Q&A
Questions about life in Japan answered by those who live it
Hot Topic
15 Answers
What products do you avoid buying in Japan?
I've just written about how I only use sunscreen from home and never buy sunscreen in Japan - further to trying it here and finding it was not even half as good as at home and four times as expensive! Another example I can think of is over the counter pain killers. I don't find otc pain killers effective here. Do you have any products like that? Products that you find are much better at home than in Japan? Or maybe much cheaper in your home country than in Japan?
on Mar 20
On Going
10 Answers
Which prefecture do you think is the most attractive?
I posted this morning about the recently released Prefectural Attractiveness Rankings. Obviously there's an element of subjectivity to this, because what one person deems attractive can be very different to someone else's opinion of it. Hokkaido was ranked the most attractive prefecture in Japan, but the full list can be found below (image source is the article here: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/39c11474715641625a5720b86bc9b72dfe59e4cd). Of the prefectures you've visited, which would you say is the most attractive, and why would you rate it that way?
on Oct 17
Looking for answers
0 Answers
What do you most associate with Shizuoka?
Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?
13 hours ago
All Questions
0 Answers
What do you most associate with Shizuoka?
Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?
13 hours ago
7 Answers
Car Essentials for a Road Trip?
I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?
16 hours ago
3 Answers
What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?
Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?
16 hours ago
3 Answers
Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs
@Genkidesu posted about the desire for simpler packaging this week. This reminded me of our blog theme about sustainability back in 2022. A little sleuthing turned up the main link: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/search/tag/SustainableLife Have you kept up your good habits? In the last few years, what have you observed about how you use resources or reduced waste? Me? The photo is a takeout bento box I will reuse for lunch!
on Aug 20
4 Answers
Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?
Earlier I wrote about how my neighborhood's "summer" festival has been moved to autumn. I also wrote a separate post about a summer festival in Kasukabe that has been moved indoors. I know there is a bittersweetness about these changes, but some would argue that something needs to change in the face of rising temperatures. So, I am curious, what would you vote for: 1) Leaving Summer Festivals exactly as they are - same date, same set up etc. 2) Shifting the time of day the festival is on, say for example, from afternoon until after dark 3) Moving the festival from summer to another season or at least to earlier in summer, such as June 4) Moving summer festivals indoors - not really possible for the larger festivals especially those with large floats etc. but maybe they could shift some elements indoors
on Aug 3
10 Answers
Favorite Noodles
Chilled noodles because it's summer, hot noodles are also accepted. Is it somen or chukasoba or zarusoba? Reimyun or pasta salad? Chanpon or udon or ramen? Pad Thai or Pho?! This year I made somen for the first time! I'm a soba fan. I used to love ramen and tsukemen but for some reason I'm not as into the rich and oily noodles anymore.
on Jul 30
11 Answers
What are the pros and cons of Japanese Citizenship for you?
Most of the people I know here are foreign residents, have foreign family members, or have foreign coworkers, friends or employees. A handful of those have become Japanese citizens. We've been chatting about things like ethnic identity and Japanese citizenship. I don't plan to become a citizen, but it made me wonder, what are the pros and cons for changing your citizenship? Is it something you've given any thought to? (What might make you consider it?)
on Jul 30
5 Answers
Which movie will you see this summer?
I am not a movie-goer at all, but every year I bring the kids to see a film (and they often go with their friends too) during the summer holidays. There seems to be a good choice this year, including Toy Story 5, the Chiikawa movie, the real live action adaption of Moana and the usual annual Crayon Shinchan movie among others. Which movie are you planning to see this summer? Or have you already been to see one (or more)? If so, which one?
on Jul 30
5 Answers
Stressful cities in Japan?
Today I blogged about a ranking I found online about the world's "most stressful" cities. Tokyo and Kyoto tied for 5th place, which to me was a bit of a surprise. For the most part I find those places to be pretty chill (especially on a world scale), even with tourists aplenty. Are there any cities or locations here you've found to be stressful in any way? Is it crowds, the vibe, the transport, or something else entirely?
on Jul 21
7 Answers
Around the World in Japan
I've just written a post with 10 'foreign-themed' places you can visit within Japan. What ”international" (foreign-esque / foreign themed) places have you visited in Japan? And would you recommend them? Post for reference: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/G762R-living_fukushima_saitama_chiba_tokyo_kanagawa_mie_hyogo_nagasaki_okinawa
on Jul 18
11 Answers
AC in the school gym?
I was wondering does your local school (or the school you work at or the school your kids go to or any school that you are personally familiar with) have air conditioning the gym? My four children are all at different schools this year, and not one of them has AC in the gym. They all have AC in the classrooms now, but as you know, that has only been the case in recent years. I presume all schools have AC in the classroom now? For your reference: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/zKnyR-living_medical_education_saitama_tokyo
on Jul 13
5 Answers
How do you celebrate Tanabata?
Do you mark Tanabata? If so, on July 7th or August 7th? Do you do something at home to mark the occasion, be it special food, crafts, storytelling etc? Or maybe you go to a Tanabata Festival at some point during the summer?
on Jul 7