、そのあと古代中国の宮廷文化をイメージしたディナーショーを楽しめます。 値段は約600元、だいたい80〜85ドルくらいで、かなり価値があると思いました。料理は約8品、前菜3品、ドリンク、そしてショーも込み。 ショー自体は約1.5時間ですが、衣装や写真の時間も入れるなら、全部で3時間くらい見ておくのがおすすめです。 上海で普通のディナー以上の体験をしたい人にかなりおすすめです。 #ShanghaiTravel #ChinaTravel #GongYan #ShanghaiFood #TravelExperience

I live in Tokyo, but Shanghai completely surprised me. The cafés, boba tea, makeup stores, shopping malls, food, and city life were honestly so fun. What shocked me most was how digitalized and convenient everything felt. Taxis and ride-hailing were much cheaper, and it felt like you could do almost everything in one app, while in Tokyo I still feel like I need cash and five different apps just to get through the day. The food was also soooo good, from noodles and dumplings to desserts, cafés, and late-night snacks. And the city itself is beautiful, with old buildings, modern skyscrapers, lights, and so much energy. I love Tokyo, but Shanghai felt bigger, faster, cheaper, and honestly really livable. Could definitely see myself living here one day hihi✨️✌️ 東京に住んでいるけど、上海は本当に想像以上でした。 カフェ、タピオカ、コスメショップ、ショッピングモール、ご飯、街の雰囲気、全部がすごく楽しかったです。 特にびっくりしたのは、デジタル化と便利さ。タクシーや配車アプリも東京よりかなり安くて、上海ではほとんど何でも1つのアプリでできる感じでした。東京だと、まだ現金も必要だし、移動や支払いだけでもいくつもアプリを使うことが多いので、その差をすごく感じました。 ご飯も本当に美味しくて、麺、餃子、デザート、カフェ、夜食まで毎日新しいものを食べるのが楽しかったです。 街自体もすごく綺麗で、昔ながらの建物と高層ビル、夜のライト、大都会のエネルギーが最高でした。 東京も大好きだけど、上海はもっと大きくて、スピード感があって、安くて、すごく住みやすそうに感じました。 いつか住んでみたいかも、と思った街です。 #ShanghaiTravel #ChinaTravel #ShanghaiLife #TravelAsia #CityLife