Travelling

November must-buy in Japan

by Anna
To have a merry little Christmas Once upon a time I came to Japan. Having a 100% foreigner mindset I waited for December to discover that the essential Christmas must-haves have long been sold. If you’re a foreigner living in Japan and planning to celebrate Christmas, it’s important to keep in mind that the essential ... Read More

Deposit-free IC card: tourist in Japan

by Anna
On February 15th, JR (Japan Railways) announced the release of a new IC card called “Welcome Suica” designed specifically for foreign visitors to Japan who use public transportation for a short period of time. The card features a design that showcases Japanese sakura and offers a benefit of prepaid public transportation services without requiring a ... Read More

My rent contracts in Japan

by Anna
One of my colleagues recently moved into a new apartment in Japan and mentioned that she had to spend an hour reviewing the contract with the owner. This is typical for Japanese apartment contracts. It’s worth noting that Japan is a highly bureaucratic country, with a strong preference for putting everything in writing. While this ... Read More

What Japanese do you like?

by Anna
When speaking Japanese with my Japanese friends, the inevitable question arises: “What Japanese do you like most?” or, as it is said in Japanese, 好きな日本語はなんですか？ “Suki na nihongo wa nan desu ka?” I am always at a loss for how to respond. After all, the Japanese language is full of different dialects, idioms, characters, onomatopoeia, ... Read More