It has taken a while for me to pick up the metaphorical pen and post some of our last adventures in Japan…moving halfway across the world isn’t easy! Anyway…now for the story of my birthday… November 2021 saw me turn 3-5. My birthday is never the easiest time of year, so I often seek out…
Tag: Nature
Holiday to Ito
In October, we took a MUCH NEEDED week-long break in Ito. Ito is an area of Japan I have had on my bucket list for some time to visit. It’s known for its dramatic coastlines and abundant nature. Oh, and the dormant volcano that looks like a mini Mount Fuji. Alas, I need to get…
Turning 34 in Saitama
I turned 34 (in age, not mind) this year at an eco-lodge we’ve visited previously in Saitama. It’s up in the mountains and surrounded by bamboo. We’ve visited a few times because it’s peaceful, surrounded by nature, and, importantly, cheap! This year was a difficult birthday, the first to pass without hearing from my Dad….
Gyoza Gorging: Utsunomiya
I recently learned about a place in Tochigi Prefecture, which is about two hours north of Tokyo on a local train or one hour north if you splurge for a Shinkansen. It is infamous in the local area for having an abundance of gyozas to gorge on. After hearing about the area I came home…
Ten Days, Ten Tokyo Universities
The new academic year has started in Japan, and with it brings a new job for me. This term, I am going to be working in a Women’s University in Tokyo, supporting women to communicate in English and understand more about global cultures. My new university says that it aims to create global women (it…
Christmas Day 2018
In 2018 Dan and I spent our first Christmas in Japan after over two and a half years of living here. We spent it on Toyama in our unique Airbnb. Our actual day started off slowly with a late wake up, a bit of book reading (I indulged in a festive bit of Bridget Jones’…
I Spy Mount Fuji
Fuji-san or Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most iconic volcanos. It’s symetrical shape and illusive nature appeals to tourists and locals alike. Since moving to Tokyo over three months ago (let’s just take a moment to address how insane it is that THREE months have passed…) we have been on a bit of a…
Taroko, Day Two.
Day two in Taroko was breathtaking. We took a bus right up through the gorge into the national park. It was a winding 45 minute journey through some of the most dramatic scenery I have ever seen. Our plan was simple, bus up to the top of the main trail through the gorge and the…
Without a Song
It took me some time to work out why Japan sounds different to the UK. The different sights, smells and tastes are all so obvious. There are the notable sounds like the language, road crossings, pachinko parlors and electric cars (the latter can creep up on you at any time, even when you swear you…
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…