Change to Furusato Nozei (regional tax rules) and 2023 selections

Japan must be one of the rare countries where masses of population pre-pay taxes, willingly. I'm one of those who rushed to pre-pay my tax before October 1 2023 when furusato nozei rules changed. More about Japan's unique tasty tax reduction system, furusato nozei from my previous blog: https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2020/12/05/tasty-tax-reduction-how-furusato-nozei-works/ Changes to furusato nozei from Oct … Continue reading Change to Furusato Nozei (regional tax rules) and 2023 selections →

A soft hug from Japan – Imabari towels

My whole family - my sister and her family from Germany and my parents living in Australia will all converge in Tokyo, Japan! We have been preparing our home for their stay and one of the items we've purchased are towels. Before moving to Japan, I haven't thought too much about towels. If I needed … Continue reading A soft hug from Japan – Imabari towels →

BBQ in summer and bbq in spring in Hokkaido?

Last weekend, for the third time since living in Japan, we visited PICA Saiko's lakeside lodge for the weekend. More about Lake Saiko in Yamanashi prefecture, the surrounding area and about the first visit to PICA Saiko in my previous blog: https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2020/09/12/a-weekend-of-lounging-by-the-lakes-and-appreciating-art-%F0%9F%8E%A8/ More about the second visit in 2021: https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2021/07/10/lakeside-barbecue-and-first-shot-of-vaccine/ Just like the last two … Continue reading BBQ in summer and bbq in spring in Hokkaido? →

Japanese summer sweets to savour: classic and modern shaved ice

Yes, I have shared that warming the body is the way to survive the hot Japanese summer according to the Japanese ways: https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2023/08/05/japanese-vs-western-way-to-survive-hot-hot-summer/ Saying that, one of the summer delights that I love is かき氷 (kakigori or shaved ice).It is a traditional Japanese summer sweets that was hard to find in Australia so it's a … Continue reading Japanese summer sweets to savour: classic and modern shaved ice →

Tokyo suburb highlight: Hiroo

It's been over 6 months since I moved to 広尾 (Hiroo) located in Minato ward in Tokyo. Hiroo, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan It's around 20 minutes walk from my previous place in Azabujyuban so Hiroo isn't a new location for me. Although saying that, visiting and living in this relatively small pocket of Tokyo with population … Continue reading Tokyo suburb highlight: Hiroo →

Weekend away at Shima Onsen, Gunma

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 →

Strolling summer festivals in yukata

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 →

Japanese vs Western way to survive hot, hot, summer

In the last week or so when we're waking up to 27 degrees and Tokyo is experience 35+ degrees celsius day in day out, my once thriving shiso (perilla) plants is suffering so much that it's browning on the edges 😦 Luckily, I work remotely and have a comfortable temperature controlled living environment but when … Continue reading Japanese vs Western way to survive hot, hot, summer →