's Advice List

 image United States 30 years in Japan

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in Japan with a Different Kind of Sweet images

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in Japan with a Different Kind of Sweet

As a pancake boom sweeps the nation, waffle shops are everywhere and gooey goops of chocolate sauce are merrily mixed into multi-flavored ice cream at Coldstone, it might be hard for you to imagine the the not-so-sweet sweet in Japan is a popular and beloved thing.If you take your friends or ho…(391 words)

 image

Sweets Dessert Restaurant Hotel Art Roppongi Department store Green tea Wagashi Sweets Maccha
Parents Encourage English Learning in Japan After Watching Disney Movie Frozen images

Parents Encourage English Learning in Japan After Watching Disney Movie Frozen

Take a look at this video of a sweet little Japanese girl with her Kanji chart visible in the background singing "Let it Go" for all the world to see. At the beginning you hear her mother say "Ikimasu!" which means "Here we go!"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFpGHF-oJKcWell, that is exac…(540 words)

 image

English English Japan English Language Japan Frozen Film in Japan Japanese Culture and Style Japanese Culture Visit Japan Japan Travel
Taxis in Japan, Are they even Better Now? images

Taxis in Japan, Are they even Better Now?

Okay, I admit it. I ride a taxi in Japan at least twice a day. I've been here 27 years and never felt the need to get one of those things you keep at your house in a garage that has four wheels and moves :)The Japanese public transportation combined with the convenience and extreme accessibil…(297 words)

 image

Japanese Taxis Japan Travel Taxicab Getting around Tokyo Tokyo Taxi Ride Exploring tokyo Exploring Japan Only in Japan
Japanese Geta, Traditional Shoes in Japan, To Getya Going! images

Japanese Geta, Traditional Shoes in Japan, To Getya Going!

Are you from Hawaii? If you are...help me out here. At Pearl Ridge Elementary School (during the 70s) we went through a footwear boom called "Klonks". It was just around the time that coolots (the jeans type) and those feathered clip-on decorations you put in your hair, were popular. Now, do yo…(611 words)

 image

Geta slipper Japan Shoes Japanese Culture Japanese Summer Japanese Culture and Style Japan Travel Summer Japanese Kimono Japanese Footwear Yokohama
Bunny Signs are the New Cute Traffic Cones in Japan images

Bunny Signs are the New Cute Traffic Cones in Japan

Sometimes I wonder how Japanese life stays so placid. Placid in a good sense, like the surface of a deep ocean on a calm day. There is a lot going on underneath but the surface is flat, peaceful and non-threatening. In Japanese we call it "Joushiki" which to me is best translated as "civility" or "…(355 words)

 image

Japanese lifestyle Japan Tokyo Station Travel Japan Kawaii Japanese Culture and Style Japanese Culture Cute Japan Exploring tokyo Shokudo Tokyo
A Gentleman's Kimono Completes the Outfit in Japan images

A Gentleman's Kimono Completes the Outfit in Japan

Simple and clean, small Kobachi dishes contain lightly grilled fish, healthy Hijiki seaweed and a few other bites to complement an ochoko cup of dry rice wine. In the photo, the gentleman is taking his first sip of Sake after what may have been a long, stressful day. He may have come home around 8 …(281 words)

 image

men in kimono Sake (Rice wine) Yukata (Light kimono) Sake Japan Kimono Japan Japanese inn yukata banshaku evening drink denim kimono Japan Japanese futon Japan Travel food
Why Men Look Handsome in Kimonos in Japan? images

Why Men Look Handsome in Kimonos in Japan?

