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...
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...
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...
Getting an International Driver’s License
A few years ago, I was hired to translate for an engineer who was being sent to the US to meet with customers. I...
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...
Should Tattoos Continue to be Banned From Onsen in Japan?
Spring and early Summer means relaxation, travel, and for many people, it also means a visit to an Onsen (温泉; natural hot springs). As a volcanically active country,...
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...
Mountain Day in Japan
Today marks the first official “Mountain Day”, a new public holiday in Japan, to celebrate and give reverence to….you guessed it…. mountains! This is...
