http://www.city-cost.comThu, 14 May 2026 19:04:24 +0900I am Babina Kharel living in Niigata, Japan. I come originally from Nepal but I am a permanent resident of Canada. I am currently living in Japan with my wonderful husband.enCopyright © 2015 - 2026 City-Cost All Rights Reserved.webmaster@city-cost.com (CC Team)http://img.city-cost.com/static/blog_campaign_icon.pnghttp://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GWPoO-medical_health_niigata_shi_niigataUnlike else where in the world, I was so pleased to find out that dental coverage is a part of regular insurance coverage in Japan. Such a great news! So, I decided to go get my dental filling here in Japan. I went to Toyosaka Hospital in Niigata as this is the closest location from my apartment. However, there are several dental clinics in Niigata, my preference was to visit the big hospital as I always have a feeling that bigger hospitals have better facilities and equipment than smaller clinics. I may not be right in this assumption though.My visit experience to the dental unit in Toyosaka Hospital was very worthwhile. I was warmly welcomed by a non-English-speaking attendant who was very polite and warm, nothing surprising for customer service in Japan. I always get astonished by the punctuality in Japan so there was little wonder when my turn came around in the same minute as it was supposed to be. While I waited I flipped through pages of the Japanese magazines that had articles and pieces on dental care. Even though I am not able to read Japanese script, it was very interesting to observe how pictures were so able to clearly deliver the messages.I was called in and the doctor was able to speak English. I was told beforehand that the doctor can communicate in English. So, he asked me a few general questions about my health, allergy issues, surgeries, and other medical history. Then he began the examination.I had a dental decay but luckily not to the extent that I needed a root canal so a normal filling would be okay. The equipment used was very sophisticated and the chair where he made me sit was comfortable and movable so that the doctor could access the teeth that required treatment. I had been to a few dental clinics before but here it was very comfortable and relaxing. The doctor had the softest hand and I felt no pain because of the anesthesia that was administered. It took hardly twenty minutes and everything was done. I was prescribed some painkillers just in case they were needed. I was told not to take anything very hot or cold for a day and I would be normal soon.I then bid good bye to the doctor and his team and made for the payment where I was very surprised because I has paid so little. Insurance covered a big chunk and my problem was solved. I loved the service and would recommend anyone with insurance to get their dental issues resolved while in Japan.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GWPoO-medical_health_niigata_shi_niigataTue, 13 Feb 2018 11:08:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GWPoO-medical_health_niigata_shi_niigatahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GWPBm-living_niigata_shi_niigataJapan is considered to be a very expensive country and many people do feel the need to accumulate a lot of money in order to travel to, and around, Japan. However, some places / attractions in Japan can be visited for free. I can guarantee you will enjoy these places in Niigata, and the best part is that they are totally free.1. Yahiko Shrine- Yahiko Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Niigata. The shrine, in itself, is located beautifully among the green nature of the foothills of Yahiko Mountain. It is a very serene location and so peaceful that one would be hard pressed not to fall in love with this place. Once you at the shrine you will firstly be welcomed by the mini zoo that is hosted here. Visitors to the zoo can enjoy the varieties of bird species, mostly from pheasant family but there are also some gorgeous deer that will greet you warmly.The shrine is beautiful with golden doors and roof. Also, a chrysanthemum festival is held here during the autumn. In fact, autumn in Yahiko is very special as they have a huge garden of maple trees. After about 20 mins of driving from Yahiko you can reach the top of the Yahiko hill from where you can see the picturesque view of Niigata City. You can also see across to Sado Island on days when it is clear and bright. A cable car can lift you up to the heights of the hill to offer the best possible view. You can also access the provided telescope to enjoy the picturesque scene as well as a souvenir shop to purchase gifts for your loved ones.Toki Messe- Towers like Tokyo Skytree can cost a lot to offer you the city view of Tokyo. Toki Messe in Niigata, however, can be accessed free of charge and from the top you can have a bird eye’s view over Niigata City. The Toki Messe building is located in the center of Niigata City but also boasts an enviable position on the estuary of the Shinano River -- another Niigata landmark and also the longest river in Japan. Flowing alongside the Toki Messe, Shinano River adds a bit of natural flavor to the man-made urban designs of the tower and building. The tower's observation deck, that sits at a height of 140m on the 31st floor of the tower, can be accessed via a high-speed elevator. From the observation deck you can enjoy the best possible view of Niigata City. Glass windows facing in all the four directions provide a comprehensive view over the city below.2.Furusato Mura- Want to learn about ancient Japan? Niigata's Furusato Mura (or Furusato Village) is a great place to do just this. Free entrance, a central location, and a spot on the banks of the Shinano River, make Furusato Mura one of the most popular tourists destinations in Niigata. It is also one of my favorite places because I am interested in the history and culture of Japan.The main features of the "village" are the “Bazaar Hall” and the “Appeal Hall”. The former hosts a collection of local products and delicacies, while the latter offers an introduction of Niigata’s history and culture, as well as other tourist spots. Throughout the whole facility visitors can get a good idea of how Japanese people used to live, through exhibitions of argricultural machines, tools, and old houses (and their kitchens). Furusato Mura also screens a free documentary.The garden located outside the main building offers collections of beautiful seasonal flowers depending on the season you visit. It is an attractive location for a picture shoot among the tulip or lily flowers.3. Fukushimagata Lagoon- There are more free places to enjoy in Niigata. Fukushimagata Lagoon is an attractive place both for its unique circular sunrise tower and an abundance of nature's blessings.There is a unique old-style Japanese house in this attraction that gives you an idea of Japanese culture and, if you are lucky, you can attend some free Japanese culture events that are sometimes held here.The tower located in Fukushimagata Lagoon is a good place to take in the sunrise. And the view is a wonderful one. Just be sure to get here early!A beautiful mustard field completes the picture of Fukushimagata Lagoon in spring (April and May). At this time bird watching is a popular pursuit, with some 220 species of bird gathering in the area. Winter, however, is particularly important in Fukushimagata due to the many migratory birds arriving from Siberia as they try to protect themselves from the freezing cold of the Russian winter. These migratory birds become the attraction for many professional and amateur photographers.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GWPBm-living_niigata_shi_niigataWed, 10 Jan 2018 11:06:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GWPBm-living_niigata_shi_niigatahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mn56m-living_work_niigata_shi_niigataBeing on a dependent visa of my husband I am entitled to work only part time while I am in Japan. I have tried several kinds of work here in Japan and would like to share some of the work I have done so far with some tips that I believe can be useful. Volunteering:Firstly, volunteering in Japan is an area where I invested some of my time. I volunteered at the Jidou Centre in Niigata City where I taught English to young kids. This was a very good experience and rewarding because I could see the young kids improve their level of English and their parents appreciated it a lot. Other voluntary work I engaged myself in was in teaching the Nepali language to Japanese people who would be interested in this language. I was running these classes at a community centre in Niigata. It was an interesting experience because it was a kind of cultural exchange opportunity for me and my students. To be engaged in such an opportunity you may contact your local community centre and other social service providers. You may be proficient in some other language that you may want others to learn. Why not explore if you can run a class?Research Project in an International University:Depending on your academic background, you can also explore universities and their faculties for research jobs. I had a chance to work as a researcher for an international university in Japan. The university is called- International University of Japan and runs programs in the English language. If you are in Niigata, you may want to look for the possibilities for working as a researcher in the same university. The university was quite far from my place of residence but it was worth commuting everyday by shinkansen.Private English Teacher:If you are interested in teaching, one of the best options for working in Japan is teaching English at home. This is a very good option for mothers with young children as working from home gives them flexibility and control over their time. To look for students, you can simply register yourself in some useful sites like- "hellosensei", "lets teach English" or look for jobs in "Gaijinpot" and other such sites. Make sure that you keep your resume interesting and updated to be able to attract students.Writer/ Blogger:Writing articles and blogging was one of the part time jobs I did while in Japan. There are many online media and sites that encourage you to write about your experience in Japan. Some sites are specific to travel while others encourage anything and everything about life in Japan.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mn56m-living_work_niigata_shi_niigataSun, 31 Dec 2017 20:55:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mn56m-living_work_niigata_shi_niigatahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mn59E-living_medical_health_niigata_shi_niigataBeing pregnant in Japan was a great experience for me. The experience for pregnant women, together with pregnancy related products, is very wonderful in Japan. In this post I am sharing my experience of being pregnant in Japan. Touching The Belly :Anywhere in the world, pregnant woman are afforded some privileges but I think being pregnant while in Japan was extra special. Anywhere you would go, people would want to talk to you and treat you with extra care. Pregnancy related taboos and cultural practices are also unique in all parts of the world. In Japan, people touch your tummy when they know you are pregnant so don't be amazed or shocked when they do so.Food Restrictions:However, there are some food restrictions while being pregnant that you need to follow while in Japan. I was told by my doctor to avoid sushi as soon as I got pregnant, which I thought is worth sharing. The raw fish contains high amounts of mercury which can be detrimental for the baby while in the womb. So, stay away from the yummy sushi for a while!Hospital Services:My hospital experience in Japan was great when it came to visiting pregnancy units. Doctors in Japan are most humble and thoughtful. Nurses take special care of you during your pregnancy hospital visits and try to comfort you with their gentle polite gestures. I also loved the fact that there were frequent ultrasounds compared to elsewhere and with every visit you could be updated about the health of the baby and any other developments. Moreover, test reports would be there right away so no need to wait to get the updates on the baby's health.Ward Services:Pregnancy is treated very specially in Japan by city / ward offices as well. Once you pass your first three months your ward will be informed about your pregnancy. Having this record in their system, the ward office will follow up in a regular basis to check on your health. They also provide any social assistance if needed. Additionally some regular check ups are also scheduled by the ward offices which involve general health and dental checkups.Pregnancy Products:Japan also offers wide range of pregnancy related products which can help you stay healthy and comfortable during this precious time. Out of all of them my favorite one is the "haramaki" that women in Japan wear. Haramaki are worn around the pregnant belly to keep pregnant woman warm. It also helps to provide gentle support to the women's growing belly. Haramaki are available in pregnancy stores in Japan for a reasonable cost.Well, there are more fun related aspects of pregnancy in Japan which you get to experience as a part of the journey.