If you’re anything like me (34 years old, six feet two inches, 96kg, orange birthmark above right eyelid) and you live in Japan and have a postbox, at least one hand, a functioning eye and a smattering of curiosity, then you’ve probably received in the past, and subsequently read, one of the myriad of…
Finally the winter months have begun to thaw and the first hints of spring are in the air, what bliss. For Japan, it means that the peak of the seasonal calendar is soon at hand. That’s right: It’s cherry blossom season and that means hanami parties. Between mid-March and early May, sakura trees bloom throughout…
By now, everyone who’s wanted to see the newest Star Wars entry should have already. For those who’ve not had the time or have been living under a rock, the seventh entry into the Star Wars film franchise was released on December 18th and has smashed pretty much every box office record there is…
Europe is a dream destination/continent for many travelers. It can seem a distant likelihood, however, as it’s fairly far away from both Japan and a good portion of North America. If you’ve been able to afford a visit to your home country, though, a European trip is not outside the realm of possibility!…
When travelling in Japan as a tourist, getting around is easy. The rail pass makes travel a breeze and the tourist tracks are clear and well-travelled. However, it is once you become a resident that you realize that travelling within Japan is a lot more convoluted and expensive that it originally seemed, especially if…
I’ve just signed my reappointment papers. Well, by the time this is published, it won’t be “just,†but you get the idea: I’ve made my mind up: I’m staying for another year. If a woman were to get knocked up right now, she could carry the baby to full term, birth it, realistically travel…
Nagasaki served as one of Japan’s primary ports for many years, with the result that the city now has a very distinct atmosphere compared to other mainland Japanese cities. Chinese and European influences are easy to observe, largely through cuisine and religion respectively. The Chinatown is one of three in the nation, and…
For any travelers out there (of which I suspect there will be many this month), layovers are often a necessary and incredibly cost-effective evil. Below you will find my experiences (or how I imagine my imminent experience will be) with five airports. These airports often serve as gateways to SE Asia, Europe, and…
Winter is near/here and you’re already running behind if you haven’t pulled out your nabe pot. A favorite winter food to cook up at the kotatsu and keep you warm, nabe is both simple and versatile. Simply stock up on your favorite meat and vegetables, stir together some yummy stock, and you’re all…