Loading...

Apr 26, 2023

What themes would you love to see on City-Cost?

I've been blogging on City-Cost for a while, and I find it does get hard to write about the usual topics some months (family life, work, health, how-to) because I've already covered a lot of subject matter ideas in those themes. I really like when we have lots of seasonal themes, like the cherry blossom ones, because I find that it makes me go out and explore with intentionality, often seeking out destinations that would fit the themes. How about you? If you could suggest themed posts that you'd like to write about, what would be first on the list?

genkidesu

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

11 Answers



Best Answer

  • TonetoEdo

    on Apr 26

    I wonder if a "Learning Japan's Traditions" theme would be fruitful. Posts could be on the theme of learning dance, music (wadaiko, shamisen, koto), kimono, tea, calligraphy, martial arts, etc. I'm curious about suibokuga, shodo, and wadaiko and would love to read about other folks' experiences.

    1
  • genkidesu

    on Apr 26

    @TonetoEdo That's a great idea. I've done a few classes (cooking, wagashi making, tea ceremonies, wood carving) and would like to do more...and would love to read about people's experiences with trying out traditions for themselves, too.

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    on Apr 27

    @genkidesu Speaking of cooking and wagashi, what about a Japanese cooking theme? I know there are myriad washoku blogs out there, but most of the English language ones are aimed at an international audience. I'd love to read about ingredients that foreign residents here recommend and how they use them in Japanese recipes.

    1
  • genkidesu

    on May 1

    @TonetoEdo they listened!! New themes are up!

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    on May 1

    @genkidesu Thank you City-Cost editors! I'm looking forward to reading other folks' experiences.

    0
  • genkidesu

    on May 10

    @City-Cost or @CityCost will there still be other themes this month? I only have the two new themes but that's all. Thank you!

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    on May 11

    @genkidesu Same here. I'm working on the cuisine theme now. Will we have the routine themes this month? Thanks again to City-Cost!

    0
  • JTsu

    on May 17

    I like the new topics and they can be used a number of ways-- like I would love to work more with crafting, but that absolutely fits for cultural posts most of the time. I love that the food posts can be for food you made or food you had, but it's also focussed on just being Japanese food, so my posts about how to make American food cheaply here no longer apply. My problem is that I still had things to write with the old themes, too. Especially family. I have a small child. I always have family stuff happening. I had stuff I'd written but not submitted for the old themes and now that they've completely vanished, I'm kicking myself for not submitting them faster. Also, having only two themes kinda sucks. I'm hoping they bring them back or at least add a couple of other themes.

    0
  • genkidesu

    on May 17

    @JTsu yes I wasn't expecting the other themes to go away! I was hoping for new additions alongside the old ones, because I also have things to write about for them, albeit not every month. I hope we can get an answer about it soon, because this is a big way I help support my family here!

    1
  • helloalissa

    on May 20

    I've noticed it's been a while with the four regular themes and also longer since we've had special challenges and prizes. It's gotten quiet around here. I guess the point of the website is about how much things cost when you live in Japan, so more themes along those lines would be more reasonable? It's been interesting to read all the regular (non-theme) articles about the everyday experiences of those living abroad.

    0
  • JapanRamen

    on Jan 15

    Personally, more variety on food related themes are great! I love reading how everyone else approaches Japanese food!

    0

Awaiting More Answers

6 Answers

Unconventional places where you've learned more about life in Japan

BigFamJapan blogged today about learning more about Japan's interesting anniversaries via her car navigation system, and it got me thinking! Do you have any interesting examples of learning more about life in Japan from an unconventional source? Would love to hear about them if you have!

genkidesu

on Apr 30

3 Answers

Golden Week 2026 plans?

Are you venturing beyond your prefecture this time? Or sticking close to home? I'm planning on some day trips in my region, Kanto, as I'm committed to work on the Thursdays and Fridays that some people can take off.

TonetoEdo

on Apr 25

5 Answers

Your 2026 food omiyage / souvenir picks?

I know this question has probably been asked several times in the past, but it is also the kind of question to which the answer changes frequently! So, I am curious - what are your top food souvenir picks for 2026? I am going home again soon, and I want to get food omiyage for several people, including the school where my son is about to finish a one-year exchange. I would love to hear your thoughts on the BEST Japanese food omiyage around this year! And / or the food omiyage you buy each and every time you are going home because it's always a big hit? I just had the photo in this post to hand, and it is not a recommendation per se, it's not bad and fits well into a suitcase, but it's not the best strawberry daifuku I ever had.

BigfamJapan

on Apr 24

5 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

4 Answers

Recent vending machine discoveries?

I always get a little kick out of finding a vending machine that dispenses something other than drinks or ice-cream. I have been seeing an increase in vending machines that sell religious items lately. I also like finding vending machines with unusual or attractive wrapping. Have you come across any unusual vending machines lately? Either vending machines that sell something other than the norm or a vending machine with eye-catching wrapping?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 21

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

7 Answers

Entrance ceremony clothes

Soon my kid will have his entrance ceremony at school, and I'm looking for those typical Japanese style ceremony clothes for myself. I'm 1.80m, not so skinny woman, which has huge problems to even find normal clothes in Japan. Does anybody have the same problem and might have any advice, where to get those ceremony clothes in a taller size?

BlueButterfly

on Feb 17