Gyudon at Yoshinoya – Beef Bowls for Everybody!
Sep 02, 2014 By Ray Proper
“Gyudon,” a (beef bowl) belongs in the Japanese category of a donburi, or bowl dish. It is made with beef and onion ladled over a bowl of rice. The beef and onion are prepared with soy sauce, mirin, sugar and sake. This actually tells you very little about the flavor,...[ Click to read more ]
Tebasaki – Famous Nagoya Meibutsu
Aug 05, 2014 By First Admin
Famous foods for any given area in Japan are called meibutsu. Osaka meibutsu is okonomiyaki (as is Hiroshima's meibutsu, but they have their own famous style of the same dish), and in the mountains of Nagano it is Shinshu Soba. My favourite meibutsu of all is one of the meibutsu of...[ Click to read more ]
Churches and Places of Worship in Nagoya
By Ray Proper
The Nagoya International Center does a good job of keeping track of these; if you do not see what you are looking for here, try here! [spacer height="10px"] Nagoya All Saints International Church provides a weekly opportunity for personal renewal, spiritual growth and soulful refreshment for all those who seek it....[ Click to read more ]
Securing your Home in Nagoya Against Burglary
Jul 28, 2014 By Ray Proper
Although a very safe country to live in generally, not even Japan is completely free of crime. It is easy to let one’s guard down living in a safe and comfortable city like Nagoya, but continued awareness and vigilance will ensure the safety of your home and family. The goal...[ Click to read more ]
Ise Grand Shrine, Mie – One of the Most Sacred Spots in Japan
Jul 22, 2014 By Bert Wishart
Japanese folklore has it that Yata no kagami, or the "eight hand mirror," was brought to earth by Ninigi-no-Mikoto; legendary ancestor of the Japanese imperial line. The mirror is one of the Three Imperial Regalia or Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, and possession is passed from emperor to emperor to confirm the divine...[ Click to read more ]
Gattan Go!! Rail Mountain Biking in Hida Gifu
Jul 16, 2014 By Ray Proper
Looking for an interesting family day trip and adventure? You may enjoy enjoy Gattan Go!!, an innovative hybrid of bicycle and railroad comprised of two bikes linked to each other and set on an out-of-service railroad line in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. You have a variety of options of...[ Click to read more ]
What to do if You Lose Your Residence Card
Jun 27, 2014 By Bert Wishart
When living in a foreign country, there are many exciting and wonderful things to see and do. However, not knowing the local language can sometimes, initially at least, make ordinary and commonplace tasks appear somewhat daunting. One of these such things is dealing with official documentation and bureaucracy, particularly when doing...[ Click to read more ]
Sending a Letter in Japan and Japanese Addresses
Jun 23, 2014 By Ray Proper
Though it rarely comes up with the prevalence of email now-a-days, you sometimes need to mail a letter. This is what you need to know if you want to do it in Japan. A standard letter costs 82 yen to mail. You can buy stamps at the post office or convenience...[ Click to read more ]
Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: Nagano City
Jun 19, 2014 By
Mystical Forests, Ninja Adventures, WWII Tunnels and Mountains Galore Many Japanese associate Nagano City with the iconic Zenkoji Temple, home to the oldest Buddha image in Japan. For non-Japanese, this temple is certainly worth a visit, to appreciate its soaring architecture, and grope around in its pitch-black underground tunnel where...[ Click to read more ]
Golfing in and around Tokyo
Jun 12, 2014 By Bert Wishart
Being packed, seemingly shoulder-to-shoulder, with people you could be forgiven for thinking that Tokyo is not the best place to, to paraphrase Mark Twain, spoil a good walk. However, there are plenty of excellent golfing areas around the capital. Of course there are many roof-top driving ranges, hammering balls into...[ Click to read more ]
