How a VPN Can Improve Your Japanese Life
May 31, 2024 By Bert Wishart
Living in Japan's great, isn't it? The food, the history, the natural beauty, and the bustling cities. But do you know what isn't great? Japanese TV. From its slapstick-heavy comedy shows to formulaic police dramas, it's nauseating variety programs, and the endless, ubiquitous food chat, it's pretty woeful. And it's...[ Click to read more ]
Buying a Property in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
If you’re planning the big move to Japan, you may have your heart set on buying your own place rather than renting a home. Kansai has some great properties to buy in places like Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. However, the Japanese home-buying process might be a bit different from what...[ Click to read more ]
Best Outdoor Swimming Locations in Kansai
May 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Whether it’s a day trip to the beach, a dip in a pretty lake or going for a wild swim in a river, making the most of the summer sun and immersing yourself in outdoor waters is one of the best ways to relax as well as enjoy the scenery...[ Click to read more ]
The Hiroshima Dating Scene
By Justin Hanus
Hiroshima, like many cities in Japan, is a blend of traditional cultural norms and more modernized and westernized lifestyles. If you live in the city and are single, you can find plenty of opportunities to meet both local and foreign prospective partners. In addition, there is no shortage of things...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Best American BBQ
By Michael Stigall
In the United States, BBQ is cooking meat for long periods at low temperatures with smoke from a wood fire. BBQ adds a distinctive smoky taste to the meat, and depending on the style in question, BBQ sauce. While BBQ traditions may not have originated in the United States, they...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s All Go to the Keiba-jo! Where to See Horse Racing Near Nagoya
Apr 30, 2024 By Bert Wishart
Though it has much changed over the centuries, keiba [horse racing] in Japan is not merely a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon deeply ingrained in the nation's fabric. With a history going back to the 8th centruy, when its role was of a more religious bent, horse racing remains today...[ Click to read more ]
Top Golfing Spots in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
With almost 2,500 golf courses, Japan is a top destination for golfers. Some of the best clubs are in Kansai, which has courses everywhere from Hyogo to Mie. 1. Tsu Country Club At Tsu Country Club in Mie prefecture, you’ll find an 18-hole championship course spanning a long 7,023 yards....[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Go-Karts
By Michael Stigall
If you’ve been in Tokyo’s tourist areas for just a few hours, you might have caught a glimpse of a fleet of go-karts with costume-clad drivers speeding through the streets. Even if you haven’t seen them up close, you may have heard of them or even caught them all over...[ Click to read more ]
Boat Trips in Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
With six rivers and a bay leading out to the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima prefecture offers ample opportunities for charming and relaxing boat trips where you can see the sights while drifting along on the water. With summer on the doorstep, it’s the perfect time to plan a cruise. You...[ Click to read more ]
Summer Days Out in Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
Surrounded by sea, mountains and pretty waterways, Hiroshima is something of an ideal location to spend away the summer months. If you find yourself with a spare day or two in the prefecture and don’t want to travel too far out, there are plenty of great places to escape to....[ Click to read more ]