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mn59E-living_medical_health_niigata_shi_niigataFri, 29 Dec 2017 19:00:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mn59E-living_medical_health_niigata_shi_niigatahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MPOod-living_fashion_niigata_shi_niigataIt was an exciting day for me as I was going to wear kimono. Most importantly, the kimono that I was supposed to wear was from my sensei's wedding day, the one she wore when she became a beautiful Japanese bride.Sensei unwrapped the history of kimono as she helped me wear the beautiful costume. She went on telling me how, from the days of past emperors to the post-world war era, kimono have evolved. The glory and fame of the emperors of those days would symbolically also be reflect in the kimono the women of that time would wear. The fabrics used were high quality silk while the prints used traces of gold and platinum. Those kimono were not just beautiful but full of the pride of Japanese prosperity.Today, not all women in Japan wear kimono but people still love to have at least one set of kimono at their disposal. However, this is also changing as the buying culture is being replaced by a rental culture, not because people don't like to wear them but because kimono are getting too expensive for many people to afford. Just like everywhere else, Japanese lifestyle, even though comparatively insular, is quite influenced by western lifestyles.Sensei was unwrapping the kimono set, along with the legacy it carries, in a beautiful way. As I touched the fabric of the kimono, I could feel the coolness of the silk. Sensei started explaining the pattern. One of the patterns was really beautiful. There was a sailing ship. It looked like a painting to me and I asked sensei about it. She explained that the sailing ship was something her grandfather painted in the kimono for her mother. The kimono was legendary and was being passed down the generations. Her mother wore it as a bride and she did the same. Her grandfather who drew the ship was not a professional artist yet his love for his daughter was clearly reflected in that piece of art.The layers of kimono felt amazing as I wore it. It felt a bit heavy in the beginning but after I wearing it for a short while it was just perfectly fitted and comfortable to move in. I felt very special in the attire, though my long face and sharp pointed nose made me look far from Japanese. In my own thoughts, I went on interpreting the sailing ship in the kimono. The ship could have been there representing life as a journey. As in a journey, life passes through several stages; a wedding being one of them. The grandfather might have thought, just like a ship encounters various challenges while crossing a sea, his daughter could go through ups and downs but a strong ship, which might be a metaphor of a determined heart, stands un-wrecked, making the voyage smoothly. He was probably wishing his daughter the capacity to be resilient throughout the journey of life. The other interesting thing was that the ship painted was very colorful so he must have also thought that the new beginning of his daughter's life was going to be very colorful and blessed.I am not sure if sensei ever had an answer to why the ship was there, but for me it was just as interesting to interpret my own thoughts as to seek the real answer.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MPOod-living_fashion_niigata_shi_niigataFri, 22 Dec 2017 10:42:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MPOod-living_fashion_niigata_shi_niigatahttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/z8AbG-living_education_niigata_niigata-shiIn my personal opinion studying a new language requires a lot of motivation. This motivation does not come solely from an interesting book or an interesting teacher. The best way to learn a language is by socializing with people with common interests; in this case socializing with people interested in learning the Japanese language. Sharing my personal experience, I started learning Japanese language in a community center in Toyosaka, Niigata where they run a cost effective program targeted for the international community interested in learning Japanese. In this article I will discuss the upsides of learning Japanese in such an environment.1.You are on the same page- Since these types of programs are targeted for beginners, you will find that everyone coming to the class are on the same page. Therefore, you do not have to be worried if you are the only one in the beginners’ level. This raises your confidence to ask questions and increases your motivation to learn since there is no disparity. 2.Abundance of teachers- Since these community classes are mostly run by volunteer teachers, there are teachers in abundance. This way every student gets well attended to by teachers and has ample chance to ask questions and work closely to improve their language skills. 3.Socializing and Events- The best part of these community classes is that students get to socialize a lot with other international students and immerse themselves in several cultural exchange events which is very fun. Often teachers organize Japanese cultural programs with an intention to escalate students’ interest in Japanese language and culture. These programs include cooking some cuisine together and or music and dance programs. 4.Day tours and educational visits- Teachers at community center language schools often organize local day tours depending on the season of the year. Such tours involve learning Japanese culture like enjoying hanami, visiting the maple gardens during the fall or some interesting Japanese festivals. Depending upon the teachers and students’ interest you may also be taken for some educational tours like one to local factories and industries producing local newspapers, waste recycling centers, and old historical places. These visits provide you the opportunity to learn the Japanese language by immersing yourself in Japanese lifestyle and culture. 5.Japanese speech programs- One of the most important activities of these language schools is that they organize annual speech programs in the Japanese language which is followed by a mixed culture pot luck lunch. The speech program allows every student of whatever level to practice small talk in Japanese. You are totally free to choose a topic of your interest and practice your Japanese skills and demonstrate your abilities in front of a significant number of audiences. This capacity building program empowers the students and since it is not a competition as such, you do not need to worry about any judgment of results. So far my experience with Japanese language classes at a community center has been very positive and I would recommend them to everyone, particularly the beginners in Japan to check with community centers in their locality if they offer such encouraging language programs. To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/z8AbG-living_education_niigata_niigata-shiWed, 16 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/z8AbG-living_education_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GybDw-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiIf you are around or close to Niigata and wondering what to do in this Obon holidays, I have a recommendation. Why not experience something different? Have you ever wished to go fishing but wasn’t able to because you have no professional skills? If yes, Tainai Fishing and Boat Park is the place you should hit. Located in the shore of Tessouchi river, Tainai Fishing and Boat Park provides a unique opportunity for hands on experience of fishing. Even if you are a beginner, you need not hesitate because this park is best suited even for young kids. Several varieties of fish are left in the big pond in abundance so that the catch becomes easy and everyone gets lucky. All you need is to rent the fishing rod, bucket and the feed to attract fish from the rental reception. Then you are all set to catch your fish of the day. Once you are done catching your fish, you are also able to char grill the fish you caught. The salted fish with smoky flavor tastes the best. Moreover, because the catch was done all by you nothing can beat the fun. This park is also a best location for picnic because there is a green grass field where you can enjoy your own home brought food along with the fish that you freshly grilled in the charcoal. There is also a shop that offers you ice cream, drinks and other snacks to add on to your catch of the day. Apart from the fishing fun, you can also enjoy boating in the serene Tessouchi River. The river is clean and beautiful and offers beautiful swan shaped boats that take you for the tour of the river. There are fountain that keep blowing water and makes the environment so natural and beautiful. This location also offers beautiful hotels and resorts if you plan to stay overnight. However, even a day trip is worthwhile. Tainai Park and Fishing Resort might not be the cheapest holiday option because you pay for rental stuffs and also for fish you catch plus the charges of baking them in charcoal. Boating will also cost you some money but the expenses are worth the fun and experience that you will cherish. If you have kids, you will be overjoyed seeing them get excited as they catch their fish. Please make sure that the park is open when you visit because this place is seasonal and opens between April and November only.One thing you have to careful is make sure that you are not fishing until the end of the business day otherwise you will not have a chance to bake the fish you caught. Plus, do not over catch the fish as it can be costly and it is more for fun than eating full stomach. Me and my friends in Niigata enjoy going to this park every year during summer. Even this Obon holidays we intend to go back and get some sunshine as we fish. Are you eager to join us ? To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GybDw-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 11 Aug 2017 01:19:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GybDw-living_food_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/wj6ew-living_osaka_osaka-shiI am not a very adventurous person and especially when it comes to busy noisy places my reaction is mostly “NO”. But after trying so many different places in Japan for holidays that were of my choice I could not ignore some of my friends request to visit Universal Studios in Osaka. Because in the case of Osaka the city more than just Universal Studios Japan. That is what was on my mind. So I decided to pack my bag for a short three-day trip to Osaka. Since it was summer, everywhere was equally busy. There were long queues where ever you would go and no exception to that was Universal Studios. We waited for quite a time to get our entry tickets to the amazing land of Universal Studios, a huge theme park with several different sections that can be of interest to many different groups. No wonder kids are the most excited faces in the park but youths and adults are also no less happy when they visit. I am such a chicken when it comes to experiencing the rides in theme parks. But how could I not try even one? So, I lined up with my friends to experience one which would take us to virtual space. It was very thrilling to go up with the high speed and suddenly fall off weightlessly. The ride made me crazy scared but I have to admit it was also very fun. My friends wanted to go and try all the rides and they tried to as much as they could in a single day. I also tried the Jurassic Park attraction which was based on the theme of dinosaurs and was more