There's a perception that Japan is a futuristic neon-lit place full of cutting-edge technology - a land full of automation, robotics, and industrial manufacturing. Images of Tokyo's famous high-fashion Harajuku area or the Akihabara electronics district only compound this idea. Of course, it's true in many ways; Japan has been one of the forerunners of technology development for decades and is incredibly advanced in its factory machinery.  However, beyond the flashy streets of the fast-paced capital is a culture that still values traditions and human connection. And traditional ways of ..read more

Karaksa Hotel Colors Tokyo Yaesu is a stylish and modern hotel located right in the heart of Tokyo. It's convenient location, only 6 minutes on foot from the Yaesu Central Exit of Tokyo Station, makes it the perfect place to base yourself while exploring Japan’s capital and the surrounding Kanto region.  The hotel recently opened on March 31, 2023, in the Yaesu area, a central Tokyo district that is constantly evolving with large-scale redevelopment projects including Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a huge shopping and restaurant complex. The 16-story hotel building is both functional and stylish ..read more

If you are a fan of Japanese culture and products, I have just the place for you to purchase that authentic Japanese item from Japan and ship it directly to your door without the hassle of not speaking Japanese.  ZenPlus is an online marketplace in Osaka, Japan that connects Japanese stores (and their products) with people around the world. The online shopping platform allows you to discover goodies from thousands of Japanese stores and delivers the products directly from those stores in Japan to the user’s door anywhere in the world.  They stock a huge range of Japanese products ..read more

Inuyama is a historic castle town on the Kiso River only a short 30 minutes from Nagoya in central Japan. Home to two national treasures of Japan, Inuyama Castle and the teahouse Jo-an inside Urakuen Garden, it is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture.  On the second day of the Samurai & Timber Tour organized by the good folks at Nagoya is not boring and Nagoya City we had the chance to explore this historic town in Aichi Prefecture. You can read about Day 1 in Gujo Hachiman. Here are some of the highlights from my visit.  National Treasu ..read more

The summer months of July and August are the best time to get outdoors and enjoy one of the numerous summer festivals on offer across Japan. From traditional celebrations such as the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto to spectacular summer fireworks, there is something for everyone to enjoy during summer.  Known as matsuri (祭) in Japanese, these celebrations have their roots in Chinese festivals from centuries ago. Most matsuri are Shinto in origin with a connection to a local shrine where the gods or spirits known as kami reside. A festival is a time for breaking out the sake, enjoying wild dancing ..read more

Love Japan and all things Japanese, but not in Japan? If you feel like you’re missing out on Japan exclusive items that often seem difficult, if not impossible, to buy in Australia, there is a simple solution for you - Sugoi Mart!  There is absolutely no arguing that Japan produces the most amazing, futuristic, inventive and beautiful products. Think cute kawaii Sanrio items, anime figurines, musical instruments, and Starbucks Japan items, and that’s even without mentioning the mouth watering candy and snacks.  Japan truly makes the most interesting, weird and delicious snacks and ..read more

One of the biggest challenges facing expats living and working in Japan is understanding the unique work culture which is deeply rooted in traditional values. The Japanese are known for being workaholics and extremely loyal to their company. They are very dedicated to the job and take every detail of the job seriously. While it is not too difficult to find a job in Japan, fitting into the work environment and hierarchy can be one of the most challenging aspects about working in the land of the rising sun. The Group Dynamic  One of the key components of working successfully in Japan ..read more

The ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) role is a great way to start your teaching career in Japan as a native-level English speaker. ALTs typically work across a wide range of schools from elementary to high school across Japan. There are usually plenty of ALT teaching jobs available every year during the recruiting season for the new school year which starts in April.  For those who have been in Japan for a few years and are looking to further their career as a teacher, it makes sense to move from an ALT role to teaching at the university level. While this is quite a big step up, it is st ..read more

I recently had the pleasure to be a guest on the Nihongo Master podcast to talk about spring in Japan, one of my favourite topics.  Nihongo Master is a fantastic Japanese learning website that helps you study Japanese in a fun and interactive way. The e-learning site focuses on helping learners at every level master the Japanese language.  They have their own YouTube channel and a popular podcast, so you can learn about the Japanese language and culture on the go.  During my chat with host, Azra, we talked about a wide range of spring time topics including about my experience w ..read more

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