Reporter / multimedia journalist / writer / Japan food & travel consultant. 日本語 OK! Often found cycling, trail running or hiking. Almost always eating.
This man is campaigning for female emperors. The Japanese government holds annual crisis meetings about how to solve the issue of the shrinking imperial family but they're steadfastly opposed to empresses, even though there were six in the past, two of whom ruled twice.
They're selling actual Tokyo Metro parts in Tokyu Hands in Takashimaya Times Square and I just bought the blue logo! Among my most random purchases ever 😂
According to the notice, due to the G20 summit in Osaka, they've "sealed rubbish bins". This is in Ikebukuro Station toilets (and presumably other toilets in Tokyo?!) and what it actually means is that women don't have access to sanitary towel bins.
A Japanese crazy work culture story: A lady was prevented from taking more than 5 days off, so she lied to her boss, saying her overseas trip was for a wedding. Boss said, "OK, but show me photos as proof." So she called up all her friends and STAGED A FAKE WEDDING. AMAZING.
The boss of Sekisui House went to Sweden on business and saw men pushing baby strollers. Shocked, he wondered why no men in Japan raised their kids. Within a year, he had 100% of men at his company taking paternity leave, many more than 1 month:
LOL JAPAN. Internet Explorer shutdown is "...stirring a sense of panic among many businesses and government agencies in Japan that waited to update their websites until the last minute."
Shirakawa-go. A Japanese town known for its rare gassho-zukuri architecture. It's popular when snow -covered in winter but let's admire these autumn vibes 🍁🍂
I think I'm having one of the best days of my life. Got a free helicopter ride over Kyoto and Lake Biwa and I feel giddy with happiness 🤩 Pictured: Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion), Heian Jingu, Kyoto Station & Tower
Arrived in UK and having massive reverse culture shock. Almost no masks in the airport. People cut the line and don't give personal space. Ordered a small cafe latte which was giant and disgusting. So many rubbish bins! I almost said "otsukaresama" to a lady clocking off work.
My mum commissioned the ultra-talented Erica Ward to paint a picture of my life in Japan for my 32nd birthday and here it is! (Admittedly, I didn't think I would be in it when I initially agreed to this but I LOVE it! Look at my bicycle!!!)
Today's casual racism experience. I got into an elevator with a Japanese lady, then a white man also got in. "Wow! So international," she says. Delighted to find out he's from Austria, she's like "I love Austria but I hated Germany. So many Chinese. And Muslims too." 😬
If you're in Shirakawa-go, consider Arai for an amazing lunch set of Hida beef in hoba miso. The silken tofu on the side was topped with sansho miso. Incredible. Separately, there are a lot of takeout stands around town selling very moreish gohei mochi 👍
A long overdue visit to Gen Yamamoto for cocktail kaiseki. Gen told me he makes 300 cocktails a year. He has amazing mastery over flavours and their balance. Strawberry pairs well with daikon and sake - who knew? And why have I never had a wasabi and pineapple pairing before?!
The first thing I encountered after checking into my hotel in Singapore were a load of otters drying themselves on the grass and this will forever be my impression of the city 😂
Throwback to pre-corona times when I was apparently broadcast as an example of FOREIGN TOURISTS INCREASING (although I’m actually taking photos for work and look very annoyed at the misrepresentation 😆)
Breakfast in an Osaka kissaten. Dart Coffee. 700 yen for butter toast, egg and Mandheling coffee 👌 The staff are warm and kind. Only downside is that it's a smoking place.
There's a lot of criticism of Japan's new bicycle helmet law, but as someone who was hit by a car running a light, fractured my skull, spent 2 weeks in hospital & underwent a year of laser surgery to reduce facial scarring, I'm wholly pro anything that encourages safety.
A lovely trail run from Agano Station, passing through Kaburi Pass and Takayama Temple, then Kanhasshu. 15.8km, 879m elevation gain. Feels so good to be out in the mountains, especially in autumn!
If you read this far, maybe you're a bit drunk like me and the lonely building manager?
Key takeaways:
Even rule-obsessed Japan has places that don't play by the rules. But sometimes this can work in your favour.
I'll update you when I get heating... and internet 🤣
Arrived at a hotel bar and the lady welcoming me complimented my style.
Me: Thank you, I dressed up for no reason!
Her: That's great, you should! You never know when you're going to die!
Both of us: 🤣🤣🤣
My temperature has hit 39.3°C and my body aches all over. Almost fainted in the PCR test queue. The nurse just patted me on the arm because she felt so sorry for me and now I'm crying at her kindness 😢Thank you, kind person.
In Japan, one must never be young. Old is the way to go. And the population is doing a pretty good job at that!
"Gymnastics: Japan teen Shoko Miyata out of Olympics for smoking, drinking"
For months, many in Japan have been protesting against the Tokyo Olympics. Covid is a major concern... but their reasons for opposition extend far beyond that. I investigate for PBS
@NewsHour
Watch here:
I got vaccinated today and it was...an adventure. The large scale center in Otemachi is fully booked but has limited on the day reservations. But they're very popular (1)
I've discovered Imai Kentaro Architects who have been renovating bathhouses into "designer sento" for more than a decade. Look at how beautiful these are:
Not very good at judging drunkenness of new friends. Took a middle-aged Japanese woman and man to ramen after meeting them in a sake bar and they collapsed face first into their ramen 😬😅 I ate two bowls. Incidentally, the salt ramen at Hidamari in Yanaka Ginza is excellent.
Good morning! Cycled to Kichijoji (through the wind) and got an excellent flat white and ham & cheese croissant from B². Just sharing a happy start to the day 🌞😊🌞