Best Japan Products for Babies and Toddlers in 2023

Following up on my last article on the best products for newborns in Japan, I’ll be sharing what parents think are the best products for raising babies and toddlers. These results are based on a 2023 poll by Tamahiyo, a Japanese company that publishes information for new parents and releases a yearly ranking of the best products for expectant parents.

I found some new products through this year’s ranking as well as some that I have used and am still using! It’s a helpful list overall, so whether you’re a parent-to-be, a new parent, or have your second or third now, it’s worth checking out.

 

Best Electric Nasal Aspirator for Babies in Japan

Baby Smile Merushi Pot

An electric nasal aspirator makes it easy to remove mucus from your child’s nose (although your child will either love it or hate it — mine is the latter). I have been using one by Pigeon and have no complaints, but had I known that Baby Smile has won multiple awards, I perhaps would have bought it instead. It’s also been recently updated and is now quieter and smaller than the previous version.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Powerful and good at removing mucus yet children don’t seem to dislike it.
• Has a slender nozzle and doesn’t make much noise.

 

Best Manual Nasal Aspirator for Babies in Japan

知母時　CHIBOJI 鼻水吸引器　ハンディタイプ

I can completely see why this manual nasal aspirator made first place this year. Other ones require you to suck the snot out using a tube but thankfully your lips don’t need to touch this one! Instead, you use a pump to manually get the snot out.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Removes snot easily so you don’t have to put it into the nostril too much
• Portable
• Easy to wash
• Doesn’t make noise
• Affordable

 

Best Pull-Up Diapers for Babies in Japan

Pampers Sarasara Care

This made first place for the best diaper for newborns in 2023 and I guess parents continue to be a fan as their baby grows as it ranked as the best for babies.

As I mentioned in several of my articles, I am not the biggest fan of these diapers, but not all babies are the same. These just didn’t work for my daughter and got third place in my review on pull-up diapers in Japan. But these are quite affordable and Pampers has changed these diapers since then, and it seems like it’s an improvement over their old version.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• No leakages and keeps baby dry for a long period of time
• Thin and doesn’t take up that much space
• Soft and gentle on the skin

Runner-ups

2nd Place: moonyman

3rd Place: Merries

 

Best Hand Sanitizer for Babies in Japan

手ピカジェル

With the pandemic, we’re now all very familiar with hand sanitizers. I’ve been using this sanitizer since before my daughter was born and I’m still a fan. Despite containing alcohol, it’s gentle (very important for someone with eczema), not sticky, and you can buy it in both a pump bottle and a small portable bottle that you can attach to your bag.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Portable
• Easy for even small children to use
• Not sticky

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Biore u 

3rd Place: Kirei Kirei

 

Best Milky Lotion for Babies in Japan

Mama&Kids Baby Milky Lotion

This made first place as the best lotion for newborns in 2022 and it seems that parents are happy enough with the quality to continue using it as their baby grows. I have a travel set that I use for both me and my daughter when we go to the in-laws or on other trips and I’ve been very impressed with the quality. It’s gentle and has great spreadability. I’ll admit that it’s too expensive for my budget to buy a full-sized bottle, though, so for now, the travel set is good enough.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Spreads smoothly and easily
• Contains similar amino acids, biofilm, and ceramide as in the womb

 

Best Skin Cream for Babies in Japan

Mama & Kids Baby Milky Cream

This also ranked as the best skin cream for newborns. It has a silky texture and is very moisturizing, and best of all doesn’t irritate my skin or my daughter’s. The cream should be used after the lotion on areas that get dry easily. It also comes in the travel set if you want to try it out before committing to an entire bottle, but you can also get a free sample through various websites.

What parents in Japan like about Mama&Kids Baby Milky Cream:

• Great for preventing dry skin in winter
• Keeps skin moisturized all-day

Best Vaseline for Babies in Japan

Baby Vaseline (ベビーワセリン)

This is another product that made first place in the ranking for best newborn baby products. This vaseline contains no parabens, colorants, or fragrances so it is gentle and great to use on dry areas or rashes to help protect your child’s delicate skin.

What parents in Japan like about Baby Vaseline:

• Helps prevent rashes

Best Bug Spray / Insect Repellant in Japan for Kids

Alobaby

What’s great about Alobaby is that it not only repels insects, it also has UV in it, so it’s a two-in-one product! It is also all-natural with no additives and doesn’t leave any residue after usage.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Easy to use as it’s a spray
• Contains UV as well
• Additive-free

Best Brand for Baby Formula in Japan

Meiji Hohoemi

I got several free samples of this when I was pregnant but never ended up using any of them because my daughter could only drink ICREO formula. However, this cube-type formula is super easy to prepare as you just have to pop the necessary number of cubes into a bottle, pour in milk, swirl the bottle around and it’s done!