fun than it was scary. Then I also had a chance to look into Hollywood that was featuring the action scenes which were pretty loud and fast but were also full of excitement. Finally one other attraction I tried was “Back to the Future”, which was also a very thrilling and worthwhile experience. Even if you are not ready to go for the rides, you will still enjoy Universal Studios Japan for the ambiance it offers. For children there are also simpler child friendly carousels. The theme park also offers many opportunities to take pictures with popular characters / mascots such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty and the puppets of Sesame Street. There are also various shows put on every day, including a night parade featuring illuminated floats that are paraded through the streets. Universal Studios also offers good places to enjoy your food and many restaurants have some interesting themes. No doubt Universal Studios is a beautiful summer holiday destination in Japan, especially if you have young kids but there is some advice that can save your time and make your visit more productive and worthy. It is a great idea to purchase the studio tickets before hand as you can buy them online as well. We had to queue up for quite some time which can get frustrating if you have only a day to spend in the area. Also, be careful while choosing the rides you want to experience and things you want to do beforehand. It becomes very handy if you do some online research before getting to the site so that you are well prepared. To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/wj6ew-living_osaka_osaka-shiMon, 07 Aug 2017 09:51:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/wj6ew-living_osaka_osaka-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/weYkw-living_niigata_niigata-shiJapan has a reputation of being a very expensive country in the world. However, this is not always true. There are services that you can enjoy for free as well. To support my statement, I am listing my favorite three free sightseeing spots in Niigata. 1.Toki Messe- Towers like Tokyo Sky Tree can cost a lot to offer you the city view of Tokyo. But Toki Messe in Niigata can be accessed for free and you can have a bird eye’s view of Niigata City. The Toki Messe building is located centrally in the heart of Niigata City but has the wonderful convenience of being located on the estuary of the Shinano River. Shinano is another landmark in Niigata as it is the longest river in Japan. Flowing alongside the Toki Messe, Shinano adds natural flavor to the man-made urban design. The observation deck that lies at the height of 140m on the 31st floor can be accessed through a high speed elevator. Once you are on this deck, you are at the location that provides you the best possible view of Niigata City. The glass windows on all the four directions give you a proper guidance of the look of the city. You can also buy local souvenirs in this area. 2.Furusato Mura- For those interested in learning about ancient Japan, Furusato Mura is the best location. With the free entrance to this site, it is located centrally in the city area and lying in the river bank of Shinano River, Furusatomura is one of the major tourists destinations in Niigata. It is also one of my favorites because I am interested in history and culture. Furusato Village is a multi-purpose tourism facility comprised primarily of the “Bazaar Hall” with its collection of Niigata’s products and delicacies, and the “Appeal Hall” with its introduction of Niigata’s history, culture, and tourist spots. Visitors can enjoy the sense of old Japan through the exhibition of old argricultural machines and tools used in days gone by. Here you can also see what old Japanese houses, and their kitchen's used to look like. Everything has been displayed in the form of models. You can also enjoy a free documentary show.3.Hyoko Lake in Niigata- Lake Hyo in Agano City and can be accessed for free. The lake is especially popular with bird watchers. Lake Hyo covers an area of 281 hectares.During winter Lake Hyoko serves as a popular tourist destination when people come to see the thousands of migratory swans that fly into the lake. The area surrounding the lake has been established as a rich natural park. It is surrounded by hundreds of cherry blossom trees which make the park glorious when they bloom in spring. Even in winter the black trees contrast so well with the white frozen lake that the whole view looks monochromatic. It makes the ambiance extremely photogenic.So, if you are in Niigata make sure to visit these beautiful locations that will not cost you even a single penny.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/weYkw-living_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 28 Jul 2017 10:15:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/weYkw-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/z4Prz-living_niigata_niigata-shiAny connection with water anywhere is beautiful. Be it a walk on a beach, a swim in the sea or even fishing or a picnic by the riverside. One of my best experiences connecting with Japanese waters was a pleasant ferry trip to Sado Island. It was autumn and my parents were visiting us in Niigata, we decided taking them for a very different experience and chose a day trip to Sado Island. The best season to travel to Sado Island would definitely be summer as it requires a very fine bright day to enjoy the cruise.We were lucky enough that even in the month of October we were blessed with a sunny, radiant day so that we could enjoy the day to the fullest. We boarded our ferry from the Niigata port. It was a huge ferry that could accommodate people and cars in their hundreds. Sado Island has an interesting history as this island, in the early days, was used for hosting the exiled high profile political and religious people. Now Sado Island is more of a tourist destination. Out of many places to visit on Sado Island the number one priority is the Gold Mine. The Gold Mine exhibits and displays models that look like the real people working to extract gold from the mine. This is basically a demonstration of the working conditions of the people of that time. The working condition wasn’t pleasant and comparing them to those in industries today will definitely make you feel sorry. Well, there are also other places to visit on the island including Sakunage which is famous for its ship like buildings that were actually made out of ship building materials and forms a great attraction for tourists. Plus, sea food is very popular on Sado island because of its freshness and the undisturbed nature and waters surrounding the island. Also rice from Sado Island is believed to be the best because of minimal use of pesticides as the islanders are concerned about the protection of toki, “Japanese Ibis”. For me the best part of the trip, however, was the cruise itself. The huge ferry with all the facilities looked very appealing. You could enjoy good restaurants with varieties of food choices including ramen, soba and rice bowl, cafes, game centre and many more in the ferry itself. The ferry also had access to wifi but sometimes in the middle of the trip the transmission could be lost. The trip to the island is about two hours. On a fine day, sitting outside on the ferry gives you a beautiful experience. What I enjoyed the most was looking out and enjoying the huge water body and seeing the waves of the sea being cut by the ferry. It made me wonder how amazing has the human mind been to conquer over the nature. Everything became possible because of human intelligence. I also enjoyed feeding those beautiful white seagulls that would come closer to you with no fear at all. They would come and eat feed from your hands. I found them so friendly and hospitable. I took the opportunity to click some pictures while my husband was feeding them. While returning back from the island it was almost evening time so being outside on the ferry you could see Niigata city on the other side with lights that looked like twinkling stars, a very picturesque scene in overall. To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/z4Prz-living_niigata_niigata-shiSat, 22 Jul 2017 19:23:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/z4Prz-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GBDRM-living_shopping_niigata_niigata-shiRainy season is definitely not my favorite season in a year. But nature is nature and no one can go against it. But the best you can do to cope with this season is make the most out of it. Rainy days mean you need to plan something indoors if your intention is to stay dry. There are some particular things that I enjoy doing in rainy season or rainy days in general. 1.Shopping- A rainy day can be the best time for shopping. When a day is fine and bright, I do not want to waste it inside a mall. I would rather plan something outdoors say for example going to beach, walking in the park, hiking etc. However, the best bet during a rainy day is to explore malls and buy what you need and also spend some time window shopping for things that you do not need. This way you get to stay dry and make use of a rainy day in something productive or at least something fun. Asking friends to join can be even more fun as you get time to catch up while you stroll around in a shopping mall. 2.Crafts/ Painting- Depending on your hobby, rainy season can be perfect for investing time in your hobbies like crafts or painting. As I enjoy crafts, I feel that rainy days are best to make crafts. I usually buy my materials from a 100 Yen shop to try new crafts. For people interested in painting there can be no better season than rainy season because you are mostly indoors so you can finish your grand projects while waiting for the weather to get better. Some people also get motivation and themes for painting from the raining scene outside. 3.Time for detailed cleaning- In the rainy season, you could also spare time for micro cleaning your apartments. If you need to get rid of things, this is the best time to dig into your wardrobe, cabinets, table drawers, storage areas. While you are inside, you can also do a detailed cleaning of your apartment floors, bath tubs, wash basins etc. I like searching corners to corners for cleaning tasks when I am home during rainy season.4.Bake a cake or try a new recipe- If you think you are feeling blue with the gray weather- remember the old proverb “ When in despair bake a cake.” so to kill your boredom and sadness you could literally bake a cake. If you have been longing to try a new recipe this can be the best time too. Try a new recipe during a rainy day and once you gain confidence, you can have other people try out your preparation. In this regard, rainy season can be a good time to be innovative and creative. So as we are heading towards the rainy season in Japan soon, I believe you will find some of my above tips useful. Please share your ideas about being productive in a rainy day in the comments below. To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GBDRM-living_shopping_niigata_niigata-shiThu, 25 May 2017 09:48:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GBDRM-living_shopping_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MAD0w-living_niigata_niigata-shiGolden week was almost over. My husband and I got a call from our old good family friends that they were in Tokyo. They came in to Japan from Australia to show Disneyland to their young kids. We were surprised with the call and insisted that they come visit us in Niigata. They accepted the offer and came to see us. We only had a day to show them around in Niigata so we planned to take them to Yahiko Shrine. There were several reasons for choosing this location. Firstly, the drive to Yahiko is relatively long from our place so that they could enjoy the sight of rural Japan. Second, we could drive along the coast so they could enjoy the waves of the sea and stop over in places to take pictures and third, Yahiko Shrine in itself is very beautifully located amongst the green nature in the foothills of Yahiko Mountain. It is a very serene location and very peaceful that hardly anyone would not fall in love with this place. And after Tokyo they would definitely enjoy a place like Yahiko.After our breakfast we were all set in our car for the drive. The drive was about one and half hours. This drive gave us enough time to catch up with our friend and his family about what was happening in each other's lives and so on. It was a wonderful bonding time with his kids as well. Once we arrived at the shrine we were firstly welcomed by the mini zoo they host. We could enjoy the varieties of bird species mostly from pheasant family. But also there were some gorgeous deer that greeted us well. The kids were very happy to see beautiful animals. On our way to climb the stairs of the shrine we encountered the beautiful pink carpet of Shibazakura flowers. These radiant flowers make the whole path glow pink. We took adorable pictures with these tiny beauties and proceeded towards the temple. On approaching the temple we sanitized our hands with the pure water using the bamboo scoops. Kids from Australia loved this Japanese tradition of washing the hands before visiting temple.Then was the time to see the magnificent Yahiko Shrine with golden plates making the temple look so pure, so holy and so spiritual. We prayed to the creator and experienced the peace of the location. There were many people visiting this special place on that day. After bidding good bye to the shrine, we drive up the Yahiko hill. After about 20 mins of driving we were on the top of the hill from where we could see the picturesque view of Niigata City. We could also see the standing alone Sado Island as the day was very clear and bright. The local restaurant there served good ice cream so we did not miss the chance to taste some. On our way back we drove through Teradomari viewing the wonderful sea and stopping over in places to watch sunset and click pictures. In a day trip, we had a great chance to show our good friends a must see place in Niigata. Our friend and his family were overjoyed for having a chance to visit such a peaceful and fulfilling place in Japan.