Ugo Bataillard is committed to helping foreign brands discover the rewards of entering the Japanese food and beverage market. As CEO and co-founder of GourmetPro, he partnered with COO Vincent Nicol to form an exclusive network of local consultants to support international brands of all sizes. In this interview, Ugo and I discuss his entrepreneurial…
The Top 3 Travel Destinations I’d like to Revisit in a Post-COVID-19 Japan
I was never much of a traveler until I started visiting Japan. Traveling in Japan magically combines adventure, safety, and convenience, with natural beauty and exciting experiences dotted throughout the country. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, COVID-19 has halted carefree travel throughout the country. For now, I’ll have to settle for reminiscing about…
5 Adventurous Activities to Enjoy on Hachijojima, the “Hawaii of Japan”
A visit to Hachijojima, an island nearly 300 kilometers south of Tokyo, is the perfect weekend getaway. It’s far enough from the big city to truly escape into nature yet close enough to be thoroughly enjoyed over a three-day weekend. In this article, I’ll explain how to reach the island, introduce the top five activities…
3 New Tools for Learning Japanese in 2021
Those who have been following my Japanese journey know that I rely heavily on technology to augment my learning. This means that I’m always experimenting with the latest apps and software to make the process as efficient as possible. I use many of these programs simultaneously. For example, the Wanikani and Bunpro services go hand…
How to Make Friends and Build a Network in Japan
Moving to a new country is equal parts exciting and intimidating. Living abroad offers endless potential, but unlocking this potential means leaving a lot behind, including frequent interactions with the friends, family and colleagues that define life in your home country. In our latest video roundtable discussion, I joined the Kokoro Media team to talk…
Looking Back on 2020 as a Foreign Resident in Japan
This time last year, I was in the middle of a whirlwind U.S. tour, working nomadically, while celebrating the holidays with my family and friends in Washington D.C., Nevada, and California. Upon returning to Tokyo in early January, I couldn’t fathom what 2020 would have in store for Japan and the rest of the world….
The 5 Most Effective Flash Card Programs for Learning Japanese
Everyone who studies Japanese uses different methods, techniques, and tools to achieve mastery. However, ask around, and you’ll find that most learners consistently recommend one tool in particular: digital flash cards—specifically software with an effective Spaced Repetition System (SRS). Over the past decade, I’ve used all kinds of flash cards (even the old-school paper ones)…
4 Unconventional Tips for Finding an Apartment in Tokyo
Despite a resurgence of Covid-19 cases (at the time of this writing), entry into Japan remains possible via “phased measures of resuming cross border travel.” Under these circumstances, I’ve noticed that a few members of my international network have been able to move to Japan upon completing all of the necessary quarantine procedures. I can…
Zen and the Art of Eating: Appreciating Food through Mindfulness
Disclaimer: This article was produced in cooperation with byFood and contains affiliate links. Kokoro Media may earn a commission from purchases made via the byFood links featured throughout this article. I’m notorious for my perception of food and eating. In my youth, meals were often something that pulled me away from whatever activity or creative…
Six Ways to Encounter Godzilla in Japan
Some of my earliest memories involve family trips to the San Bernardino, California, Fedco in the early 1980s. It’s an understatement to say that, as a child, I wasn’t very excited about checking out the latest appliances or home furnishings. The real highlight of those shopping trips was excitedly browsing the VHS movie section. (And…