It’s especially nice when you’re traveling as unlike stick-type portable formula, you can prepare the exact amount of formula your baby needs and nothing goes to waste. I have heard, though, that this can be harder to dissolve compared to loose powder.

Hohoemi formula also comes in a can (which I also got for free!), meaning you can use it at any time without needing to find hot water and dissolve the cubes. Great for outings!

Note that this is recommended for newborns up to age one.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Portable so great for outings or trips
• No need to measure when using cube-type
• The can type is especially easy to use as no water is required and it can be attached to a bottle nipple so babies can drink straight from it

 

Best Brand for Follow-Up Formula for Babies in Japan

Wakodo

After my daughter was discharged from the hospital, the first formula I gave her to supplement breastmilk was Haihai (はいはい) by Wakodo. One reason we chose はいはい is that it was very affordable and had good reviews, but she didn’t take too well to it and we ended up switching back to what she drank in the hospital (ICREO). Although she had trouble with はいはい, she had no problems with its follow-up formula ぐんぐん at around the age of two. And thank goodness for that, because our wallets couldn’t handle ICREO’s follow-up formula!

This is recommended for children from 9 months to 3 years old.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Contains a perfect balance of vitamins, calcium, and minerals
• Easy to find as it’s readily available at supermarkets and drugstores

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Meiji Step (ステップ)

3rd Place: BeanStalk Tsuyoiko

 

Best Brand for Toddler Drinks in Japan

Wakodo

This is another category where Wakodo has overtaken Pigeon this year. These drinks are affordable, can be found at almost any baby store, supermarket, or drugstore, and come in a variety of types and flavors.

My daughter has had both Pigeon and Wakodo and she enjoys both. When my daughter was younger, I had a few packs of the pictured barley tea in my daughter’s emergency bag and put one box in her little purse for outings when it’s just the two of us. It’s something she looked forward to and I saved money not having to buy a drink from the convenience store or vending machine.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Great for summer and children like to drink it
• Perfect size for kids

 

Best Sippy Cup Brand for Babies in Japan

Richell

Last year Combi was the winner of this category so I’m excited that this year my tried and true favorite, Richell, has gotten first place. I have used the pictured cup for my daughter for over three years now, and almost every day! And it’s still in great condition. An absolutely perfect purchase that I would recommend to any parent.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Easy to wash
• Doesn’t leak or spill
• Has three different parts so your child can transition easily from drinking from a straw to a mug

Best Natural Water Dispenser Rental Service in Japan

Premium Water 

A water dispenser is an easy way to have filtered water at home that’s free of chemicals and tastes great. The water can also be used to prepare formula, which means no more waiting around in the middle of the night for the kettle to finish boiling water while your newborn screams bloody murder.

Premium Water’s award-winning water dispensers come in stylish designs, so it’s something that won’t look bulky or ugly in your home.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Nice design
• Easy to dispose of bottles

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Cosmo Water

 

Best Brand for Baby Feeding Sets in Japan

Richell

As mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of Richell, and most of the feeding supplies I used for my daughter when she started eating solid food were Richell. The quality is great and they are functional and easy to use (for both of us!).

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Contains various essential cutlery and dishes for starting solid food
• Comes with multiple bowls in different sizes, which is great if you’re serving different dishes
• Soft yet durable
• The utensils are easy for babies and toddlers to use

 

Best Freezer Tray for Baby Food in Japan

Richell

I’m not surprised to see another Richell product voted as the best, this time for freezer trays. In my article on baby food in Japan, I mention how much I love Richell’s trays and I still feel this way.

Although my daughter has graduated from baby food, I continue to use the Richell freezer trays for things like homemade pizza sauce. These are so easy to use as the frozen cubes just pop out with only minimal effort. This means no more banging and contorting freezer trays to get those cubes out, because with a baby, who has time for that?!

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Comes in four different sizes
• Easy to remove frozen cubes of food
• Freezes portioned food perfectly, and the portions are just right
• Compact so it fits in the freezer perfectly

Best Kitchen Appliance for Baby Food in Japan

BRUNO

Stick blender, immersion blender, hand blender — whatever you call it, if you don’t have one, you need one. When you’re preparing large amounts of baby food, this is so helpful to puree the food in seconds. It also comes with different attachments so this all-in-one is a great investment. And of course, it’s great at preparing everyday food for everyone, like sauces and soups.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Comes with different attachments so you can make various kinds of food and for your child at different stages of their solid food journey
• Slim so it doesn’t take up much room, and it looks nice
• Easy to use

Best Ready-Made Baby Food (5-8 months) Brand in Japan

Wakodo Tezukuri Ouen

There are different brands like Pigeon and Morinaga that have ready-made baby food, but Wakodo Wakodo Tezukuri Ouen is considered the best by parents in Japan for babies just starting their solid food journey and then continuing on, so ages 5-8 months.

