The Japanese Whisky Paradox: Little Known and Widely Admired
Jun 25, 2016 By Justin Hanus
If you have lived most of your life outside Japan you might not be familiar with Japanese whisky. Although the fermented grain mash alcohol has been distilled on the islands since the late 1800s, Japan’s take on the storied spirit was not actively exported around the world (without the “e”)...[ Click to read more ]
Dealing with Mosquitoes at Home in Japan
Jun 21, 2016 By Justin Hanus
It is summer. It is hot. It is wet and humid. And you are probably sharing your Japanese evenings with large, striped Tiger mosquitoes. The insects hatch and begin hunting for mammalian blood in April and continue until the first cold weather in fall. Most of the time the bites...[ Click to read more ]
Day Trips From Nagoya – Ise Shima
Jun 20, 2016 By Bert Wishart
Following the visiting of the G7 national heads of states, Ise Shima has been in the news frequently as of late. But there is so much more to the beautiful Mie Prefecture spot than politics. About Ise Shima The Ise-Shima region refers to the areas of eastern Mie Prefecture in or around Ise-Shima National...[ Click to read more ]
Osaka is the Tenka no Daidokoro (the Nation’s Kitchen) – Not What You Think
May 19, 2016 By Justin Hanus
Before the world bought into the abstract concept of money - whereby a piece of metal or paper can stand in for something of real value - trade was conducted in commodities that had actual value. In the Mediterranean, one of those commodities was salt, and we still have remnants...[ Click to read more ]
Osaka’s Tsuruhashi: Japan’s Largest Korea Town
Mar 22, 2016 By Justin Hanus
Culture breaks down political barriers Putting aside various political differences, the Japanese people of late have been besotted by Korean pop culture. This includes Korean television drama programs that draw large Japanese audiences and the infectious popularity of young Korean music stars, K-pop. This ultimately infused vitality into Japan’s two...[ Click to read more ]
Kobe Beef: The Real Deal
Feb 22, 2016 By Justin Hanus
Russia has its caviar, Maine has its lobsters, and Kobe has its beef. There are no Kobe beef cows. They are a breed of Wagyu cattle that are raised in Hyogo Prefecture. Cattle have been raised in Japan for 2000 years but because of the mountainous terrain of the island...[ Click to read more ]
A Vending Machine Is Ready to Serve You
Jan 26, 2016 By Justin Hanus
It does not take long living in Japan to get the feeling you are in the presence of our new robot overlords: vending machines. You encounter the retail dispensers everywhere. Ride the subway? There’s a vending machine. Take a walk in the park? There’s a vending machine. Go to the...[ Click to read more ]
Housing Insurance in Japan
Jan 21, 2016 By
A Japanese rental contract will usually stipulate that the lessee is to enroll in an insurance policy. Despite being one of the world's biggest markets for insurance, the selection and range of insurance products available in Japan is actually quite limited. Home insurance policies tend to include a degree of...[ Click to read more ]
Thai Restaurants in Tokyo
Dec 22, 2015 By Bert Wishart
Japan is rightly lauded for being a nation of amazing food. From sashimi to sushi, from nabe to bashimi, there is so much to taste here. However, wasabe and Taiwan Ramen aside, it doesn't really do much in the way of strong, spicy flavours. Which is why, for those of you...[ Click to read more ]
The Great Hanshin/Awaji Earthquake: Kobe Remembers
Dec 21, 2015 By Justin Hanus
Japan is right at the top of the list of world countries facing the most danger from earthquakes. Geologists will explain about the subduction of the restless Philippine Sea plate that lies beneath the Okinawa plate and the Amurian plate that triggers high-intensity earthquakes. Many cities of Japan carry sad...[ Click to read more ]
