New Year or Oshōgatsu (お正月) is the most important holiday of the year for the Japanese. It’s a family holiday that is steeped in long tradition and is a far cry from the parties and public displays of drunkenness that often define the countdown to the New Year for many around the world. Here is what […]
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Setagaya Boroichi: Winter Flea Market Shopping in Tokyo
Love a good treasure hunt? Are you a shopper who loves the pursuit of a bargain? Then come rummage to your heart’s content at one of Tokyo’s biggest flea markets, the Setagaya Boroichi (世田谷ボロ市). Held biannually on December 15th-16th and January 15th-16th, this 400-year-old flea market is an important event on the area’s calendar. The […]
Travel guide to Tokyo’s semi-tropical Hachijo Island (Hachijojima)
Tropical islands may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tokyo, but let me assure you, they exist, palm trees and all. While there are technically over 200 physical islands that fall under Tokyo’s jurisdiction, for the purposes of beach and resort tourism, there are 11. And today we’re […]
Becoming Muslim in Japan: The Story of a Japanese Muslimah
日本でムスリムとなる：日本人ムスリマの歩み A post shared by ありさ ???? اريسا (@nurarisamaryam) on Jul 30, 2017 at 4:34am PDT Today we have a special interview with Nur Arisa Maryam, a Japanese Muslimah (a Japanese woman of the Muslim faith). When I first learned about Arisa through a Muslim friend in Tokyo, I felt compelled to contact her and share […]
Uncovering Niigata’s tradition of craftsmanship in Tsubame-Sanjo
The Japanese are not new to the world of design and innovation. “A knack for design” would be putting it lightly and “world-class craftsmanship” not an overstatement. ‘Made in Japan’ represents more than just place of manufacture, it elicits an image of quality often unparalleled. Yet ask a visitor where these state-of-the-art products are made […]
Renting in Japan: How difficult is it for foreigners to get apartments?
In a nutshell: very. Our lease is up for renewal this month, which reminded me that it’s already been two years since we finally got this place. Do you remember the drama just to get it? If you’re a new reader or simply missed it, you should read the post on how this place was […]
Your Ultimate Guide to a Grand Sumo Tournament in Japan
Watching a sumo tournament in Japan is a fascinating experience. Consider it not just a sporting event, but a display of long-standing culture and tradition. While it’s pretty easy to understand who wins and who loses, if you don’t know anything else about sumo, a lot of what makes it special will be lost, which […]
Japan’s Annual Health Checks: The good, the bad and the problematic
“I got all A’s on my health check!” I called out to Hai as I opened my letter containing the results of this year’s medical examination. “What’s new?” he called back, probably rolling his eyes at the same time. A friendly dig at the fact I did well in school. Yes, in Japan we get […]
How to get to Tokyo City from Narita Airport (and vice versa)
There are two international airports that service Tokyo. The main international airport, Narita Airport, isn’t actually in Tokyo at all, it’s located in the neighbouring prefecture of Chiba. The second is Haneda Airport, the city’s main domestic airport, now also the departure and arrival point of an increasing number of international flights. Depending on where […]