I like these because all you need to do is empty the powder into a bowl, add hot water, and mix. Then it’s done!

I’m going to admit that the only ready-made baby food my daughter liked when she first started solids was rice porridge (okayu) and soups, but both were from this series, so I get why parents like it the best. (After that, my daughter pretty much hated everything else, so I would advise against buying anything in bulk.)

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Other ingredients can be easily mixed in
• Lots of variety and easy to use by simply adding hot water

Runner Ups

2nd Place: Wakodo Hajimete no Rinyuushoku

3rd Place: Kewpie Baby Food

Best Ready-Made Baby Food (9-11 months) Brand in Japan

Wakodo Goo Goo Kitchen

Wakodo Goo Goo Kitchen is considered the best instant baby food by parents in Japan for babies ages 9-11 months in 2023. These are pouches that can be boiled or have their contents poured into a microwave-safe bowl and then heated up.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• The size of the ingredients changes based on age/stage
• Slim and portable
• Comes in various flavors including some with a day’s worth of vegetables in it

Runner Ups

2nd Place: Wakodo Tezukuri Ouen

3rd Place: Wakodo Eiyou Marushe

Best Brand for Baby Snacks in Japan

Wakodo

Last year Pigeon took first place but this year it’s Wakodo. This is another brand that is beloved when it comes to baby food, including snacks (おやつ/oyatsu). Wakodo’s snacks come in rice crackers, biscuits, cookies, and puffs, and in a variety of flavors as well.

They contain calcium and various other nutrients, so you can feel good about treating your baby. Depending on the snack, you can start giving it to your baby from 6 months and up and some are portable. I especially like the packs with three different kinds of snacks. After all, variety is the spice of life and little ones know this early on!

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Easy for little ones to hold
• Free of artificial fragrances, colors, and preservatives
• Contains nutrients

Best Yogurt for Babies in Japan

Baby Danone

And yet another product my daughter loves that has once again made first place this year!

Baby Danone is suitable for children ages 6 months and up and comes in various flavors like plain, strawberry, carrot and apple, green veggies, and yellow veggies. My daughter is a picky eater but she has had one of these as dessert since she started eating them at about 7 months old.

We have tried switching to another yogurt now that she’s older but she won’t have it. You can generally find these at any supermarket, although I haven’t seen them at my local Donki.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Portioned just right for kids
• Kids love it and will eat it even if they don’t want to eat anything else
• Nutritious with vegetables inside

Best Play Gym and Mobile in Japan for Babies

Disney Baby 6-way Mobile and Play Gym

 

My daughter had the Disney mobile/play gym that made second place in this category. Not only is it adorable and has soothing music, but I was also able to use the small and soft light to check up on her as a newborn in the middle of the night to make sure she was okay. (I was a little anxious about whether or not she was breathing, as all new mothers are.)

The mobile and play gym that made first place can be used six different ways and up to eight months old. The usage changes as your child grows, so it’s certainly a multifunctional toy that is a great investment. I also sold mine on Mercari for a great price when my daughter was too old for it.

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Disney Melody Ippai Mobile Premium

 

Best Toy in Japan to Develop Baby’s Motor Skills

Itazura Yaritai Houdai 

Pyramid toys are an excellent investment as there are so many things for your little one to do packed into one toy. My daughter has this one, which she still plays with, but if your child likes to do things that they shouldn’t (pull tissues out of the box, touch outlets, remote controls, glasses), then this toy is for them. It’ll allow them to do all the naughty things without any dire consequences (and hopefully get it out of their system).

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Long and best-selling toy
• Kids get absorbed in playing with it

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Okome series (toys made from rice)

 

Best Indoor Toy in Japan for Babies and Toddlers

Anpanman Car

I got this for my daughter’s first birthday and although she was apprehensive at first, she warmed up to it and soon was tearing through the living room and down the hallway in it. Now, almost three years later, she still plays with it! (And likes to hide my phone under the seat…)

I like how it grows with your child, so when they’re around one you can push them on it and they’re safely enclosed. When they get older, you can remove the guard and they can move around on their own.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Kids seem to love the sounds
• Nice to be able to push your kid around on it
• Kids like to push it and ride on it

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Fisherprice Rainforest Jumperoo  (a toy my daughter had and loved)

 

Best Stroller Brand in Japan for Babies and Toddlers

Aprica’s Magical Air SeriesMagical Air Series

Aprica ranked as the best stroller brand for newborns in 2023 and it continues to be a favorite with parents as their baby grows.

