Whenever I travel, I always pick up some minor habits, tricks, or tools from the places I visit. For example, after visiting Amsterdam in winter, I started to make fresh mint tea (mint leaves, hot water, honey). After living in Hong Kong, I got one of these for laundry (air drying delicates/small items):

Here’s what happened since my Japan trip a few weeks ago:

I drink matcha now.

I kind of wish I’d bought more than this small bag. I got used to have matcha powder and a hot water dispenser when going out to sushi. I love tea anyways, but I didn’t realize matcha was so easy – just pour in a spoonful of powder to hot or cold water.

I watch a Japanese TV Show.

I started watching Terrace House on Netflix on the way to Japan. It’s one of the downloadable shows, perfect for the airplane. It’s subtitled in English; another reason that it is a good airplane show – you can really focus on the subtitles. I was watching Boys and Girls in the City, which takes place in Tokyo, to get excited for Tokyo. Then, when I was visiting my friend Christine, we watched Opening New Doors, which takes place in the countryside.

I highly recommend Terrace House. The concept is a reality show in which 3 girls and 3 guys live together. One of the best parts is a panel of Japanese celebrities/comedians are also watching the show and provide intermittent commentary on what just happened. Don’t you wish you had a commentary panel for all your reality shows? I also am still learning some Japanese by watching the show. Sugoi, which is translated as “amazing” or “wow,” is a word the member say a lot.

I bought a Japanese body scrubber.

Okay, so in Japan, these body scrubbers are prevalent. I got one for the onsen (hot spring) and even got a nice one at my last hotel in Tokyo. When I came home, I went on Amazon and found the one pictured. They exfoliate, dry fast, and it’s easy to rub your back and peer over your shoulder just like the woman on the package.

One of the most fun and underrated parts of travel is picking up these little tricks, tools, and habits from a different culture. What have you taken home with you, and where was it from?