How to Experience Kansai Without a Yen in Your Pocket
Sep 26, 2024 By Justin Hanus
The Kansai region has many great attractions well-known across Japan. However, these often come at a price and you can soon rack up the yen if you want to make the most of things. Fortunately, there is also plenty of free and low-cost fun stuff that can be ideal if...[ Click to read more ]
A Wax a Day Keeps the Hair Away! Waxing in Hiroshima
By Jade Brischke
Western women (and some men) who are used to having easy access to beauty salons that specialize in waxing are often a tad fearful they won’t be able to find the same services here in Japan. Waxing, especially Brazilian, is still a relatively new concept in Japan. In a smaller...[ Click to read more ]
Halloween in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Halloween isn’t as big a deal in Japan as it is in the U.S., meaning you won’t see places filled with jack-o-lanterns, witches’ broomsticks, or cobweb decorations. However, Halloween has become a thing over the past couple of decades. Japan began to embrace Halloween when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first...[ Click to read more ]
The Perfect Place for Coffee in Hiroshima
Aug 30, 2024 By Jade Brischke
Japan remains a nation with more of a tea culture than a coffee culture, but there is a growing fascination with the bean. This is going beyond the proliferation of Starbucks branches popping up across the country. Cities including Hiroshima have been developing an independent coffee shop scene, with many...[ Click to read more ]
Family Days Out in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Located in the north of Japan’s Kyushu region, Kumamoto prefecture has a rich culture and plenty of affordable attractions if you’re looking for a day out that all the family can enjoy. From fun outdoor activities to educational experiences, here are a few great destinations if you’re looking to keep...[ Click to read more ]
Getting Your Daily Bread – Bakeries in Nagoya
By William Farrow
Nagoya often stands out for it distinctive cuisine. The traditional favorites like miso katsu and hitsumabushi usually come to mind when thinking of foods here. However, Nagoya is more than things slathered in red miso and fried to varying degrees. Offering a delightful blend of local flavors and European-inspired confections,...[ Click to read more ]
Family Disaster Preparation, Survival, and Response in Japan
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 ]
Beating the Heat at Tokyo’s Waterparks
Aug 28, 2024 By Michael Stigall
According to the latest weather reports, us Tokyo residents will be experiencing high temperatures until October. While we are basically at the zenith of heat in August, it is still going to be awhile before things get comfortable. So what’s something to do when the air outside is thick with...[ Click to read more ]
Learn All About Tokyo’s Most Famous Artist at the Sumida Hokusai Museum
By Michael Stigall
It sometimes can be a bit surprising to learn that at one point in time the busiest parts of Tokyo weren’t the bustling areas of Shinjuku and Shibuya but were actually located to the East. Indeed, in old Edo (the former name for Tokyo), the Eastern area of the city...[ Click to read more ]
Learning Japanese in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Learning the language can be the quickest way to integrate into the culture when you move to a new country. Japanese can be challenging as it involves learning a new writing system, however it can also be fun and there many places to learn, ranging from university courses to friendly...[ Click to read more ]