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MAD0w-living_niigata_niigata-shiMon, 22 May 2017 09:50:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MAD0w-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GLEDw-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiNothing like a long trip but I had day trips almost everyday during the Golden Week holiday period. Golden week in Niigata is the time for rice planting as well so I spent one of my mornings watching the skilled farmers run their planting machine in the well soaked rice field. I appreciated their hard work in producing food for all of us. There are so many reasons to be thankful in this life!!Let me list out what else did I this golden week that made my week memorable.1.Visit to Tulip Farm- Weather was good during the Golden Week so I had a chance to visit the beautiful Tulip Field in Nakajo. I was impressed by the varieties and colors of tulips. It was a kind of festival with food being sold in booths. I also had a chance to witness the tulip wedding photo shoot of a newly wed couple. Truly, taking pictures with your beloved ones in a tulip garden is a very romantic experience. My husband and I also took plenty of pictures and were able to capture of colors of the tulips and the colors of our love in those snaps. At the other end of the tulip garden was the mustard field. Walking through the mustard field was a great experience. The aroma of those fresh yellow flowers was mesmerizing.2.Visit to Cave D'Occi- My husband and I also went for a drive to Cave D'Occi to visit the winery. It is an amazing place; very beautifully designed to accommodate a winery and a spa. Inside the winery there are local restaurants serving great food and ice cream. I tried the tiramisu flavored ice cream which is my all time favorite. We also brought back home with us some freshly baked bread for breakfast next morning. Since my husband and I are both are non alcoholic, we did not buy any wine but we still did not miss the opportunity of strolling inside the wine shop where wonderful collections were on display. The outdoor space is planted with varieties of rose but unfortunately they weren't blooming yet. I wish to go back to this place again in about a month when the roses will be in full bloom. Since we had plans for the evenings we could not enjoy the spa but it looked so irresistible from outside that I wish to enjoy the service next time I visit the place.3. BBQ picnic at Nigorikawa- Another interesting thing I was part of during the Golden Week was attending the BBQ picnic organized by some friends. Nigorikawa Park is a wonderful location in Niigata for a BBQ. It has enough space so that even on a busy weekend we could find a spot. There is a very green walking trail in the park so that you can enjoy a good fresh walk. It is an exciting place for children because you can meet the lovely fish in the pond, feed them and enjoy your kids being super happy. Another advantage of this park is that there are cooking facilities. You can take your cooking heater and in the areas designed to cook you can start making your fresh meal. Plus, there are also a good facilitues for cooking with fire so you could make a fire and start making your fire-cooked pizza. Well, our plan for that day was BBQ and lunch which we enjoyed just the same.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GLEDw-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 19 May 2017 10:01:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GLEDw-living_food_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MnjEM-living_niigata_niigata-shiWhen I came to Japan for the first time, the size of the apartment perplexed me. I questioned how am I going to adjust in this tiny den? In my homeland I have a big house with bigger rooms and a lot more space everywhere. So my initial reaction to the apartment in Japan was not positive. I even thought when you are paying so much for an apartment you should get enough space for yourself. Now, after living for years in this small apartment, my mindset towards bigger apartments has changed. My preference has totally shifted towards small apartments as long as they are comfortable, as they are in Japan. Let me discuss here what I appreciate the most about these small apartments-1.Sliding doors and windows- The best thing about the apartments in Japan is the sliding doors and windows. You won’t realize unless you have experienced how convenient the sliding doors and windows are. They are smart in space management as they won’t occupy any of your room spaces. Sometimes, after sliding one of the doors you get to connect two rooms that are separated by this mere door, allowing you more space whenever needed.2.Safe for children- Another advantage of these apartments is that they are built with light materials. They do not have concrete walls or floors and the use of sharp materials anywhere is very limited. This makes the living environment for children very safe and sound. Even when they bang their head against the wall or floors, they are likely to pose themselves the least harm; unlike houses made of concrete materials. Also these materials used are good both for summer and for winter. In summer the house remains cool, while in winter it is relatively warmer even without central heating. 3.Spacious wardrobes - Even though the apartments are small, people know that women need a lot of room for their clothes! So the wardrobes/ closets are big enough for arranging clothes. I really appreciate this aspect of Japanese apartments. I call these closets 'the women friendly ones'. Similarly, there are small cupboards and drawers and hidden storage areas in kitchen, laundry space etc., which looks small but comes in very handy to store your goods.4.Saves cleaning time- One big advantage of having a small apartment is it saves a lot of your cleaning time. The cleaning chores becomes very light also because the flooring materials are easy to clean. Plus, when you have less space you do not tend to accumulate unnecessary furniture, giving you more open space and making the cleaning job lot easier. Less furniture means less wiping and less dusting!5.Saves energy- Since the rooms are small, it saves a lot of energy when it comes to heating or cooling off the rooms. You can warm up your room so well in less than 15 minutes and same applies when you plan to cool off your room. This is a big advantage of having small rooms in apartments in Japan. 6.Separate bathrooms and toilets- Japanese apartments usually have separate bathrooms and toilets even though they are small in size. However small your bathroom may be you always have the novelty of a bathing tub as taking a bath is an inseparable part of Japanese lifestyle and tradition. Having bathrooms and toilets separately is such a convenient thing because if you are under pressure to use the toilet you do not have to bang the door of bathroom to annoy the person in bath.Yet, there are still times when I would sometimes wish for a bigger apartment especially while having a gathering at home. But, since everyone coming to our gatherings have similar sized apartments no one minds the limited space. Sometimes it is even nicer to have less space because then people get to sit close by and that avoids the risks of group-ism. The sense of community and intimacy is even stronger when everyone is at eye’s reach. Now I have become a believer of “small is beautiful”. If I ever build my new apartment in my home country I would like to follow the Japanese style. If planned well with excellent ideas of space management you can make most out of the tiny apartments.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MnjEM-living_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 21 Apr 2017 09:41:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MnjEM-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MgmAG-living_niigata_niigata-shiIt is a matter of personal choice where you would prefer to live - in a rural or urban settings? It is also tough to decide if rural life in Japan is better compared to an urban one as people live in the city more because of work than because of their personal choice. But if I look at the points below, I will certainly fall in love with rural life. I might sound bias because the criteria are my own and I have my own rural lifestyle in mind while creating and describing them.1.Closer connection with the nature- I am among those who adores nature for its every bit and prefers living in closer proximity to nature. I love trees, flowers, birds, paddy fields and open spaces to view the sunrise. In Niigata where I live, I feel absolutely blessed because if I walk 5 mins I am at a river bank where I can enjoy the peace as I watch the flowing current. If I drive 5 mins I am at the sea and can enjoy the cool breeze and keep myself refreshed with the long walk on the sand. No matter the season, no disappointment. From spring to winter, every climate has its unique color and flavor. I also enjoy those paddy fields that produces rice for half of Japan. Rural Japan makes me appreciate the entire nature for its fertility and the ability to feed people and every life that has been created. Even a mere walk in the mornings and evenings helps me rejuvenate my self from inside out. Where would I find this bliss in a crowded, suffocating big urban setting in Japan? Every time when I go to bigger crowded cities like Tokyo, once I am back to Niigata I have that sense of relief. Bigger cities with those intense urban design, crowd and fast life style makes me anxious. 2.Less expensive apartments- I love bigger spaces and would love to have bigger rooms in my apartments. If I chose living in urban Japan, I might end up in way too smaller rooms than I have here in my Niigata apartments. Well, again comparing the price, Tokyo ones with smaller rooms will be more expensive than my bigger rooms here. Isn’t that an added bonus of living in rural Japan? 