The Magical Air series is lightweight and easy to maneuver. The seatbelt has magnets that make it easy to close (important when you have a fussy toddler) and the tires make it easy to go over bumpy terrain. Parents also like that the basket at the bottom is wide so it can hold many things.

This stroller is recommended for babies 7 months and up, and until they’re 15 kg.

Runner-ups

2nd Place: Acbee series by Combi

3rd Place: Bingle series by Pigeon

Best Baby Monitor Brand for Parents in Japan

Panasonic

Once again, Panasonic has been voted the best baby monitor brand by parents in Japan. Panasonic’s night mode is considered one of the best when it comes to checking up on your little one when it’s dark. It also comes with three sensors and alerts you with sounds when needed.

What parents in Japan like about it

• You can see everything clearly even if it’s dark
• You can adjust the sensitivity of the alarm depending on your needs and your child

Best Air Purifier Brand in Japan for Babies and Toddlers

Sharp

We have three (!) air purifiers in our home and I can’t recommend them enough when you have a newborn. As indicated by the name, air purifiers help remove contaminants from the air in the room, and when you have allergies, this is essential.

All of our air purifiers are from Sharp and the oldest one we have, which we bought eight years ago, is still in perfect condition, so considering its quality and performance, it makes sense that Sharp has been, yet again, ranked as the best in this category.

Parents like that it’s easy to use and that it has several helpful modes. There are also compact types, which are great for smaller homes.

 

Best Laundry Detergent in Japan for Babies and Toddlers

Sarasa

Yet again, Sarasa has been voted the best laundry detergent by parents in Japan, and I fully agree. When I decided my daughter was old enough to no longer need baby-specific laundry detergent, I switched to Sarasa and haven’t looked back.

This is a gentle laundry detergent that’s free of additives and contains botanical ingredients but still makes your clothes smell nice. It’s also great at what it’s supposed to do — make your clothes nice and clean.

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Can be used to wash your entire family’s clothes
• Gentle on the skin
• Washes clothes well and even gets out spit-up stains

 

Best Fabric Softener in Japan for Babies and Toddlers

Sarasa

Since Sarasa was ranked as the best laundry detergent, it makes sense that the same brand would be voted as the best fabric softener.

Parents like how clothes feel fluffy and soft after using this softener and also smell nice.

 

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner in Japan for Parents

Roomba

And yet again, Roomba is in first place for the best robot vacuum cleaner. The one pictured also empties on its own and you can control it using an app on your phone. Parents like how it maps areas to clean so it knows where to go and doesn’t do things like fall down steps.

We had an iLife robot vacuum for a while before deciding to upgrade to the Ecovacs Deebot, which we got during Amazon’s Hatsuuri sale. It has the same functions as the previously mentioned Roomba, and I have to say I’m quite pleased with it. I’ve saved so much time not having to manually vacuum or empty out the bin (like I did for iLife) and if you look out for a sale like we did, this can be considerably cheaper than a Roomba.

The Ecovacs Deebot also has a mopping function, which means it’s an excellent two-in-one robot vacuum that’s certainly worth the price. I admit, though, that its mapping function could be a little better. But overall, I’m happy that I can just turn it on when I leave the house and come home to a clean floor.

 

Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner in Japan for Parents

Dyson

Dyson is another famous brand in the appliance world. Parents in Japan love how great this cordless vacuum is at picking up even small specks of dirt and that it’s easy to maneuver. Some parents even use it to clean their strollers.

I have a Dyson hairdryer and it’s fantastic, but I haven’t quite made the jump to the vacuum yet for a few reasons. My mother-in-law (the Queen of Clean) prefers the Makita cordless vacuum over her Dyson as it’s lighter and easier to use, and as it’s a fraction of the price of a Dyson, we got one as well. We’ve had ours for about three years now and couldn’t be happier with the purchase. I might upgrade to a Dyson in the future but for now, the Makita is good enough for me.

Best Electric Bicycles in Japan for Parents

Bridgestone bikke

If you’ve read my article about electric bicycles for families in Japan, then you’ll know that this wasn’t the bike for me. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t good because in 2023, parents in Japan voted this as the best!

What parents in Japan like about it:

• Easy to ride
• Looks cute
• You can attach a child seat to the front where the basket is

Best Washing Machines in Japan for Parents

Panasonic

We’re in the market for a new washing machine, mainly a washer-dryer combo, and we have narrowed down our choice to Panasonic for its high reviews. This is why I’m not surprised to see Panasonic in first place in this category. It’s sleek and does a great job at getting out stains, not to mention is durable and high-quality.

 

---

What do you think about this year’s rankings? Did you use any of these products or services? Let me know in the comments!