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 hyd ...
If you’re coming to Tokyo, you’re going to shop. It’s part of the Tokyo experience. I recently stepped out to film a Tokyo Minute segment on vintage shopping in Haraj ...
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This week’s GaijinPot podcast is a nice wrap up on the Modeling in Japan series. The articles go in ...
The first snow of the year fell last Monday, January 14. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, 7cm of snow fell in Tokyo and Chiba and the temperature in Tokyo last Monday noon was 0.8 degrees. This unusual event mixed in with excitement among children, but then ...
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Hanetsuki is one of the many traditional Japanese games that resembles badminton. According to history, hanetsuki served as a rite during exorcisms, becoming a game for girls during the Muromachi period (1333-1568). It is played without a net, using a rectangular wood ...
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There is considerable literature written about the procedures involved in incorporating a company in Japan (or registering a Japan branch of a foreign company), but when thinking about set-up there are many unwritten conditions and factors that can also affect sched ...
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Perhaps no amount of research could fully prepare you for the realities of working for a Japanese company, but having learned the hard way that it’s no cakewalk, I would like to offer to newcomers, or even veterans who need a supportive reminder, my advice on how to fun ...
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In various societies, entry into an age grade is marked by an initiation rite. Catholics have Confirmation, Jewish communities have their Bar and Bat Mitzvah while in Japan, they have the Seijin no hi or the Coming of Age Day.
It is a Japanese holiday held on the ...
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The Tokyo Auto Salon is the largest auto exhibition in the world. There are over 600 vehicles for display with over 300 companies, associations, and schools. There are also after-market parts manufacturers, custom shops, care manufacturers, automotive businesses, an ...
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Many people say you'll never be bored in Japan because there's so much to see. In fact, the first few days of the year of the water snake has already been colorful. There was Tamaseseri or Ball-catching festival in Fukuoka City and recently, Tokyo has celebrated the n ...
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In Japan, the 20th year of a person's life is the "coming of age" year. This is where teenagers officially enter the world of adulthood, to become more responsible citizens. Marked by a joyous and colorful celebration held every year in January, teenagers flock to Kyo ...
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Recently, I wrote a short piece titled, “Is the JET Program right for you?” This was a short article, just intended as a very brief primer on the JET Program, based mostly on my own experiences and the experiences of other JETs I’ve personally known. Some of the comment ...
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Most of us celebrate and start the new year with resolutions that we'll really never do, aside from the usual fireworks display and colorful and yummy food. Japan is one of the countries in the world that has interesting celebrations and traditions.
One of these ...
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Ben and I went to Yasaksa Shrine near Chion-in Temple. We were originally planning to go to a temple, because of the Buddhist tradition of bell ringing just before midnight, but we got bored waiting in a line that started queueing at 7 pm. Temples do not allow food, e ...
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Kagami mochi 「鏡餅」 is a special traditional Japanese decoration for the New Year, usually displayed inside the house in the kamidana, for Toshigami, the god of the new year, to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. Kagami mochi is made from two rice cakes (mo ...
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