3.Access to locally grown vegetables and fruits- Living in rural Japan provides me an opportunity to buy locally grown vegetables and fruits. Niigata produces the best rice in Japan, plus the vegetables that I get to buy in the local market are very appealing as they are freshly picked from the farm. Sometimes, while walking around in the farmers field we get chance to buy freshly grown vegetables directly from the field for a very reasonable price. I have experienced this quite often. In urban Japan you basically rely on produce imported from elsewhere. So where would you find such a privilege in urban Japan?4.Friendlier neighborhood- In big urban cities I find myself lost among people. Life being faster, and busy people hardly have time to even smile at neighbors. While my experience of neighborhoods in Niigata has been different. People in my neighborhood are friendlier and would greet and even talk to you for few minutes when they see you. Faces look familiar to each other because there are not many people like in big cities. It is a wonderful experience being among those few foreign faces in the neighborhood because even the young kids find your looks unique and would love to talk to you. I enjoy this special treat in rural part of Japan.5.Not less in facility and services- People who have never been to Japan before might have in mind that living in big cities will give you better access to facilities, modern technologies and better services. Well, in the case of Japan this is just a myth because this country has been successful enough in balancing the development perks between urban and rural livelihoods. You will find equally good facilities and services in any part of Japan. There is nothing that I need to worry about while I am in Niigata. Nothing that big that I will miss Tokyo or another big city for. Moreover, nowadays since many services are also being offered online, living in Tokyo or living in Niigata hardly makes any difference. Even after my above arguments for choosing rural Japan over urban Japan, people could put forward their logic that job opportunities are better in bigger cities. Well, again I would say - more the people, more the competition. I am a part-time teacher in Niigata and so far I have been lucky enough to find myself enough work to keep myself busy. Additionally, I have been enjoying the serene, peaceful and refreshing part of rural Japan. To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MgmAG-living_niigata_niigata-shiTue, 11 Apr 2017 11:33:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/MgmAG-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/zaxoM-living_niigata_niigata-shiCherry Blossom "Sakura" is just unique because unlike other flowering trees “Sakura” first offers the flowers and then sprouts its leaves. This is what makes Sakura peculiar to its other spring counterparts. Countless light colored flowers blooming in the black branches makes the color combination perfect. One more element needed and then nothing can beat its beauty i.e. a clear blue sky above. On a fine sunny day when grasses below are already green and sky above is purely blue “ Hanami” becomes a life time experience. Cherry Blossom "Sakura" bloom is observed as a colorful festival in Japan. It indicates the arrival of spring in Japan. The festival named as "Hanami" literally means viewing flowers, but it generally indicates cherry blossom viewing. It's said that the origin of Hanami dates back to more than one thousand years ago when aristocrats enjoyed looking at beautiful cherry blossoms and wrote poems. Well , there are several popular spots for Hamani in Niigata but "Takada park" is positioned in the top list of the must see places for Sakura bloom in overall Japan. Living in Niigata, I find myself lucky to be able to visit this gorgeous park during the Sakura bloom. I visited Takada park for Hamani two years ago and I intend to go back again this year with my husband and our group of close friends. Can’t wait for the few more weeks before Cherry flowers are at peak of their youth and beauty . Cherry Blossom will be at its full bloom in Takada Park during the mid April. Weather by then also becomes wonderful in Niigata. Takada hosts a beautiful three storied Takada Castle that is beautiful anyways but Sakura bloom adds much more beauty to the castle. We did not enter the castle at that time as we were lured very much by the beauty of blooming Sakura outdoors. There are around 4, 000 cherry blossom trees in this park and that covers all the varieties of Sakura. My personal favorite pinkish ones with low hanging branches are also in abundance in this park. What makes this site very attractive for the tourists is the way the road also called “ Sakura Road” is formed with the rows of trees on either sides and their crown all full of cherry flowers . It is an amazing experience to walk through this path underneath the vivid Sakura petals. And again as I said earlier, a clear blue sky above is something that totally concludes the beauty package. I will encourage everyone to wait for a fine day before you visit this park. There is also a lake in the park adding freshness to the whole park. Even the banks of the lake has those mature big Cherry trees, branches of which almost touches the water beneath. The lake water crystal clear appears more dazzling topped up with the fallen Sakura petals from those giant trees. The trees must have been hundreds of years old. They stand with pride exhibiting the full bloom of the utterly beautiful cherry flowers. Any where in Japan, when there is a festival or attraction, my favorite happens to be the food stall. There is no such day when I will not treat myself to those yummy sausages dipped in mustard sauce, boiled potatoes with mayonnaise, fried gyoza and cotton candies among so many different food varieties they have at display. In Takada as well, during the Hanami, there are always large stalls of local Japanese cuisine in display to make watching the Sakura bloom even more enjoyable. However, as per the Japanese culture people will be seen everywhere in their mats eating their food under the Sakura tree. This is what is the main theme of Hanami. Many of them bring food of their own in elegant bento boxes but children will not spare them anyways from getting them an ice cream or a chocolate banana dip. Finally, the another wonderful thing to experience is the after dark illumination in the park when each Sakura tree will be lit up with the lanterns that captivate the visitors. Imagine 4000 trees being lit up and the entire “Sakura Road” illuminated with the glorious light plus the beautiful flowers. That makes a breath taking scene so if you happen to be in Niigata during this spring, do not dare miss this opportunity. To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/zaxoM-living_niigata_niigata-shiSun, 05 Mar 2017 10:34:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/zaxoM-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/G0b1M-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiOnce again sharing the yummy experience !! I am such a foodie that when it comes to sharing food posts, I can think of so many topics. My bucket list of my favorites does not stop anywhere. Japan is a great place to eat out. I do not find eating out very expensive in Japan but obviously it depends on where you are eating. Let me share my top three eat out restaurants in a budget. All of these are probably available in your localities as well. 1.Kappa Sushi : When I first came to Japan, my first Sushi lunch was at Kappa. I am talking about the year 2011 and I don’t think the price of sushi in this place has gone up since then. A plate of sushi costs you 108 Yen. What I mostly like about this place is the way sushi comes along in the moving belt and you get to see the stuff before you order. Sometimes, when you order a food by its name and when it arrives you don’t wanna try that. So, this layout allows you to make a thoughtful choice. It is user friendly fast food where the entry monitors have menu in English so someone with bad Nihongo can also make an order. I love the way the order arrives in the little bullet train and beeps in front of your seating to notify that the order is in. The other thing I like in this restaurant is the green tea is served for free. You only need to fetch hot water from the running tap in your table and mix the instant green tea powder to it. Finally, I love the ginger side dish ( Chukemono) that goes with Sushi. You don’t need to order this, this is also already waiting for you in the table. My favorite Sushi in this place is the Salmon Avocado one but I also like other varieties like the one with corn and Mayo. Japanese people have so many different varieties of sushi. Eating Sushi out of Japan is never the same. I have also been to other Sushi restaurants in Japan , more sophisticated and costlier one. But, for some reason I find Kappa a good place for a quick lunch in a reasonable price. 2.Saizeriya: Out of Italian restaurants, I prefer going to Saizeriya if I am craving pizza or pasta. The advantage of this restaurant chain is that they are located in any province in abundance. So, if you are planning to eat in Saizeriya, your drive will usually not be that long. What I adore the most about this place is they have a very good balance of salt and spice in their food. I find their food fresh and healthy and may be so because being a busy chain restaurant they are able to sell off promptly.I sometimes also order their rice and chicken combo which is of perfect size for a lunch. The chicken is topped with garlic, onion paste that gives a strong aroma to the food. I love it that way. Also the fried potato that comes with this order is awesome and goes very well with the soy dip they bring in with this order. I have found that Saizeriya is more of a family restaurant so you will be able to find drinks bar for kids. In overall , the restaurant is pretty child friendly which you can tell from the service in the restaurant. 3.Big Boy: Finally, when I am committed to eat something really healthy and green or I am motivated to lose weight, I end up eating at Big Boy.The most appealing part of Big Boy is its Soup and Salad Bar. Usually buying green vegetables in Japan is very costly and specially in winters, the prices can give you a shock. So when there is day, I feel like eating all the greens available, I hop into Big Boy. Soup bar usually has the wide collection including options like chicken egg drop soup, corn soup or sometimes Japanese curry. If this is the choice I have, I get myself the creamy corn soup with that smooth texture which melts in your mouth. Salad bar is fully stuffed with green collections but also adding fruits to them. Pineapple slices,jack fruit and melons are usually there. They also have pasta salad, Russian salad and Japanese style salads in the court. Apart from the soup and salad bar that attracts many people to this restaurant, their burgers and steaks in the regular order are also very delicious. Big Boy is a little more expensive than, for example Saizeriya, but totally worth the price.Let me know if you have been to these places and what do you think about them? Are they not totally worth for the price they charge? To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/G0b1M-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 03 Feb 2017 14:00:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/G0b1M-living_food_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GlaEw-living_niigata_niigata-shiWith the Valentine’s day just around the corner, let me share what I think can help you recollect romantic memoirs. Well, being with your loved one makes any moment romantic but being with your loved ones in a special place adds more flavor to your love. That is why in romantic stories and novels, locations are as beautifully delineated as are the characters. Quite evident that love is an utmost beautiful expression of a human being; but role of nature is immense in intensifying the beauty of love. Again in a novel or a movie, Sunrise or Sunset is portrayed as the romantic backgrounds. Why so? Because they are terrific when captured well. Without any exaggeration, Sunrise and Sunset from good location does the best job in flourishing your love with your loved one. The memories captured together while seeing a sun rise or set becomes profound throughout our life. That is why people travel longest of distance to reach a popular sunrise and sunset points. They are passionate on cherishing those memories. 