※This article was originally published on Hatena Blog and has been migrated here.
With the year 2018 coming to an end, I decided to list up the best things I bought this year.
This year was more fulfilling than the last, and I ended up buying a lot of things.
Ranking them would be too much trouble, so I'll just list them randomly.
Long Wallet
I got a nice long wallet made of horse leather (technically, it was a gift, haha).
The exterior is horse leather, and the interior is made of natural leather that develops a nice patina over time.
I've only used it for less than a year, but the leather is aging beautifully, and I love it.
[https://www.noi-japan.com/noijapan/7.1/105625/:title]
Coin Purse
I bought this from the same brand as the long wallet. Since it's a proper leather product, it's very practical.
I don't usually put coins in my long wallet, so I got a separate coin purse, and I really like it too.
[https://www.noi-japan.com/noijapan/7.1/106274/:embed:cite]
iPad
I bought this mainly for reading e-books, and it's fantastic.
Some people might find it a bit heavy, but since I work out regularly, it's not a big deal for me.
The size is just right for reading. I regret not buying it sooner.
[https://www.apple.com/jp/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-9-7/32gb-%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A4-wifi:embed:cite]
Cross Bike
Fast. Comfortable. Fun.
I can never go back to a regular city bike.
When I lived with my parents, it used to take about 10 minutes to get to the station by city bike, but with the cross bike, it only took about 5 minutes.
I wanted to minimize travel time, but now I live 2-3 minutes on foot from the station, so I don't ride it much anymore...
Still, it's so much fun to ride that I go cycling whenever I have time.
[http://www.japan.bianchi.com/category.cgi?mode=category_detail&bik_Code_prm=JP19BS67084332&big_code=03&mdl_code=02:embed:cite] (I think I bought the 2018 model.)
Wi-Fi Speaker
A Chinese-made Wi-Fi speaker.
The sound quality is decent, but it's portable and seems durable, making it a good value for the price.
I've noticed that recent Chinese audio devices are of good quality, so I trust them.
[https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0787KGCM1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1:title]
Apartment
This isn't exactly a "purchase," but I moved out of my parents' house and into an apartment in Tokyo.
My commute is now less than 20 minutes door-to-door, which has significantly reduced my travel time.
When I changed jobs, I wanted to make more time for myself, so even though it's a bit more expensive, I think it's a worthwhile investment overall.
Desk Shelf
I've been using a typical study desk for ages, but adding a desk shelf has made my workspace much tidier. Highly recommended.
[https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0142Q0Z52/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]
Sofa
When I started living alone, I bought a sofa from a brand I wasn't familiar with.
It's reasonably priced, and for the quality at this price point, I'm quite satisfied with it.
[https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B07C15RCLR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1]
Côte&Ciel Shoulder Bag
I previously bought a backpack from this brand and really liked it, so I decided to get a shoulder bag as well.
It's built to be durable, so I feel secure carrying electronics like my MacBook and iPad in it.
You can find second-hand ones in great condition at reasonable prices on Rakuten, so I recommend checking there.
Tipness (Gym Membership)
This isn't a purchase per se, but I joined a gym.
After moving, I switched gyms and found that Tipness near Shibuya Station met my requirements.
It's a bit pricey, but it keeps me motivated to work out, so I'm satisfied.
Air Purifier
I bought this because my room tends to get dry and the air feels stagnant.
You often see air purifiers in hotels, and I noticed the air feels much better (maybe it's just my imagination), so I ended up buying one.
It also has a humidifier function, which helps prevent dryness!
I feel like it keeps the room free of odors and dust too.
[https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B01M09SIHT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_?ie=UTF8&psc=1]
Display
I had been using an old Apple Cinema Display, but I decided to replace it when I moved.
It's cost-effective, and I have no complaints.
[https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B077SBB5SH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1:title]
Nintendo Switch
I impulsively bought this because I wanted to play Super Smash Bros. (and I also got Splatoon 2).
It's been about 10 years since I last bought a gaming console, and modern games are amazing. Nintendo is incredible. The UI/UX is outstanding.
I usually spend my days coding or reading, but I think this will be a good way to relieve stress—as long as I don't overdo it.
Nitori Umbrella Stand
Convenient.
I use it by attaching it to my front door.
[https://www.nitori-net.jp/store/ja/ec/InteriorLifeGoods/EntranceArticleUmbrellaUmbrellast/8070467s?ptr=item:embed:cite]
Final Thoughts
2018 was a year where I bought significantly more things than usual.
There are more pieces of furniture I bought that I could introduce, but I'll stop here to keep it concise.
Speaking of which, I made another big purchase, but I'll save that for another time.
Having bought a variety of things, I feel like I won't be buying much next year—but who knows...