Farm Tomita | Review by Linda Liao

While visiting COREDO Muromachi near Nihonbashi, I saw Kayanoya and of course couldn’t pass it up, so I immediately went in to stock up! The classic “Kayanoya Dashi” is a must-buy. It’s great for everyday soups and rice dishes, and you can also open the dashi packet and use the contents directly as seasoning. This time, I also found small packages of dried soup cubes, miso soup, and various instant soups. They’re especially convenient to keep at the office—just add hot water at lunchtime for an easy meal full of Japanese flavor.

I came across this by chance in the food hall of a department store in Osaka. It was really delicious, so it’s no wonder many people call it the “Louis Vuitton of Pocky.” My favorite was the one in the blue package, with its savory, salty flavor. The biscuit itself was crispy with a subtle buttery aroma, and every bite had so many layers〜 But I could only indulge a little since it isn’t cheap.

Meishoku Bigansui is a classic Japanese medicated toner designed to help with acne, pores, and skin texture. It feels refreshing and non-sticky. Personally, my skin felt fresher after using it, and the effects were especially noticeable on acne-prone, oily skin. Some people also use it as a localized toner pack or to wipe their T-zone. However, it has a noticeable alcohol feel and a distinctive herbal smell, and it may cause stinging or dryness when your skin is sensitive or its barrier is compromised. Overall, it is better suited for localized care on oily, acne-prone skin. If using it for the first time, apply only a small amount and avoid the eye area.