The unseasonably warm autumn ended last week and just as autumn ended, we finally we spent a little bit of autumn activity in Tokyo - the classic walk along gingko tree lines of Meiji Jingu in Aoyama. About Gingko tree lines of Meiji Jingu Tree lines of Meiji Jingu is located in the heart of … Continue reading Autumn walk along the historic gingko tree lines of Meiji Jingu
Last weekend was a long weekend in Japan (November 3rd being Culture Day) so we headed to the center of the northern most island of Japan, Hokkaido prefecture called 旭川 (Asahikawa). What is Culture Day? https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2019/11/02/japan-autumn-wrap-up-rugby-world-cup-ancient-dress-up-festival-and-yet-another-public-holiday/ Fun facts about Asahikawa - 2nd most populated area in Hokkaido- famous for the northern most zoo, Asahikawa zoo- … Continue reading Early taste of winter in Asahikawa region in Hokkaido
This week, I went to Kyoto on a business trip.It was all day and night work activities but I made the most of it with a morning walk along Kamo River to take in Kyoto during my short visit. I decided to wander towards Kyoto station to make my visit last a little bit longer … Continue reading Modern moxibustion
Last weekend, we had family over from overseas. With a dog, a baby and a group of adults, we were searching for a handy getaway with things to do that'll interest many parties. We found an Airbnb with an ocean view, onsen and garden that's accessible from Tokyo in 伊東 （Ito) in Shizuoka prefecture. About … Continue reading Weekend away in Ito
As mentioned in the past blog post, Japan's autumn is often said "🍂 スポーツの秋、読書の秋、芸術の秋、 食欲の秋🍂 Autumn for Sports, Reading, Arts, and Appetite. https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2019/11/02/japan-autumn-wrap-up-rugby-world-cup-ancient-dress-up-festival-and-yet-another-public-holiday/ With record breaking warmth in September and October still experiencing low 30's degree celsius, we wonder what season we're actually in. However, I know for sure that we're in autumn with what's … Continue reading Japanese food in Autumn highlight: Shine Muscat Grapes
Recently, many limited edition of "Otsukimi" menu have started to pop up at many fast foods restaurants around Tokyo. McDonald's Otsukimi promotion KFC's otsukimi promotion My kiwi husband asked me what it's all about and I vaguely recalled from childhood that お月見 (Otsukimi) literally means moon-viewing. I also remember when I lived in Japan with … Continue reading Moon viewing night – Otsukimi
This is the continuation of 4 day road trip in Shikoku (read the part 1 in Kochi). After enjoying the nature walk in Nakatsu Gorge in Kochi on the first day, we drove east towards Tokushima prefecture. Our destination was hidden in the valley of Tokushima prefecture; one of the 3 most hidden areas; Iya … Continue reading Part 2 Shikoku Road Trip – Tokushima and Kagawa
November 23rd is 文化の日 (Culture Day) which is a public holiday in Japan and we had 4 days off.As my husband's birthday was during those 4 days, we traveled to Shikoku region for a road trip. We started the trip in Kochi prefecture where we briefly visited in July 2021 where we swam in the … Continue reading Part 1 Shikoku Road trip – Kochi
Last weekend, we visited a yet another onsen town in Nagano, Japan called 湯田中温泉 (Yudanaka onsen) through autumnal mountainside in Nagano region. About Yudanaka Onsen Yudanaka onsen source was discovered 1,350 years ago and in a walkable region, there are 5 different onsen towns:1. 湯田中 (Yudanaka)2. 新湯田中温泉（Shinyudanaka）3. 星川(Hoshikawa)4. 穂波(Honami)5. 安代 (Andai) Each region have plenty … Continue reading 1,350 year old onsen town, Yudanaka Onsen
Last weekend, my husband and I visited one of the popular onsen (hotspring) destinations from Tokyo called 箱根 (Hakone) in Kanagawa prefecture because we were invited to stay at a company holiday home of one of my husband's friend. About company holiday home I have never heard of a company holiday home, officially called 保養所（Hoyosho, … Continue reading Nature weekend in Autumnal Hakone
Native Expat 