Heidi Sarol, Author at Savvy Tokyo The Essential Guide for International Women and Families in Tokyo Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:37:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 Tokyo Creators Kids Unlocks Your Child’s Inner Artist https://savvytokyo.com/tokyo-creators-kids-unlocks-your-childs-inner-artist/ https://savvytokyo.com/tokyo-creators-kids-unlocks-your-childs-inner-artist/#respond Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://savvytokyo.com/?p=99308 Tokyo Creators Kids

Founded by an artist with a passion for educating, Tokyo Creators Kids empowers its students to build confidence, independence and curiosity through self-expression.]]>
Tokyo Creators Kids

Located just a short walk from Shibuya station is a place where art projects meet live music, and where creativity grows alongside self-confidence. Tokyo Creators Kids (TC Kids) was founded by artist Isaac Schulz with a mission to create a calm, supportive space where children don’t just lean into their creative side, they learn to be themselves. The school opened in August 2013 and has since grown organically within the Shibuya-Daikanyama community. For international families looking for a fun, friendly and English-speaking environment for their little ones, here is what you need to know about Tokyo Creators Kids.

The Story Behind Tokyo Creators Kids

Tokyo Creators Kids
Isaac’s passion for art and education led him to establish TC Kids over 10 years ago.

Growing up inspired by North Carolina’s nature and hailing from a family of artists himself, Isaac’s practice is focused on tradition and art history. His work led him to Japan, where he first visited for an art show in Shibuya. A combination of Tokyo’s energy and his passion for education led him to teach at international schools around the city before finally establishing TC Kids over 10 years ago.

Teaching Philosophy

Tokyo Creators Kids
Each curriculum highlights the joy of creating and building confidence.

At TC Kids, it’s not about the results; it’s about the creative process. Here, children are encouraged to explore, stay curious and express themselves. Compared to traditional art education, which follows a set structure and evaluation guidelines, Isaac and his team highlight the joy of creating and building confidence. “I give a demonstration of options,” Isaac explains. “I ask a lot of questions during that process. By the time they answer, their minds are already creating. When they move to their workspace, they aren’t starting from scratch; they are already working.”

Each project is inspired by combining art history, contemporary information and what the children enjoy making. Isaac then finds the intersection of all three and reintroduces it to his students. Building on this method keeps TC Kids growing and successful, as each batch of students is unique. According to Isaac, “it keeps the culture of the school alive and fresh.”

All teachers at TC Kids have been introduced through word of mouth. Some even have their own kids enrolled at the school.

Classes on Offer

Tokyo Creators Kids
After preschool classes, there’s also an after-school art club and Saturday school.  

TC Kids is for preschool-age children. Starting from Mommy and Me classes for infants to toddlers up to age two, then a five-day-a-week preschool. After preschool classes, there’s also an after-school art club and Saturday school.  

While art is the medium, each curriculum is designed to develop the whole child. Materials are introduced slowly and with the intention for curiosity to build. 

A typical class at TC Kids features:

  • Music and Movement: Singing, dancing and physical activity to keep energy high and spirits happy.
  • Communication and Language: Activities that focus on voicing their ideas in English in a wide range of situations.
  • Art Projects and Storytelling: Through art, children develop the ability to concentrate for long periods and the confidence to express their unique ideas.


The Tokyo Creators Kids Effect

TC Kids prides itself in developing confident, creative and independent students

Historically, students who graduate from TC Kids have a high passing rate to their school of choice in Japan and abroad. Additionally, after their time at TC Kids, students from non-English-speaking countries demonstrate a strong command of English. Beyond high passing rates and English fluency, TC Kids prides itself in developing confident, creative and independent students that display long focus times.

As a community, TC Kids is as international as they come. What started as a local community in downtown Tokyo has blossomed into a worldwide network. Isaac shares that every so often, families who met through enrolling their children at TC Kids sometimes send videos and photos of meetups abroad. 

Enrolling at Tokyo Creators Kids

Tokyo Creators Kids
Come visit and meet the team behind TC Kids!

For parents considering enrollment, the message is simple: come play. Isaac and his team welcome families to visit, observe the teaching style firsthand and see if the environment resonates. Growth and development at TC Kids are viewed as a collaborative effort between teachers and parents. By providing a nurturing framework, the school helps children reach their potential while ensuring they feel good every step of the way.  

