Living
Uhh… what are gashapon? Gashapon are vending machine-dispensed toys, popular in Japan, that can be found both inside and outside shops all around Akihabara. Many people like to use their extra change and try their luck to see what kind of prize they can get by turning the hand-crank and opening up a small colored…
Living
A Tokyoite finds out to what degree one can spend a human-free robot-filled day. These are the androids I was looking for! In a country where driverless trains, robotic pet seals, fax machines, and obligatory handwritten job applications coexist in the same time-space continuum, anything is possible no matter how improbable. Automation is where you…
Living
If you have ever arrived in Japan at Narita Airport, you may have been lucky enough to have walked out of Arrivals and immediately had a microphone shoved in your face. “Why did you come to Japan?” This is a Japanese TV show in which foreign visitors are asked their motives for voyaging to the…
Living
“Time to start! You will drum for 40 minutes non-stop.” I was shivering in an abandoned elementary school that had been converted into the base for one of Japan’s most renowned taiko drumming group – Ondekoza, literally “Demon Drum Group”. On 4 hours of sleep and with a hacking cough, I wondered mildly if I…
Experience
I might have been late to meeting my newly rented friend as a test of true friendship. Or I was just late. I’m never admitting which one is true! But there I was, almost breathless and 20 minutes late to our lunch appointment. How did I get here? I thought to myself. I DO have…
Living
The Challenge! The words ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘Zero Waste’ have been popping up a lot in the media recently. Between the worldwide climate protests, the climate summit, and the brave young activists who are speaking out, the discussion about how the choices we’re all making affect our future has been getting louder and louder. I have…
Eating & Drinking
Ah, the humble izakaya, a foundational element of Japanese social life. A place to drink, eat, catch up with friends, and make new ones. It’s a place where low-key dinners can quickly and seamlessly transform into a night of wild debauchery. It’s also one of my favorite things about Japan.
Experience
As someone who was surrounded by some of the most dangerous predators growing up down-under, facing disaster-prone Japan should be a sinch, no? After all, years of residing in this catastrophe infested wonderland have provided me with many luxuries. These include living through the geological shakes, rattles and rolls that rival any of Nihon’s premium…
Experience
Tattoos — still a controversial topic in Japan? It’s a country known around the world for unequaled hospitality, with the exception of the inked. And while Japan continues to increasingly open itself to international tourists and Western culture, it can still be difficult to navigate the world of being tattooed. There’s plenty of information already…
Living
Did you know that the biggest threat on Japanese golf courses is luck? Indeed, a unique tradition makes thousands of Japanese golfers pay for expensive hole-in-one celebration parties every year. Thankfully, proper insurances can hedge that risk!
Living
A once in a generation event is happening in Japan and you can cash in on it if you know where to look. On May 1, 2019, the Heisei era gives way to Reiwa, and with it, countless merchants will celebrate by offering discounts afforded to only a select few. Keep reading to find out…
Living
When a job description offers “comprehensive benefits,” what does that actually mean? If you’re new to working in Japan or are thinking about changing your contract between part-time and full-time, be sure to keep reading to find out what you can expect when accepting a job offer. Legally required employee benefits in Japan How legally…
Living
You’d be hard pressed to find a single person who enjoys a visit from the NHK fee collector. If you’ve experienced this yourself or read horror stories on the internet, know that there are easy ways to avoid paying and even cancel your current contract! If you want to know how to duck and dodge NHK like a…