Last weekend, we visited Fuchu located in the western Tokyo for すもも祭り(sumomo matsuri or plum festival) held at a shrine with over 1,900 years of history called 大國魂神社 (Okunitama Shrine). Origin of the Plum Festival Back in Heian Period (between 794 and 1185), military commanders of Imperial Court, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and his son Yoshiie … Continue reading Plum Festival in Fuchu
Just like the rest of the northern hemisphere, Japan has been hot. Recently, we woke up to the low of 27 degrees and high of 38 degrees celsius days with cicadas crying their hearts out 🥵. This makes us want to stay inside but what I have always wanted to do in summer especially since … Continue reading Evolution of over 1300year old Japanese clothes – yukata
For nearly 6 months, we had 2 washing machines and one wasn't plugged in. They both work perfectly fine but one was made in 2017 that I bought in 2019 when we moved to Tokyo.I tried to resell it at the recycling store but not only they won't offer me any money to sell it, … Continue reading How to recycle white goods in Japan
Back in October 2021, my husband and I visited Kinosaki Onsen (more about our road trip in the previous blog 👇🏻). https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2021/10/02/silver-week-2021-part-3-shimane-tottori-hyogo/ It was a small onsen town that offers 7 rotenburo (outdoor onsen) for free when you stay a night in the town or 1,500 yen for a day-visit to all 7 onsen. Many … Continue reading 4 reasons why a small onsen town Kinosaki Onsen is increasingly popular amongst foreign tourists
Last week, British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak made a headline that he's using erasable ink pens during Cabinet meetings and when signing official letters in Downing Street.The pen that made the headline is none other than Japanese stationery, Pilot fountain V pen. Apparently the stationery company Pilot describes the pen as “ideal for those learning … Continue reading Erasable pens that Sunak likes and other Japanese stationeries
As Rihana said, everybody's gotta work, work, work, work 🎶. Many companies used to have a strict no side-hustle rule in Japan but side-hustlers have been increasing in Japan since the pandemic allowed many people to work remotely and the relatively recent shift from saving to investing amongst Japanese. According to a 2022 survey conducted … Continue reading Side hustle culture in Japan
Being alive and especially young are a precious commodity in Japan. A recent news that worries Japan is that number of babies born in Japan in 2022 hit the record low of below 800,000. As the overall Japanese population continues to age and shrink down, Japanese regions compete for residents. Especially during and after the … Continue reading Wanted: warm bodies in Japanese countryside!
Last weekend, I had a chance to ride Suzuki Jimny. It's not this car's unique feature but for the first time in my life, I watched a bit of TV in the car: This is relatively a common feature in Japan that I definitely didn't experience when I was living in Australia! History about TV … Continue reading I scream, you scream, we all scream for TV screen!
The birthplace of Japanese wine, Yamanashi Prefecture is the largest producer of Japanese wine, producing approximately one-third of the national Japanese wine production. Not surprisingly, Yamanashi produces the most amount of grapes (and peaches) in Japan and Yamanashi is famous for the bountiful produce. I read about an interesting gourmet travel experience in Yamanashi so … Continue reading Sleep above tankful of beer? Gourmet weekend away in Yamanashi
Last week, my husband and I dined with kiwi friends who were visiting Tokyo. One was a foodie who was in Japan for the first time enjoying her time exploring Tokyo. She was very open minded and willing to give anything a go, including eating food the proper Japanese way - slurping noodles. In many … Continue reading Susuru – the proper way to eat noodles in Japan
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