Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Often seen as the perfect counterbalance to modern and futuristic Tokyo, Kyoto is the go-to city for all things “traditional Japan” – temples, shrines, geisha, kimono and green tea. Allbethey exquisite, most people limit their Kyoto exploration to a circuit of the most famous […]
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How a bottomless water ladle aids your safe childbirth in Japan
Japanese water ladles, known as hishaku, are a common sight in Japan. Traditionally made of bamboo, you can find them at the entrance of shrines to cleanse your hands and mouth before entering (temizu), as well as being used as part of Japanese tea ceremony. But one relatively unknown usage of Japanese water ladles is […]
Pregnancy Update: 2 months to go!
It’s already been three months since my last pregnancy update! Last time I wrote about the pregnancy I was announcing it(!) and I was almost 19 weeks. Now I’m 32 weeks, and, as you can imagine, a lot has changed. No small feat has been leaving Tokyo, our home of 10 years, and moving back […]
Life Update: Moving from Japan to Australia
It’s been a while since our last life update and a LOT has happened. After 10 wonderful years, we have packed up our lives in Tokyo, Japan and moved back to Melbourne, Australia. As you can imagine, it’s been a big move and an even bigger once since I’m 7 months pregnant. We’ve now been […]
12 Incredible and Interesting Things to do in Ibaraki, Japan
While many people spend the majority of their Japan holiday time in Tokyo, most don’t realize that there are a whole host of amazing attractions they’ve never heard of just a train ride away. Ibaraki is only around two hours north-east of Tokyo and it’s packed with culture and nature, and some incredible spots that […]
Sapa Homestay: The Most Authentic Homestay in Sapa, Vietnam
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 side to Vietnam – a place where two legs or four are the main modes of transportation, where the air is fresh and skies go on forever, and where there […]
Announcing Baby Nomad 2019
You may have noticed that we’ve been a little absent around here and on our social media recently, but we have a good reason, we promise! Hai and I are very happy to announce that we’re expecting a baby nomad in 2019! Yep, now that we’re shedding those winter layers, it’s time to reveal the […]
Saying goodbye to the Heisei era – what happened and why it’s significant
Today marks the final day of the Heisei era in Japan. It’s a rainy day here in Tokyo, which some might say is a shame, but in a way it’s the perfect ending – a nice excuse to slow down, stay indoors and reflect on the occasion. Era names assigned to periods of time have […]
5 Reasons you Should Visit the Sanriku Coast of Iwate in 2019
If you’re looking for the perfect place for a little Japanese seaside getaway with great food, a dramatic coastline and the friendliest locals, the Sanriku coast of Iwate is not only largely undiscovered by foreign tourists, it’s got a heart that you’ll remember long after your trip. The kind you find beating in the inaka […]
Toyota City Guide: Top Things to do in Toyota, Japan
“If Toyota catches a cold, Nagoya does.” This local saying expresses just how much influence Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture’s second largest city with around 420,000 residents, has on the prefectural capital’s financial health and well-being, and indeed on the entire country’s. So, what makes Toyota so vital to regional and national economic success? Well, it’s […]