Everyone knows that Japan is full of weird and wonderful paraphernalia, from souvenirs to animation goods. But, you can find the majority of all sorts of wonder at the 100 Yen shop. With three of the big players being Daiso, Seria, and CanDo, you are sure to find one close to you, or on your…
Koinobori (鯉のぼり) is a set of carp-shaped banners that float and flap in the air for the Children’s Day celebrations from April to May. There is something strangely fascinating about koinobori on a beautiful sunny day. Koinobori display various colors, designs, and sizes which stream freely and strongly in the wind, which always touches my…
Japanese people are known to have beautiful, clear skin. They are often thought to look younger than their years and take skin care and cleansing routines very seriously The skin care market in Japan is huge, and offers numerous different effects and added nutrients in products to come up against intense competition. Foreigners often regard…
When hearing the words fast food, the global chain restaurants such as Mc Donald’s or Burger King or other famous ones come to our minds first. As it may be commonly known, fast food can also be referred to as “junk” food because it is not considered very healthy. The associations we have with it…
Numbers are one of the most important things to learn when living abroad. Without them, how could you shop, understand your salary, or most important, exchange phone numbers with a new friend (or potential date)? Although most people are able to memorise the numbers after a few practices, the true test is being able to…
Japan is not a tip required country, but there are certain occasions in which you are asked to give money as a way of expressing your wishes. In this article I will talk about some of those occasions, part of the Japanese customs and traditions when you will need to offer cash either for gratitude…
The land of the rising sun is home to a number of gods and deities which depict several meanings to the Japanese people and their culture. But there are actually seven popular gods in Japan known as the Shichi Fukujin or the Seven Lucky Gods that represent different types of luck and virtues since the…
Buying contraception in Japan can be a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to be embarrassing or difficult. In terms of financial cost, condoms are the cheapest way to go in this country as the contraceptive pill and the morning after pill (“Plan B”) are not covered by the national health insurance and can, therefore,…
Don’t know what to buy in Nagoya? There is definitely more to the largest city of the Chubu region than just chicken wings (tebasaki) or Toyota Factory. We will help you taste and bring a little piece of Nagoya home through this list of 30 items you shouldn’t miss out on! 1. Bushotai goods A…
Do you have a tattoo? If not, perhaps you are thinking of getting one. Many people have tattoos that symbolize things that are important to them, such as people, places, or nostalgic memories. Tattoos have different meanings around the world; for example, they have held different significant meanings in various tribes and religions for years.…
