Hanami is great In Tokyo, cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom from the end of March to the beginning of April but this year (2021) they came a little early. As you all my know, among all seasonal Japanese traditions, Hanami is by far one...
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 the buds of the Sakura trees getting bigger and bigger. It...
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 plum blossoms begin in February, followed by the peach blossoms in March. And of course,...
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 4 seasons of Japan, you are in for a big treat...
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 with their ‘Umi no Ies’ beach huts, and people escape to the beautiful rivers...
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 lighting fixtures and air conditioning units. It also might come as...
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 gatherings over a hot pot of Japanese stew (Nabe) in Winter. If you're from a...