A pretty good life.
Useful things, small discoveries, and everyday life in Japan.
How this site works
- Centered on things I actually bought and used
- The downsides go in too
- Nothing gets called good because of an affiliate link
Recent posts
Used Laptops in Japan: Where to Buy as a Foreigner (2026)
A guide for foreigners buying a used laptop in Japan: specialist shops vs Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions, JIS keyboards, warranty, and tax-free rules.
AirPods Pro 3 Review: Why the Guy Who Avoided Them for Years Is Glad He Finally Bought a Pair
I love Apple products, but I avoided AirPods for years. Here's what changed my mind, and what I actually think about the AirPods Pro 3 — sound, noise cancellation, fit, battery, and how they work with the rest of my Apple devices.
I Explained Why I Was Right. So Why Won't They Move?
You laid out a correct, careful argument, and the other person still won't budge. "Not moving" doesn't always mean "not understanding" — what to look for instead.
I Stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Nagoya. The Best Part Was the Simmons Bed
A record of staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Nagoya on Marriott Bonvoy points — the Premier King I was upgraded to, breakfast at CRUST, and above all, the Simmons bed that made this stay stand out.
I Keep Coming Up With Solutions, But the Work Isn't Moving. Maybe I've Got the Wrong Problem
When a fix doesn't change anything, the problem is usually with how you defined the problem, not the solution. What to check first on the hard cases.
Meeting After Meeting, and the Problem Still Isn't Solved? Here's What to Check First
When repeated meetings still don't reveal the real cause, going back to the primary source is worth more than another summary. My own habit for when things stop making sense.
New Balance 990v4 Review: My Favorite Right Now, After 20–30 Pairs of New Balance
I've worn something like 20 to 30 pairs of New Balance over the years. Here's why the 990v4 is my current favorite — fit, comfort, and how it compares to the current Made in USA 990v4 Core (grey), based on my own experience.
You Fixed It, But Their Complaint Won't Go Away. Why?
You explained it, fixed it, rolled it out, and the other person still seems unhappy. The difference between "the fix shipped" and "the problem is solved."
I'm Just Passing Along What My Boss Said — So Why Isn't Anything Moving?
"I told them exactly what I was asked to." And yet nothing moves. On the difference between carrying information and actually pushing things forward — including my own past mistake.
AminoVital Pro: The Amino Acid Sticks I Take on Long Hikes in Japan
I've hiked since I was a kid, and on long days I carry AminoVital Pro. What it is, how I use it before and during a hike, and one rule about the packaging in the mountains.
Dress Socks for Big Feet in Japan: A 12-Pack I've Bought for Years
I'm a Japanese size 29 cm. Finding business socks that fit — and don't blow out at the toe — is a hassle here. This 12-pack of identical black socks solved it.
Why I Keep Coming Back to 'How to Win Friends and Influence People'
I read Dale Carnegie's book over a decade ago. It changed how I work with people — from trying to be right to trying to get the outcome. What stuck, and where it doesn't apply.
La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX: The Boot I Stopped Thinking About
Yakushima tent trips, heavy loads in the Northern Alps, scrambling, long flat approaches. After all of it, the Aequilibrium ST GTX is the hiking boot I reach for without deciding.
Listerine Original in Japan: Why I Use the Harsh One
Nobody tells you that you have bad breath. I use Listerine Original — the strong, un-sweet one — as a daily thing before meeting people. Why I prefer it to the milder versions sold in Japan.
Millet Drynamic Mesh: The Weird-Looking Base Layer That Keeps Me Dry
A string-mesh underlayer you wear next to the skin. I originally bought it for hiking, but I've come to think it's not just for the mountains — it's genuinely good for any situation where you sweat heavily.
The North Face Dry Dot: 3–4 Years in a Japan-Market Base Layer
A long-sleeve hiking base layer that's a standard in Japan. After 3–4 years in the mountains here, I understand why. What's good, and the one downside with the black.
How I Carry a Suit Jacket in Japan's Summer Heat Without Wrecking It
Two years of client visits around Japan in a suit, through the summer. A small collapsible hanger that clips to a rolling case handle solved the jacket problem better than a garment bag.
Men's Bioré ONE in Japan: Does One Bottle for Hair, Face and Body Actually Work?
A Japanese drugstore all-in-one wash for hair, face and body. I've used it as my only shower product for a long time — here's how it holds up, and who it isn't for.
Yanagiya J Ultra Hard: A Cheap, Strong Hair Gel You Can Actually Find in Japan
I used GATSBY and Mandom gels for years, then switched to a big cheap tub of Yanagiya gel from Amazon Japan. Hold, texture, how I apply it, and the one real downside.
Bringing a 2013 27-inch iMac Back for 2026
I'd written this iMac off as unusable. A RAM upgrade, OpenCore Legacy Patcher, and a second monitor later, it's my working machine again — and this post was written on it.
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Who writes this
I'm Sena Kosato — a pen name. I'm in my 40s, and I've spent 20-plus years working for a company, including a stretch living and working abroad. I don't publish my real name, employer or where I live.
Most of what I write about is ordinary stuff you run into while living in Japan: drugstore grooming products, gear for commuting and hiking, small things that made a day slightly better. A lot of it has thin or no English coverage, even though people here search for it.
These aren't machine translations of my Japanese posts. Same first-hand experience, rewritten for what an English speaker in Japan actually wants to know.
This site is based on things I have actually used, places I have actually stayed, and experiences from everyday life in Japan. Some of it may also be useful if you live in Japan, travel here, or are looking for products and services available in Japan.
More about the site and how I use AI is on the About page.