There are many expressions in Japanese that are difficult to translate into other languages due to the connection of the meaning with specific cultural practices and experiences. I find those […]
Books on Japan
Review: “A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind” ★★★★☆
Japan has produced two major exports in the fields of self-help and cleanliness in the past decade: Marie Kondo and Shoukei Matsumoto. “Kon Mari” is by far the bigger name, […]
Books on Japan - Housing in Japan
Review: “From Tatami to Tokyo: The Foreigner’s Handbook Apartment Hunting in Japan” ★★★★☆
“From Tatami to Tokyo: The Foreigner’s Handbook Apartment Hunting in Japan” by Brian Takahashi is a 54-page guidebook for foreigners hunting for an apartment in Japan. The book covers the […]
Expat Life
Bureaucracy in Japan: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
One of the most common complaints I hear from fellow ex-pats, in Japan and elsewhere, is that the bureaucracy is unbearable. I’ve yet to meet another human being who actually […]
Japanese Food
Unveiling the Blades: How to Choose the Best Japanese Cooking Knives
Japanese knives, with their sleek design and razor-sharp edge, have earned a reputation for precision and elegance. But navigating the diverse world of these blades can be daunting, especially with […]
Housing in Japan
A break down of the cheapest places to live in Tokyo
Tokyo is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, this doesn’t mean that living in Tokyo has to break the bank. In this article, I take a look at some […]
Japanese History
Blackened teeth in Japan (ohaguro): a short history
The tradition of Ohaguro, or teeth blackening, holds profound historical significance in Japan, reflecting the deep-seated cultural and aesthetic values of the nation. While not unique to Japan, this practice […]
Japanese Culture
10 Reasons Why Japan is one of the World’s Top 10 Most Visited Countries
According to World Travel Market’s Global Travel Report in 2023, Japan was ranked in the top 10 countries that tourists chose to visit that year. The country has seen a […]
Travel in Japan
Will my phone work in Japan? A Quick Guide for Android & iPhone Users
Traveling to Japan is exciting, but staying connected can be a challenge. So I put together a quick guide to help you understand if your phone will work and explore […]
Japanese Literature
My Inglorious Attempt at Writing Haiku
Ok, I’ve never pretended to be a poet, and that’s not gonna change anytime soon. But I’ve been reading a collection of Basho’s haiku, and I was inspired. It’s just […]
Expat Life
From Sunburn to Suica Master: The Transformation of Long-Term Foreign Residents in Japan :)
Warning: this is tongue-in-cheek, aka sarcasm, aka a little bit of fun, aka don’t take it seriously. So I was in the bath last night, and I thought to myself, […]
Japanese Theatre
Kabuki theatre in Tokyo: a very quick guide
Kabuki, a form of entertainment that originated in the 17th century, combines drama, dance, and music, with performers donning elaborate costumes and expressive makeup. One of the main kabuki theatres […]