Only a number of days are left in 2023.In Japan, there are a couple of well known ways to sum up the year. 漢字 or Character that sums up 2023 Since 1995, 日本漢字能力検定協会 (Japanese Kanji Knowledge Testing Association) announces the character of the year on December 12.2022 was 戦 (read what it means in my … Continue reading 2023 summed up by Japanese
This is the continuation of 4 day road trip in Shikoku (read the part 1 in Kochi). After enjoying the nature walk in Nakatsu Gorge in Kochi on the first day, we drove east towards Tokushima prefecture. Our destination was hidden in the valley of Tokushima prefecture; one of the 3 most hidden areas; Iya … Continue reading Part 2 Shikoku Road Trip – Tokushima and Kagawa
November 23rd is 文化の日 (Culture Day) which is a public holiday in Japan and we had 4 days off.As my husband's birthday was during those 4 days, we traveled to Shikoku region for a road trip. We started the trip in Kochi prefecture where we briefly visited in July 2021 where we swam in the … Continue reading Part 1 Shikoku Road trip – Kochi
In the last month or so, my family and friends have visited us in Japan from Australia and Europe.Their comments and experience have made me reflect and reaffirm that Japan is a land of contrasts. The duality of Japan is evident in daily life. On one hand, tourists and expats are in awe with unparalleled … Continue reading On Japan’s duality: living in the future and in the past
Last month, I shared how I selected my furusato nozei for the year due to the change in rules: https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2023/10/07/change-to-furusato-nozei-regional-tax-rules-and-2023-selections/ What is Furusato Nozei? Throughout the year, you can “donate” or transfer some of your tax payment to a selected area of your choice to support their initiatives and in return the regions offer a … Continue reading Full of furusato nozei ‘thank you gifts’
Last weekend, we visited a yet another onsen town in Nagano, Japan called 湯田中温泉 (Yudanaka onsen) through autumnal mountainside in Nagano region. About Yudanaka Onsen Yudanaka onsen source was discovered 1,350 years ago and in a walkable region, there are 5 different onsen towns:1. 湯田中 (Yudanaka)2. 新湯田中温泉（Shinyudanaka）3. 星川(Hoshikawa)4. 穂波(Honami)5. 安代 (Andai) Each region have plenty … Continue reading 1,350 year old onsen town, Yudanaka Onsen
Autumn in Japan is known for exercise, culture and food. As temperature drops, people head out from air conditioned apartment to enjoy crisp cool and comfortable autumn air. I notice more people jogging and walking around and we all know that when you exercise, you get hungry! Japan always have delicious food to try but … Continue reading The world’s best sukiyaki: Ningyocho’s Imahan
Last weekend, my husband and I visited one of the popular onsen (hotspring) destinations from Tokyo called 箱根 (Hakone) in Kanagawa prefecture because we were invited to stay at a company holiday home of one of my husband's friend. About company holiday home I have never heard of a company holiday home, officially called 保養所（Hoyosho, … Continue reading Nature weekend in Autumnal Hakone
As some of you may know, I am Japanese who lived in Australia during my teens and twenties. Nearly 5 years ago, I have returned to Japan as an adult and I have been documenting my time in Japan with an insider and outsider perspective as a "Native Expat" in this blog. During the last … Continue reading Native Expat hosting natives living abroad
I visited the 46th out of 47th prefecture in Japan; 沖縄 (Okinawa), with my sister, her 2 kids and her husband who are visiting Japan from Germany. In Tokyo, the nights are drawing in, it's getting cooler and people have started to layer up but October in Okinawa is still perfect beach weather! But first, … Continue reading Autumn beach holiday in Okinawa
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