Cool Japan – How to Stay Warm in the Japanese Winter
Dec 27, 2023 By Bert Wishart
While winters in Japan’s more mountainous and northern regions get pretty chilly, here in Nagoya, temperatures rarely drop below zero. However, for some reason, I constantly feel frozen to my marrow, and I bet I'm not the only one. This is partly because few homes and office buildings are sufficiently...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima Cinemas
Nov 30, 2023 By Matt Mangham
We’re fast approaching the peak cinema season as the weather chills, the nights draw in and this year’s big winter blockbusters hit our screens. Japan has a rich culture of film-making and its citizens love going to the movies as much as anyone else. The cinema experience in Japan is...[ Click to read more ]
Odaiba’s Misfit Museum: The Unko Museum
By Michael Stigall
Maybe I've been here too long but sometimes I forget that Japan has a reputation for being, well, a weird place. Occasionally, I come across something that surprises and delights me as much as it reminds me that there is a reason for the weird reputation. This brings us to...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Christmas Markets 2023
By Michael Stigall
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Europe right before the holiday season was underway. One upside to this trip was experiencing the Christmas Markets that pop up in both major cities and small villages. These markets sell festive food and drink and all sorts of Christmas decorations....[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illuminations in Tokyo 2023
By Michael Stigall
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of it will be gone by morning on December 26th. Without fail, every bell, light, and garlands; every decoration will come...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima Dreamination: One of the Best Winter Events in the City
Oct 27, 2023 By Justin Hanus
For more than two decades, Hiroshima has held Dreamination every winter. Downtown is transformed with around 500 figures and tunnels made from a million and a half LED lights. Dreamination has become one of the winter events the city is most renowned for, attracting thousands of people. After an inauguration,...[ Click to read more ]
The Top Parks Around Tokyo
Oct 26, 2023 By Michael Stigall
The metropolis is a great place to live, but the space available isn't always great. Being constantly surrounded by buildings can feel a bit oppressive after a while. That is when it is to get out and recharge in a spot with some green, take a mental health day! Granted,...[ Click to read more ]
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, Osaka
Sep 28, 2023 By Justin Hanus
Halloween Horror Nights is one of the biggest annual events at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. From the popular street zombies to frightening mazes, it features numerous attractions just for the season. Some are available all day, but many of the horror-themed events start at 6:00 p.m. Know what to...[ Click to read more ]
Odakyu’s Romancecar Museum
Sep 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall
It's an open secret that one of the reasons I enjoy living in Japan is that public transportation is held in high regard and promoted by the people as a matter of social, security, and cultural importance. Most people think of the Shinkansen "bullet train" network of high-speed rail routes....[ Click to read more ]
Volunteering in the Tokyo Area
By Michael Stigall
When living in a new country, offering your free time to help the local community can be a great thing. One such way is volunteering for a nonprofit organization (NPO). Volunteering has a lot of upsides and a few downsides. It is a great way to meet new people when...[ Click to read more ]