1.Watching Sunrise from Fukushimagata TowerIn the land of Rising Sun, there are many spots that are popular as the sunrise view point. One very popular and fortunately very close to my place is Fukushimagata wetland in Niigata. Fukushimagata has a tower made in a circular shape, interesting in its architecture. This tower serves the purpose of the sunrise view point. Fukushimagata which is one of the renowned wetlands in Japan is a popular tourist destination as well. Depending on the season, it exhibits beautiful mustard field, lotus blooms and is a bird watching site as well. Any time you go there, you will be able to catch up with the crowd of professional photographers ready for that perfect shot with their huge cameras.In summers, I usually go this place with my husband to view the brilliant sunrise and try to capture some pictures. The place is serene specially in early mornings when you hear the chirping birds and smell the freshness of air during the sunrise. Watching the sun peep through the sky in the east and then gradually making its way higher up in the sky with the lapse of time is something so impressive to watch.I hold my husband’s hand as I watch this and the peace that prevails in the entire area is just hard to describe in words. It is the beauty of the place and the presence of your special one that freezes the time for a moment. Isn’t this romantic? Pic. Sun Rise in the Fukushimagata Park observed from the TowerWell, winter is not the best time to go and watch sunrise yet you will not regret. At only this time of the year, you will be fully welcomed by the big migratory swans that resides in the wetlands. If you love birds, this is one of the best time to go. It will definitely be chilled outside but if are dressed up warm in a fine morning, you will get to rejoice the every bit of bliss. 2.Watching Sunset by the Japan SeaNiigata, being the port city, drive along the sea line is an important thing to experience. Niigata has lots of beautiful beaches that have their own distinguishing features. Somewhere it is more of the sea beach facilities that make them appealing for visitors i.e.cafe, restaurants etc. To me wilderness is better when it comes to nature. More the nature is explored, it becomes less attractive. That is why I love to go to beaches relatively peaceful and relatively less explored. One of my favorite is Murakami beach in Niigata for the best of the waters it has. In a fine day in summer, you will be able to behold the blue sea with the crystal clear water. However, to me sea is the best during the evening. The tides in the evening with waves hitting the sand on the beach and the sound of the roaring sea makes the atmosphere absolutely romantic. During the summers, I love to spend evenings watching sunset by the sea with my husband. Pic. Sunset view in Japan Sea, NiigataA long walk in the beach barefoot and the touch of the sand on my feet makes an ordinary evening very special. The reddening of the horizon and the golden clouds during the sunset looks like a magnificent piece of painting. The red fire like sun just before it waves good bye for until next morning gives a strong hope of the new beginning to happen soon. If I have my camera with me I will not fail to take at least hundred picture because every moment is unique as the sun begins to set. Sometimes you still get the sight of those surfers who aren’t yet done. As the evening scene sets in, you usually find yourself in the distant company of other couples coming to the beach to see the sunset. No matter the number of people, the sunset in the beach is truly tranquil that words cannot dare to express. I originally coming from a landlocked country, firmly believe that to be born in this port city of Niigata is such a novelty.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GlaEw-living_niigata_niigata-shiThu, 02 Feb 2017 14:10:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GlaEw-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/w2Jnw-living_niigata_niigata-shiI believe that for true lovers, every day is a Valentine's Day ! But definitely an added bonus, when you have a special day for the celebration of love. I found it quite interesting that Japanese people have a unique way of celebrating the festival of love. Feb 14 is thedayfor women to propose men. Not just for men they are in love with, chocolates are gifted also to other men in their lives including their bosses and co-workers. Men respond to proposals a month after on 14 March, thedaynamed as "whiteday" by giving back usually chocolates but can also be other forms of gifts.Valentine's dayin Japan got this trend with the campaign of confectionery companiesin Japanto increase their sales and encourage shy women to open up their heart to their beloved ones. Isn’t this interesting?Keeping the Japanese traditions aside, to me Love is the best color of Life. And life is beautiful because it is colored with the purest shades of love. Love and Nature are inseparable. Think of a couple under an umbrella during the monsoon rain, or a beautiful piece of painting with a couple watching sunset by the sea; nature add essence to love. With the changes of seasons, mother nature too changes her color but the beauty remains intact. To witness the seasonal experiences with your loved one in the best possible way, Niigata is a must visit city in Japan. Niigata will not disappoint you in any seasons as this city is fully loaded with special seasonal charm. Not that any season is less romantic in Niigata, but to me when it comes to imagine love as in a romantic novel- Autumn offers the best atmosphere. I have visited Verona in Italy, the place in Shakepere's novel depicted where Romeo and Juliet lived as they struggled for love. If I were Shakespere and was supposed to write the same novel, I would pick Niigata as the romantic location. And if I had a choice to pick a season for the drama, I would pick the utterly romantic Autumn. Autumn in Niigata is glorious in general but there are spots that are just splendid. Let me guide you to one of my favorite romantic sites in Niigata; that exhibits its best in the Autumn. The garden is called “Nakano Residence Maple Garden”. This garden was built by the then head of Nakano house and cultivated with great efforts over a period of 40 years to build an expansive garden with extremely detailed traditional beauty of Japan. In autumn, over 2000 maple trees with 130 varieties change color making the whole garden picturesque. While you walk through the trees the crown is all colored in many shades-scarlet, golden, brown, yellow. The trees offer the best leaves- bright, glossy and shiny that when reflected upon by the rays of sun transforms the whole garden to a paradise. The path that you walk by is also covered by the beautiful maples trees fallen off the trees. A walk with your loved one in this perfectly manicured garden can be an euphoric experience if you are an admirer of mother nature. This living work of art that was created back in Meiji era and this garden is considered a cultural asset of Niigata. It is truly special because of the magnificent landscaping skills and gardening techniques that has been used. Most of the terrain has been utilized to plant those gorgeous trees that during the peak of the season is almost like flames and offers a majestic view that is as flawless as a renowned piece of art.It is a landmark for an ageless beauty of nature. Just like if preserved well, a piece of art or nature never ages, the same applies to your love and relationships. Nature teaches us things that hardly any school can ever dare to teach. With the changing shades of a tree, you can draw a lesson that not every day in your life remains the same. There are times of ups and downs, dulls and brights and blacks and whites. In a true relationship you need to be as resistant as nature; no matter what stay intact and with patience you get back on tracks. Well, if you happen to be in Niigata during the autumn make sure you visit this park with your date and see how the magic of nature strengthens your love in all the best possible ways. After sharing the romantic destination in Niigata, I am wondering what am I gonna do on the Valentine’s day next month? Since the day comes embracing the white snow in Niigata, a dinner out with my husband might be a good way to celebrate. Somewhere really peaceful with soft jazz music on the background makes me think of a retro style Italian restaurant in our locality in Niigata. Happy Valentine's Day Everyone !!!!To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/w2Jnw-living_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 27 Jan 2017 18:21:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/w2Jnw-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/G6v8G-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiI have heard some conflicting opinions on where Ramen actually originated. Is it China or Japan? Unless I was a food researcher I'd barely worry about the origin of it. My sole interest lies in enjoying the taste of it. I have nothing to say if you cannot embrace foreign local lifestyle. Some people just hesitate trying new food. But if you try you will love the way Japanese people make changes to their eating habits in winter. In general too Japanese drink a lot of soup but specially in winter they emphasize on having food like Ramen ( comes with several choices- miso, siyo, soyu to name few), Nabe (all together soup-veggies, meat and noodles) etc.. In this post, I am going to talk about my recent visit to my favorite Ramen place in Niigata. So anyone visiting Niigata for the first time may want to try my favorite place for Ramen-Sanpotei.It was a cold chilly evening with heavy snow outside. I thought what a perfect weather and excuse for a bowl of Ramen. My husband and I decided to go to my favorite place- Sanpotei in Toyosaka, Niigata. This place is close to Toyosaka train station if some one is travelling by train. It is a franchise restaurant with branches in other parts of Niigata as well, including some in the downtown area. Well, apart from Ramen you also get to order other Japanese specialties as well. I never miss ordering Gyoza because for me Gyoza and Ramen is a perfect combination. How can one not order those yummy shinny Gyoza when ordering the Ramen. Well, time to order now ! A young lady waitress came to note down our order. In a typical Japanese manner she knelt down with a pen and paper. Japanese people have so well maintained their traditional etiquette in customer service. Every time in a restaurant in Japan, when some one takes an order, I get fascinated by the way they confirm and reconfirm the order. Not just by reading out your order to you but also by using their body language. There are upsides of this way, specially for foreigners, because not all foreigners have good hands on with Japanese language so there might be some confusions with the orders. Better Safe than Sorry ! While the lady asked us for the order, I was already sure what I wanted. I wanted a bowl of Miso Ramen. With the order of Miso Ramen. I usually order it without meat ( Niku Nassi) . It is not that with added minced meat, it is less delicious but me being a weight watcher find Ramen with extra meat very heavy. I wanted to fair to both- my taste buds and my metabolism. And of course, I added the Gyoza to my order. We in my homeland Nepal have a dish very similar to Gyoza . It is called Mo Mo which is believed to have originated in Tibet but is a very popular dish in Nepal. The only difference is Mo Mo is steamed and served with hot spicy relish made of Tomato and Sesame seeds while Gyoza is usually pan fried and served with soy sauce. Eating Gyoza in Japan takes me back to my Mo Mo memories back home. Okay ! now my order came in; my hot and steamy Ramen arrived in a super big bowl along with side dish Gyoza. Ramen looked so yummy and the aroma of the egg noodles was so appealing. I was tempted to slurp the noodles right away but I had to be patient else I would have to regret later for not being able to get the taste of it after burning off my taste buds. Slowly I gathered guts to start with the soup. I picked the spoon and tasted it while my husband was trying to alert me that it might be too hot. Amazing it was ! I just loved the creamy texture of the soup which is relatively thicker than other Ramen like Siyo or Soyu as Miso Ramen uses the Miso ( Soyu Paste) for the preparation. I also love Miso Ramen in this place because they lavishly add some delicious black mushrooms that does wonders to the flavors. On top of that a lot of green additions like cabbage and sprouts upgraded it to healthy dish. I and my husband got deeply indulged in enjoying the hot bowl of Ramen in the perfect Japanese ambiance of the restaurant. Even though the restaurant was fully occupied with customers, being in Japan, it was as peaceful. I sometimes wonder even the kids behave like adults- how can they be so quiet and not run around like kids elsewhere. After we were done dining like a king with a big portion of Ramen, we headed towards the pay counter. The restaurant even though served the best food, was not overly expensive so we could dine out for a modest price.. Well, the service and food definitely deserved