I've noticed more men wearing Kimono on weekends recently. The obi belt tied just above the hips, masculine shoulders emphasized by a narrower line going down the body, a deep blue color. Try walking in back of one of these gents. Watch the way the geta sandals click on the stone walkway and how th…(251 words)

 image

Kimono Asakusa Fashion Kimono experience Geta slipper Asakusa Kimono Fashion Tokyo Kimono Rental for Men Male Kimono Japan Japan Kimono Kimono fashion for men
Doraemon, a Nostalgic Childhood Cartoon Character for All Japanese images

Doraemon, a Nostalgic Childhood Cartoon Character for All Japanese

I remember waking up early on a Saturday morning with my sister in Hawaii to watch our favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Of all, I liked Scooby Doo the best. Why? Because he was like me, he was creative, he was always scared but he always saved the day and he definitely liked and worked hard for …(433 words)

 image

Japanese cartoons Roppongi Hills Rainy Day Asahi Television Doraemon Japanese Animation Japanese Animation Japanese Anime Japanese Pop Culture Building
Figuring out the Green Car in Japan: JR Train Business Class Seats images

Figuring out the Green Car in Japan: JR Train Business Class Seats

JR Green Car is my favorite way to travel. After living here almost 27 years I still almost start to cry when I see the Green Car (premium seat car) slide past and go way down to the other side of the platform when I thought I was standing in the right place to meet it right when it arrives... Even…(825 words)

 image

Green Car JR Trains JR Train Etiquette and Tips Japan Travel Railway platform Extended distance travel Japan Etiquette
View the Most Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Japan images

View the Most Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Japan

A somewhat drab introduction in the metro underground of Kudanshita will quell your palate for something exciting outside. You have probably heard about the beauty of Cherry Blossom season in Japan, but NOTHING will prepare you for the jubilance and grace of huge Cherry trees stretching branch tips…(289 words)

 image

Cherry blossom Chidorigafuchi Spring Jinjya (Shrine) Japan Travel Cherry Blossom Day Tour Tokyo Hanami Kudanshita Tokyo
Spring is Coming in Japan, Where to Find the Prettiest Cherry Blossoms images

Spring is Coming in Japan, Where to Find the Prettiest Cherry Blossoms

As I snuggle under my comforter, wallow in the warm rush of O-furo and deftly avoid cold rain drops as I walk to the station, it is hard to believe Japan will soon be alight with warmth and a blanket of pink. If you are a nature love like me, you will notice a difference in the hard brown of the Wi…(313 words)

 image

Cherry blossom Cherry Blossom Viewing Japan Sping Travel Japan Japan Travel Spring How to Enjoy Hanami Spring in Japan March and April in Japan Travel Japan Sakura Enjoying Japanese Parks Year Round Travel Japan
What is the Safest and Easiest Transportation in Japan images

What is the Safest and Easiest Transportation in Japan

I've been in Japan and travelled around in taxis for 26 years. I average at least two taxi rides per day (at least over the last 20 years) so hmmm.. 600 taxi rides a year....hmmm......12,000 taxi rides? Wow!! Like my friend Claire, I have had many a very interesting conversation. I learned from my …(217 words)

 image

Japan Taxi Taxicab Transportation Japan Transportation How to ride a Japanese Taxi Getting around Tokyo Tokyo Taxi Ride Japan Travel Adventure
The Japanese Zodiac and How it Relates to Feminism in Japan images

The Japanese Zodiac and How it Relates to Feminism in Japan

2014 is the year of the Horse and actually for all of us ladies born between Jan. 1, 1966 and Feb. 1967, it really means a lot. The Chinese Zodiac is shared with Japan and Korea and every 60 years, a certain group of women come along known as the Hinoeuma or Fire Horse. The stigma against the Fire …(218 words)

 image

Women in Japan Japan Hinoeuma Year of the Horse Fire Horse Chinese Zodiac Lucky Horse
Mineral-rich Hot Spring in Japan Great for Skin images

Mineral-rich Hot Spring in Japan Great for Skin

It is a rare onsen (hot spring) where visitors can bathe in their bathing suits. When I first came to Japan way back when, I dreaded entering a hot spring area where naked bodies eased in and out of steaming mineral scented water. As I grew accustomed to the custom...I learned to practice the same …(431 words)

 image

Enoshima Island Day Spa Japan Bathing suit friendly onsen Hot Spring Japan Shiatsu Massage Japan Onsen Shinjuku Shibuya Coffee Kaitenzushi (Conveyor belt sushi)
Japanese People Love Hand-Made Gifts in Japan images

