The Fukuoka Kokusai Center hosts a major sumo tournament in November, where wrestlers compete over 15 days to decide the champion. The writer was fortunate to obtain tickets and attended the event for the first time, thanks to a teacher’s connection.
As new owners of futons, there are a few tips to maintain these Japanese beds and avoid common mistakes.
First-time Futon Buyer’s Cautionary Tale: What You Need to Know about Futons in Japan Read More »
I was invited by my Japanese neighbours to participate in their annual potato hoeing event this autumn.
A day of potato hoeing in Japan Read More »
We’re so fortunate to be in Kyushu, home to some of Japan’s most renowned pottery styles and techniques. One standout is Ontayaki Pottery Village, also known as Onta-yaki, a charming little town steeped in a rich pottery history. On an incredible, cloudy weekend, we embarked on a delightful two-hour drive
Ontayaki Pottery Village: Our Favourite Picturesque Village in Oita Prefecture Read More »
Seafood is a surprisingly affordable product in grocery stores, and there’s a great variety available to us here. Not all attempts at cooking have been what I’d call a success, but it’s a fun experience nonetheless. We’ve learned to cook seafood with a hot pot or nabe, as it is
What a Typical Japanese Meal at Home Looks Like in the Countryside Read More »
On a Saturday morning, we head to a cafe called Fukamido (深見堂) after being invited to their opening the previous night at an English conversation meet-up. Our ears perk up when they mention coffee, and we don’t want to miss the opportunity to try out good cafes. It’s pouring out, a
Fukamido: A Cafe & Restaurant in a 120-Year-Old Japanese House Read More »
The loudest thing we hear in our quiet countryside neighbourhood in our Japanese apartment are the kindergarteners, and the school bell ring across our apartment. That being said, we’re in an optimal location in the countryside, with a convenient 5-minute walk away from one of the main shopping streets in
Our Countryside Neighbourhood Tour in Oita, Japan Read More »
One of the pros of living in the countryside in Japan is the abundance of reasonably priced apartments. We found our apartment online on a Japanese website while in Vancouver and could find several decent options before settling on our current apartment. After Jesse arrived in Usa city, we sent
A Tour of Our $500 Apartment in the Countryside of Japan Read More »
These are the best grapes I have ever tasted in my life.
Grape Picking in Japan: Sampling the Best Grapes in Oita Prefecture Read More »
… and a couple of very sweaty Canadians experiencing Japan’s summer heat.
Taking an Epic Summer Hike up Kunisaki’s Futago-ji Buddhist Temple Read More »
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Protected: Haruru Cafe Read More »
It’s apartment shopping day for our very first apartment in Japan.
Our First Apartment Shopping Day in Japan Read More »
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Protected: Sora: A Dog Cafe in the Middle of the Japanese Countryside Read More »
The first few days in the Japanese countryside
Starting Life Anew into Our First Apartment in Rural Japan Read More »