Being a teenager in Japan is a balance of working hard for the future and enjoying the kawaii moments right now!

Trains are packed! I’m navigating the subway wearing my school uniform, which I customize with a bright ribbon. I’m blasting music—maybe some J-pop or the new Anime opening theme—to wake up.

This is the best part! I head to the art club, but others go to sports or music. It's a great way to bond.

Before cram school (Juku) or going home, we go to Harajuku or Shibuya . We get colorful crepes, visit sticker photo booths (Purikura) to make our eyes look huge, or hunt for vintage clothes.

We eat bentos, but the real fun is comparing whose lunch is more "instagenic." We take tons of pictures.

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a teen in Japan? It is a whirlwind of pastel colors, intense studying, and the cutest aesthetic you can imagine!