20 articles
Learning Japanese is one of the most important things that people living in Japan can do. And even if you don’t live in Japan, learning a foreign language can be fun and interesting. But language classes can be expensive and time-consuming. So… how can you learn Japanese, especially in Japan, without paying to go to
Like any other part of your body, your eyes are very important in your life — both in Japan, and generally. So what do you do when you need to get your eyes checked? Whether for a routine examination, or a sudden emergency? I’ve been through it, so I can tell you. Routine Checks Well,
Japan is known as a country that long ago adopted Buddhism, which typically prefers vegetarianism, as eating meat is a violation of the life and health of other animals. However, meat is delicious, and so Japan has generally disregarded this as more of a guideline, than an actual rule. That guideline is also very loosely
Although Japan is well known abroad for its samurai history, and kendo (swordplay sometimes know as “Japanese fencing”) is a popular pastime for many, the national sport is: sumo. An ancient sport, it has not only a social but also a religious significance. And I’ve been to a couple of tournaments, so if you’re planning
Everywhere in the world has bargain stores. The US has dollar stores, the UK has Poundland, and of course, Japan has ¥100 stores. So what’s the difference between them? And is it worth going to a ¥100 store when there are perfectly good products that cost only a little more at almost any supermarket you
What Is MyNumber? One of the things that can confuse English speakers the most when they arrive in Japan is the MyNumber system. It is not generally a problematic issue: people in the UK have national insurance numbers, while Americans have social security numbers. The big confusion, however, is that the Japanese version, known officially
Going to the Doctor Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Whether you’ve got a cough you just can’t seem to shake, or you’ve suffered an injury, you’ll almost certainly have to go to the doctor at one point or another during your time in Japan. And while it can be a little
As anyone who knows me can tell you, I love movies. I watch them at home, on the train, and, of course, on airplanes. But there is no substitute for watching a film the way they were meant to be seen: in the cinema — and don’t let Netflix tell you otherwise. As you can
Visiting a local supermarket in Japan might sound mundane at first, but it offers fascinating insights into everyday Japanese life. Beyond discovering new foods, it’s a chance to see how local communities gather and interact in a space that is both practical and surprisingly social. This article will highlight some of the key differences, similarities,
For video game enthusiasts, one of the tragedies of the new millennium has been the death of the arcade. Once a hub of flashing lights, exciting noises, and a community of like-minded gamers, the rise of home consoles and their ability to create gaming experiences equal to their arcade counterparts has led to many either
Tokyo is one of the biggest, busiest, most famed cities in the world, and that means that everyone has an image of the city. It’s high-tech! It’s brightly lit! It’s crushed and crowded! It’s expensive! But are these stereotypes true? How does the image of Tokyo match up with the reality? Let’s talk about some
When you get a new apartment, one of the most important things to do is set up your gas, water, and electricity bills. Luckily, the real estate agency I worked with was kind enough to send through the details necessary to get my lights turned one my water running, and my stove lit. But one