Living In Japan - A Foreigner's Guide to Life in Japan

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Surfing in Japan by Angie Davis

5.0 Stars

When I first came to Japan as a JET, regardless of the fact that I was going to live in the mountainous, landlocked prefecture known as Gunma-ken, the surfer in me packed my trusty surfboard and wetsuit quiver, knowing that I would eventually make it down to the beach. That first trip to the coast was indeed back in October of 2005, a three day weekend away to stay at a friend of a friend’s shac... Read More

Tea(rs) for Two by leeannafar

5.0 Stars

Ever since I was a kid I had a hard time learning how to practice new tasks, skills, whatever, in front of others. Not so much a fear of performing, if I was prepared in advance, no problem. But if I had to actually make mistakes or learn through repeated processes, well, I wasn’t really into that. So learning how to participate in and actually perform a tea ceremony in a traditional tea scho... Read More

Squat Toilets by Jamie

4.5 Stars

I must agree with a fellow contributor that Japan has some of the most technologically advanced toilets in the world. Nevertheless, Japan has a two-tiered system. The more common type is the luxurious toilet-bidets with music (to mask unpleasant sounds), heated seats, temperature settings for the water, automatic flushing, etc... These toilets are common in most hotels, department stores, and... Read More

Japan: So Safe it's Dangerous by jbkelly1981

4.2 Stars

It's said that Japan is one of the safest places to live in the world. Ask any foreigner who stepped off the plane three months ago and they’ll tell you about the time they collapsed in an alcoholic stupor on the steps of a train station and woke up four hours later with the contents of their bags ? wallet, phone, keys, iPod ? strewn around them untouched. One the other hand, ask a Japanese p... Read More

Are you a night lifer? by Dione

4.0 Stars

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... Read More

What is a Flea Market? by Dione

3.7 Stars

In the country where I originally came from we have some car garage sales where old stuffs (usually antique collections, old artifacts) are sold. I was shocked that they also have it here in Japan and they call it a Flea Market. Basically, a flea market is a way of selling your useful and presentable old and new stuff at your house that you don’t use anymore. Japanese people sell them in flea mar... Read More

How To See A Movie 101 by Ulara Nakagawa

3.5 Stars

There was plenty o’ kicking on the screen. But for those of us in the audience, there would be no such tomfoolery. My first ever movie theatre experience in Japan was well…orderly. Apparently, booking your tickets on-line the previous day is the proper way to begin the experience. Even 24 hours ahead, we had a difficult time finding good seats for two for the following Sunday afternoon. (Al... Read More

Communication in Color

2.5 Stars

I feel like I'm trapped inside a video game, early 90's Excite Bike style, but I'm in a car. The car is a K-car, which is more like a box on wheels (hence early 90's). Because I can't read anything written on the buildings, all my navigational skills are based on shapes and colors. I turn left after a happy looking tomato, right after the yellow box, and so on and so on. But besides getting arou... Read More

Smart Japanese Women by Subodh Dhakal

1.0 Stars

By nature, I am not smart enough. I am shy with the girls, it takes a lot of time to mix up with the new culture and society and I also have a habit of living in low profile. During my school age, I used to avoid my class mates who are sexually different than me. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t like girls, rather it means I didn’t have courage to face them. Maybe medical practitioner have some ... Read More