Hello, this is Aikero, a writer for [Sarukuma]! (^^)/

Random question: aren’t you curious about what other people carry around?
Whenever I see someone with a huge bag (or a tiny one), I can’t help but wonder what’s inside.

You see those “What’s in my bag?” features all over Instagram and magazines, right?
So I’m clearly not alone in this curiosity!

But honestly, I don’t want to see those polished, picture-perfect pouches full of fancy cosmetics.
I want to see the REAL stuff that everyday people carry!

Of course, I can’t just walk up to strangers in Kumamoto and say,
“Excuse me, can I peek inside your pouch?”
That would be… a little weird.

Calling the Sarukuma Moms for Some Real Talk!

For honest, unfiltered reality, who better to ask than our totally ordinary mom squad, the Sarukuma Moms?

Aikero

Sudden question — what kind of pouch do you all use?

Gussan

Mine? My husband gave it to me when we were dating, so I’ve been using it for over 20 years!

Asukarando

You’ll laugh when you see mine — it’s literally a Ziploc bag! lol

Aikero

20 years?! That’s basically half of Gussan’s life! And Asuka’s Ziploc is unexpected!
(Now’s my chance…) Please show me what’s inside too!

Gussan

Wait — nobody told me I had to show what’s inside! Cosmetics, medicine, a nail file, loose cotton swabs, a bent bobby pin… I’m laughing at my own pouch!

Asukarando

What are the cotton swabs and bent pin even FOR?!
By the way, with a Ziploc, if cosmetics leak, you can swap it out for a fresh one in seconds! ♡
My kids’ change-of-clothes bag even has a spare bag inside!

Aikero

So real… Meanwhile, mine just has diapers and a change of clothes — totally boring stuff.

Asukarando

Those cotton swab tips look kinda dirty — what were you planning to use them for?!

Gussan

They’re hotel amenities I tossed in after a trip ♡ You never know when you’ll need them, right? But honestly, I’d never actually use them now! lol

Aikero

How OLD are those cotton swabs?! And the medicine looks like it could fall out at any moment!

Gussan

A vintage 5-year batch ♡
Wait, am I the only one whose medicine packets always tear from the back?

Asukarando

Oh, you’ve got a nail file in there too!

Gussan

This nail file? Never used it. Not once ♡
Why did I even put it in there? lol

Aikero

So here’s our “messy mom” inventory:
・A 20-year-old battle-worn pouch
・A Ziploc bag
・Mystery debris
・A nail file that’s never been used
・A pile of hair ties
・Slightly grimy cotton swabs
・A bent bobby pin
・Medicine with torn packaging
And most of these belong to…

Gussan

…ME!!!
And I’m the editor-in-chief?! I’m questioning my own life choices!

In Search of the Perfect Pouch…

So, our messy editor-in-chief and I headed to MUJI Aeon Mall Kumamoto.
If you’re a tourist visiting Kumamoto, MUJI (Mujirushi Ryohin) is one of Japan’s most beloved minimalist lifestyle stores — perfect for picking up practical, well-designed souvenirs!
Gussan and Asuka strolled in, blending right in with the regular shoppers. lol
MUJI offers an incredible variety of pouches in every imaginable size and color.

Gussan

I love the texture, the color, the shape!
And it has internal compartments and stands up on its own — classic MUJI quality!

Gussan

I want to take this to a Japanese onsen (hot spring)!
Waterproof and easy to carry — I need it!!

Gussan

All these little compartments keep everything tidy!
You can see what’s where at a glance, and grabbing things is so easy!

Asukarando

Even fits cotton swabs! ♫ lol

Gussan

Asuka, stop teasing me!!

Asukarando

You can hang it on a hook too!
Since I don’t carry a makeup pouch around, this would be perfect at home — just hang and use!

It’s slightly stiff so it stands upright on its own — and it’s washable!
When traveling, just hang it in the bathroom and you’re set.
Makeup pouches get dirty easily, so washability is a huge plus.

Next, Asuka was hunting for a kids’ change-of-clothes pouch.

Asukarando

Oh, this one has a divider!
Maybe one side for clothes and the other for towels?
Washable and see-through — love it!

Aikero

I was eyeing that one too!
Looks perfect for two kids’ worth of clothes.
Though it might be a bit bulky for everyday outings.

Asukarando

Great for keeping a backup set in the car, but yeah — a bit big for daily carry.

