How to refer to your spouse in Japanese
What you call your spouse in private is your own business, but how you refer to them in public can be a more complicated...
Homeschooling in Japan
Anyone who's visited Japan or seen enough Japanese culture can imagine education in Japan is taken pretty seriously. Kids can be seen in uniform...
How to describe pain to your Japanese doctor
The word itai meaning "painful" is one of the first words one picks up living in Japan. That versatile little word can be used...
Iaido–The Ancient Art of Swordsmanship Entering a New Age
For those who have never heard the word, Iaido is a Japanese martial art which trains you, in both body and mind, how to...
Exploring the Simplistic Beauty of Wabi Sabi (侘寂)
The daily struggle for perfection - especially on social media with its perfectly curated feeds - it’s becoming harder than ever to just take...
Life support for expats and short-stay professionals in Japan
Coming to Japan, whether for business, or moving, is not an easy undertaking at the best of times. Add to that...
Renewing a Working Visa in Japan
Today is one of those days... The day most expats in Japan dread almost as much as going to the Doctor or Dentist. At...
The Gift of a Memory in Japanese Culture
In Japan, there is a special importance placed upon recollections. It is intriguing that they are often given like presents. However, since...
What to do in an Earthquake in Japan
First you feel a little, almost imperceptible, movement. Just as you start to dismiss it as a figment of your imagination, it very quickly...
What happened to the Japanese love of nature?
There is a common image that Japanese people love nature. In some ways that is clearly true, thankfully. However, in various...