The concept of culture is multifaceted and includes the language we speak, the food we eat, the values we share, and even the clothing we wear. If you are planning to interact with a new culture, even temporarily, it’s easy to overlook the role that attire plays in everyday life. How you present yourself in…
Narrowing the Gap between Japan and the Rest of the World: An Interview with Rochelle Kopp
Anyone with even the slightest interest in cross-cultural communication in Japan has likely read an article, liked a tweet, or watched a video featuring Rochelle Kopp, founder and managing principal of Japan Intercultural Consulting. Before founding her company, Rochelle accumulated a wealth of experience by working for U.S.-based international consulting firms and the Tokyo headquarters…
What Learning to Cook Taught Me about Studying Japanese
To say that my culinary tastes are unrefined would be an understatement. I’ve never been one to enjoy cooking. However, when it comes to being healthy, exercise can only get one so far. So eventually, I had to acquiesce and learn how to cook at least a few nutritious dishes that also have a modicum…
The Essential Books You Need to Master Japanese
Never underestimate the value of an excellent book. It may be possible to study Japanese entirely with online resources, however this approach overlooks a major benefit of a well-written book: curation. To craft, publish, and print a quality physical book involves an incredible amount of care and effort before it reaches your hands. Well-curated books…
The Cost of Living in Japan: How Our Spending Habits Changed after Moving Abroad
When moving to a new country, it’s important to pay attention to your expenses and reconsider your spending habits. However, doing so is easier said than done, depending on where you’re from. That’s exactly what we are going to explore in our latest roundtable discussion. For this special edition of Kokoro Media Unfiltered, we’re proud…
Escaping to the Edge of Tokyo on the Tamako Cycling Road
Living on the west side of Tokyo is affordable and convenient, especially if you live near Shinjuku. However, I often lament the lack of cycling infrastructure in this part of the city. Additionally, the dense urban sprawl between central Tokyo and the mountains to the west leaves few opportunities for cycling in nature. Fortunately, if…
4 Unique Perspectives on Teaching English in Japan
Becoming an English conversation instructor is one of the most common ways to build a career in Japan. Despite that fact, it can be difficult to find accurate, balanced information on what the teaching experience is like and where it can lead. To address this issue, I reached out to my network to help me…
Tokyo Cycling: Discovering Nature along the Kanda River
Living in Tokyo can feel claustrophobic, especially if you live far from the city’s amazing parks and waterways. A perennial westside resident, I’ve often felt isolated from some of the best nature the city has to offer. Although I’ve been cycling in Tokyo since I arrived in 2009, my recent desire to connect with nature…
My Evolving Relationship with Japanese Television
Before moving to Japan, I visited the country on two separate occasions. During those trips, few things were more enjoyable than marveling at Japanese television after a long day of non-stop sightseeing. Like many things in Japan, the shows and commercials were strikingly different from what I was used to. Each night, my hotel-room televisions…
Tokyo Cycling: Riding along the Zenpukuji River
In previous articles, I’ve often mentioned that Tokyo’s rivers offer some of the best cycling the city has to offer. Major waterways such as the Arakawa and Tama rivers are obvious choices for long, uninterrupted rides. However, Tokyo’s smaller, lesser-known rivers can also be great for a quick, scenic ride—if you know where to find…