Clik here to view.
Overnight at a Japanese Manga Café: Things you need to bring
1. Passport or foreigner registration card By law, you are required to show your passport (or foreigner registration card, if you are a long-term resident in Japan) at a Manga […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Manga Cafes: Japan’s Cheapest Place to Sleep
The first time I heard of a Manga Café, a shop in Japan where people pay an hourly charge to read manga, I was intrigued. I also thought it was […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sexism in Japan: Sexist Signs on Japanese Trains
Japan is a little bit sexist. A recent study by the World Economic Forums puts Japan at spot number 101 (at of the 135 countries surveyed) in gender equality. Japanese politicians […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Negative Side of Blogging: Things to think about before Starting a Study...
Regardless of where you are along the study abroad timeline (about to start, in the middle, or just finished), I guarantee at one point you’ve thought about starting a blog. […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tsukiji Fish Market Tuna Auction: Worth it to wake up at 3:45am?
Yesterday I went to the infamous Tsukiji Fish Market Tuna Auction. For those of you who have read basically any guide book about Tokyo, you know that the Tsukiji Fish […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Catch a Japanese Kani Crab (with a string)
The first time I saw children catching a tiny kani crab in Japan, using only a net and some string, I was surprised. After a stressful (and somewhat unsuccessful) day […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Studio Ghibli Museum: Where Dreams Come True
The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan is a place of magic, happiness, memories, and – well – foreigners. Born from the mind of genius filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, every corner […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Miyazaki Ghibli Museum: What to do, see, and eat
The Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan is quite literally a dream come true, for anyone who loves the Studio Ghibli movies (like Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fighting: Things my Japanese Boyfriend and I Culturally Disagree About
Any relationship is hard. However, breaching two distinct cultures only adds another, complicated layer to the relationship schematics. While most of the guys I dated before I met Ryosuke came […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why don’t Japanese trains run 24 hours? Things I don’t Understand about Japan
One of the first things foreigners visiting in Japan will notice is the fact that, unlike most major cities around the globe, Japan does not have a 24 hour bus […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Meeting your Japanese Boyfriend’s / Girlfriend’s Parents: Safe Topics to Talk...
I was very nervous when it got around time for meet to meet my Japanese boyfriend’s parents. It wasn’t the language barrier that scared me – it was the social […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
You know you’ve been in Japan too long when…
You stare at gaijin (foreigners) in public You’re doing the “peace sign” in most of your Facebook photos You don’t feel uncomfortable buying a pack of gum with a 10,000 […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tandem Bikes: The Ultimate Japanese Date
Being a “couple” in Japan is fun. On one hand, you have to opt out of PDA (public display of affection) which, to be honest, takes quite a bit of […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
ICU Dorms: The Five Gender Segregated Dormitories at International Christian...
There are five gender specific undergraduate dormitories at the International Christian University (ICU) campus in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan: two for men and three for women. They are: Canada House (male) […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
My Life is a Rolling Stone (with no commitments): Daily Prompt
I want to travel. Travelling is like breathing. When I’m not travelling, when I’m in the same place for too long, it feels like I’m standing in a shallow pool, […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
How the Tokyo Career Forum taught me I don’t want to work for Japanese Company
The Tokyo Career Forum was supposed to help me find a job. Instead, it helped my find myself – and more specifically, it led me to the realization I would […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Things I don’t understand about Japan: Bathroom Slippers
What are they? Like the name suggests, bathroom slippers are slippers for the bathroom. Why I don’t understand it: One of the first things foreigners learn about Japan when they […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Advice for Meeting Japanese Parents: How to Act
Going along with my line of “Meeting your Japanese Boyfriend’s or Japanese Girlfriend’s Parents” posts, someone asked me to do a post on how to act. I thought this was […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
Just say what you mean! Failed Interviews from a Job Hunting Gaijin at the...
During the Tokyo Career Forum, I interviewed for three different Japanese companies. Held on June 29th and 30th, the Tokyo Career Forum caters to companies that wish to hire bilingual […]
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to make Iwashi Sardine Donburi Rice Bowl: Easy Japanese Recipes for...
In an effort to make living in Japan easier (and cheaper), I’ve been learning some quick, cheap, and easy Japanese recipes. One of these is for frying Iwashi (large sardines) […]
View Article