Japanese People Love Hand-Made Gifts in Japan

I have always appreciated the simple gift-giving culture in Japan. Some of my friends describe it as cumbersome since upon receiving something there is always some pressure to reciprocate. Yes, I agree, but at the same time, the reciprocal gift can take various forms and hand-made items that serve …(358 words)

 image

Japan love Iwate Japanese gift giving Gifts in Japan coffee gift beer gift Japan Holiday gifts Japan Food Beer
The Symmetry In Japanese Architecture images

The Symmetry In Japanese Architecture

I step over the deep, brown aged gate step into the temple's welcome garden. To my left is a preparation space for visitors to this tiny, ancient temple and cemetery tucked far into the hills near Kanazawa Bunko station on the Keikyu train line. After gathering up a broom, some shears for the chrys…(415 words)

 image

Japanese Architecture Chrysanthemum Japan Travel Japanese temple visit Jinjya (Shrine) Kanazawa Bunko Keikyu Train Line Temple garden Tera (Temple) Yokohama
How to Add a Touch of Cuteness with Your Gift in Japan images

How to Add a Touch of Cuteness with Your Gift in Japan

During the Holidays or during your visit in Japan, you might want to give your host, hotel concierge, or new friend a little gift of appreciation. You might also be planning to take things back home from Japan to your Japanese friends overseas. Guess what? You want a hint on how to up your polite l…(235 words)

 image

Japan Gifts in Japan Hotel Convenience store Holidays Visit Art new
The Magical DisneySea Perfect for Families images

The Magical DisneySea Perfect for Families

It seems a no-brainer that Disney Sea would be one of the places you dont want to miss during your visit to Japan. Disneyland is in a few places around the world, but Japan is the only country to have a Disney Sea (the fourth most visited theme park in the world) that focuses on the nautical, explo…(375 words)

 image

Amusement park Tokyo Park Hotel Sea Visit
The Delicious Combo of Japanese Crackers and Tasty Beer images

The Delicious Combo of Japanese Crackers and Tasty Beer

If you are going somewhere in the suburbs late at night you will notice a lot of people choose to take a breather on the Green Sha (green car first class seats) on the way home. A nice Green Car attendant comes through the car to offer drinks and snacks and I always choose Asahi Super Dry beer and …(216 words)

 image

Persimmon Train Drink Ticket Soy sauce Beer Etiquette Wine Rice cracker Railway platform
Tokyo Midtown is A Great Place to Hangout in Japan images

Tokyo Midtown is A Great Place to Hangout in Japan

Since the trains start so early and there is an Oedo line exit for Roppongi station under the Midtown shopping area, this place is buzzing and fun from about 7:30 a.m. If you get there too early, you can rest right outside in the park right next store. There is a lovely little stream there, open ya…(227 words)

 image

Tokyo Shopping Park Roppongi Tea Art Coffee
Craziest Amusement Park in Japan, Fujikyu Highland images

Craziest Amusement Park in Japan, Fujikyu Highland

I was at Fujikyu Highland the other day for a speech and from the window in the hotel I spied this unbelievable drop on their huger roller coaster. Yes, you are right, it actually inclines like that and you could hear the screams of delight all through the day. The park did not seem very crowded on…(125 words)

 image

Fujikyu Highland Japan Tokyo Park Hotel Bus Onsen Food
Cleanliness in Key in Japanese Shops images

Cleanliness in Key in Japanese Shops

One thing I absolutely love about Japan is how clean everything is. Today I was at a soba shop and I noticed the little cup of toothpicks was knocked over and that about 20 toothpicks were strewn across the countertop. I noted this to the staff in the restaurant and he immediately said "So Sorry!" …(183 words)

 image

Fast food Tokyo Restaurant Etiquette Soba noodles Coffee Shop
The Cutest Cartoon Character in Japan, Funasshii images

