Family Disaster Preparation, Survival, and Response in Japan
Aug 30, 2024 By Ray Proper
No one wants to be part of a disaster, but if you have to, Japan is one of the best places to do it. From building codes to government and civil procedures, the Japanese government has built pretty good infrastructure for use "in an emergency." While they do a good...[ Click to read more ]
Your Summer Must-Eats
Jul 31, 2024 By William Farrow
Summers in Nagoya are hot. Hot and humid. Humid and miserable. Miserable an...you know what, let's stop there. While the summer heat often is at the forefront of everyone's mind, there are some excellent food choices out there for residents that are worth braving the heat and humidity. Furthermore, residents...[ Click to read more ]
Your Guide to Bugs, Wanted and Unwanted
By William Farrow
Bugs are usually at the bottom of the invited guests list for any residence. Japan is home to a rather diverse amount of insects from cute butterflies to large, venomous centipedes normally found only in the recesses of our nightmares. Summertime brings increased insect activity all over the country, which...[ Click to read more ]
Surviving Summer Weekends with Kids
By William Farrow
With summer comes summer vacation. What was once a strong, fond memory of days with no school or responsibility and the only challenge being determining which order to play with what toys takes a stark change in tone and goals when you find yourself on the parental side. Remote workers...[ Click to read more ]
Luxurious Getaways Right Here in Aichi
Jun 28, 2024 By Bert Wishart
So, the summer is upon us, which means it's traditionally the time to take a break and get away for a while. However, that's not always possible. It could be that the weak yen is hurting your chances of going abroad, perhaps you're too busy with work to make a...[ Click to read more ]
Do You Know Nags? – Uncovering Nagoya’s Hidden Gems – Part 7
By Bert Wishart
Whether you’re new in the city or are a Showa Gaijin, Nagoya is a city that always surprises. New restaurants, shops, and drinking establishments spring up all the time, and you can be wandering down an oft-trodden street and come across an ancient temple that you’ve never seen before. We...[ Click to read more ]
Get the Wind in Your Summer Sails with Water Sports in Aichi
By Bert Wishart
When I first moved to Nagoya, I was pretty happy because it was right near the coast. I had visions of the sorts of beaches one sees in Thailand or Okinawa. Unfortunately, though the Ise and Mikawa bays are meccas for fishing, they are not exactly the most picturesque of...[ Click to read more ]
Kiyosu Castle, The ‘Other’ Nagoya Castle
May 31, 2024 By Bert Wishart
For first-time visitors to Nagoya, Nagoya Castle is usually the first port of call. This is kind of understandable, as both its grandness and its location makes it an obvious focal point. That said, having been built after the Warring Period (15th-16th century) had come to a close, it is...[ Click to read more ]
Spice up Your Life with Nagoya’s Thai Restaurants
By Bert Wishart
Japan is rightly celebrated for being a nation of phenomenal food. From sashimi to oden, from yakitori to yakiniku, there is so much to love about the local cuisine. However, wasabi and Taiwan Ramen aside, there is nothing that really clears out the sinuses, spice-wise. Which is why, for you...[ Click to read more ]
Checking out Tamamiya-cho, Gifu’s Most Eclectic Night Spot
Apr 30, 2024 By Bert Wishart
While Nagoya's nightlife hotspots of Sakae and Meieki have a lot to say for themselves, it could be argued that what they make up in variety of establishments, as they tailor towards the after-work crowds, they can lack in personality. If you want to find somewhere in which you can...[ Click to read more ]
