The thing I miss the most about living away from Australia and living in Japan (besides family and friends) is beaches. The abundant, clean, peaceful and beautiful Australian beaches like this Tamarama Beach in Sydney, Australia. In contrast, what's missing in the Australian life and one of the things I love about Japanese life is … Continue reading Onsen beach town, Shirahama in Wakayama
On 2024 July 3rd, a new design of 1,000yen, 5,000yen and 10,000yen were issued. In this post, I'll share why Japan updates banknotes and who are the notable Japanese figures on the new banknotes from the field of economy, education and science.
The UK Royals are often in the news all across the globe with their weddings, funerals and family feuds - they are a part of countless people's lives whether you're from the UK, a part of the Commonwealth or not. Although not as publicised, Japan also have a monarch and in fact, Japan is the … Continue reading Monarchs and meows – connection between Japan and the UK
It is forecasted that Tokyo will enter 梅雨(tsuyu) or the rainy season from tomorrow or Monday 24th June which is nearly 2 weeks later than the average rainy season start date. The start and the end date of tsuyu and the amount of rain during the tsuyu season has been recorded since 1951 by Japan … Continue reading Delayed rainy season in Tokyo
From the south of Japan to north of Japan, Japanese consume corns. This post has a history of corn in Japan and how to cook a corn the Japanese way.
Recently, I have volunteered at my company to help organise a corporate event as we moved office. I was responsible for decoration and upon researching things to do, I decided to organise 鏡開き (kagami biraki), a traditional Japanese ceremony. source: https://www.gekkeikan.co.jp/enjoy/qa/sake/sake06.html What is Kagami Biraki? Kagami Biraki dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) that … Continue reading Drink sake and be merry! Japanese tradition of kagamibiraki
Sometimes, I get contacted through this blog and it's generally from an international traveller planning a visit to Japan to somewhere remote (like Chichibu in Saitama prefecture) and wants some travel advice. I'm always pleasantly surprised to know that I've been able to help visitors to Japan with by providing local Japan insights in English … Continue reading Sweet memories of Japanese sweets
To celebrate a friend's birthday, we visited the beach side of Chiba prefecture called Isumi last weekend. Just around 100km away from Tokyo, Isumi that faces Pacific Ocean is accessible from Tokyo and is filled with seafood and peaceful countryside with lots of rice fields and bird chirping. To celebrate a friend's birthday, we visited … Continue reading Beach getaway to Isumi, Chiba
One of the most popular areas to live in Tokyo for young people and families is 吉祥寺 Kichijoji. Kichijoji has a lot to offer.Plenty of shops and restaurants within Kichijoji but accessible from Shinjuku and Tokyo city center and lots of nature! I had liked the area since visiting the area to go to Studio … Continue reading Tokyo suburb highlight: Kichijoji
Post pandemic, weak yen and one of Japan's major holiday seasons, Golden Week (from April 29 - May 6) fueled the overtourism in Japan where not only domestic tourists visited to the main attractions including Kyoto but Japan is inundated with foreign tourists. In fact, one of my friends from Australia is currently visiting and … Continue reading Over tourisms in Japan and Japan’s responses
Native Expat 