
The 3rd of February is Setsubun, a special day marking the transition of winter into spring. While in reality the cold weather will probably continue well into March, it’s fun to get into the spirit of things by doing some…
To chase away the cold, warming dishes like nabe and oden are particularly popular in winter in Japan. Both can be made with a wide range of ingredients, with some of the most popular being in season (or “shun” in…
An hour from Tokyo by car, or 30 minutes from Kamakura, Hayama is a peaceful town in Kanagawa Prefecture, bounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. While the area has become popular in recent years…
Cancer Institute Hospital is Japan’s first and largest hospital specializing in cancer care. Its Screening Center offers examinations not simply for confirmation of overall health status but focusing on the prevention and the early detection of cancer. The examinations are…
The Center Hospital provides the best general healthcare services to overcome diseases and improve health with the aim of contributing to society. As one of the most advanced treatment hospitals in Japan, they provide patients with the best care and…
NTT Medical Center has over 40 highly skilled specialist departments complemented by a dedicated Department of International Healthcare. The department of international healthcare is staffed by bilingual medical staff, and aims to provide holistic care and support for international patients.…
Originally founded in 2007 as Jingumae International Exchange School, Shinagawa International School (SIS) moved to its current premises in June 2018. An IB World School for children aged 3-12, SIS offers a holistic and student-centered approach in an environment that…
How much do you know about Japanese cuisine, or “washoku”? In 2013, traditional Japanese food was granted Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO, bringing about a sudden washoku boom across the world. Despite this surge in popularity, there is a…
With all the available land transport services – express trains, shinkansen and highway buses – you would be forgiven for overlooking air travel in Japan. But flying has its advantages. For one, there is a much wider variety of destinations…
I’m at one of Tokyo’s international preschools, observing the morning session. Two boys around the age of four are playing with toy cars; one is dragging his over a play roadway made of fabric, the other is racing an ambulance…
Enjoy a sushi course menu made with seasonal ingredients carefully selected by the head chef.…
Making the decision of where to send your child to school can be a time of stress and uncertainty. There are many options and styles in Tokyo and it is important to choose a school that matches your needs and…
The system of renting in Japan, while not overly complex, can be daunting due to a lack of foreign language assistance. Employees of international companies dispatched to Japan will usually gain assistance through their employers, who often use large relocation…
Working for a Japanese company or doing business in Japan involves a certain degree of ceremony and ritual, so it’s best to know the proper etiquette to avoid potential embarrassment or offense. Continue reading for a basic rundown on approaching…
Get off the train at Gotanda and walk north from the station about five minutes and you’ll come to this surprisingly serene Tokyo neighborhood. Ikedayama is named after the Ikeda family of Okayama Castle, whose residence was located here during…
These days, parents in Tokyo have a great deal of choice when it comes to international education. New schools are established each year, keeping pace with a steady increase in both the number of expats in Japan, and in interest…
A collaboration between acclaimed fashion designer Yamamoto Yohji and artist Asakura Yuuka, Painting and Weaving is an exhibition of artworks and clothing-based installation pieces running at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery until mid-March. The Japanese title is “Ga to Ki”,…
Meijiza is a theatre with over 140 years of history, located in the Nihonbashi area of central Tokyo. While the venue has over the years been host to traditional forms of drama including kabuki and shinpa, and more recently to…
On Friday 25th November, Expat’s Guide staff attended a disaster prevention seminar at Taito Kumin Kaikan in Asakusa. The seminar included a lecture and a panel discussion, with an aim to increase awareness of both the dangers faced in the…
A drugstore that also sells a wide range of cosmetics.…
A basic knowledge of how airline ticket booking works in Japan will help you navigate the various options, and allow you to get the best deals for domestic travel. When tickets go on sale For standard (non-discount) fares, airline tickets…
Japan is the birthplace of karaoke, and no trip to the country is complete until you’ve thrown your inhibitions aside and stepped up to the mic. Karaoke machines are common staples at “snack” bars, but by far the preferred setting…