Impressions of daily life in Japan
Winter is in full swing in Japan and it is cold! While the average daily maximum temperature for the Nagoya region in January is 9°C (according to the Japan Meteorological Agency), this year has been particularly cold with many days where the temperature doesn't go above 3 or 4° C. Japanese homes, unlike Belgian ones,... Continue Reading →
During the summer festivals it is customary to wear a summer kimono, called 'yukata'. The past few years this old custom has regained popularity among young people. Oftentimes they give their own twist to the look. Like these four guys, doing their best to look badass:
Christmas is not a traditional Japanese holiday. Only about 1% of the Japanese population is Christian. New Year is a lot more important in Japan and is celebrated with many traditional Japanese rituals. But Japanese people never turn down an oportunity to have a festivity or festival, so just like Halloween and Valentine's day, Christmas... Continue Reading →
People living abroad often experience 'culture shock'. I find it hard to describe culture shock in just a few words, but simply put it refers to the process we all go through when coming into contact with a culture different from our own (see below for scientific definitions of culture shock). One of the most... Continue Reading →
Buying a cell phone couldn't be easier in Europe. They practically throw the things at you. But what is normal in Europe, often isn't in Japan. In Japan, buying a cell phone and registering for a phone number is serious business. It's best to set aside the better part of a day to do it.... Continue Reading →
All foreigners in Japan have 'a gaijin card'. I don't mean the official 'alien registration card', which is issued by the government and is confusingly also sometimes referred to as 'gaijin card'. I mean the imaginary gaijin card that allows us foreigners to do things that we're actually not supposed to do. Of course we're... Continue Reading →
The Japans 