Lifestyle
Daiso to change Japanese closing-time music because foreign tourists aren’t taking the hint
One peculiar aspect of life in Japan that people discover soon after moving here from abroad is that there’s a special culturally accepted song that is played by all kinds of stores about 15 minutes before their designated closing time. It’s a soft tune that is meant to gently nudge customers into realizing… Read
A guide to volunteering in Japan
Like many places, volunteering rates in Japan tend to rise in the aftermath of disasters. By the third anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, according to a study by the Japan National Council of Social Welfare, more than 1.3 million people volunteered in the disaster-struck area. From vulnerable individuals… Read
Everyday Japanese: How to address someone
One way to make a great first impression in your new workplace or school is to address people in Japanese correctly. Using the right honorific shows your level of Japanese cultural awareness, your regard for the other person and sets the tone for the rest of the interaction. Beginner learners of the Japanese language are… Read
Laundry in Japan: Detergent, bleach and tips
Are you doing laundry in Japan wrong? You might ask, “How hard can mastering a washing machine in Japan be?” Washing your clothes isn’t hard, but you might use the wrong detergents if you’re still learning Japanese. It usually won’t hurt. Mistaking fabric softener instead of laundry detergent will make your new clothes… Read
Birthday discounts and freebies in Japan
Living in consumer-rich but salary-poor Japan, we all look for a good deal. Around your birthday is a great, little-acknowledged time to save some cash in Japan. Many restaurants, stores, attractions and spas offer birthday discounts and freebies in Japan—some even better than discounts for passport holders—that will help you celebrate your… Read
Understanding Japanese unemployment insurance
For many foreigners, working in Japan is a dream come true. But what happens if the company goes bankrupt or issues layoffs and you lose your job? Luckily, the social benefits that are deducted from your pay can help. For anyone who loses their job or quits, there is a temporary… Read
Japan ranked worst country in world for helping strangers
People in Japan are well known for their kindness, so it may come as a surprise to hear that it actually ranks as the worst country in the world when it comes to helping strangers. The revelation came to light in the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index for 2023,… Read
Learning Japanese tea ceremony as a foreigner
Since moving to Japan, I have studied the Urasenke style of sado, or chado (Japanese tea ceremony) in Shimane Prefecture. My original goal was simply to learn about the matcha culture of Matsue (Shimane’s capital). Still, the fun of this traditional art and encouragement from my teacher and fellow students have inspired me to learn the… Read
1,300-year-old Kyoto shrine changes bell policy following altercation with foreign tourists
Construction for Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine was founded in the seventh century, and it sits right in the middle of Gion, the city’s geisha quarter. That combination of cultural significance and easy-to-access location has made Yasaka Shrine one of Kyoto’s most popular sightseeing attractions, but following a recent incident involving some nighttime foreign visitors,… Read
Himakajima: The Japanese island with one traffic light that only turns green once a year
People tend to imagine the urban sprawl of Tokyo when envisioning Japan, but the country has a vast countryside too, with places that can give the quaintest parts of the world a run for their money. One such place is the small island of Himakajima a few dozen kilometers south of Nagoya, in between… Read
