There comes a day in every Japan expat’s life where you stare at a broken toaster oven, a worn-out rug, or that cheap folding chair you bought your first week here, and a deep sense of dread washes over you. You realize: I have absolutely no idea how to get rid of this. You’ve already […]
Honest Guide to the Misaki Maguro Ticket: Is It Actually Worth It?
It feels like almost every train line in Japan has those “Otoku” or discount passes, but since Keikyu is my home line, I am a bit biased toward theirs. They have a ton of options like the Hayama Excursion Ticket or the Yokosuka Enjoy Ticket, but today we are talking about the heavyweight: the Misaki […]
Ultimate Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 Guide
Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog! Honestly, by mid February, I am completely done with the drafty house and the grey skies. I found the standard April sakura […]
Kamakura in January: The Best Time for Mt. Fuji Views & No Crowds
Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog! If you ask the internet when to visit Kamakura, you are going to get blasted with photos of Hydrangeas (Kanji: 紫陽花 / […]
Strawberry Picking in Yokohama: The Ultimate Guide for Travelers
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and keeps the content free! Okay, can we talk about the smell for a second? The moment you step into one of these greenhouses, […]
5 Japanese Drugstore Essentials for Surviving Winter Dry Skin (Mom Approved)
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and keeps the content free! When I first moved to Yokohama, I thought I was totally prepared for the cold. I bought the puffer […]
Ultimate Hatsumode Guide: How to Pray at a Shrine in Japan
Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog! It’s officially the New Year holiday season in Japan! And if you are anything like me, you are probably freezing your butt […]
The Perfect Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Itinerary
Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog! So, you’re heading to Kamakura! Awesome choice. You’re probably planning to visit the city’s number one landmark: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. And you totally […]
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu History: Kamakura’s Tragic First Family
Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog! When you visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, it’s easy to see it as just a beautiful, ancient shrine. But that’s like looking […]
The Perfect Viewpoints Yokohama Itinerary: See the Skyline in 3 Hours
Have you ever looked at a city skyline and wondered what it would feel like to see it all from above? Yokohama, with its stunning port and glittering high-rises, is a city made for panoramic views. It’s a perfect afternoon trip from nearby places like Kamakura and an incredibly popular one-day trip from Tokyo, offering […]