an added tip as a reward of our satisfaction and gratitude but since tipping is not a part of Japanese culture, we walked out with a humble bow of Arigatou !!!To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/G6v8G-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiMon, 23 Jan 2017 10:10:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/G6v8G-living_food_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mx6oG-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiI had heard many things about Japan before I came here. Some turned out to be myths that busted later when I started living here but fruit being costly is as true as sun rising in the East.When I came to Japan for the first time, I was seriously shocked with the prices of fruits labelled in grocery stores. I questioned myself will I ever buy fruits in Japan? Well the gift wrapped fruits was something I would not buy for sure. But how could anyone say No to regular fruits? After all A-Z vitamins are richly packed in fruits. One possible reason for fruits being so expensive is because they are literally flawless and beautiful. You will first enjoy the fruits with your eyes (as they are very appealing) well in advance your tongue gets the taste of it.I am not aware what exactly are the standards for the fruits entering the market but they are "Absolutely Perfect- No Blemish, No Bruises". Just like a catchy tag line for a beauty cream.You can also already tell that they are extremely juicy just with their appearance. The other possible reason could be the high maintenance in orchards where each and every fruit grown for commercial purpose is handled with such a care. Lucky fruits, right? That definitely make the fruits desirable.Once you try fruits in Japan you will hardly regret for paying the price. Paying for fruits in Japan is certainly worthy. I may sound biased if I choose one fruit over the other fruits because all of them are equally competent taste and looks wise. However, if I am asked to pick my top three they will be Persimmon, Cherry and Apple. 1. Persimmon ( Khaki in Japanese)- I had never been such a big fan of Persimmon until I tried this in Japan. Persimmon is an autumn fruit. It is highly available in supermarkets during October- November. I appreciate the taste of this fruit very much for its fleshy texture and sweet taste with a not too strong aroma. The color of the fruit is bright orange and can easily draw your attention from among its other fruit counterparts in display. What I also enjoy about persimmon is the beautiful trees of persimmon all heavily loaded with ripe bright fruits. These trees look very attractive because during autumn the trees already shed their leaves and it is just the fruits in the branches. Persimmon is a resilient fruit also called as brave fruit in Japan because they can stay up in tree until the winter begins. I sometimes see some fruits in these trees even when it starts to snow. They can stand the toughest of the weather. Traditional way of consuming persimmon fruit is these fruits undergo some alcohol treatment. Some varieties of persimmon is dipped in alcohol to remove the astringent nature of the fruit. Persimmons are also dried to be consumed as dry fruits.2. Cherry ( Sakuranbo in Japanese)- The cherry trees look very similar to the Sakura (Cherry Blossom) trees; however it is not the Sakura trees that grow Cherries. Cherry is a very popular fruit in Japan and one of my favorites. This little fruit is ready to eat in the summers around May-July. Cherries are good to be eaten directly from stores but every year bunch of my friends love to go cherry picking in the orchard In Niigata. This is a very unique experience because you pay for the time and during that limited time you can pick and eat cherry directly from the trees; as much as you can. Nothing beats picking and eating these fresh little ones directly from the trees. As a perk, you will get to bring home a small box of cherry with you. If some one from family could not join this experience they can still enjoy the cherries at home. I have been going cherry picking every summers in Japan. Posing for pictures while eating makes beautiful memories. 3. Apple ( Ringo in Japanese) - Apples in Japan are no wonder the best. However, the challenge for beginners in Japan is to be able to pick a type of apple from so many different varieties. You will see apple in different sizes and colors ( red, green, golden yellow). Even in a color there are several shades of apple displayed in the stores that make the selection tough. But, anything you pick you will end up with a crisp, juicy, sweet one. What I find unusual in Japan is people peel the fruits skin and this applies for apples as well. I asked my sensei why so? She mentioned it is because fruits are sprayed on orchards so peeling makes them safer to eat, plus peeling makes them sweeter. Well, in most parts of the world they are eaten with skin on and I used to do the same; just wash and take a bite. That way it is believed we get more vitamins but now that I know- I have started peeling off skin. Health is a priority and yes sensei was so right peeling makes the sweet even sweeter.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mx6oG-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiThu, 19 Jan 2017 20:58:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mx6oG-living_food_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GOg8G-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiLiving in Japan has made me experience something that I would experience no where else. When I say this- it applies to many aspects- life style, people, culture etc. But "Food" stands out among the all. When I went back to Canada for completing my studies after staying in Japan for a year, there were times I would be seriously nostalgic. What I missed the most was of course my husband who was left behind in Japan for his job; but Japanese food was not less missed. I am glad to be back. I can now treat myself to all the foodies I craved for. Let me share some of my personal few favorite food items in Japan; and of course these items are not available easily in other parts of the world. Even if found, not with the same authentic taste, texture and aroma. 1. Crab ( Japanese home cooked)- I picked crab as one of my favorites not just because it tops my list but also for its relevance in this chilled winter. "Crab keep you warm"- Okhasan from Joetsu, Niigata told us when she invited my husband and I for lunch. I had tasted crab before but nothing like Japanese home cooked crab. The amazing soft texture of the crab along with slight fishy taste (not too strong though) made them irresistible. The crab was boiled that probably added softness to it. The crab served at this lunch was splendid also because a bit of Japanese sake was poured over the crab that enhanced the taste of it. I am very less confident that I can prepare crab the same way but I have taken memo for the special crab recipe. Waiting for a special occasion to give a try !2. Oden- Another winter food that is included in my yummy list is -Oden. Honestly, I have only tried Oden from convenience stores. To someone new to what is Oden- It is a broth/soupy food with boiled eggs, radish, Konyaku. Tofu, Surimi (ground fish items- like Chikuwa, Ikamaki, Sausage wrapped in Surimi). Oden is considered a very healthy food as it is mostly boiled items with hot soup made with dashi that can help you beat winter. I have heard that Konyaku is popular among girls in Japan as this is a zero calorie food that makes you full but without you gaining weight. Isn't that awesome? Usually on the order of Oden, they will add you few tiny pouches of mustard that adds rich flavor to the broth. I am not sure if most of the people find Oden appealing because it looks very plain and too simple in appearance; but to me it is too delicious. At least my taste buds can't resist me ordering a combo-bowl.Pic. Courtesy- Flickr 3. Horse Sashimi- I am also sharing something rare I ate in Japan so far, Horse Sashimi, It might sound like Eww..Yuck..for a foreigner who stays away from raw meat items. Even I used to be the same; A little reluctant, a little hesitant to try new food. But lately, I have realized that once you are in a new country and if you don't embrace the local lifestyle you are missing the beauty of being an expat. So I could not dare miss the golden opportunity to try the horse sashimi which is believed to be a rare, delicacy in Japan rather than an everyday food. There are restaurants that prepare it but I had no idea about it and I wouldn't probably have ordered this item if a Japanese friend hadn't mentioned. Once the order arrived on the table, I excitedly I tried it. I disliked the appearance of it because I had a prejudice that it is a raw meat. And, Yes, it looked raw but tasted fine. I remember vividly that it was served with grated ginger and sweet soyu. I am not sure if I will order this food again ; but I don't regret the momentI tried. 4. Natto- Natto is the last but not the least of my favorites here from food in Japan. Natto is a traditional food of Japan made from fermented soy bean. It is very easily available in grocery stores. You add some mustard/ washabi and soyu to the Natto and beat the mixture to produce the slimy sticky strings. To warn, Natto has a very peculiar smell. Don't be upset with me if you try this on my recommendation and dislike the odor of Natto on first try. The chances are high that people find the smell too strong and pungent. Japanese people eat Natto with rice and it is a very healthy protein supplement for your body as it is made of Soya bean. I have a very unique way of eating Natto that Japanese people find very weird. I use Natto as a spread over my bread and have for breakfast. Wanna try my way?? To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GOg8G-living_food_niigata_niigata-shiTue, 17 Jan 2017 16:33:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/GOg8G-living_food_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/zD3xM-living_niigata_niigata-shiEvery year in the wake of New Year, I have made resolutions but with every resolution always came procrastination. But, again I am not going to give up my trend of setting the resolution. I have however very uniquely fabricated my resolutions for brand new year 2017 with the flavor of Japanese life style. No wonder, this land of rising sun has always inspired me in number of ways. I call Japan a spiritual country because every page of my life in Japan has been blissful. Over the time of living here, Japan can only make you better- it teaches you little things that polishes you every moment. Reflecting back, though my 2016 was a fantastic year; I am motivated to pull my shocks in the year 2017 with the blend the goodness of Japan to my resolution list. 1. Wake up early: I feel proud every morning that I am touched by the crisp rays of sun well before it gets to touch the other parts of the world. That is certainly a merit of living in a land of rising sun. I have always been a morning person. Yet this year, I am going to wake up early enough every morning to witness the beauty of sunrise. I am lucky enough that I reside in an apartment facing the hills. The sunrise out of the hills looks serene so I am plan to capture the beauty of nature every morning. Especially in winter, I feel fortunate because the paddy fields in my locality provide shelter to the migratory birds from Russia. Poor birds flew miles and miles to escape the cold and survive. Nature has so much to teach- anything for survival ! Waking up early therefore should not be a big deal when I truly believe that doing so maximizes my energy throughout the day.2. Energy Walk: People in Japan being very conscious about their weight can motivate any one to look fit, I am no exception. "Being slim never goes out of style in Japan". Walking is my favorite fitness tricks no matter where I live. Well in Japan, I love walking more than any where else because the country is so clean and green- that walking is irresistible. I live in a country side where I am definitely more privileged to be connected more closely with nature. With my morning walks, I double my energy because whatI see every morning is so inspirational. I see "Okhasans" ( Old Women/Mothers) in their eighties or nineties already up and working in the farms. They send a strong message that age is just a number; does age even matter ? I want to continue drawing this positive energy from those "Okhasan ( Mothers). Well, a toned body and healthy oxygenated mind will be an added bonus.3.Clean/Organize : I have also lived in other developed countries for many years of my life but for cleanliness and being organized, Japan can hardly be competed. No litter, no mess! From a grocery store to a public toilet- no reason to complain about. It takes a lot of effort to keep an area clean but to maintain it; it is a matter of self awareness. If residents themselves are not aware in this matter; it is not possible to maintain a system. I am greatly touched by how things are so tidy and systematic in Japan. I have planned to make my daily life as organized as possible. I want to keep everything top notch from my kitchen, washrooms, wardrobe to my computer folders. An organized house can be a reflection of an organized city- just like Niigata City below in the picture. 