Tokyo is now in summer mode with the weather being constantly over 30 degrees and the sun rises before around 4:30am. Work has been busy and as June is one of the few months in Japan without a public holiday, I am longing for mid July when we have a long weekend. I have been … Continue reading Aomori is calling us
The morning and night time are more bearable with cooler temperature in Tokyo these days. Compared to the height of summer, the daytime is 1 1/2 hours shorter and it feels that the intense, humid and hot Tokyo summer may be behind us. In Japan, summer doesn't calmly shift to cool and crisp autumn but … Continue reading Typhoon season and emergency goods in style
Many international visitors come to Japan for various reasons from cherryblossom viewing or hanami in spring, hiking Mount Fuji in summer and the crimson falling leaves in autumn and skiing in winter. No matter the season, what everyone loves about Japan is food. One of my friends mentioned that you can eat quality pizza in … Continue reading Bounties from the top to the bottom of Japan
Tokyo summer is unrelenting. The sun rises before 4:20am, concrete and high rise buildings absorb the heat and the heat emanates from every direction. It's difficult to escape the heat, but being amongst nature is one way to cool down. We have enjoyed cooling off at Okutama river at the edge of Tokyo : https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2020/08/15/is-this-really-tokyo-cooling-off-in-okutama/ … Continue reading Tropical oasis in the middle of Tokyo
After a fun weekend away to Shirahama beach in Wakayama prefecture, I wanted to soak up in nature close by in Tokyo so I searched for some day trip hiking location. I found a scenic waterfall walking trail in Chiba prefecture that was 1 1/2hour drive from Tokyo. Walking along waterfall seemed like a cooling … Continue reading Don’t go chasing waterfalls…in Chiba
The thing I miss the most about living away from Australia and living in Japan (besides family and friends) is beaches. The abundant, clean, peaceful and beautiful Australian beaches like this Tamarama Beach in Sydney, Australia. In contrast, what's missing in the Australian life and one of the things I love about Japanese life is … Continue reading Onsen beach town, Shirahama in Wakayama
It is forecasted that Tokyo will enter 梅雨(tsuyu) or the rainy season from tomorrow or Monday 24th June which is nearly 2 weeks later than the average rainy season start date. The start and the end date of tsuyu and the amount of rain during the tsuyu season has been recorded since 1951 by Japan … Continue reading Delayed rainy season in Tokyo
From the south of Japan to north of Japan, Japanese consume corns. This post has a history of corn in Japan and how to cook a corn the Japanese way.
Last weekend was a long weekend that started on Friday. Usually, we would be traveling around but since the pandemic has ended, Japanese and overseas travelers are revenge traveling with vengeance! During the pandemic, we were totally spoilt driving through relatively empty roads, booking great accommodations last minute, enjoying nearly empty world-famous Japanese travel destinations. … Continue reading Weekend away at Shima Onsen, Gunma
Last weekend, I finally wore my yukata (summer light weight kimono) 👘 to not just one but two summer festivals in Tokyo; one in Ginza and another in Nakameguro. For more information about yukata, please read my previous blog about yukata. Ginza's summer festival - Yukata de Ginbura ゆかたで銀ぶら (Yukata de Ginbura - wander around … Continue reading Strolling summer festivals in yukata
Native Expat 