This year went by quick. It seemed like only yesterday that summer would never end and now, all of a sudden, it is time for the holidays. Or maybe autumn...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of...[ Click to read more ]
Halloween is probably one of the greatest examples I can think of when I reflect on how Japan has changed over the last decade or so as well was the...[ Click to read more ]
According to the latest weather reports, us Tokyo residents will be experiencing high temperatures until October. While we are basically at the zenith of heat in August, it is still...[ Click to read more ]
It sometimes can be a bit surprising to learn that at one point in time the busiest parts of Tokyo weren’t the bustling areas of Shinjuku and Shibuya but were...[ Click to read more ]
We’ve talked about IC cards before. There’s Suica. There’s Pasmo. There’s ICOCA. There’s Manaca. So many cards! But the good news is that most of them can be used throughout...[ Click to read more ]
Food shopping in Japan has a reputation for being a touch on the expensive side, and as you wander the aisles of your local supermarket looking at your basic groceries...[ Click to read more ]
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...[ Click to read more ]
In summer, is there anything better than sipping on an ice cold beer as the city temperature rises? Well yes, actually there is: Digging into a freshly grilled piece of...[ Click to read more ]
You are not going to get complaints from me about living in Japan. I am generally happy here, but still, I prefer to use products and eat foods from my...[ Click to read more ]