This post is a special personal essay on our homestay in Sapa, Vietnam with a Black Hmong family. Here you will see a completely different …
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5 Breathtaking Things to do in Yakushima, Japan’s natural wonder
Yakushima may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it's still one of Japan's best-kept secrets. Located just south of Kyushu mainland, this …
White Day: Japan’s Answer to Valentine’s Day
You may feel like one Valentine's Day a year is enough, but Japan's confectionery industry thinks otherwise. In addition to celebrating …
What women are expected to do on Valentine’s Day in Japan
You might be surprised to learn that Valentine's Day in Japan is celebrated rather differently than in much of the rest of the …
Climbing Mt. Kinabalu on a Budget
If you're planning on going to Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) and have already done some research on climbing Mt. Kinabalu, you've probably …
Some no Komichi: Experience Tokyo’s River of Kimono Silks
The Some no Komichi is a three-day event held in late February showcasing traditional Japanese textile dyeing techniques. The event is …
So, how can we overcome “amusement park syndrome”?
When I wrote 'Yes, Japan is unique, but it's not your fantasy land' last week, I wasn't sure of the response it would get. I mean, I write a …
11 easy ways to stay warm on your trip to Japan in winter
Staying warm in Japan in winter can be a challenge. The country's chilly winters often take people by surprise and subsequently leave them …
Yes, Japan is unique, but it’s not your fantasy land
I've thought about writing this post for a long time. There were some days and weeks over the past year when I'd witness such poor behavior …
How to Read a Japanese Calendar
Understanding how to read a Japanese calendar is an important part of life in Japan. While it may seem intimidating at first when you see a …