Gogatsu Byou – The May Malaise
Apr 23, 2018 By Bert Wishart
It is possible that not all is well in your life at the moment. You may have felt a discord, a disharmony. You may feel down, fed up, disheartened. And it’s not just you, but your co-workers, your family, your children are not quite themselves. There is depression in the...[ Click to read more ]
Top Tips for Traveling Around Japan
Mar 23, 2018 By Justin Hanus
As Japan has so much to offer, it’s worth taking a trip to see different parts of the country. If you speak only a little or no Japanese, the prospect of such a journey can be daunting. However with the right planning, you can visit any destination from touristic cities...[ Click to read more ]
How to “Spring Clean” Your Japanese House
Feb 21, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
You may have noticed not needing to crank the heater up as much, or seeing a bit more light in the skies past 5pm because the days are slowly getting longer. Soon springtime will be here, along with a sudden urge to clean, organize and sort your entire abode. And...[ Click to read more ]
Notary Public in Japan
Feb 12, 2018 By Admin
"Where can I find a notary public in Japan" is a common question, the answer is unfortunately not so great. The majority of people from overseas who need notary public services in Japan will get that service provided through their embassy or consulate.
Best Cafes to Work from in Central Tokyo
Jan 26, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
Here in Japan, the image of the hardworking, tie-and-collar, briefcase toting salaryman is still alive and well; my daily commute aboard some of Tokyo’s most notoriously crowded trains is chocked full of them (including myself I suppose.) But just as in the rest of the developed world, the place where...[ Click to read more ]
8 Popular Historic Sites in Kobe
Jan 23, 2018 By Justin Hanus
Places brimming with history exude that magical charm tourists cannot resist. It’s always on our list of must do’s when traveling to visit castles, temples, shrines, museums, churches and every single historical site that transports us back to the past. We marvel at the architectural craftsmanship and ingenuity of the...[ Click to read more ]
Etiquette for Staying in a Ryokan
Dec 22, 2017 By Justin Hanus
A ryokan is a Japanese inn — although the word “inn” doesn’t do it justice. This traditional form of accommodation provides a distinct experience, unlike anything you will have come across in a hotel. The most important things to know when staying in a ryokan are the rules of etiquette...[ Click to read more ]
Super Sento and the art of relaxation in Tokyo
Nov 29, 2017 By Jason Gatewood
It's no secret that Japan is one of the most seismically active places on Earth. But this is also a good thing when you take one of the country's most valuable assets into consideration: the Onsen, which is Japanese for hot spring. You can find hot springs all over Japan,...[ Click to read more ]
Kansai or Kanto? Who Ya Got?
Nov 21, 2017 By Justin Hanus
“You despise me, don’t you Rick?” says Peter Lorre’s Ugarte to Humphrey Bogart’s Richard Blaine in Casablanca. “If I gave you any thought I probably would,” replies Bogart dismissively, deflating his presumed rival. The exchange is reminiscent of the regional rivalry that divides Eastern Japan (Kanto and Tokyo) and Western...[ Click to read more ]
Kansai’s Pivotal Role in Japanese Folk Rock
By Justin Hanus
The 1960s have been immortalized as a time of cultural revolution in places like the United States and Europe. If anything the disruption was even greater in Japanese society. The country was awash in American culture after a generation of United States military influence in the years after World War...[ Click to read more ]
