One year ago I quit my job and moved back to Italy. I didn’t give myself much time to rest, but it was nice to be in a familiar place with familiar faces. I mostly tried to organize my blogs and take care of myself. When news that Japan was opening to foreign…
Category: Expat Life
What are fukubukuro?
The first days of the year in Tokyo are full of things to do, from the emperor’s speech to fukubukuro, to simply wandering around the city. What are fukubukuro? Fukubukuro are mystery bags full with goodies ranging from clothes, to anime merchandise or household anime and many more. The tradition of fukubukuro was…
My expat New Year in Japan
We went to Sensoji because I wanted to celebrate New Year traditionally. I remember a bunch of kids in front of us who were ahead of the police countdown and had a laugh. They almost shouted “Happy New Year!” few seconds earlier than the official countdown. Not the bangs of the firecrackers, but…
Celebrate the Japanese New Year with wagashi
Boxes of wagashi are something you can find everywhere in Japan around New Year day, in addition to kagami mochi. What are wagashi? The term wagashi is used for practically any Japanese sweet. Mochi, for example, also fall into the category. Despite having a history of more than two thousand years, the wagashi…
Kagami mochi to celebrate the New Year Japanese style
As early as December, Japanese supermarkets start selling New Year’s decorations. The most traditional is kagami mochi, two mochi and a mandarin stacked on top of each other. ‘Kagami’ means mirror, because the two mochi seem to have the shape of a bronze mirror used in Japan in ancient times. The mandarin is…
How to make Japanese 7/11 pistachio cookies (vegan and non vegan)
Since it’s my Japaniversary week, I’m making the Japanese 7/11 pistachio cookies, listing both a vegan and non vegan recipe. My Japaniversary Three years ago this week I left my hometown to get on a plane to my beloved Tokyo. I enjoyed my time there, but at the same time it was…
Momijigari: meaning, legend, foods and travel tips
As a teenager I thought that the best time to visit Japan was spring, doing hanami under the fully bloomed cherry trees. Then my friend Chiara told me that autumn is just as nice and beautiful. To this, I need to add that my journey of living in Japan started in autumn and…
