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- Katakana: the ultimate ‘Lost in Translation’
- January 27th, 2014Category: Uncategorized
- You know that feeling where you begin a test filled with certainty that the 100%, A-grade, best-student-ever, candidate for lord-and-master was in the bag? Only to be faced with soul crushing defeat of only one correct answer out of five, thereby proving every local ... » Continue Reading
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- Hafu: Growing up with a mixed heritage in Japan
- December 13th, 2013Category: Culture
- When I went to see the ‘Hafu’, the independent film exploring the lives of Japanese residents with a single Japanese parent, I had two clear pre-conceptions: (1) That this was a film that could only exist about Japan. In more multicultural countries, I reasoned ... » Continue Reading
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- 20 signs you live in Japan
- November 26th, 2013Category: Culture
- (1) You think it quite normal for an ATM to need down time, but you expect you local konbini to be open 24/7. (2) You hesitate to wear shoes that cannot be taken off in seconds. (3) Being hugged in the street is very embarrassing, but naked bath time with your wor ... » Continue Reading
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- Please have your baby during working hours: 10 tips on giving birth in Japan
- September 30th, 2013Category: Uncategorized
- Even though not all of us have had the experience of (or indeed, possess the required biology for) bringing another human into this world, it is easy to imagine that this is one of the most exciting (look at these cute baby boots! ), amazing (this is my child O_o ), ... » Continue Reading
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- A Taste of Scotland in Japan: Nikka Whisky
- July 24th, 2013Category: Food & Dining
- One of the few times I have ever felt truly homesick in Japan was when visiting the Yoichi Distillery, the first home of Nikka Whisky. Situated about an hour's train ride from Sapporo in Hokkaido, Yoichi encompasses both the hoppy scents and the mountainous landscap ... » Continue Reading
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- Sleeping tight: bed options in Japan
- July 10th, 2013Category: Uncategorized
- When I moved to Japan, the one item I made no attempt to bring with me was my bed. This was not in fact because I thought my new life would be too exciting for sleep, but because there was no way my Florida-bought queen-sized mattress would fit into my Japanese a ... » Continue Reading
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- No snow? Let’s eat … and promote cultural exchange: The Hokkaido University Festival
- June 26th, 2013Category: Culture, Food & Dining
- Outside the ski season, one of the best times to visit Sapporo is June. The blocks of frozen ice have finally released their clutches on roads and sidewalks and the sunny days throw the entire city into a party mood. Given the quantity of snow that mounts up in fron ... » Continue Reading
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- Vegetarian food without bacon: a vegan restaurant in Sapporo
- June 19th, 2013Category: Food & Dining
- "Does this pasta contain meat?" "It doesn't contain meat," the cheerful the restaurant waitress assured us. "Only bacon." Visitors to Japan who are vegetarian face two problems: that of language and that of culture. The former consists of the usual difficulty ... » Continue Reading
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- I called my Japanese teacher a cow: the importance of kanji
- June 12th, 2013Category: Uncategorized
- When the older Japanese lady who is your language teacher turns to you in class, clutches both her breasts and announces: 私は牛ではありません (watashi wa ushi dewa arimasen) I am not a cow You know something has gone terribly wrong. We were studying expressions for giving a ... » Continue Reading
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- How to pack a cat: 10 tips for taking your pet abroad
- June 5th, 2013Category: Uncategorized
- Moving to Japan definitely does not mean having to leave your pet behind, but it does require a substantial amount of planning. If you are intending to stay only for a year, this may not be a journey worth taking, but for longer stays, don't be put off! Below are 10 ... » Continue Reading