5 Things To Try For A Better Hanami Experience

This is what Hanami is all about (Photo credit) When spring is around the corner, Japanese people have this custom of enjoying/viewing the flowers or what they call Hanami (花見 or "flower viewing"). In most cases, Hanami refers to viewing cherry blossoms ("sakura") which usually bloom at the end of March until late April. Families, couples or friends having picnics...

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How a Japanese Saved My iPhone from Destruction

I just cannot let this day pass without dedicating a blogpost for today's blessing so here goes... While the rest of the world and most of my guy friends are having a blast destroying monsters and devouring each other in the recently released Diablo III, my iphone also had a little adventure of its own. What I thought was an ordinary dinner time with labmates turned out to be a fatal moment...

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Rainy Day Umbrella Etiquette That You Must Know

When it rains here in Japan, blogging ideas pour because there are so many rainy day customs here that may seem normal to a Nihonjin (Japanese) but entirely new to a Gaijin (foreigner) like me. Take for instance this rainy day addition that will greet you as you enter supermarkets, malls or most establishments in general. Before you enter a store, it is a must that you have to bag your dripping...

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How to Bag Groceries in Japan (Meet the "Packers")

Typical Supermarket Counter is Manned by One Cashier (Photo credit) I am used to having at least 2 regular figures behind the grocery counter- a CASHIER who takes your items one by one and inputs the prices/quantities of the goods you bought, and a BAGGER who then takes your goods and stuffs them into a box, plastic bag  or paper bag (whichever is applicable). And after your groceries...

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Japanese Rainy Day Acrobatics

grace under pressure (girls riding bikes with umbrellas on one hand during a typical Japanese rainy day) This is something I have been wanting to write about because I am excited to share my fascination with you. And because the weather today is very timely, there is no perfect moment to blog about this but now. Man's reaction to rainy days varies. I personally like it when it rains because...

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7 Tulips I Am Tempted To Pick

Bed of Tulips Spring is Tulip Time!!!! Tulip! Tulip! Tulip! Jump and Split! (^_^) Sorry for getting all hyped up. I think it is not very difficult to recognize a tulip, with their large cup-shaped flowers and tall stem. As a backgrounder, Tulips are some of the most popular spring flowers of all time, and the third most popular flowers worldwide next only to the Rose and...

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10 Beautiful Sakura Pictures Your Eyes Could Feast Upon

Oh Spring! My blogposts this month are dedicated to you. Here are some of the most beautiful Sakura (cherry blossom) shots I have pooled from the net, from my collection and that of my friends. Take a break from your busy day and as the saying goes..take time to smell (and revel at the sight) of flowers P.S. To my loved ones, how I wish you could share these sights with me...^_^ Sakura 1 (Courtesy...

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