Lifestyle
12 fun things to do in Tokyo that will cost you absolutely nothing
With soaring housing costs and relatively high-priced consumer goods, it is no wonder that Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But having fun in this sprawling metropolis need not always involve huge amounts of cash if you know where to look. In fact, tourists can have a… Read
Experiencing life with art
One of the things I love most about Mori Building is the obvious appreciation for art. From the ever-engaging and unique exhibits at the Mori Art Museum to the art displayed inside MORI LIVING residences and in public areas around the HILLS, there is always something beautiful to see. And… Read
Buying property in Japan? This mini tower house can be yours for ¥1.3 mil
People often say that Japan is a land of contrasts. It’s a country where faxes coexist with futuristic robot technologies, ancient shrines peer out from the shadow of city high rises, and women in kimono strut around on streets where you’ll also find some of the craziest cosplay. And while some of the smallest houses on tiny plots of land can… Read
Letters From Japan: 'Why must we visit my Canadian husband’s home every year?'
Savvy Tokyo's resident "Love in Japan" columnist, Hilary Keyes, answers anonymous questions from readers on everything from dating in Japan to women’s health issues. Got a question you’d like to ask Hilary? Email it to editorial@gplusmedia.com with a subject "Ask Hilary." Hi Hilary, I am a Japanese woman. I married… Read
Staying positive: 6 tips for beating the winter blues in Japan
Recently, I blogged about the key steps that ALTs and other Japan residents can take to keep their house warm and safe in the often harsh winters of central and northern Japan. However, one area that is equally vulnerable but far less discussed during the cold, dark months here is your mental… Read
5 Japanese books to read before you start anything new this year
Looking for some inspirational books to get you in the mood to embrace everything the new year has coming? Resolutions are made to be broken but practicing some new habits and enjoying some fresh perspectives on life can get you going on the right note. Here are some Japanese books,… Read
Black Thunder shocks fans by suspending 'giri choco' on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day in Japan is a very different celebration compared to overseas, as only women are expected to give gifts of sweets or chocolate on Feb 14 (with a return gift from men a month later on White Day), and not only to the object of their affections, but to male and female… Read
A year in Japan through emoji
In its most literal form, emoji is a combination of the Japanese words 絵 (え— picture) and 文字 (もじ— character) adding just the right amount of visual sugar (or spice) to your text, tweets and online correspondence. The original 176 pictograms that were intended for Japan’s first mobile internet service have now… Read
Nearly half of young Japanese women say they hate the company they work for in survey
Japanese customer service may be legendary, but that doesn’t mean every person working in Japan loves their job. Especially in a country where long hours and frequent overtime are the norm, it’s not surprising that more than a few people are dissatisfied with their employer. Japanese Internet portal Shirabee recently conducted a survey, asking… Read
A whole lotta love: 26 mock weddings for Japanese lesbian couple
A Japanese lesbian couple plan to stage wedding photos in every country around the world where same-sex marriage is legal in a push to increase understanding of LGBT+ communities at home, they said on Wednesday. Students Misato Kawasaki, 21, and Mayu Otaki, 22, hope to give other LGBT+ people confidence… Read
