…The rainy season continues as we enter July! We have 2 topics to cover for this article–   On the 7th of July is one of the Gosekku (五節句 / 5 annual ceremonies) … “TANA...

(header photo by Patrick Vierthaler) June and TSUYU With the passing of May’s blue skies and refreshing weather, June is finally here. While Japan may only have four official seasons, this time of ...

Sekku Part 2: Golden Week and Boy’s Day (retrospective report, updated mid-May) Once cherry blossom season is finished in Tokyo, attention immediately shifts to Golden Week. Golden Week takes place...

Don’t hesitate to experience this great cultural custom in Japan   In Tokyo, cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom from the end of March to the beginning of April. As you may know, a...

Food and the Seasons With the passage of Hinamatsuri, spring is finally upon us in Tokyo (article posted in mid-March). If you look up at trees in the city, plum blossoms should now be gone with th...

The Four Seasons in Tokyo   Spring is on its way! The flowers of the plum tree are the harbingers of spring in Japan – giving Tokyoites a reminder that winter is finally coming to an end. The ...

Can you smell the Autumn breeze? We’ve made it through the thick of the summer and now can enjoy some beautiful Autumn weather. Although everyone thinks that Cherry Blossom trees steal the show in ...

The anticipation and excitement of Japanese summers is one felt by all ages. Schools are out, and it’s the season for summer festivals and fireworks displays. Beaches turn into little resorts...

It may come to you as a surprise that your new apartment in Tokyo does not come furnished. Unless you rent a furnished apartment, Japanese rentals come empty, some even requiring you to buy lightin...

One of the beautiful things about living in Japan is getting to experience all four seasons. Cherry blossoms in Spring, exciting festivals in Summer, bright colored leaves in Fall, and joyful gathe...