Spring time in Japan is a big deal – it means a change in the weather, ample amounts of hay-fever, and cherry blossom viewing (known as Hanami – flower + see). The chance to Hanami in Tokyo is a first for us. It means we are trying to catch a glimpse of the fleeting blossoms…
Category: Tokyo baby
Tama Zoo, Tokyo
Dan and I love a zoo. That much is known. We recently discovered Tama Zoo, about one hour West of central Tokyo. It is set in hilly grounds and has a wide range of animals, including an excessive amount of Giraffes (there were about 15!). You can explore the zoo on foot, and walk about…
Promoting Peace
Several years ago I was introduced to Rotary International through the Rotary Peace Fellowship. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is the chance for peace-builders from around the world to obtain an MA in Peace Studies at a Peace Centre university (there are six around the world) after a rigorous two year programme. The more I learned…
Team LAB Tokyo: Planets
In August last year we visited the Team Lab art exhibition in Tokyo. It was beautiful and immersive and wonderful on so many levels. And so, with news my sister and her family were coming to town, I booked tickets to the Team Lab second show in Tokyo: Planets. It was billed as an immersive…
Life Plans!
The temporary experience of living in Tokyo that Dan and I signed up to in August 2018 just got moderatly more than temporary. By December 2018 we knew we wanted to spend a little more time living in this epic city as we had barely scratched the surface of our local area, let alone the…
The Fam Visit Japan
From February 14th to the 20th my sister, Katie, her husband, Steve, and their two little angels, Edward and Evelyn came to see us in Tokyo. We had a jam-packed few days showing of the best of Tokyo, and we become something of experts in “quick, where is the nearest play park, the kids need…
Yayoi Kasuma Museum
In February Dan and I visited the Yayoi Kasuma Museum in Tokyo. Kasuma-san is an internationally known artist, recognised for her art work depicting polka dots and mushrooms. She also made international headlines a few years ago for her outspoken attitude and, somewhat, grumpy expression. She is a real modern-day example of a tortured artist!…
Moving On Out: Living In A Box
I’ve mentioned before that Dan and I live in a box in Tokyo. My family and friends know this, however it still seems to surprise them when I show them around our place or describe it. I knew we would be living it low-key in Tokyo as we had come from a four room apartment…
Tokyo Hikes: Keeping Costs Down
Tokyo is an exciting and substantial city to live in. It is bucking the trend in Japan as a city which is constantly growing and gaining more talent. Whilst the rest of Japan declines, young people flock to Tokyo for opportunities and the promise of a ‘high life’. This high life is not for everyone….
Second Bunk Bars
Dan and I recently took another walk around our local area. We really did accidentally nail it when we decided to move to Nakano ward, having never visited the area or West Tokyo… On our night-time stroll we found a street that time had preserved. It was a street of low doorways and inviting little…