Aikero

This one! It compresses!
No bulk when you carry it around — and the deep gusset packs in TONS!
Both sides separate, so clothes go on one side, diapers on the other!
One side is mesh so you can see through — even Dad won’t get confused!

Aikero

Comes in three colors: black, khaki, and gray.
My backpack’s black, so it’s a tough call!

Asukarando

Definitely gray for me ♡

Gussan

I’m going with khaki!

Aikero

I love both colors, but… I’ll go with this one!

So, which color did I choose?!

The Pouches We Finally Picked!

Here are our chosen pouches!

Gussan

I picked the
〈Wrinkle Nylon Wide-Open Square Pouch〉!

True to its name, the wide opening makes everything visible, and it stands on its own. I fell in love with the rounded shape, soft texture, and color ♡
It’s a bit big for my stuff, but the extra room means I can pack toner during travel — bonus!

Asukarando

I picked TWO!
〈3D Mesh Drawstring Pouch with Handle, Size S〉
〈Polyester Mesh Drawstring Pouch, Double Type, Size M〉

I prioritize visibility and cleanliness for makeup pouches, so the washable mesh fabric is wonderful!
It hangs from hooks AND stands up — super versatile!
The polyester mesh drawstring lets me separate items and lets the kids grab their own things easily ♩

Aikero

For the kids’ diaper-and-clothes pouch, I went with this:
〈Polyester Compressible Sorting Case, Size S〉
I love that I can separate clothes and diapers, and the compression feature makes it travel-friendly. The mesh on one side gives a peek inside. I went back and forth, then finally chose khaki!

Decluttering with Our New Pouches!

Here’s the “before” of our pouches and contents.

Gussan

Finally saying goodbye to this old pouch.
The new one is so cute — every makeup session will be a mood lift! ♩

Asukarando

Totally feel that! Mine was a Ziploc, after all. lol
I might buy more for my other kids! Way more capacity, easier to pack, and you can separate the dirty bag from clothes — so handy.

Gussan

Athletes could pack shoes in the front pocket — also great as a travel clothing set!

Gussan

No way I’m keeping the dirty cotton swabs, but the bent bobby pin? What if I need it the moment I throw it out?

Asukarando

It won’t! lol
And you’ll just put more cotton swabs in there anyway, won’t you?

Gussan

Next time I’ll keep them in a sealed bag! And I’ll probably use this pouch for another 20 years ♡

Aikero

Come to think of it, all I tossed was the pouch itself. lol

Gussan

In the end, I’m the one tossing the most stuff!

Aikero

True!
Look — it compresses so easily!
Great for winter clothes, and once the kids are out of diapers I can fit two kids’ clothes inside, plus it’s perfect for trips!

Decluttering Complete!

Everything looks crisp and feels twice as functional!
We’ll cherish these new pouches just as much as the old ones.

MUJI Week Has Started!

Look at those happy faces!

Asukarando

So clean and so fun to shop together!
Maybe I’ll grab another color for my older boy ♪

Gussan

So fun!
There’s another pouch I want — let’s head back to the floor!

Aikero

Wait wait wait!
Don’t you want to save some money first?

Asukarando

What what?!
Is it… THAT?!

Aikero

Yes! MUJI Week has officially started! ♡
Dates: October 24 (Fri) – November 3 (Mon, holiday), 2025
MUJI members get 10% off — a huge sale!
Note: this round is in-store only!

Gussan

Yes!! Time to grab those other pouches I had my eye on!

Aikero

Just install the ‘MUJI passport’ app and register your email — boom, you’re a member ♩
Earn 1 point per 100 yen, and 1 point = 1 yen toward your next purchase. Sweet deal!

Gussan

October’s almost over!
Clean out that pouch you’ve been ignoring before the year ends!
…says the woman who ignored hers for 20+ years.

For more about the MUJI passport app, click here.

Featured Products

[Product List]
・Wrinkle Nylon Wide-Open Square Pouch — 1,890 yen
・3D Mesh Drawstring Pouch with Handle, Size S — 990 yen
・Polyester Mesh Drawstring Pouch, Double Type, Size M — 990 yen
・Polyester Compressible Sorting Case, Size S — 1,490 yen
[Store Information]
・MUJI Aeon Mall Kumamoto
2232 Nagaike, Kamishima, Kashima-machi, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, Aeon Mall Kumamoto 1F
096-235-4711

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FAQ

※Information is current at the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please verify before visiting.