I'm sure that nearly everyone has a pair of jeans in their closet. I have wanted to buy a pair of jeans but compared to Australia, I was overwhelmed by the number of brands available in Japan. One of my fashionista friends recommended me to go to a department to try on different brands, or … Continue reading Shopping Japanese jeans with a jeans sommelier in Shinjuku
Recently, many limited edition of "Otsukimi" menu have started to pop up at many fast foods restaurants around Tokyo. McDonald's Otsukimi promotion KFC's otsukimi promotion My kiwi husband asked me what it's all about and I vaguely recalled from childhood that お月見 (Otsukimi) literally means moon-viewing. I also remember when I lived in Japan with … Continue reading Moon viewing night – Otsukimi
As we turned the calendar to September, which is Autumn in Japan, the air has changed.It feels cooler and the sticky humidity has subsided. Autumn in Japan is when we not only celebrate the end of the intense hot summer but it is traditionally known as the season for food, culture and exercise. To celebrate … Continue reading Japanese animal Art in Autumn: Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga
The morning and night time are more bearable with cooler temperature in Tokyo these days. Compared to the height of summer, the daytime is 1 1/2 hours shorter and it feels that the intense, humid and hot Tokyo summer may be behind us. In Japan, summer doesn't calmly shift to cool and crisp autumn but … Continue reading Typhoon season and emergency goods in style
Although I miss the new and exciting discoveries during the holiday, it's always comforting to return to my kitchen to cook healthy food that I enjoy eating. Reflecting on many great meals in Vancouver, Canada, one of the discoveries was sushi. Sounds weird that I went abroad from Japan and my discovery is one of … Continue reading Sushis of the world
Recently, I visited Vancouver, Canada for the first time. I swam in the ocean, lake and creek, ate lots of fruits and enjoyed the chilled out vibe of Canada. Having visiting Vancouver with family who knows the area really well; unlike other holidays, I took a step back and went wherever they wanted to go. … Continue reading Toji – Japanese way to chill out
Many international visitors come to Japan for various reasons from cherryblossom viewing or hanami in spring, hiking Mount Fuji in summer and the crimson falling leaves in autumn and skiing in winter. No matter the season, what everyone loves about Japan is food. One of my friends mentioned that you can eat quality pizza in … Continue reading Bounties from the top to the bottom of Japan
Tokyo summer is unrelenting. The sun rises before 4:20am, concrete and high rise buildings absorb the heat and the heat emanates from every direction. It's difficult to escape the heat, but being amongst nature is one way to cool down. We have enjoyed cooling off at Okutama river at the edge of Tokyo : https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2020/08/15/is-this-really-tokyo-cooling-off-in-okutama/ … Continue reading Tropical oasis in the middle of Tokyo
Having visitors in Tokyo is a way for a native expat like me who have been living again in Tokyo for the last 5 and a half years to discover new things in Tokyo. This week, I had a couple of vegetarian friends visit us from Australia. Although they said they aren't very strict, they … Continue reading Exploring Vegan Eateries in Tokyo
After a fun weekend away to Shirahama beach in Wakayama prefecture, I wanted to soak up in nature close by in Tokyo so I searched for some day trip hiking location. I found a scenic waterfall walking trail in Chiba prefecture that was 1 1/2hour drive from Tokyo. Walking along waterfall seemed like a cooling … Continue reading Don’t go chasing waterfalls…in Chiba
Native Expat 