Tokyo’s Christmas Markets 2023
Nov 30, 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 ]
Biking Around Tokyo
Oct 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall
As sure as you'll find vending machines, convenience stores, and a small shrine in the average Japanese neighborhood, you'll find people traveling around on a bicycle. More everyday transport than pleasure, most Japanese use their bikes to run errands, ferry children to daycare, and get to and from their local...[ 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 ]
How to Get an ETC Card in Japan
Oct 19, 2023 By Justin Hanus
To pay the expressway tolls in Japan, it helps to have an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) card. This allows you to make automatic cashless payments instead of needing to stop at tollbooths and pay in cash. There are even special lanes at the tolls for holders of ETC cards, which...[ 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 ]
Tokyo’s Best Mexican Food
By Michael Stigall
Tokyo is the "World's Greatest Food City," and at last count, home to over 200 Michelin-starred restaurants. More than ramen, udon, and tonkatsu places, you can find whatever a human can consume if you search hard enough in the Metropolis. But just because you can find it doesn't necessarily mean...[ 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 ]
Find Your Halloween Costume in Tokyo
By Ray Proper
Halloween is rapidly approaching, so get your costume soon because leaving your costume to the last minute and dressing as "an ax murderer, because they look just like you and me" isn't as creative as you think it is. Halloween was not really "a thing" in Japan previously, but recently...[ Click to read more ]
Family Disaster Preparation, Survival, and Response in Japan
Sep 21, 2023 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 ]
