Not another Japan blog

Welcome to my world. Words and photos are mine unless specifically stated.

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Struggling to pick which yukata to wear tonight. (c" ತ,_ತ)

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Flowers of Shinjuku Gyoen (March 2019)

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I went to the Imperial Palace today to see Emperor Naruhito’s first official public greeting. Me, my husband, and friends waited in line for 3 to get into the greeting area. It was so packed with people and so hot and sweaty with almost no shade the entire time. I got a mean sunburn, but it was worth it to see this historic event, feel the excitement, and hear the Emperor’s kind words. He also thanked everyone for coming to see him particularly in the strong heat. I hope his reign will be one of peace and prosperity for Japan🎌

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令和ラテ Cafe Eight, Nerima, Tokyo

I got a Reiwa latte cuz I’m a nerd and was excited about the new era announcement. I personally like the new era name a lot and while the era system is really only ceremonial at this point, I hope Japan can use it as an opportunity to improve and create a brighter future. Hopefully one with less paperwork anyway.

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Cherry blossoms along Senkawa dōri, Sakuradai, Nerima, Tokyo. 2019

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Levi says do your laundry, you filthy weeb.

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Sakura Japanese Sake KitKats🌸🍶🍫

Found these very unique and very specifically flavored KitKats today. While they contain 0.07% alcohol, the sake taste is quite strong and the hint of cherry (sakura) flavor is understated. Since I’m a fan of sake (日本酒) I really like the sake tasting white chocolateyness of these. I have a confession though. I am not a huge fan of cherry/Sakura flavored foods in general. In this case, the cherry was really subtle, so I still quite like these, but I could live without it.

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Photo by はしぞう

An actual rainbow appeared over the Tokyo Rainbow Bridge🌈

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When you have to kill time at a conbini: Conbini Log 1

Oi Ocha green tea with limited time Sakura packaging.

New! Interesting strawberry milk drink. 0% juice, but 20% pulp.

Samgyupsal onigiri. Deliciously spicy. Would highly recommend.

“平成” (Heisei) gummies to commemorate the end of the Heisei era on April 30th, 2019 when emperor Akihito will abdicate the throne. #平成最後

The OG Boss Rainbow Mountain Blend can coffee. I don’t usually drink can coffee because it’s usually too sweet or too bitter. Yet sometimes, just sometimes, I see some construction workers or day laborers drinking can coffee on their breaks and they just look so peaceful and chilled out in that moment that I start to crave a can coffee too. Does that make sense?? Lol

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5 things to do in Karuizawa - Your Japan

Karuizawa is a popular destination nestled in the greenery of Nagano area.There are many things to do in Karuizawa for Tokyoites looking for

Another article I wrote for Your Japan introducing 5 things to do in Karuizawa. Karuizawa is a place full of nature and luxurious resorts and villas. It makes for a romantic couples getaway and also has enough fun things to do for a trip with family or friends.

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10 Unique Things to Do in Takayama - Your Japan

Located in the Japan Alps, Takayama is a great travel destination. There are many things to do in Takayama so we made a selection of the 10 best activities.

My first article is up! I started writing for Your Japan, a travel/lifestyle website about all things Nihon. This article introduces 10 unique things to do in Takayama, in Gifu Prefecture. I would be so so so happy if you could read it and let me know your thoughts! Also check out Your Japan and stay tuned as I will be writing more for them :)

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Cherry Blossoms along Senkawa dōri in Nerima🌸 (2017)

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Working at a cafe in Takadanobaba, and to either side of me is a laptop that has been unattended for at least the last 30 minutes. Tokyo……

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@notanotherjapanblog Nice that Tokyo is safe enough where probably nothing would happen. But there’s always that small chance something will so why risk it. Also if they’re doing work and not just a student studying or something that is wack. It’s also infuriating because irresponsible employees like that lead to everyone not being able to do remote work.

Absolutely, it makes me anxious just seeing it. I’m a freelancer, so losing a client’s data would be the end of the world. No matter how remote the risk, I’m completely responsible. Yuck :/

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Nectar Peach Sour🍑

Nectar is a brand of juice, often found in vending machines. This vodka infused collaboration is pure sweet peachy deliciousness. The spring edition can with floating Sakura petals is also very pretty and just in time for hanami season🌸

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穴守稲荷神社　（東京都練馬区旭丘1-20-5)

Anamori Inari Shrine (1-20-5 Asahigaoka, Nerima, Tokyo)

I stumbled across this unusual shrine while biking from Ikebukuro to Nerima. I’ve never seen a shrine built into a house (and a somewhat modern house at that). After researching the name Anamori Inari Shrine, I found that there is a quite large and famous Anamori Inari Shrine in Ota ward, and that this house serves as a local branch office with an extremely small shrine attached to the front. 

This has got to be the strangest shrine I have encountered to date. Has anyone else ever seen a shrine like this? 

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(Photo copyright Mei Kawajiri)

Why have 7 rings (or a Japanese bbq grill) when you can have 70 rings?

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カルピス完熟いちご

My favorite calpis flavor is strawberry and it’s only sold in winter ಠ益ಠ because Japan loves limited time (期間限定) products.

Pro tip: Buying these bottles of calpis mix is soooo much better than buying the individual pre-mixed bottles in the conbini or vending machine. This bottle I have costs around ¥300, but as it says on the top of the bottle you can make up to 15 servings versus the two or so mixed servings you get in a ¥100~ bottle. Also since you mix the concentrated calpis with water (or milk, etc) yourself you can customize the sweetness and strength of the flavor to your liking.