Head to Koenji for Foreigner-Friendly Fun
Although ostensibly an area that is little different from the rest of suburban Tokyo, it’s to Koenji’s credit that it doesn’t take much digging to discover that appearances can be deceptive. In this …
The archive
Gaijin — page 6
Browse gaijin in the Akihabara archive.
Takayama: A Weekend Getaway with Old Towns and Morning Markets
Takayama is a castle town high up in the mountains of Gifu prefecture (4-5 hours from Tokyo), overflowing with traditional charm and busy streets waiting to be explored. Renowned for morning mar…
Shrine-Hopping
Kyoto is known for its hundreds of temples and shrines dotting the city. Quite a few are UNESCO World Heritage listed, and even those that aren’t offer beauty and charm in their art, gardens, or arch…
Stupid Tourists?
What are things that foreign tourists should avoid doing, so that both locals and tourists can avoid problems? There have been a few cases of very srtupid tourists, like those who vandalised Mei…
The Awkward Art of Saying Goodbye in Japan
"I tried disengaging from the conversation. “Well, it was nice talking to you!” I said. My student just stared at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. After a moment of silence, I tried a…
Free bus tours around Narita Airport
Foreigners staying near Narita Airport outside Tokyo will be offered sightseeing bus tours starting next month. The tours are organized by the operator of Narita Airport, local municipalities an…
Ryokans Vs. AirBnB
Questions about Japan answered directly from Akihabara, Tokyo!
It is frustratingly difficult to pass driving theory test in Japan
In this blog post the guy complains how difficult it was to pass the theory test: I looked rather out of place in the lectures, which were filled with devious-looking youths and wannabe bos…
5 ways to meet Japanese locals without speaking Japanese
For many travelers, getting to live like a local and having the opportunity to connect with new people is a big priority. In Japan, this can be challenging due to the language barrier. Since half of …
4 Ways Living in Japan Can Make You Healthier
With one of the world’s longest-living populations, it’s not much of a surprise that spending time in Japan can have a positive impact on your health. Although people’s bodies (and minds) do rea…