Play Archives - GaijinPot InJapan

7 Ways to Smile Your Way Through the Tokyo Marathon (or any run)

February 19th, 2014By Breawna EatonCategory: Events

My secret to surviving the Tokyo marathon last year was not finding the perfect pair of shoes, fuel, or training plan. All of these were important, as were proper hydration, a motivating playlist, and chafe-preventing lube. But what really kept me going each time I ... » Continue Reading
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Village Vanguard. Ridiculous + Awesome Holiday Shopping

December 18th, 2013By Cynthia PopperCategory: Shopping

If you’re heading back to your home country for the holidays, and a terrible planner, you’re probably in the frenzy of last-minute holiday shopping. Yes, you can show up to Mom’s doorstep with traditional Japanese omiyage, OR you can shop at Village Vanguard and make yo ... » Continue Reading
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Nihon Noms: 5 Japanese Superfoods To Eat Tonight

December 14th, 2013By Cynthia PopperCategory: Food & Dining

We all know that Japanese food is known for being healthy, but here are a few food facts to help you shop happily and yummily. (I made that word up). Wakame A type of seaweed found in just about any grocery store, Wakame has more than ten times the calcium of milk ... » Continue Reading
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Hafu: Growing up with a mixed heritage in Japan

December 13th, 2013By Elizabeth TaskerCategory: 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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2013 Tokyo Ramen Grand Prix Wrap Up

December 6th, 2013By Cynthia PopperCategory: Culture, Food & Dining

Since moving to Japan, the once thing I promised myself I’d never write about is ramen. I’m hardly an expert and I think there are as many food bloggers covering ramen art as there are shops in Tokyo. That said, I’ve decided I'm a big fat hypocrite, because the Tokyo Ra ... » Continue Reading
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First Aid for Head and/or Heart Injuries

December 3rd, 2013By Chuck JohnsonCategory: Outdoor/Sports

As a foreigner living in Japan, with the possible exception of ending up in jail, the scariest situations you can possibly be in are the emergency ones. Even for those of us who can speak Japanese relatively well, medical language and/or jargon can be hit or miss, a ... » Continue Reading
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Sunny Diner is The Real Fake Deal

November 29th, 2013By Cynthia PopperCategory: Food & Dining

The movie Ghost World rules for two reasons: 1) the music is cool, and 2) the main character is obsessed with a fake 50’s diner. photo: unrealitymag Pulp Fiction has an excellent one too. Jack Rabbit Slim's Fake 50’s diners are an American institution, d ... » Continue Reading
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20 signs you live in Japan

November 26th, 2013By Elizabeth TaskerCategory: 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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Japanese Food 101: Let’s Eat Nabe

November 22nd, 2013By Cynthia PopperCategory: Food & Dining

If you’re new to Japan and aren’t well versed in Japanese cookery, going to the grocery store is a bit of a nightmare. A shopping trip that should take twenty minutes turns into an hour-long mystery tour. Is that bottle soy sauce? Black vinegar? Some other magical sauce ... » Continue Reading
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5 J-Blogs You Should Be Reading

November 19th, 2013By Cynthia PopperCategory: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Events, Food & Dining

Here’s a quick roundup of some of my favorite blogs about life in Japan. Whether you’re into yummy stuff, geek culture, or the seedy underbelly of this nation, these bloggers do a capital job of bringing their passions to life on the monitor. 1) Spoon and Tamago ... » Continue Reading