The Cutest Cartoon Character in Japan, Funasshii

My daughter and I love the character representing Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture named "Funasshii". Recently the characters or mascots from different areas of Japan are on TV a lot and there is actually a Sumo contest on TV between these adorable and playful characters. Each of them has a perso…(225 words)

 image

Japan cartoon City Souvenir Chiba Sumo Camera Kids
Wasabi! Watch out when Eating in Japan images

Wasabi! Watch out when Eating in Japan

If you dont really like having a lot of wasabi in your sushi, please make sure you ask the Chef "Wasabi wa karume de". This literally means, "Please go lightly on the wasabi". Or, you can ask for "Sabi Nuki" which means they wont put any wasabi in the sushi at all. However, the wasabi flavor actual…(146 words)

 image

Sushi Japanese cuisine Japan Horse radish Soy sauce Vinegar Fish Cuisine
The Real Sushi Experience, Don't Miss Out! images

The Real Sushi Experience, Don't Miss Out!

I always went to "kaiten sushi" because it was easy, you can calculate expense based on color and design of the plates and you could see what you are ordering as you take a plate off the conveyer belt. I still go to kaitenzushi when I want a scrumptious meal of sush (I want to eat a lot) or when I …(351 words)

 image

Sushi Sashimi (Raw fish) Kaitenzushi (Conveyor belt sushi) Japanese cuisine Restaurant Fast food Food Winter
Make sure in Japan to drink tea at a restaurant images

Make sure in Japan to drink tea at a restaurant

Today, we stopped in at a beautiful little Sushi Shop in Ginza in Tokyo. The warm tea that came out right at the beginning prepared our palate perfectly for the lovely fish to come after. It was a truly perfect experience. We would recommend that when you come to eat sushi you make sure to prepare …(76 words)

 image

Japan Dining Tokyo Sushi Ginza Tea Green tea
Nissan World Headquarters in Minato Mirai, Japan great place for Tech-Savvy people images

Nissan World Headquarters in Minato Mirai, Japan great place for Tech-Savvy people

If you want to see cutting edge green cars of the future getting ready for mass production, the Nissan World Corporate Headquarters in Minato Mirai is a great place to visit. The Showroom is state of the art and you can take a look at the history of Nissan and how the cars have evolved over the yea…(103 words)

 image

Japan Nissan Technology Yokohama History Visit Walk
Eat the Best Ramen Noodles in Japan images

Eat the Best Ramen Noodles in Japan

You can see here that we have ordered Jumbo Ramen with Nori (seaweed) as one of the best toppings. Floating quietly in the hot and tasty soup is the Onsen or boiled soft egg. If you cut it open with your chopsticks the soft yellow yolk will flow out into the ramen soup and add that last amazing tas…(90 words)

 image

Eat Japan Drink Ramen noodles Onsen seaweed chopsticks
Special Fairs and Shops to Check Out in Japan images

Special Fairs and Shops to Check Out in Japan

Yesterday, we went to see a movie at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Theatre and were happily surprised with the Akita Bisaikan specialty shop right across from the entrance. You can try different produce from this beautiful prefecture, buy rice samples and taste the lovely Amazake of the area. It was r…(185 words)

 image

Hotel Akita Shop Tokyo Movie Theatre
Did you know you can eat Raw noodles in Japan? images

Did you know you can eat Raw noodles in Japan?

Tsuke-men can be one of the best Ramen Experiences ever! You can get a soft boiled egg along with the dish and I like to cut the egg in half with my chopsticks and put it in the sauce to add the juicy egg-yolk to the mix. You pick up cooler noodles and then dip them into the sauce. This is differen…(163 words)

 image

Eat Japan Tokyo Restaurant Ramen noodles Soba noodles
Japan has the Cleanest Shops in the World images

Japan has the Cleanest Shops in the World

If you happen to be a bit jet lagged and feel like walking around some of Tokyo's downtown neighborhoods (Roppongi, Shinjuku, Shinbashi, etc.) early in the morning, you will see some interesting culture that has to do with how this city stays clean. In the Summer time, shop owners will often do som…(170 words)

 image

Japan Tokyo City Etiquette Shinjuku Roppongi Salt Shinbashi Summer
From Luxurious Shops to Majestic Gardens: Tokyo Midtown images

