matigo / Submitted

Japan is not all temples, shrines, school girls, and takoyaki. Shane from The Nihon Sun knows this and asked that we take some pictures outside the window to show everyone just how normal this country really is (sometimes).

Here is my contribution to the idea :) read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
I bet DBR is happy she waited on that netbook purchase, 'cause Dell is selling their basic netbooks for ONE HUNDRED YEN!!!

It's part of a package deal with EMobile, which means that you'll be suckered into buying a data package and getting locked into another monthly bill, but this read more »
3 Comments   Add this link to...  Alert... 
There have been an incredible number of people that claim to be teaching English in Japan, when really they're just here to escape reality. While I don't pretend to take the job with absolute seriousness (it has to be fun, after all), there are some things that people should know before crossing read more »
5 Comments   Add this link to...  Alert... 
It's slightly off the regular path, but I really do think my neighbour is a ninja. Nobody has been able to sneak up on me in years, yet this person can consistently escape my notice until it's too late.

Where did he learn to be a ninja and, more importantly, can I learn, too? read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
People everywhere will tell you that moving to another country for any length of time is one of the most difficult things that someone can do in their life. While this may be true for some people, many others can find the experience to be incredibly enjoyable. That said, regardless of whether someo read more »
1 Comment   Add this link to...  Alert... 
Looking for something new to do, Reiko and I took in a theatrical performance this weekend by a group that has been operating in the Nagoya area for a number of years, and we caught the last Nagoya showing of Romeo & Juliet on Sunday night. While it was not quite what I was expecting, it was certai read more »
1 Comment   Add this link to...  Alert... 
Now that everyone is back in school or busy at work, it's the perfect time to get out and see Japan! First stop: Osaka!

Reiko and I made the trek to Osaka and Nara for the first two days of our vacation and, though we're both tired from the seemingly endless amounts of walking, it was so much read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
Have a case of writer's block? Not sure what to post about? Looking for something a little different? Perhaps these 40 topics can help out! read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
It’s that time of year again. Typhoons are fast on their way, and it’s just about time to harvest millions of kilograms of plump rice from seemingly endless fields of green. It's a shame this wonderful season is being spoiled by so many people who have worked so hard to live and work here. read more »
28 Comments   Add this link to...  Alert... 
This past weekend has seen a lot of money change hands, and a lot of people lose their jobs. According to every report that’s coming out of CNN and the Wall Street Journal, this isn’t over, either. But how will this affect many of the foreign residents here in Japan? read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
In this, the third installment of our “Shopping for a Car” series, Reiko and I decided to head to Gifu Mazda to see what kind of offerings we could scrounge up there. 30 seconds after setting foot on the lot, we were in love with the latest Axela Mazda had to offer. read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
In part two of my ongoing series, Reiko and I made a trip to Honda Cars Gifu just down the road to examine the Fit. Somewhere along the way, we were also roped in to looking at the Freed, Stream and Stepwagon. read more »
2 Comments   Add this link to...  Alert... 
Cars in Japan are so affordable. This was my thought as Reiko and I looked at the pristine models in the showroom of Gifu Nissan this past weekend where we started the search for our first family car. Where did we start? At Gifu Nissan, where we eyed a 2009 Tiida. read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert... 
The name of the post says it all. I found difinitive proof that there is definately some Unix in the homes of Japanese people everywhere!

But is it "Eco-Friendly" ? read more »
Discuss   Add this link to...  Alert...