Lifestyle
How to motivate yourself to learn a language
Are you thinking about learning a language? Perhaps you’ve decided that it’s time to dust off your classroom French. Maybe you’re planning a trip to Japan and feel like you should make the effort to learn the basics, or work is sending you to the Cairo office for a year… Read
Letters from Japan: Dating app issues
Savvy Tokyo's resident "Love in Japan" columnist, Hilary Keyes, answers anonymous questions from readers on everything from dating in Japan to women’s health issues. Got a question you’d like to ask Hilary? Send it to askhilary@savvytokyo.com. Hey Hilary, I am a dating app junkie, I can admit that. I work… Read
Tokyo’s coolest open-air museum gets even cooler with hot summer nights event
The Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, located in the Koganei neighborhood west of the city center, is one of the coolest museums in the country. A collection of over two dozen reconstructed houses, shops, and restaurants, walking through the Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum feels like you’re taking steps back into time.… Read
Japanese city announces its firefighters can use convenience stores; netizens are shocked
It seems only yesterday that firefighters in Chiba Prefecture’s Kimitsu City were permitted to use convenience stores, and now even more Japanese cities are asking for the public’s understanding. Sagamihara City in Kanagawa Prefecture made an official announcement that their firefighters are permitted to use convenience stores while on the clock.… Read
Bug-catching in Japan: A simple summer pleasure
As the school year hits the halfway mark in Japan and you’re looking for fun activities to entertain your little ones, why not consider bug-catching? Before you wince too much at the thought of seeking out, catching and potentially housing insects this summer, know that interest in insects and bug… Read
Japanese train goes viral for Nara deer decorations
Every now and then, railway operators in Japan dress their trains up with eye-catching adornments for special promotions like new movie releases or anime anniversaries. However, down in Japan’s ancient capital of Nara, there’s a train that’s currently catching everyone’s attention, as it’s filled with images of deer. Stepping into one of these carriages is like stepping into… Read
Daisen Museum of Nature and History: Explore mountain’s history through interactive exhibits before hiking
For over 1,000 years, nature, religion and history have intertwined on Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture. These connections have benefitted the mountain and the people living around it throughout the centuries. At the Daisen Museum of Nature and History, visitors can explore the mountain’s story through multilingual, interactive exhibits before… Read
Tips for managing disruptive behavior in English classes
Do you have students that disrupt your lessons? The class clown, the one who just shouts anything that comes to mind? Or maybe they just don’t stop talking to the students around them, and don’t participate in your activities. Either way, they’re a bad influence in your class. If you don’t… Read
Denenchofu Seseragi Park and Hall: Kengo Kuma revives rural atmosphere of an urban village
In southwestern Tokyo, Denenchofu in Ota Ward is generally perceived as an upper-class neighborhood. Yet, in the Edo period, it was home to the Uenumabe and Shimonumabe villages that lived on wheat and rice production. A few farmlands can still be seen today. Just next to Tamagawa station along the Tokyu-Toyoko line… Read
Tokyo to hold event on Japanese artisanal techniques
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will hold “Monozukuri -A Celebration of Japanese Artisanal Techniques 2023” at the Tokyo International Forum from August 4-6. Members of the general public will be able to experience the allure of traditional artisanal techniques and manufacturing skills and techniques. Craftsmen from the fields of “clothing,” “food,”… Read
