Hi, I’m Shogo K.
I’m a Japan-based product reviewer and writer, currently living in the Kitakyushu/Fukuoka area in Kyushu. I’ve been living in Japan for over a decade, and in that time, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the quality and craftsmanship behind everyday Japanese products — from kitchen knives to skincare, whisky to matcha.
At Made in JPN Lab, I write honest, hands-on reviews of Japanese products for an English-speaking audience. Everything I review, I’ve either bought myself or had direct access to. No fluff, no filler — just real experience.
Why I Started This Site
When I first moved to Japan, I was constantly amazed by products that were simply unavailable — or completely unknown — in the Western market. A hand-forged deba knife from Sakai. A whetstone from a centuries-old workshop in Kyoto. A bottle of craft sake you can’t find on any shelf outside Japan.
I wanted to build a place where people outside Japan could discover these things through the eyes of someone who actually lives here — and knows where to look.
Where I’ve Been (For Research)
I take the research side seriously. Over the years, I’ve made trips specifically to understand the products I write about:
- Sakai (Osaka), Seki (Gifu), Tsubame-Sanjo (Niigata) — Japan’s three major blade-producing regions. I’ve visited workshops, talked to craftspeople, and handled knives straight from the forge.
- Uji (Kyoto) — One of Japan’s most famous tea-growing regions. I’ve visited tea farms and participated in tastings to better understand what separates ceremonial-grade matcha from culinary-grade.
- Sake breweries across Japan — From Niigata’s crisp junmai daiginjos to Fushimi’s elegant sake, I’ve toured breweries and attended tastings to develop a palate for what I write about.
What You’ll Find Here
Made in JPN Lab covers a wide range of authentic Japanese products:
- Kitchen knives (gyuto, santoku, deba, petty, yanagiba, and more)
- Japanese whisky and sake
- Matcha and green tea
- Skincare and beauty products (J-beauty)
- Kitchen appliances, stationery, and everyday goods
Editorial Independence
This is an independent review site. I am not sponsored by any brand, and no company pays me to write favorably about their products. Some posts contain affiliate links (mainly Amazon), which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running, but it never influences what I recommend.
If I don’t like something, I say so.
Get in Touch
Have a question about a product? Curious about something I haven’t covered yet? Feel free to leave a comment on any article — I read every one and try to respond when I can.
Thanks for reading.
— Shogo K.
Japan-based product reviewer & writer | Kitakyushu / Fukuoka