Although far from being a professional film critic, I’ve enjoyed the cinema experience for as long as I can remember. I appreciate creativity and imagination across all mediums, and film is no exception. When daily life pushes you to your limits, a Hollywood blockbuster is a fantastic way to abscond from reality, albeit just for…
How to Stay with a Japanese Host Family
If you’re going to Japan for study or travel, you may want to consider staying with a Japanese host family. Staying with a host family can be a wonderfully immersive way to learn more about Japanese culture and share your own. However, it might not be for everyone. Having lived with three host families before,…
A Talk With Shochu Expert Christopher Pellegrini
This article is particularly exciting for me because I had the opportunity to chat with one of the world’s leading authorities on shochu, Chris Pellegrini. A Japanese spirit evangelist, Chris is passionate about spreading the gospel of shochu and awamori. He made a convert out of me! From talking shochu 101, to clearing up the…
Ben Shearon: Investing and Saving for Retirement as a Foreign Resident in Japan
Investing and saving for retirement is an intimidating prospect, even in your home country. Add in the layers of complexity that come with retiring as a foreign resident abroad, and you may be tempted to give up on the endeavor entirely. That would be a grave mistake, as Ben Shearon, founder of RetireJapan, explains in…
Driving in Japan: Thoughts and Tips
Japan is famous for its comprehensive, efficient, and punctual (for the most part) public transportation system. However, when it comes to reaching more remote areas or experiencing some of the country’s unrivaled scenic locales, you’re going to need a car. Before you get behind the wheel, check out our roundtable discussion for three unique international…
How to Deal With Workplace Harassment in Japan
Are you or a friend subject to workplace harassment in Japan? Although I have never experienced this, I found myself at a loss when it happened to a friend. Recently, I have seen many people seeking help in various support groups and on social media. So, I have decided to write this summary regarding power…
Read the Air to Learn Japanese Language and Culture Anywhere
I vividly remember the moment when I learned the Japanese word for soft-boiled egg: hanjuku tamago. It wasn’t long after I had arrived in Japan in January 2009, with little more than a year of elementary Japanese floating around in my head. I was able to survive most day-to-day interactions in Japanese, but moving from…
The Best 11 Products You Need for Your Flight to Japan
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, odds are that you will be taking a plane at some point. Whether the longest leg of your flight journey is only a few hours or 15, you’ll want to pack smart to be as comfortable as possible. I remember my first intercontinental flight to Taiwan (with a…
How to Manage Your Personal Finances in Japan
You may have learned about personal finance in your home country, but how much of that knowledge is applicable to your situation in Japan? As a foreigner living in Japan, it can be confusing to learn about a new economic system, including the banks, payment methods, and finance apps. Whether you are staying in Japan…
Japanese Women Shave Their Faces. So Do I.
Let’s talk about shaving–and to me, no conversation about shaving is complete without discussions of socialization. Yes, in Japan, many women also shave their faces. No, they don’t shave their faces as men do. I, too, sometimes shave my face. On the other hand, unlike the majority of my American and Japanese sisters, I haven’t…