Autumn, especially September, usually brings out in me an ‘itch’ for travel. With several three-day weekends or holidays approaching, autumn is a great time to get out and explore some nearby places in Japan. Whether you’re a long-time resident out to rediscover some favorite spots [ ... ]
While standing in line last week before a last minute dash to get shinkansen tickets at a JR Midori Madoguchi ticket window, a brightly colored pamphlet caught my eye: “The Seishun Juhachi Kippu season has started again!” With some relief, I knew I’d found the week’s frugal t [ ... ]
While not necessarily frugal, packing light (hopefully just one bag) is truly a necessity when travelling within Japan, especially if you plan on taking the train. Ask anyone who has travelled with parents or friends from overseas, and you’ll hear horror stories of herding multiple-suitcase-be [ ... ]
With the officially declared end to the rainy season, I hope everyone is starting to make some earnest efforts to enjoy the summer. Tokyo, and even online expat groups, all seem to quiet down from late July to mid-August, as many people take advantage of school vacations to travel home or elsewhere. [ ... ]
Summer is definitely here. The days are getting longer, the nights hotter, and the Tokyo “heat island effect” is gearing up for another season of blistering heat, with little or no escape. Never heard of the “heat island” effect? Well, it simply describes the fact that city t [ ... ]