Ippodo

Kyoto-based and three centuries old, the store brings premium green tea (and a limited edition spring matcha) to NYC

Just a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of Grand Central Station lies the serene Ippodo, hidden inside the ground level of Michelin-starred restaurant Kajitsu, which specializes in all-vegetarian Japanese Shojin cuisine. Not to be confused with the wildly popular ramen hotspot in the East Village of the same name, Ippodo has been producing high-quality tea for almost three centuries in the heart of …

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

The aromatic, full-bodied Japanese whisky is available worldwide

If you live in the States, you’d be hard pressed to find Nikka Whisky From The Barrel. Although the Japanese whiskey brand has six other expressions in the American market (all worth exploring), this particular blend hasn’t made its way to bars and liquor stores yet—though you can get it online for shipment globally. We crossed its path at Cape Town, South Africa’s Kyoto Garden …

Mola Headlamp by Snow Peak

An innovative light that focuses its beam to the predicted line of sight using gravity and a counterweight

Aside from increasing luminosity and battery life, there is seemingly little room for innovation in headlamp design—the essential utility piece for camping, backpacking and adventures of the like. Leave it to Japan’s purveyor of intelligent outdoor products Snow Peak to improve this old stand with a patented innovation that predicts the wearer’s line of site to improve visibility and user experience. The Mola headlamp contains …