Lifestyle
Younger generations swap tradition for self-expression with holiday decorations
Whether dressed in black, mimicking bare branches or decked out with enough bows for a Taylor Swift concert, the Christmas trees in some U.S. homes this year display an unconventional streak. They beckon visitors to behold the decorator's personality, not a mere symbol of Yuletide cheer. The new-fashioned approach to… Read
Worried that your kids could be losing tradition after living abroad?
I am American and my husband is Dutch. Our three kids were born and raised in Switzerland until we moved to Japan last year. This creates a complex and often confusing situation when it comes to heritage and traditions. Children process and identify with all the little bits and pieces… Read
Why Americans in Japan must file U.S. taxes
Benjamin Franklin said that in life, nothing is more certain than “death and taxes.” For Americans living in Japan, this is twice as true. American citizens must file U.S. taxes, even if they live and work in a different country. It’s the primary reason why retiring in Japan is difficult for Americans.… Read
Stay sober and have a jolly holiday season with these expert tips
Last year, when Lauren Haydel began her first sober holiday season, she wondered how difficult it would be to avoid alcohol at family parties and celebrations with friends. She owns a boutique, Fleurty Girl, in New Orleans’ French Quarter, a neighborhood synonymous with drinking. But few people questioned her choice.… Read
The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, researcher says
Most of what we know about humans living to very old age is based on faulty data, including the science behind the "blue zones" famous for having a high proportion of people over 100, according to one researcher. The desire to live as long as possible has driven a booming… Read
When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
The December holidays are supposed to be a time of joyful celebration, but the season can be especially grueling for the millions of people who work in retail stores, staff airline counters and field complaints coming into call centers. Instead of compassion or good cheer, service sector workers often encounter… Read
Where’s the happiest place for foreigners to live in Japan? Study investigates
Since 2019, Ibaraki Prefecture has conducted a study to gauge the happiness of its residents. This year, though, for the first time the prefecture’s researchers also sifted through statistical data to determine the happiness specifically of foreign residents of Ibaraki, and compared the results to what they’d be in other parts… Read
Japan’s year-end jumbo lottery
With the end of the year fast approaching, now’s a good time to learn about the different ways celebrating New Year’s in Japan differs from back home. There’s eating toshi-koshi soba (year-crossing buckwheat noodles) at midnight and hatsumode (the first shrine visit), but have you ever heard of the Nenmatsu Jumbo Takarakuji or year-end jumbo lottery? With 700… Read
South Korea's fading nightlife signals shift in hard-drinking culture
For pub owner Jun Jung-sook, Seoul's once-vibrant Nokdu Street is not what it used to be when people queued for a table to end their day with Korean mung bean pancakes and shots of the fiery local rice wine makgeolli. The more common sight now is of half-empty pubs and… Read
Pet adoption in Japan: Things to consider
There’s nothing like coming home to a wagging tail, a soft purr or a joyful hop. In a country where loneliness can quietly settle into daily life, adopting a furry friend can bring much joy and needed companionship. Yet, the pet adoption process in Japan isn’t without its challenges, and… Read
