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 lot of things about Japan and, honestly, it’s surprising sometimes which posts are popular and which ones aren’t. I’m sure I’m not alone in a sense […]
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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 unprepared. Temperatures generally range from single digits to low teens, although this varies greatly from south to north. You can expect milder temperatures in tropical Okinawa to the south and frigid sub-zero […]
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 from foreign visitors in Japan that I was honestly close to writing it. But then I would close my notebook and put it aside. I don’t feel like some […]
Japanese New Year Customs – everything you need to know
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 […]
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 […]