Troubleshooting Poor Home Wifi Connections
Feb 15, 2020 By Admin
This article does not have to start off listing the ways you need internet, you just do. The internet is an ever-present facet of modern life, whether at work or at home, you need it. This is especially true for expats who have a strong need for the communication, information,...[ Click to read more ]
A Blooming Great Valentine’s Day – Where, and How, to Buy Flowers in Nagoya
Jan 31, 2020 By Bert Wishart
Continuing a tradition that goes back to the time that St Valentine wondered what to get Cupid as a thank you for all his hard work spreading the love*, for many couples Valentine's Day is about giving and receiving flowers. Back home, this can be fraught with difficulty if you...[ Click to read more ]
Setsubun Festivals in Hiroshima – Out With the Bad, in With the Good!
By Hugh Cann
Each year, on the third of February, harried fathers across Japan put on paper demon masks and are pelted with roasted soybeans by their children, who cry “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi!” (Demon out, Fortune in!) until dad flees out the front door into the night air. Or turns...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Animal Cafes
Jan 30, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
One of the cutest and most unique recent trends in Japan is the cat cafe, where one can enjoy a cup of coffee while playing with cats that roam the shop in search of kibble, doled out by customers for an additional fee. Because space is at a premium in...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s tour: Odaiba
Jan 29, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
You may not know the Odaiba district by name before coming to Japan. Still, you have undoubtedly seen its various landmarks turn up in almost every form of media that showcases modern Tokyo. From landmarks like the triangular inverted pyramid of Tokyo Big Sight to the sprawling convention center, ginormous Ferris...[ Click to read more ]
Valentine’s Traditions in Kansai
Jan 28, 2020 By Justin Hanus
If you have a special “other half” in your life, chances are that you might have Valentine’s Day on your mind pretty soon. Valentine’s Day is done a little differently in Japan but it has become a big occasion over the past half a century or so. If you’re living...[ Click to read more ]
Tips for Staying Warm in the Winter in Japan
Jan 21, 2020 By Justin Hanus
The weather can be quite extreme in Japan. Whereas there are sweltering-hot days in the summer, the winter can bring freezing temperatures and even snow, particularly in the north of the country. If you’re unused to cold weather — or just low temperatures in poorly insulated buildings — you may...[ Click to read more ]
A Big Part of Nagoya’s Community: Small World
Dec 28, 2019 By Bert Wishart
One of the hardest things when coming to a new country is not only getting to know people but also knowing where to find them. Yes, we can meet people at work, or we can head to bars or coffee shops, but finding people who share our interests - or...[ Click to read more ]
Fukubukuro: Lucky Bag Shopping for New Years
Dec 27, 2019 By Admin
Forgetting the fact that Japan somehow now has a Black Friday manufactured shopping holiday in the middle of November, the traditional shopper's marathon is the first three days of the year. It makes sense because most people are off work and school, workers are flush with their winter bonus pay,...[ Click to read more ]
What to do in Tokyo over the New Year’s Holidays 2019
By Jason Gatewood
People say Tokyo is the most restless city in the world, but maybe they've never been here around the traditional New Year holiday period when most residents aren't punching the clock. Instead, they are spending time with their families, often well outside the Metropolis in their hometowns. Pretty much any...[ Click to read more ]