From Luxurious Shops to Majestic Gardens: Tokyo Midtown

There is almost too much to see at Tokyo Midtown to write it all down here. One of the best things about the area are the floor guides who wear beautiful uniforms that change with the season and can help you in several different languages. There are many different shops that feature excellent Japan…(182 words)

 image

Tokyo Tokyo Midtown Park Building Tea Art Uniqlo
The Best Spa in Japan images

The Best Spa in Japan

Enoshima Island Spa is located just outside Tokyo (direct ride on the Romance Car from Shinjuku Station..60 to 70 minutes). This ancient healing spot is just off the Shonan Coast and you take a 10 minute walk over the bridge to the island itself. The spa entrance fee of 2,650 yen gives you access t…(136 words)

 image

Tokyo Enoshima Island Japan Shinjuku Swimming Spring Winter
Packed Trains, Bustling Streets, How to survive as a foreigner in Japan images

Packed Trains, Bustling Streets, How to survive as a foreigner in Japan

You may see someone move to another seat when the person next to them starts to nod off as the sleepy passenger might actually accidentally rest their head on the person sitting next to them. Or, you might see someone who has partied too hard, stretched out sound asleep on a station bench. Well, th…(164 words)

 image

Transportation Japan Train Park Etiquette Railway platform
Japan's the Best Place for Cute Tiny Gifts images

Japan's the Best Place for Cute Tiny Gifts

Look closely at the little knick knacks in the various shops along a street or shopping arcade in Japan and you will be amazed by the ingenuity that goes in to one little item and how it can grace the home with a bit of sweetness and be useful at the same time. I believe Japan has kind of mastered …(166 words)

 image

Shopping Japan Art Coffee Souvenir Milk Arcade
When Shopping in Japan Live as the Japanese Do images

When Shopping in Japan Live as the Japanese Do

Shopping in Japan can be a dream. The stores are beautiful and the shopkeepers are very civilized and unaggressive. One thing to remember is that when the staff say "Irashaimase" it basically means welcome and is a set phrase at every establishment. They are just welcoming you and not being pushy i…(113 words)

 image

Shopping Japan Shoes Etiquette Phrase Clothes
Take a risk and emerge yourself in the fine Japanese Art of Ikebana images

Take a risk and emerge yourself in the fine Japanese Art of Ikebana

Okay, well, I have never studied Ikebana (Japanese style flower arrangement) but I love the style and I admire all the work of art I see all around (even in local train stations done by loyal and dedicated Ikebana artists each week). I believe Japan is confident enough in the art and the style it o…(152 words)

 image

Flower IKEBANA Train Train station Art Hair style
Experience Japanized Style American Breakfast images

Experience Japanized Style American Breakfast

There is a Denny's just down the street from my house and I used to go there all the time for bacon and eggs with a side of toast. But....in Japan, Denny's also offers the opposite of the all-american breakfast. Fried fish, white rice, miso soup, umeboshi, dry nori (seaweed), an egg and some otukem…(127 words)

 image

breakfast Soy sauce Miso soup Toast Umeboshi Stay
Home of the Emperor of Japan, Ornate Edo Castle images

Home of the Emperor of Japan, Ornate Edo Castle

I think the best way to access this area is from Yurakucho station. It is an open area that used to be the Edo Castle. It is now home to the Emperor but you can see the remains of the buildings, the moat is huge and if you are really lucky you might actually witness a dignitary visiting the Emperor…(90 words)

 image

Castle Japan Emperor Tokyo Lucky Horse used
Weird Japanese Devices: Vegetabrella images

Weird Japanese Devices: Vegetabrella

I found this site Japan Ichiban that is an online shop for cool things from Japan. I particularly like this vegetable umbrella and will probably by this for my mom to take back to her for Christmas this year. It is fun to browse through the different items since they have sourced them from around t…(102 words)

 image

Umbrella Japan Tokyo Souvenir Christmas Shop