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Nov 9, 2026

How / Do you Digitally Detox?

Today is IT Fasting Day, Japan's answer to a digital detox. Apart from having a really evocative and cool name, it also has a meaningful purpose. Do you ever take a break from technology, social media, or screens? If so, what does your digital detox look like?

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BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Irish, Mom of 4, currently also living beside the In-Laws. 25+ years back and forth between Ireland and Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

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3 Answers

  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    1 hour ago

    Gosh, this is something I definitely need to do, but I find it SO hard. Partly because work revolves around needing digital devices, partly because it's how I stay connected with people both here and back home, partly because it's a form of entertainment. Something that I've been trying to incorporate more of though is slow hobbies. Things like coloring books, reading actual paper-based novels rather than digital versions of books, getting outside and hiking more, going to museums more regularly, and so on. I think remembering that it's okay to slow down has been one key thing in helping me get that separation from devices, at least for part of the day!

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    about an hour ago

    @genkidesu slow hobbies are a great idea. I recently turned off all notifications on my phone - nothing to do with today's anniversary, the timing was just a coincidence. It is refreshing not to be drawn to my phone by a buzzing notification. It's not much, but it has made a big difference.

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  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    about an hour ago

    @BigfamJapan I like that idea!! I probably need to do the same. I feel like I have that sense of urgency/immediacy that when I get a notification I need to respond to it right away, even when it's not a time-sensitive thing.

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3 Answers

How / Do you Digitally Detox?

Today is IT Fasting Day, Japan's answer to a digital detox. Apart from having a really evocative and cool name, it also has a meaningful purpose. Do you ever take a break from technology, social media, or screens? If so, what does your digital detox look like?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

1 hour ago

3 Answers

Your best warming items

Back in summer, there was a Q&A topic about the best cooling products you've purchased here (you can check it out here: https://www.city-cost.com/qa/Md0KM-shopping_saitama) On the flip side, as we roll into the cooler months, what are your top-tier warming products that you've purchased here, and continue to purchase year after year?

genkidesu

genkidesu

2 hours ago

4 Answers

How do you celebrate Culture Day?

What do you do each year on Culture Day? Do you have an annual custom or do you go somewhere or do something new each year? Or do you just spend time at home and/or with family?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Nov 3

9 Answers

Do you still have a landline?

In the wake of worldwide electricity and Internet problems, I found myself sharing my landline number with friends today! I am just curious; do you still have a landline in 2026? And any thoughts about it - if you got rid of your landline, do you regret it? Does your area use VoIP, making it pointless anyway?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Oct 23

8 Answers

Anime Pilgrimage Spots in Japan?

Tomorrow, October 22nd, is Anime Day in Japan and I will be writing a few posts about it. Probably, including one about the pilgrimage spots in Saitama (photo of a Lucky Star spot). But what about in your prefecture, what famous real-life locations are there that inspired anime settings? Shout out to TonetoEdo who asked a similar question about movie locations earlier in the year. I wasn't much good at answering that, but - despite not being an anime fan - I know more about the anime spots than the movie spots!

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Oct 21

8 Answers

Do you have a very good breakfast!?

Today is "Very Good Breakfast Day" in Japan. Do you eat breakfast every day? Japanese or Western? The day also encourages families to eat together, which unfortunately just isn't practical in my home due to all 6 of us having very different schedules. Do you get to eat breakfast with someone or do you eat alone?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Oct 11

12 Answers

What Traditional Japanese Culture Would You Like to Learn?

I'd love to be part of a club where I could learn some traditional plant growing, harvesting, and cooking. Learning Japanese calligraphy (shodo) and previously flower arranging (Ikebana) is great too. I've always thought it would be awesome to learn bamboo crafts, more than a short experience making a small already prepared basket. I'm wondering what you'd be interested to learn that is in danger of disappearing if young people (including foreign residents) don't learn it. There are small local efforts to teach students how to grow and harvest rice for a seasonal example. It's a tiny experience that could influence the future supply of an important staple food. I've never had the chance but that would be great and potentially helpful to local farmers.

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Oct 8

10 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?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 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?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

6 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?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

6 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

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

7 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?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jul 30