Life in Japan

Autumn colors in Nikko

2011-11-22T18:30:00.001-08:00

Seasons first snowcap on Mt Fuji

2011-09-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

Mt Fuji got the seasons first snowcap over this past weekend.

#15 Typhoon "Roke" is approaching

2011-09-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

We have had pouring rain, gusty winds and sudden thunderstorms on us several times during the night.
Now as this typhoon #15, "Roke" is making a landfall close to Hamamatsu area we are soon enclosed into the "storm system" moving about 35 -40 km/h northwards. The rain has become more driving and heavier and the wind is howling in the corners of the house.
Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting 450mm to 500 ml rainfall to Kanto area, max. windspeed in gusts is about 60m/s and the wave hight is currently about 9 m at open sea areas and 3m at Tokyo Bay area.
We keep up to date with the evolving situation by watching the NHK News from TV and following the updates from Japan Meteorological Agency`s web site. Currently it seems that the shinkansen trains services in Tokai, Kanto and Hokuriku areas have been discontinued. There are also reports of flash floods, landslides and rivers bursting their banks.
I`m so happy that we don`t have to go out today. The school was cancelled today and the kids we so happy to have a day off today. So currently we are all curled up side by side on the couch surfing in the internet and watching TV. We still have several hours ahead with the storm system raging around us but so far all is well with us :)

Okinawa

2010-04-25T01:08:00.001-07:00

Hanami 2010

2010-04-23T05:22:00.001-07:00

あけましておめでとうございます - Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu - Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T06:19:00.001-08:00

Hmm

2009-11-28T01:59:00.000-08:00

Summer night in Yokohama

2009-11-28T01:17:00.000-08:00

Red Brick Warehouse

Yokohama Bay Quarters

Minato Mirai area

Bon Odori - 盆踊り

2009-09-28T01:39:00.000-07:00

Bon Odori

2009-09-28T00:55:00.000-07:00

Bon Odori - Summer Festival

Shin Yamashita, Yokohama

Yakitori booth

Oishii desu - Delicious chicken skewers

Partying goes on for few days

Summer flowers

2009-09-20T01:53:00.000-07:00

Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tokyo - 皇居

2009-07-05T21:54:00.001-07:00

Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens is located close to the Otemachi Station.

Rainy Season

2009-07-05T19:36:00.001-07:00

The rainy season usually lasts from mid June to around mid July.

It does not rain all the time and of course there are days without rain but a typical day has at least one rain shower. It can vary from a light rain shower to pouring rain.

However this year it has not been as hot and humid as on previous years.

Early summer, Yokohama

2009-05-28T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hikawa Maru

Shin Yamashita Park, Yokohama

Kaiwa Maru visiting Yokohama

Cherry Blossoms

2009-04-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

Hanami

2009-04-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hanami is the season for cherry blossom viewing. Families and friends gather in parks for picnics and celebrating the new season.

Parks are crowded and people are in a festive mood. Mothers with small children meet during the weekdays. Later on in the evening workmates meet over an obento and sake under the blooming cherry trees.

Jogashima Island - 城ヶ島

2009-03-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Jogashima Island is located at the tip of the Miura Peninsula at the mouth of the Tokyo Bay an hours drive from Yokohama. The drive depends on the traffic and could take as long as 3 hours :(

It is a beautiful place of serenity. Often when we feel the hustle and bustle of the city life we drive down to this area to get a respite and refreshing.

Highly recommendable!

Blooming Magnolias

2009-03-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is here!

2009-03-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Early Spring

2009-02-15T19:08:00.000-08:00

Early spring is usually crisp and cool and the air is very dry.

The plum trees start to bloom sometime during the month of February.

Sankeien Garden, Yokohama

2009-02-12T22:58:00.000-08:00

New Year in Japan

2008-12-28T00:38:00.000-08:00

New Year is a big celebration in Japan. Holidays have already begun and people travel to spend time with their families.

According to my local friends the special meaning of this season is to have a fresh new start for the year with the past 105 sins being redeemed. People go to temples to pray and pay their respects in order to be cleansed from the sins of the passing year.

Enough food is prepared to last for 4 days so that no cooking is required during the celebration. Previously it used to be a big effort to prepare all the different dishes beforehand but these days people buy them from stores. Prices can vary from several thousands to hundreds of thousands yens.

Christmas in Japan

2008-12-27T23:46:00.001-08:00

Christmas is over here in Japan. Since this is not a Christian country people work through the holidays with the exception of the 23rd of December being a national holiday due to the emperors birthday.

The true meaning of Christmas celebrated as the rememberance of the birth of Jesus Christ is not known. Here the illusion of Christmas is created by department stores and other markets starting from October with most activities revolving around buying and selling. The most famous Christmas songs are continuously resounding at shopping centers.

The Christmas menu for a Japanese must include roasted chicken and the Christmas Cake that are sold everywhere from the most expensive stores to the conveinience stores lining the streets.

The holidays for the end of the year festives have just begun...

Life in Japan

2008-12-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog!

"Life in Japan" is a about everyday life in Japan as seen trough the eyes of an expat. Beautiful scenery, everyday joys and challenges, and funny experiences will be included.

This coming year will be my 7th year living in this country. You are invited to share the exitement and frustrations alike that come along when living in a culture that is not ones own.