White Day update 2023 version

Back in 2020, I wrote a blog post about "White Day", a reverse Valentine's Day celebrated on March 14 where a man reciprocates for Valentine's Day (in Japan, only girls give gift on Valentine's Day). https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2020/03/14/hidden-japanese-meanings-behind-candies-marshmallow-and-cookies/ I remember being quite perplexed in 2020 when my female colleague gifted beautiful white and red strawberries to our … Continue reading White Day update 2023 version →

Here comes spring! Plum blossoms viewing in Hanegi Park in Tokyo

In Tokyo, we have started to experience some coat-free days during the day and the gray city is painted by blossoms here and there. Last weekend, we headed out to the western side of Tokyo in Setagaya ward to feast our eyes on plum blossoms at 羽根木公園 (Hanegi Park). At Hanegi Park, there are about … Continue reading Here comes spring! Plum blossoms viewing in Hanegi Park in Tokyo →

Reflection of moving back to Japan | 4th year edition

1,464 days have passed since I moved back to Japan after living in Australia for 18 years. 🎉 Writing this Native Expat blog allows me to reflect on how I was a week, a month, 2 months, and 6 months since moving back to Japan. Here's my reflection on moving back to Japan. Where's home? … Continue reading Reflection of moving back to Japan | 4th year edition →

Tree with an Okinawa fire spirits?

Daily visits from delivery people continued last week as we organise our new place in Tokyo. One of the deliveries was a birthday / moving gift from my sister. She gifted me an indoor plant that's around 70cm tall with lots of lush deep green leaves. It is called ガジュマル(Gajyumaru or Banyan tree) that grew … Continue reading Tree with an Okinawa fire spirits? →

Made in Japan – the simple design that makes a Japanese home

I have mentioned in my previous post that my husband and I were looking to move within Tokyo and last weekend, we finally did! https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2022/12/10/finding-a-home-in-tokyo-the-wonderful-and-weird-rental-properties-in-tokyo/ We haven't moved far from our previous place (still within the same ward and 25minutes walk between the old and the new place) and we're excited to decorate this place … Continue reading Made in Japan – the simple design that makes a Japanese home →

More than a drink – how Japanese use green tea leaves

The temperature has dropped a bit and as I'm back to a normal Monday to Friday work week, I am guzzling tea like there is no tomorrow. I've always been a huge tea drinker but even more so from living in Japan where green tea is extremely tasty and these are just some of the … Continue reading More than a drink – how Japanese use green tea leaves →

Cooling off after a hotspring getaway at Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto

After spending time with my aunty in Kagoshima last week, my husband and I drove 3 1/2 hours to Kumamoto which is located above Kagoshima prefecture. https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2023/01/07/happy-new-year-slightly-different-new-year-for-native-expat/ Just before we started work in 2023, we headed to one of the our favourite onsen towns called Kurokawa Onsen to relax and feel refreshed. We have visited … Continue reading Cooling off after a hotspring getaway at Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto →

(Happy) New Year?! Slightly different new year for Native Expat

This is the first post in 2023 and I would usually start with あけましておめでとう (akemashite omedeto or Happy New Year!) but for my family this year, we avoid wishing everyone a happy new year. These are all ‘normal’ and accepted custom in Japan but as a Native Expat who have lived in Australia between 12-29 … Continue reading (Happy) New Year?! Slightly different new year for Native Expat →