Jul 18, 2026

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

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BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

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genkidesu

on Jul 19

This is a fun topic! I have a few to add! The landscape of the Tottori Sand Dunes looks like you could be in Egypt or something, we even did a camel ride across the dunes when we went! When I've been to Okinawa I definitely thought some of the beaches felt like Hawaii, and like you said in your post the American Village area definitely doesn't feel like Japan. The Statue of Liberty replica in Odaiba could be New York if you don't look at the rest of the landscape! When I went to Arita in Saga, they have the Arita Porcelain Park which is a replica of Germany's Zwinger Palace and it absolutely feels like a little slice of Europe in Japan. Also, I did a winter ice cruise in Monbetsu (Hokkaido) where it felt like I could have been in the Arctic Circle or something with all of the sea ice!

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TonetoEdo

on Jul 20

When I get away this autumn, I want to see the Shakespeare Country Park in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture. The reproductions of the buildings were assembled in the UK.

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genkidesu

on Jul 20

@TonetoEdo I just looked it up online, it looks super pretty! Google has it marked as permanently closed, I hope that's just an error.

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TonetoEdo

on Jul 20

@genkidesu It seems to be rebranded as Rosemary Park, a michi no eki. The website mentions the Shakespeare theatre - https://www.rosemary-park.jp/index.html

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genkidesu

on Jul 23

Another one I thought of when just looking for a specific picture a moment ago. When I was in Hakodate, there were quite a few buildings that looked very European, like a Russian Orthodox Church.

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Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

8 Answers

Favorite Noodles

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helloalissa

on Jul 30

10 Answers

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helloalissa

on Jul 30

3 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

on Jul 30

5 Answers

Your 2026 food omiyage / souvenir picks?

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BigfamJapan

on Apr 24

6 Answers

What's your favorite 'kushiyaki'?

Just for fun; what type of skewered food do you like best in Japan? Or, if you feel like sharing, what are your top 3?

BigfamJapan

on Apr 11

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

The live action version of テルマエ・ロマエ Thermae Romae (2012) was shot at Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. It's one of my favourite getaways for hiking, the temple complex, and catching sea breezes. The movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Which Japanese live-action movies do you recommend, and are the filming locations worth a visit? Tell us the original title, English title, the year, and the location.

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23

5 Answers

What are our consumer rights in Japan?

Do you know your consumer rights in Japan? And if so, would you be willing to share anything about them? For example, what is the policy on returns? I am very familiar with my consumer rights in my home country, and they are very widely publicized back home, but information doesn't seem to be as transparent or readily available here. Or is that just me?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 15

18 Answers

What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture?

Today, February 20th, is Ehime Prefecture Day. What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture, what is the very first thing that comes to mind when I say "Ehime Prefecture"!?

BigfamJapan

on Feb 20

8 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

7 Answers

Growing Mushrooms

Here's for a weird hobby. I just saw a video by an American Youtuber that I plan to watch about growing shiitake mushrooms. From what I've seen, it probably needs a bit of space. There was a local market in Fukuoka Prefecture that had a "mushroom room" where they grew and sold mushrooms like maitake and eringi. I also saw a video of a couple in Paris that built a mushroom growing shower room! The local hardware store sells "seeded" logs and shiitake mushroom growing kits. I have seen the logs around people's homes on occasion. It seems like a very odd, but sustainable hobby. Has anyone tried it, or is anyone interested to try this? I wonder how involved or beginner friendly it is.

helloalissa

on Dec 29

6 Answers

Hair Color Treatments for Greying Hair

For those of you who have colored grey hair, I'm curious about the hair color treatments available in most drugstores. They seem simpler to use than box dyes. It's been many years since I've colored my hair. It's a chestnut brown and my grey is more silver. I don't hate it but the grey is dry and making me feel like I look older than I am. I'm especially interested in the natural brands that are non-permanent. For example Rishiri Kombu sounds like a decent option. Looking forward to your recommendations and experience.

helloalissa

on Aug 3

Around the World in Japan

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