Category Archives: Japan

Saitama’s Anime Tourism Campaign

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

There seems to be an interesting trend in tourism campaigns recently. First there was Disney’s gorgeous anime-style commercial for Tokyo Disney Resort which covered the life of a woman in 30 seconds and managed to pack in so much emotion … Continue reading →

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Azuki Matcha Latte & Frappuccino at Starbucks

Posted on February 6, 2012 by

I know you can get green tea lattes at Starbucks in the US these days, but somehow I doubt that this special winter version, the Azuki Matcha Latte, will be making it’s way across the Pacific any time soon. The … Continue reading →

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Disney’s Year of the Dragon

Posted on January 23, 2012 by

Happy Lunar New Year! Sean’s family is Thai-Chinese, so the holiday is always a big deal in our family. It’s still a bit strange to me that the zodiac animal changes at January 1st in Japan, so I decided not … Continue reading →

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Hello Kitty celebrates 七五三

Posted on November 14, 2011 by

November 15th is one of my favorite holidays in Japan. It’s not a public holiday, so we still have to go to work tomorrow, but it’s a cultural holiday like Setsubun and Hinamatsuri. 七五三 or Shichi-Go-San means 7-5-3, and is … Continue reading →

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Spooky Season

Posted on November 1, 2011 by

Bat Against Full Moon Nomura Yoshikuni (1855-1903) Woodblock print, Freer & Sackler Galleries Whether you’re celebrating Día de los Muertos, All Saints’ Day, or still enjoying the fresh memories of Halloween, this print seemed quite appropriate for the season! What … Continue reading →

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10,000 Free Flights to Japan!?

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

Unsurprisingly, foreign tourism in Japan has plummeted in the past seven months, following the catastrophic events that ravaged the Tohoku region last March. Numbers were down more than 50% in the months directly following the disasters, as much as 80% … Continue reading →

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Meet the Mascot — Blue’bear’ries!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

Our lovely home of Gunma Prefecture is quite famous for fruit picking, but did you know that you can pick fruit in Tokyo as well? In the Nerima ward of Tokyo, a bit west of Ikebukuro and a bit north … Continue reading →

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Game of Thrones — The Japanese Covers

Posted on August 16, 2011 by

So, if you’re anything like us or our friends, you’ve probably been devouring the Song of  Ice and Fire series recently, or have long since finished them. After Game of Thrones was made into an HBO show earlier this year, … Continue reading →

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Pokéball Fireworks!

Posted on August 2, 2011 by

Yukata. Festivals. Fireflies.  かき氷 (kakigori) or shave ice. Sweat trickling down your back as your fan gently pushes the humid air past your face. All of these things mean summer in Japan, and one thing rises quite literally above the … Continue reading →

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Hengao, Pon Pon Pon Lyrics, and a Chance to Meet Kyary Pamyu Pamyu!

Posted on July 21, 2011 by

Yesterday this poster magically appeared at my school: Most of my coworkers had no idea who that girl in the picture was, and couldn’t even pronounce her name, but I knew. I knew instantly who it was. きゃりぱみゅぱみゅ! That’s right, … Continue reading →

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