Using Kerosene Heaters in Japan

Oct 20, 2014 By

Outside of Tokyo and other urban areas, central heating is not really a thing in Japan.  High end properties will off such amenities, but generally heating your entire home uniformly is avoided, as heating spaces not being actively used is seen as wasteful here.  Instead, rooms in the home are heated...[ Click to read more ]

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Japanese Fairy Tales You Can Read with Your Children

Oct 14, 2014 By Bert Wishart

If you have children there is perhaps nothing more rewarding than reading them bedtime stories. But let’s face it, there is only so many times that you can read The Gruffalo or Little Red Riding Hood. As such, why not add an extra layer of interest to your quality time, for...[ Click to read more ]

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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 ]

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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 ]

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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 ]

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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 ]

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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 ]

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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 ]

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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 ]

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