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Every summer, thousands of fireworks transform the night sky into a dazzling array of kaleidoscopic colors at one of the many Hanabi Taikais or fireworks displays that take place throughout Japan.
continue reading The Complete Guide to Enjoying Fireworks in Japan » » »
That’s circadian, not cicadas. Circadian rhythms are basically the daily cycle everyone goes through. Wikipedia calls them; “a roughly-24-hour cycle in the biochemical, physiological or behavioural processes of living beings”.
continue reading Jet Lag: Circadian Rhythms Are Not Dancing Locusts! » » »
As the number of air travelers continue to grow, so do the size and complexity of the world’s airports. If you’re like us, you like visiting new airports, checking out the amenities and indulging in some duty free shopping…or a lot of duty free shopping. But if you’re also like us, you’ll get off the plane after a 13-hour flight, sleepy-eyed, disheveled and disoriented with about 30, panic-filled minutes to find the connecting flight at the other end of the airport. So here’s our tip and it’s brilliant in its simplicity…check out the airport before you land, relax and save yourself some time.
First, are you sure you want to get upgraded? Think about it carefully, because once you’ve tasted the good life, it’s nearly impossible to go back. But if you do want to try for that free upgrade, here are a few suggestions:
continue reading Behind the Curtain: Getting Upgraded to First Class » » »
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In this week’s report we take a look at what the dating scene is like here in Tokyo and some places and ways to meet new people around town. We’ll also explore some Japanese dating traditions you may be interested in trying, and give advice for those serious about meeting the one.
In 2007 approximately 33.2 million people around the world were living with HIV or AIDS, with the largest percentage of cases being in Africa. Despite attempts to contain this global epidemic the numbers continue to grow, with Japan being no exception.
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Tokyo’s comedy scene may not be as booming as that of other major cities, but don’t let that deter you from finding some English comic relief. Within Tokyo’s growing international community there are some devout English-speaking comedians plying their trade in the city’s pubs and passing on their knowledge to those who are looking for a foot in the door of Tokyo’s comedy world.
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Finding English books keeps getting easier. Of course there’s Amazon which, with their “buy over ￥1,500, get it shipped free” policy, is perfect for ordering a specific title or late-night Internet shopping. But what if you want to browse the shelves a bit? Adjacent to Shinjuku Takashimaya, Kinokuniya carries a large selection of language, fiction and non-fiction books. Aoyama Book Center on Aoyama Dori offers eclectic art and design books. The same store operates ABC Outlet Roppongi with an impressive (for Japan) collection of discount English fiction, cook books, coffee-table books and children’s books. Another place to check out is Tokyo Random Walk in Akasaka, where bins of discounted coffee table books and calendars often line the sidewalk.
By Emily Devan
Whether it’s the bouncy beat of a pop song, the grinding guitars of rock or the sweetly, sad vocals of a ballad, nothing releases the stress of life in the big city like a little live music. And, like all big cities, Tokyo has plenty to offer. The real problem is where to start. Here are five good bets.
Shibuya O
Buried in the backstreets of Shibuya, finding O can be a bit of a chore, but once there, finding something worth listening to is easy. The reason: O is not one hall but a complex of four. From tiny, bar-like O-Nest, to O-East, whose wide stage and tiered floor make even 1,100-person events intimate, O has all it’s bases covered. The acts are equally diverse. On same night, one might see a punk act ravaging O-Crest, whose low stage and 200-person capacity make it perfect for such mayhem, while a young songbird sings her heart out in O-West. Although most of the acts are Japanese, foreign musicians have been known to make appearances as well. To further sweeten the deal, the entire complex was redone in 2003 so the sound, lighting and amenities are all modern. The O is definitely worth the search.
Moving country is not an easy task, especially when you’re downsizing from a western-sized place to a smaller Japanese apartment. With language barriers and the pressure of relocating countries to contend with, things can be a little stressful.
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