What can’t be brought into Japan | must read for those planning a trip to Japan

Haneda International Airport during sunrise

2024 was a record breaking year for Japan - more than 36.8 million foreign visitors came to Japan! Driven by weak yen, flights offered to Japan post pandemic and Conde Nast Traveller's Top Countries in the World: Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 #1 country, Japan offers a lot of reason to visit. https://www.cntraveler.com/story/top-countries-in-the-world South Korea, China … Continue reading What can’t be brought into Japan | must read for those planning a trip to Japan →

What is omiyage and 5 Japanese souvenir friends loved

We have been away from Japan for nearly a month now. During our visit to Australia to visit friends and family, we weren't empty handed as it's the Japanese custom to bring お土産 (Omiyage or souvenir). I remember pre-pandemic, Monday morning office kitchen will have at least one omiyage from some colleague who visited somewhere … Continue reading What is omiyage and 5 Japanese souvenir friends loved →

Tasty tax reduction, how furusato nozei works

How is it already the last month of the year? Only few more weeks and 2020 is over. It's the month of wrapping up -at work I'm doing lots of reviews and last minute planning . At home, it's the last minute preparation of sending gifts, holiday planning and what cannot be forgotten in Japan … Continue reading Tasty tax reduction, how furusato nozei works →

How to update Australian and New Zealand driver’s license in Japan 🚗

Last week's major accomplishment and another step for me to feel like a Japanese local (again). I got my Japanese driver's license🎉. I haven't needed to drive in the last year and 4 months that I have lived in Tokyo as Tokyo's public transport is efficient 🚃 (I didn't even drive in Sydney and Sydney's … Continue reading How to update Australian and New Zealand driver’s license in Japan 🚗 →

How to live green in Tokyo ♻️

I've mentioned in a couple of posts (last week about the number of single use plastic bottles at work and about so many short shelf life ready made food in the supermarket), but I am constantly astounded by the amount of waste created by living in Tokyo, Japan. Sure, it is Japanese おもてなし (omotenashi, an … Continue reading How to live green in Tokyo ♻️ →

5 home items I bought in Japan that I love

muji malay grass slipper photographed by native expat 2020 1440 x

Most of Japanese prefectures are out of state of emergency as of this week except for a few including Tokyo. Tokyo may 'officially' come out of state of emergency next week (a lot companies have already gone back to work....) but I would still be staying at home more than pre-Covid19 era for the foreseeable … Continue reading 5 home items I bought in Japan that I love →

Tokyo local’s way to enjoy art and food in Ueno

Mentioned in the last week's post, we had a public holiday to celebrate Culture Day and that free entries were offered at some of the major museums around the country. Here's how we spent our first Culture Day since we moved to Japan at the start of the year. What's Ueno like? 上野 (うえの, Ueno) … Continue reading Tokyo local’s way to enjoy art and food in Ueno →

Can the Health-Sports Day run away from the super Typhoon Hagibis?

google satellite view of Japan with typhoon hagibis captured by native expat 2019 October

Yet another long weekend in Japan this weekend started a bit tense compared to the other long weekends I have experienced in Japan this year (and we have had so many!) as Japan embraces for the strongest typhoon yet this year, Typhoon Hagibis. Hagibis is coming... First, the public holiday This long weekend is “Health-Sports … Continue reading Can the Health-Sports Day run away from the super Typhoon Hagibis? →

What is Tanabata?

tanabata orihime and hikoboshi digital illustration by native expat 2019

In July along Azabujuban shopping street, bamboo sticks decorated with colourful paper with wishes written on them pop up🎋. It slightly reminds me of "Christmas in July" in Australia where Christmas trees pop up again in July simply because it's winter in Australia and Australians can celebrate Christmas like the Northern Hemisphere folks. Someone wants … Continue reading What is Tanabata? →

What is Golden Week? and the cheapest way to Narita Airport

Japanese work hard. Japanese work really hard. Long hours, suits 👨‍💼 for men and pantyhose for women👩‍💼 and you have to accrue annual leaves by your tenure. On top of that, sick leave isn't a thing so a lot of people reserve their annual leaves just in case they get sick and cannot come to … Continue reading What is Golden Week? and the cheapest way to Narita Airport →