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 combination of letters and numbers, luckily the Japanese date system is extremely easy to master once you understand a few basic concepts. First of all, we need to understand […]
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Insider’s Guide to Using Airbnb in Japan in 2020
Airbnb in Japan is a great alternative to traditional accommodation, both in big cities where accommodation for tourists is often booked out, and also in more rural locations where there is a lack of hotel infrastructure and vacation rentals. Not to mention the added convenience of facilities like a kitchen and a washing machine. We […]
Inu no Hi: Japan’s ‘day of the dog’ for pregnant women
Inu no Hi, literally meaning the ‘Day of the Dog,’ is an important pregnancy ritual and rite of passage for pregnant women in Japan. As dogs are widely believed to have easy and uncomplicated births as well as large litters, dogs are considered to be a symbol of smooth delivery and an animal deity of […]
10 Interesting Things to do in Oita, Japan (that aren’t the Hells)
Oita Prefecture in Kyushu is just one and a half hours by plane from Tokyo and is the perfect addition to a trip to the capital or as a side trip from Fukuoka. Think hot springs, the outdoors, mountains and meditation, which all meld together in a kind of harmony between nature and man. Beppu […]
Kyoto Hidden Gems: 7 Top Things to do in Kyoto You’ve Never Heard Of
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]