Dan and I are both 30. When we met at 17, I could never have imagined what 30 year old us would look like. When I went off travelling at 18 and Dan stayed home with his band (can’t deny we were a cliché!) and then again when we went to university at 19, we…
Reflecting on Hiroshima
At the start of December we had a long weekend away in Hiroshima. We had visited this vibrant city on holiday in 2014, and thoroughly enjoyed re-tracing our footsteps. On Saturday we made the most out of the café culture and western friendly eateries. After months of matcha latte offerings and ramen a good slice…
My Bunkasai
A few weeks ago I went to my first bunkasai (cultural school festival) while Dan enjoyed a day at the sumo. Initially, I was ‘proper gutted’ that I would miss out on sumo for ‘work’… However, my bunkasai day started off well as arrived at school to find some students running about dressed as, what…
Japan; the Highs and Lows (So Far…)
It is December the 1st today which marks four months since I arrived in Japan…today is also a big day for schools across the nation, as it is the day the kerosene winter heaters get their big switch on. Japan does not mess around with the likes of safe central heating, oh no, it is…
Tunes and Birthday Beats
On Sunday 20th November we attended a music performance at The Beat Cafe. The singer Satoko san joined a very intimate crowd of ten in the beautiful and relaxing beach side setting. The music was inventive and delicate. Crowd interaction was encouraged through home made coffee bean shakers and rocks against wood for a solid…
Deer Self(ie)
Deer Self(ie), I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your recent successes. To name a few, you are travelling parts of Japan you had never even heard of until your move here just less than four months ago. You are embracing the culture and studying the language. You challenge and ask…
Oi, “sweet as a nut, sweet like Tropicana”
Another weekend away exploring our beautiful prefecture! This weekend took us to the rural delights of Yashiro Island where the tangerines were in season and “sweet as a nut, sweet like Tropicana”. On our arrival we had a delicious curry in a very happening café (most of the residents on the island are over 65,…
“I know in the future that women will not only break through the infamous glass ceiling, but we will grind it to sand and sprinkle the glitter all over the haters”.
As my loved ones woke on Wednesday morning to a changed world, in Japan we had be watching the US presidential election unfold during the working day. I now live in a country where women often play a traditional role and society is generally more conservative and conformist than the UK. But on Wednesday my…
When Nature Calls
Japan may-well have a population of 128 million but be only 1.56 times the size of the UK, but wow, does it have nature! Countries of the world could learn a thing or two about keeping your streets and rivers clean and allowing nature to take flourish. Due to the landscape of Japan, the mountains…
Growing to Love Our New Home
When we arrived in Shimonoseki, there was no doubt its rural charm was a little shocking to us. We had been used to a life of city living: cafes and bars galore; six buses an hour; an extensive tram system; and hundreds of restaurants at our door step. In Shimonoseki, we didn’t seem to have…