Amongst expats living in Japan, many often says, “living in Japan too long ruins you.” Expats Even though I am Japanese, having lived in Australia during my teens and twenties and now having returned to Japan 4 years ago, I think I understand what the expats means. For the first time since the pandemic, I … Continue reading Why living in Japan “ruins” you
おにぎり (Onigiri) or rice ball is ubiquitous in Japan🍙. There is an everyday onigiri, and there is onigiri that people spend a decent time queueing up to take a bite into. Last weekend before my trip to Europe, I spent 40 minutes to experience what the difference between one of the best onigiri in Japan(hence … Continue reading Spin off of Japan’s best onigiri – Onigiri Konga
Throughout the year, Japanese tax payer can “donate” or transfer a portion of tax to their local municipal to different regions to receive a ‘thank you gift’ from the region. The gift is generally a 1/3 of the value of the donation that could range from food, plants, alcohol, travel voucher to the region, clothes, … Continue reading 2022 Furusato Nozei – Miyazaki version
From today, April 29th 2023 until May 5th is Golden Week in Japan. This year, Golden Week seems a bit shorter than usual as the start of the Golden Week lands on Saturday. More about Golden Week in Japan in the previous blog post. https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2019/04/26/what-is-golden-week-and-the-cheapest-way-to-narita-airport/ This Golden Week is the first time since Covid-19 pandemic … Continue reading (Mini) revenge travel this Golden Week 2023
Last weekend, I revisited one of my favourite museums in Tokyo - PLAY! Museum. Last time when I visited PLAY! Museum was back in February 2022, when they featured a German picture book called Animal Conference. This time, the exhibition was based on 20 picture books by Shuntaro Tanikawa. https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2022/02/12/immersive-picture-book-experience-at-play-museum/ About Shuntaro Tanikawa Born in … Continue reading See, experience and be immersed in Shuntaro Tanikawa’s poems at PLAY! Museum
After the cherry blossoms bloom and are carried away by the breeze, Tokyo is quickly replaced by bursts of white, pink, purple and red azalea. Flowering between April and May, azaleas are something I didn't see much when I lived in Australia but boy, there are everywhere in Tokyo! There are at my residential building, … Continue reading Azaleas everywhere
Cherry blossoms may have bloomed early and the petals were caught and blown away by the wind by the time April came around, but April 3rd was the official start of the new year in Japan where many businesses welcomed thousands of new graduates. There are many grandiose ceremonies to welcome the new employees into … Continue reading Springing into ceremonious start to the new year
Last weekend, we decided to squeeze in the last ski trip for the season in 蔵王温泉 (Zao onsen) located in 山形県 (Yamagata prefecture) located in the northern end of 本州 Honshu or the main Japan island. We visited Zao onsen in Yamagata in August 2020 (some highlights from the previous trip below) so we were … Continue reading Slushy spring ski and onsen in Yamagata
Last week, Tuesday March 21 was a public holiday (Spring Equinox) in Japan. I took Monday 20th off to enjoy a 4 day long weekend but my husband couldn't take time off so I searched for an easy access workation accommodation with onsen to relax. I found いこうの村ヘリテイジ（Ikoinomura Heritage) accommodation located 30 minutes away from … Continue reading Revisiting Chichibu, Saitama
I had a nervous moment just last night - I entered a supermarket; without a face mask😮. My eyes darted back and forth to see if the staff to tell me off but I was able to purchase my groceries in peace. It must sound odd to most people outside of Japan but from last … Continue reading To mask or not to mask?
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