How to Connect

If you’re ready to see your child’s creativity flourish, you can reach out to Isaac and the team through the Official Tokyo Creators Kids website, their Instagram account or by phone. 

As Isaac puts it, “TC Kids is a really wonderful place to be. I love going there every day. We look forward to meeting you.”

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5 Ways People in Japan Use CBD Oil for Everyday Wellness https://savvytokyo.com/5-ways-people-in-japan-use-cbd-oil-for-everyday-wellness/ https://savvytokyo.com/5-ways-people-in-japan-use-cbd-oil-for-everyday-wellness/#respond Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:59:00 +0000 https://savvytokyo.com/?p=98444 CBD Oil

Curious about trying cannabidiol (CBD) oil? Here are the different ways to use it in your wellness routine.]]>
CBD Oil

Japan is home to the world’s oldest population, with approximately 30% of its citizens over 65 years old. Here, wellness isn’t a buzzword or a fad; it’s a way of life that is the product of daily rituals that have stood the test of time. At the core of these habits is grounding oneself in nature, from shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and onsen (hot spring) trips to eating a balanced diet that changes with the seasons.

Today, Japan’s wellness market continues to evolve with these centuries-old traditions. In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD) oil has been a new addition to everyday wellness routines. This naturally occurring and non-addictive compound derived from the cannabis plant may reduce anxiety, improve sleep and relieve minor aches. 

Here are five ways people in Japan use CBD oil in their routines:

1. In Warm Drinks

Ways People in Japan Use CBD Oil
Stir it well

One way people in Japan use CBD oil is by adding a few drops to their morning coffee or tea. It’s one of the most common ways to ingest CBD oil, adding a bit of warmth to your day. The key is to stir well so that the oil distributes evenly. Many people prefer this method because it doesn’t require any changes to their everyday rituals, be it gearing up for the long day ahead or unwinding in the evening.

2. In Homemade Chocolates or Baked Goods

Ways People in Japan Use CBD Oil
Try using it in your favorite recipes

Everyone loves a sweet treat. For a cozy night in, melt your favorite kind of chocolate, blend in some CBD oil and pour it into a mold to cool in the fridge. It’s a practical choice for anyone who dislikes the taste or texture of CBD oil on its own.

3. As Massage Oil

Massage oil
For minor aches and pains

While lymphatic massages aren’t new to Japan, using CBD oil as a massage oil may help ease stiffness and minor aches or pains after a long day at work. At the end of the week, add in a massage as part of your self-care routine, whether you’re stretching or after showering. This approach is ideal for beginners who want to experience the benefits of CBD oil without any extra effort. 

4. Mixing It Into Hand Cream

CBD Oil Hand cream
Take it along with you as you go about your day

Another great way to incorporate CBD oil into your lifestyle is to use it with your hand cream. Now that it’s colder in Japan, it’s not uncommon for our skin to feel parched, especially as the temperatures drop. Frequent washing and daily wear can also strip our hands of the natural oils they need to maintain healthy skin. This mixture can be used wherever your schedule takes you, from your office desk to a weekend trip. 

5. As Is

CBD oil in Japan
Simple, quick and easy

The simplest way to take CBD oil is to use a tincture and place a few drops under your tongue. Add it to your morning or nighttime routine or whenever you take your daily vitamins. 

Humacology

Humacology
Check out the full lineup on the official website

When using CBD oil, it’s important to use a trusted brand that prioritizes quality and consistency over time. Humacology, Australia’s number one CBD oil brand, is formulated by a team of phytochemists from the University of Athens. Grounding its CBD products in data-driven research and scientific standards. The brand is one of the few CBD oil companies in the country to be fully approved and meets Japan’s strict one-part-per-million THC limit requirement. 

Produced in Humacology’s facility in Greece, which operates to European pharmaceutical-grade GMP (Great Manufacturing Practice) standards, the brand guarantees that customers get precisely what they pay for. 

Long-term wellness isn’t about following the latest trends; it’s shaped by the daily choices you make over time. CBD oil is a simple way to boost your self-care routine that fits around your lifestyle, not the other way around.

You can purchase Humacology through Amazon, Qoo10 and at selected retailers like Yodobashi Camera. To view the full lineup, visit the official website at humacology.jp.

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