Strawberry lovers, this is not a drill. The Yokohama Strawberry Festival 2025 is back, and it’s bigger, juicier, and more delicious than ever. From February 6th to March 2nd, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is transforming into a strawberry paradise, featuring the best strawberries from all over Japan, mouthwatering desserts, and interactive experiences that’ll make […]
Top 10 Stunning Must-See Plum Blossom Spots in Kanagawa for 2025
Every year, people go absolutely feral over cherry blossoms, flooding parks, snapping a million photos, and cramming into trains like it’s some kind of pink petal apocalypse. But while everyone’s out there losing their minds over sakura, plum blossoms (ume) are already in full, glorious bloom—and barely anyone seems to notice. Tragic, really. These elegant […]
Aggressive Nara Deer? 8 Essential Tips to Stay Safe & Enjoy Your Visit
The Nara deer are legendary. These four-legged locals have been hanging out in Nara Park for centuries, charming visitors with their polite bowing and snack-loving ways. But if you’ve scrolled through social media recently, you might’ve seen tourists griping about “aggressive” behavior. What gives? Are the deer really turning into headbutting hooligans, or are people […]
Setsubun Guide: 5 Fun Facts Every Foreign Parent Needs to Know!
So you’ve found yourself in Japan with kids, and February 3rd rolls around. Suddenly, everyone’s talking about throwing beans, scaring off demons, and eating an absurdly long sushi roll in total silence. Welcome to Setsubun, one of Japan’s quirkiest and most entertaining holidays! As a foreign parent, you might be wondering what’s going on and […]
Experience Yokohama Chinese Spring Festival 2025 – Japan’s Biggest Lunar Celebration!
Alright, festival lovers, if you’re searching for the ultimate way to kick off February, look no further! Yokohama’s Chinatown is about to explode with energy as it hosts one of the most vibrant Chinese Spring Festival celebrations in Japan. Get ready for dazzling lights, high-energy performances, and an atmosphere so electric it’ll have you buzzing […]
Rakuten Points: How to Hoard Them and Make the Most of Your Glorious Rakuten Credit Card in 2025
So, let me start with the tea: I got my Rakuten credit card because, frankly, Japan doesn’t make it easy for foreigners to get a credit card. But Rakuten? Oh, they were different. No endless bureaucracy, no awkward phone calls in Japanese to verify my entire life story. They just let me apply online, and […]
Iconic Mount Fuji With or Without the Snow Cap in 2024
Alright, confession time: I’m a hardcore Mount Fuji fan. I’m talking full-on groupie vibes. Living in Japan, I have every excuse to stare at her whenever I can, from all angles and in all her moods. This year, though? She’s kept us all on our toes because it’s already winter, and Fuji-san is STILL missing […]
Free Yokohama Walking Itinerary for History Buffs: Explore Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Historic Gems
If you’ve been living in Yokohama for a while, like I have, you’ll know this city is packed with history. Seriously, it’s like a hidden museum in plain sight. Yokohama was one of the first places to open up to the world when Japan ended its isolation in the mid-1800s, and ever since, it’s been […]
Garbage Sorting and Recycling in Japan: What You Really Need to Know to Avoid Trash Nightmares
Let me tell you, when I first moved to Japan almost ten years ago, I thought I was prepared. I’d done my research. I knew Japan was big on recycling, and I was feeling all eco-warrior about it. How hard could it be? Just toss your plastics in one bin, your burnable trash in another, […]
Tsukimi: Captivating Moon Gazing, Japanese-Style (And Why It’s So Much More Than Just Staring at the Sky)
Alright, let’s talk about Tsukimi—also known as the Moon Viewing Festival. When I first heard about it, I was like, “Wait, Japan has a holiday for staring at the moon? That’s it?” But after living here for a few years, I’ve learned Tsukimi is a whole vibe, and there’s more to it than just sky-gazing. […]