Seasonality is an important aspect of Japanese culture, and in no area does it play a greater role than in the world of food and drink. The concept of “shun” (旬) refers to ingredients that are at their seasonal best,…
The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
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Blog Archives
Extreme Weather
Tokyo is especially prone to weather related disasters, including typhoons, heavy rains, windstorms and snow. In the event of such disasters it is important to safeguard against injury and damage caused by falls or by flying debris.
Earthquake Preparation
Basic Facts and Disaster Prevention Earthquake Intensity (Shindo) When an earthquake occurs in Japan, in addition to the standard magnitude scale a second scale known as is employed. This scale is unique to Japan and measures the degree of shaking…
Owara Kaze-no-bon
Matching their dance with the sentimental mood of the folk song “Etchu Owara” (越中おわら節), the dancers at this festival dance in a more subdued and elegant manner, while parading through town. On occasion, spectators are also welcome to join the…
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Serving as a monument to remind of the powerful and disastrous force of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, this site is also referred to as a “negative heritage”. Until the bombing on the August 6th 1945, the building had been…
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
Serving as a monument to remind of the powerful and disastrous force of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, this site is also referred to as a “negative heritage”. Until the bombing on the August 6th 1945, the building had been…
The Dance of Fools – Awa Odori
Awa Odori Tokushima will be held from 12th – 15th August, 2023. If you visit one of the many festivals held across Japan this summer, chances are you will hear the distinctive Awa Yoshikono, played on shamisen, taiko drums and…
Japanese Summer Customs
Summer in Japan is a season full of festivals and events, and is when many people get a chance to have a weeklong break for overseas traveling or family trips. It is also the time of year, along with the…
Kichijoji: A Hopping Suburb Outside of the City
Far enough away from central Tokyo to escape the shadow of endless sky-rises, but well-positioned on the Chuo Line for a relatively quick commute into the business district– Kichijoji floats somewhere on the border between big-city Tokyo and quiet suburb.…
Harrow International School Appi Japan
Harrow International School Appi Japan (Harrow Appi), which draws on the 450-year heritage of Harrow School in the UK, opened as a full-boarding international school in August 2022 for students aged 11 to 18 (Year 7 to Year 13). Set…
Column : The basics of writing emails in Japanese
Here’s a series of articles about tips for foreigners to learn Japanese by a Japanese language teacher at TCJ (Tokyo Central Japanese Language School) in Shinjuku Ward. Hello, I’m Minami, a Japanese language teacher working at a Japanese language school…
Komazawa Park International School
KPIS is a private co-educational international preschool for children from the age of 18 months up to 6 years. They offer a rich, educational experience that is child-centered and play-based, with a unique combination of exploration and discovery in the…
New Face Cosmetic Acupuncture Salon
What are the effects of Cosmetic Acupuncture? Cosmetic acupuncture can erase years off your face within a few treatments, erasing fine lines and drastically reducing deeper lines. Sagginess, puffiness and drooping diminish and a fresh tightened sensation is often felt…
8 Things You Can’t Do on a Bike in Japan
Cyclists put helmets as much as possible from 1st April, 2023 onwards with the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Act. Japan is well known for the safety of its streets and low crime rate – helped, no doubt, by…
Tsuyu
Right in between Japan’s multicolored spring and scorching hot summers is a period of about 40-50 days, when the otherwise pleasant summer months become unusually gloomy, wet, and humid. This is tsuyu, Japan’s official monsoon season. (Also called plum rain…
Harrow International School Appi Japan
Harrow International School Appi Japan (Harrow Appi), which draws on the 450-year heritage of Harrow School in the UK, opened as a full-boarding international school in August 2022 for students aged 11 to 18 (Year 7 to Year 13). Set…
EXPAT EXPO TOKYO 2021
“EXPAT EXPO TOKYO” is the only exhibition for expatriates in Japan. The main objective for this event is “to create an opportunity for foreign residents to get information on products and services offered in English for their comfortable lives in…
The Japanese, the rain, and umbrellas
When you live in Japan you see that for half of the year in most places, it’s a rainy country — beginning with the fall of the cherry blossoms, then the thunderstorms in May, the monsoons in June, and the…
Keller Williams (Agent: Ken Tanaka)
Keller Williams was in charge more than 1/5 of the home transaction globally last year (2022), and Ken Tanaka was the top producing agent in Japan. His company (Tanaka Fudosan) are specialized Japanese investment sales for foreigners with prime Tokyo…
Sakura Spectacles
Cherry Blossom Forecast: 18th March 2023 in Tokyo Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced not for asking to refrain from having “Hanami Parties” at Tokyo Metropolitan Parks this year. Please check the detailed information for each park, since time and venues to…
Sumo
Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament will be held from 12th to 26th March in 2023. Sumo – an iconic sport that epitomizes Japan’s image internationally just as much as sushi; what other sport is as linked to just a single country,…
Kanda Festival
Kanda Festival will be held from 11th May 2023 to 17th May 2023. Internet TV will be available on 13th and 14th May 2023. This festival takes place at Kanda Myōjin (神田明神, Kanda Shrine), which has a history going back…
Tokyo Flowers in Spring
The smell of spring is in the air, and it seems like everyone is looking forward to the cherry blossoms and making plans for hanami…but what are the other flowers that blossom in the city? Here are some flowers that…
Tango no sekku / Children’s Day
Celebration Kodomo no hi (こどもの日, Children’s Day, 5th of May), today it is a day to celebrate all children’s health and growth. “Koinobori” kites in the shape of a carp, a lucky fish symbolizing determination and success, are flown above rooftops…
Back to School Japanese Style
April in Japan not only means cherry blossom viewing and streets flooded with university job hunters, but it also marks the beginning of another school year for Japan’s youngest. Now, most expat families choose to send their kids to international…
Would you like to improve your Japanese language skills as fast as possible?
Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ) Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ) in Shinjuku, Tokyo, provides high quality and optimal Japanese language lessons for diplomats, expatriates and other businesspersons, as well as their families and spouses. The reason TCJ says…
Drunk on Cherries
While you may have heard Japanese friends or acquaintances tell you about Japan’s “unique” four seasons, and while this may come as a surprise to some foreign visitors from countries that count the exact same number, the undeniable beauty of…
Things to Know about Winter Driving in Japan
Winter driving can be pretty treacherous, and you can never be too careful. When driving in Japan in the winter, remember to be aware of the road conditions. You might think that December is too early to think about heavy…
Column:New Styles of Japanese Language Classes and Natsume Soseki
Here’s a series of articles about tips for foreigners to learn Japanese by a Japanese language teacher at TCJ (Tokyo Central Japanese Language School) in Shinjuku Ward. Hello, my name is Jin, I am a Japanese language teacher at a…
Series COVID-19: Pregnancy in COVID-19 Disaster – 9 things you need to know
It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was swayed by COVID-19. The Expat’s Guide to Japan is now sharing information on how to prevent, deal with the viruses and so on with the help of Smart119. The 6th topic…
Series COVID-19: Differences between COVID-19 and Influenza
It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was swayed by COVID-19, and unfortunately it has not gone yet. The Expat’s Guide to Japan is now sharing information on how to prevent, deal with the viruses and so on with…
Series COVID-19: Latest Information on the COVID-19 Symptoms
It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was swayed by COVID-19. The Expat’s Guide to Japan is now sharing information on how to prevent, deal with the viruses and so on with the help of Smart119. The 5th topic…
Immunotherapy: Advanced cancer care (Tokyo Cancer Clinic)
A cancer diagnosis is a life changing event. Navigating the medical system in Japan and knowing what treatments are best for you can be overwhelming. Without inside knowledge or a specialist to advocate for your care, you wouldn’t know that…
Snowscapes of Japan
The Japanese archipelago is rich in geographical diversity and allows different regions to enjoy different winter sights. Due to the westerlies hitting the rugged, tall mountain ranges cutting through the country like a spine, the western side of the country…
Re-Juvenate Pilates – Bilingual Pilates Studio in Omotesando
Taeko Farthing, owner of Re-Juvenate Pilates, tells us why it was important to her to create a welcoming studio for both expats and locals. What Inspired You to Open a Pilates Studio? About 13 years ago I had my second…
TOKYU PLAZA SHIBUYA
Shopping complex designed for sophisticated urban adults.…
Japanese Clinics & Hospitals
The first challenge facing anyone seeking medical attention in Japan is finding the right facility. Read about the differences between clinics and hospitals, and why you should choose a clinic for non-emergency cases, on this page.
Nihon System Service
One of the oldest international movers in Japan, a US State Department approved local agent in Tokyo.…
Kitty International School
preschool preschool…
Re-Juvenate Pilates
Re-Juvenate is a classical pilates studio offering personal and group classes on the full range of machines, in a bright and airy studio, just 4 minutes walk from Omotesando station. Pilates is a set of low-impact body conditioning exercises, designed…
Series COVID-19: How pet owners can prevent and take precautions for COVID-19
It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was swayed by COVID-19. The Expat’s Guide to Japan is now sharing information on how to prevent, deal with the viruses and so on with the help of Smart119. The fourth topic…
Thinking about your dental health? Check out this clinic
There are likely many foreign residents in Japan who put off going to the dentist out of concerns about methods and treatment differing from those in their home country. With this in mind, we spoke to one Tokyo-based dentist who…
Column : Let’s start learning Japanese!
Here’s a series of articles about tips for foreigners to learn Japanese by a Japanese language teacher at TCJ (Tokyo Central Japanese Language School) in Shinjuku Ward. Hello! I’m AKO, a Japanese language teacher at TCJ. When did you come…
Esforta Roppongi
Esforta Roppongi is the fitness club for adults who want to practice fitness on daily basis in their urban lives. Targeting the middle-aged and elderly urbanites, it’s confident in its attentive hospitality (Omotenashi) and facilities with fully equipped gym, pool,…
Series COVID-19: The Correct Timing for Spraying Hand Sanitizer
It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was swayed by COVID-19. The Expat’s Guide to Japan is now sharing information on how to prevent, deal with the viruses and so on with the help of Smart119. The third topic…
Series COVID-19: How to Put on and Remove a Face Mask Properly (Surgical Masks)
It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 was swayed by COVID-19. The Expat’s Guide to Japan is now sharing information on how to prevent, deal with the viruses and so on with the help of Smart119. The second topic…
