Category: Lifestyle

  • Jiyugaoka: Ultimate Guide to The Fancy Side of Tokyo

    Jiyugaoka: Ultimate Guide to The Fancy Side of Tokyo

    This is a bit of a long one! But it’s a light read – it’s all about the highlights of the area of Jiyugaoka, Tokyo. The area is heavily westernised, so it has a lot of interesting architecture and cultural fusion going on. But whether you’re looking for a bowl of vegan ramen, or a…

  • Japanese Work Culture: Are the Stories True or False?

    Japanese Work Culture: Are the Stories True or False?

    There are a lot of stereotypes and media-hyped stories about Japan’s crazy work culture. Having lived through it myself, here are the truths and untruths about it all:https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2022/10/japanese-work-culture-true-or-false/

  • Food and Beverage eCommerce Platforms in Japan

    Food and Beverage eCommerce Platforms in Japan

    GourmetPro is a consulting agency helping those in the food and beverage industry break into the Japan market. I’ve recently been hired as a consultant for them, but I also write articles about the Japan F&B scene, like this one. Here I explore the best eCommerce platforms for starting up a food and beverage store…

  • Becoming a Funeral Director in Japan with Robert Hoey

    Becoming a Funeral Director in Japan with Robert Hoey

    In Japan, you’re likely to come across a whole host of interesting jobs in the international sphere, but one you might not see so often is an embalmer. I interviewed Robert Hoey on his work in the funeral industry in my latest piece for Jobs in Japan:https://jobsinjapan.com/living-in-japan-guide/becoming-a-funeral-director-in-japan-with-robert-hoey/

  • What is Nori? 8 Things to Know About Japanese Seaweed

    What is Nori? 8 Things to Know About Japanese Seaweed

    Although nori has gained international acclaim as a tasty seaweed to wrap your sushi in, there are actually quite a few other types of edible seaweed in Japan! In this article for Japan Objects, I take a look at the different types of seaweed, and how they’re harvested and dried:https://japanobjects.com/features/nori-seaweed

  • 5 Ways to Enjoy Autumn in Japan

    5 Ways to Enjoy Autumn in Japan

    Before moving to Japan, I never truly appreciated autumn. In the UK, it gets cold all too quickly, and there aren’t many places to really take in the autumn colours. But in Japan, the weather cools down slowly, giving you a break from the overbearing heat of summer, and rewarding you with beautiful reds and…

  • Shopping for Wedding Rings in Japan

    Shopping for Wedding Rings in Japan

    Recently I had a fun time looking for my own wedding ring in Tokyo, and we ended up going to a place called Hamri in Omotesando, where you can make your very own design. But there are of course plenty of options to get a ring for that special someone in Japan, so here’s a…

  • First Timer’s Guide to Eating at an Izakaya

    First Timer’s Guide to Eating at an Izakaya

    If you’re visiting Japan, an Izakaya is an absolute must. When I visited with my family it’s not something we did, because we favoured the more polished experiences. But I think we would have enjoyed it, because it really shows the local culture and cuisine. Now that I live in Japan, going to an izakaya…

  • The Linguistic Joy of Cooking

    The Linguistic Joy of Cooking

    This is my first ever publication with the Japan Times. It was published in their print edition on Friday August 19, 2022, and covers different linguistic aspects of cooking in Japan. From “中華鍋” to “寝かせる”, here are some of the Japanese words and phrases you might find yourself needing when you open a cookbook. Read…

  • Becoming a Momprenuer with Jo Ebisujima

    Becoming a Momprenuer with Jo Ebisujima

    I interviewed Jo Ebisujima about her time in Japan, and how she came to have a successful business, all the while keeping up her duties as a mum. Jo Ebisujima uses her passion for travel and education to help other working mums just like herself. Read the story here:https://jobsinjapan.com/living-in-japan-guide/becoming-a-momprenuer-with-jo-ebisujima/