Impressions of daily life in Japan
My recent blog post about goodbyes has led to some speculation about the end of this blog. But fear not my friends! (Or alternatively, depending on how you feel about this blog, 'Sorry to disappoint you!') No such thing is the case. A goodbye to Japan does not mean a goodbye to blogging for me.... Continue Reading →
Last year around Christmas time, the pictures of an Osaka department store advertising a 'fuckin' sale' went across the globe. I recently came across another funny sales advertisement in Tokyo, although this one had a more positive message: the hopeful sale (or rather, bargain). The Japanese have a habit of combining English adjectives and nouns... Continue Reading →
While attending Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival) last week, I came across an endearing scene. A huge black butterfly had decided to have a rest in the sun, right on top of someone's head. The person in question was keeping very calm, quietly posing for photographs. After a few minutes the butterfly took off and... Continue Reading →
Around the middle of April it was cherry blossom time in Japan. Needless to say I had been looking forward to this for a while. When foreigners think of Japan and typical Japanese things, the beauty of the cherry blossoms is one of the first things that comes to mind. My anticipation was only increased... Continue Reading →
When walking around in Kyoto, foreign tourists will often be very excited when they spot 'a real-life Japanese geisha'! Indeed when walking around the area near Kiyomizu-dera temple, one often sees groups of young girls dressed in bright kimonos. What most tourists probably don't know is that these girls are not geisha, but dressed-up tourists... Continue Reading →
Apparently rabbits are the latest it-animal when it comes to pets. I can easily believe that because yesterday - yet again - I came upon a rabbit on a leash. It was being walked in the park underneath the cherry trees as if it were a dog. Whereas most rabbits appear either completely blank and... Continue Reading →
The Japans 