4. Time management: Other important beauty of Japanese life is time management. Punctuality is a salient feature of a Japanese. Time Management is a key to Japan's prosperity and Japanese regard this skill as their pride. During my early days in Japan, I used to get astonished by the way- how people used to read in buses, how young girls would apply make up in a running train and I wondered why so ? Lately, I have learnt it is all about managing time. Living in a country where "time" is so highly valued; I am planning to maximize my productivity this year without wasting time in stuffs that are not important. I will invest more in what I believe in- help people, work to be productive, love oneself, care for friends and family. TIME IS POWERFUL..VALUE IT!!!5. Let Go: As a part of Japanese tradition, people get rid of old stuffs from their houses during the New Year. I totally loved this tradition. I did the same this year- I got rid of old , unwanted stuffsat home that we would seldom use. This helped me get rid of the clutter and opened up space for new materials and ideas. I am not sure if the deep seated logic for this practice connects with letting go with our old unwanted memories, negative feelings and unhealthy relationships in our personal lives. But, I perceived it this way and I decided to let go my hard feelings for people, own guilt that would be hard on myself and determined to open up space for positive energy in life. Unless you get to free up this space, you hardly get any space for new additions- be it goods, thoughts, ideasor relationships. I am truly convinced by the Japanese way of welcoming the new year !HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!! To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/zD3xM-living_niigata_niigata-shiThu, 12 Jan 2017 16:39:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/zD3xM-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/za00M-living_niigata_niigata-shiWhen in Rome - Do as Roman's Do !! So when in Japan why not do as Japanese do ?? To do as Japanese do , first thing would be to speak Japanese. And this is where is a challenge !! I'm not sure if the challenge I come across with language in Japan would qualify as a challenge for my readers. Definitely not for those expats who have acquired a level of confidence in the Japanese language. However, me being a beginner (for ever) have faced enough challenges with language in Japan. Let me share some of my observations and funny moments with an inappropriate use and understanding of the vocabulary. Sometimes it is just my tongue that does the wrong job and at other times it is just me making the moment either awkward or funny !!1. Kawaii - Kowai : Even after living in Japan for couple of years now. I use Kawaii ( Cute) and Kowai ( Scary) interchangeably for some reason. In the beginning when someone told me- Anatawa Kawaii Desyou. ( You are cute) ; I would sometimes understand that as Anatawa Kowai Desyou ( You are Scary). I would question myself- Am I really? These words sound quite similar to me even now; May be I am the only one. Sometimes, in a morning walk with my husband- I'd say " Kowai" to compliment a neighbor's dog and my husband would stop me right there. Neighbor's face looked confused but he hesitantly smiled probably faking that he understood what I meant. After all who would want to hear that one's pet is a monster?2. Okashi- Okashii : No specific example to share here but I totally use these terms " Okashi and Okashii" interchangeably even after knowing there meanings . The first one means snacks and the latter means weird. I face this challenge because my tongue does not allow me to pronounce them differently. I am not overly concerned here because people won't be much confused as these terms are used in different context or at least I haven't come across any such embarrassing moments using these terms.3. Chotto : Though the word " Chotto" literally means " Little" in Japanese but I had to pay a price to figure out not always- but depends on when it is used. I worked for a University as a researcher in Niigata last winter. For my first meeting before I was appointed I took a train to the place. After I got off the train I wasn't sure how far was the university so asked a Japanese gentleman about the route. He explained me how to get there without indicating that it would be quite a walk. It was snowing outside but I started to walk thinking I'd get there soon. In the midst of my walk, I met another pedestrian and asked him how far is the place; He said with an unpleasant expression in his face- "Chotto Ne". I was like- Why would he make that face if it is just a little further? I only figured out that his " Chotto meant - A LOT -after walking half an hour in the snowy bone chilling day. 4. Naruhodo: I couldn't help share my personal experience of misunderstanding a term " Naruhodo"; and as I said it is personal in the sense that it was just me. It's not that the term is confusing or anything.I used to tutor English to a Japanese lady at my house. During our Japanese conversation she used a word - Naruhodo. I heard this word for the first time and the context of conversation was that we were talking about people in Japan. With her use of " Narohodo" somewhere in the middle of sentence; I related it to a person's name and I asked her back. Narohodo san wa dare desuka? ( Who is Mr. Naro Hodo ? ) Believe me her laughter filled the room!! Afterwards she explained me what it meant and I shared that with my husband in the evening. Such a fool I became !!!!!! Even now sometimes, my husband shares this joke with his Japanese friend and they laugh out loud !!!Well, even though challenges are always there when it comes to learning a new language; my journey with Japanese language has been bitter-sweet. I sometimes invent my own ways to remember the words. For example- Not to confuse between Kuruma ( Car) and Kurumi( Walnut) - I borrow the learning style of my native language where " a" at the end mostly represents a male gender and "i" at the end is for female. Thus, for me a car is a " boy" and walnut is a "girl". It may be difficult for some one to make sense out of this example but I believe there are indigenous methods in every language that will help you learn any language. Sometimes I find my methods very handy.To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/za00M-living_niigata_niigata-shiSat, 07 Jan 2017 17:12:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/za00M-living_niigata_niigata-shihttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mvm9w-living_niigata_niigata-shiThe world is getting narrower in the sense that people are celebrating festivals borrowed from any culture and religion. Japan never ceases to amaze me when it comes to anything ; food, life, culture, technology and what not. The same applied when it came to celebratingChristmasin Japan.Christmasin Japan this year was no less fun than celebrating in any countries whereChristmasis celebrated for holy and religious regions. Illuminations,Christmastrees, sales in the stores and colorfulChristmascakes were totally up to the mark with theChristmasI celebrated in Canada last year. The excitement of children held no bound when it came to expecting gifts under theChristmastrees. Cute little kids were no less happy while posing for pictures in the malls with those jingle bells, red bows and decorations up in the tree. If you celebrateChristmasin your country and you happen to be in Japan during aChristmas, you might still miss the family and friends part, but Japan will serve its best in all other ways to keep you far away from being nostalgic. My experience during thisChristmaswas the same. It was equally fun shopping during this festival as there were huge sales in the malls and you could also get your gifts wrapped up with thoseChristmasthemed papers and bags. I believe Japan was surely successful in pleasing the expat communities, tourists visiting Japan leaving no behind its own people who are so welcoming when it comes to accepting the foreign culture. This whole celebration in the country makes me question; if Japanese people are really as insular as they are stereotyped. Had it been so, how come the people are so motivated being part of this celebration? I know a Japanese lady whom I tutor at home to help her improve her English skills; she runs a private English school for kids. She shared with me how fantastic a celebration she had with kids ather school during Christmas. Kids even exchanged gifts - just the way they do elsewhere - the secret Santa style !Christmascakes and pies were also baked and they played the popular jingles andChristmassongs. Wasn't their effort totally remarkable? Though, I have lived in many parts of the world during my missions to study and work andChristmasfor me has been in many countries; I felt the equal festive vibe this year in Japan. To reflect back, I was in the Vatican city in theChristmasof 2009 and in theChristmasof 2015, I was in Canada; so I have experiencedChristmasin different parts of the world at different timeline. Yet, Japan deserves a kudos for the preparation to integrate this different culture despite the fact that Christians make up a minority in Japan. There are many positive aspects to draw here- acceptance, love and harmony that comes with all culture could be celebrated all over the world. This is the beauty of globalization. To share what I personally did in thisChristmas- I had a nice lunch party with my friends and their kids. I originally also come from the culture where we do not celebrateChristmasbut the friends from my country living in Japan gathered to celebrate. We had a dress code on the day; so we were all dressed in red, including the kids.Christmascaps, reindeer bands and a nicely decorated tree was up for the celebration. As for the food; we decided to keep it easy and simple and did a potluck. I cooked chicken with coconut milk ( a friend from Philippines had once taught me this dish ) and hoped that would turn on people's taste buds. It did, as people loved my special dish of the day. We also had a beautiful cake ordered for the dessert with theChristmasthemed icing. We played games and enjoyed food. Kids exchanged gifts and enjoyed this a lot while the ladies group were busy eating and dancing. Pictures were taken and we captured the beautiful memories. The same evening I went out shopping with my husband to buy each otherChristmaspresents. Me and my husband are both practical people and our gifts are never a surprise. We tend to buy each other whatever we think we need; so the idea was the same for theChristmasas well. My husband bought himself a pair of warm pants and a sweatshirt with a good discount as aChristmasoffer. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted so we were juggling around the shops. Luckily a shop offered "Fukubukuro" for accessories for a very decent price. I quickly glanced for the items but could not see all as they were tightly packed but I still decided to take a chance. When i was home, my curiosity held no bound and I opened the pack that pleased me so much. I had so many pretty accessories in the pack for maybe quarter the price if I would add them all up. Hence, myChristmashappened to be merry in all ways with no feelings that it might have been better somewhere else !!!!To view the full contents of this page visit www.city-cost.comPostshttps://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mvm9w-living_niigata_niigata-shiFri, 06 Jan 2017 15:17:00 +0900https://www.city-cost.comhttps://www.city-cost.com/blogs/Babina/Mvm9w-living_niigata_niigata-shi