I knew I was gonna get my mind freakin’ blown upon finally making it to Japan. But you can never predict mind-blowing and just how incredible it is, no matter how much you prepare. I thought I had a decent grasp, I got over my mild panic upon first stepping into Kansai airport in a matter of one pack of cheap smokes. The train was easy enough to figure with my pidgin Japanese, and the walk to the...
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Yes it’s about that time people! Time to go to your local Tokiwa department store or Lawson and browse the shelves for what a majority of the population will be eating for Shougatsu (New Years). The highly coveted Osechi meal box appears but once a season. Now to the untrained gaijin eye you may wonder why this special new years boxed meal is so expensive… The reason is it’s not a bento but ...
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5 more articles by Brenton S.
When uninitiated people think of Japan they generally think of the centuries old history and rich culture however these things have nothing to do with the daily experience of life in Tokyo. Well my life anyway. Having lived in a guest house in Maruyamacho, the 'dirty' part of Shibuya I have seen and heard a lot of things. Being a young, blonde, white woman in Tokyo you can get yourself into some v...
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It's not everyday that you wake up and realize that you have over a dozen World Heritage Sites in your backyard. UNESCO assigns natural and cultural sites World Heritage status every year around the world. What makes Japan particularly special is its high concentration of sites. Doting the landscape from Kyushu to Hokkaido, Japan is one of the most culturally relevant countries on the planet.
As...
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6 more articles by Hanuman Welch
?1000 says you have never heard of them. Their name is Psychic Lover (サイキックラバー), and I spent ample time during my two weeks in the anime division at Columbia Music hanging out with them. The guy on the left is Yoffy (pronounced yoh-fee) and the guy on the right is Jo (pronounced Jo). Both guys are 29, though like every Japanese person, they certainly don’t look that old. Yoffy is responsi...
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3 more articles by Ben Whaley
Takaoka City is located a short drive away from Tonami City where I am located and both are in rural Toyama Prefecture. Takaoka City is famous for Urushi, which is Japanese lacquerware and a very old bronze ware industry. The city itself gives subtle hints of the bronze industry with countless statues, lanterns and bells around virtually every corner. Takaoka used to be a Castle town and this is w...
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27 more articles by Adam R.
I have been living in Japan for a year now. I can't notice the passing of time, because I don't have idle time. I am always on the go, following the rapid rush of Japan.
I have already adjusted to the culture and way of living in Japan. I can understand and speak the language already but not as good as a native speaker, of course. It will take a long time to master the Japanese language.
We...
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19 more articles by Nene
If you’re answer to this question is yes, you’d probably be interested to this article. I am one of those young women who love to hang out every weekend especially Friday and Saturday nights. One of the most popular places to go for nights out is Roppongi. This place is considered the foreigner capital of Japan. You can find all races, ages (except children), genders and classes. Some people cal...
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14 more articles by Dione
Miyajima is a famous island next to Hiroshima. Its real name is “Itsukushima” but most people call it Miyajima. You can take a train or streetcar from Hiroshima to a ferry (Miyajima-guchi) that will take you over to the island. Any trip to Hiroshima is incomplete without visiting Miyajima.
Upon arrival on Miyajima, you will be accosted by wild deer! Don’t be afraid; these deer are very fr...
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11 more articles by Jamie
If there's one thing that will never change for me, it’s my choice of Beer. I've been living in Japan for 2 years now, am used to canned beer, and have developed quite a palette for Kirin and Sapporo....Asahi doesn't even find its way into my fridge. But as much as I have almost convinced myself that Japanese beer is actually good, I will always stay true to my roots and continue in my search to...
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11 more articles by Angie Davis
