Month: January 2019

Apartment Hunting Adventures: What to Expect

On By Stefanie WhatIn japanLeave a comment

So, you’re probably an English-speaking individual who wants to live in Japan. How exactly does one go about securing housing? If you google “apartment hunting Japan”, you’ll find plenty of advice about documents you need, how much money you should be prepared to part with (especially for things like key money), and the good and bad points of foreigner-friendly housing like sharehouses.

What I’ve noticed, though, is a lack of the step-by-step process of what will happen from when you find an apartment you want to when you get the keys in your hand.

Today, I’d like to walk you through the main points of what to expect while you’re apartment hunting in Japan.

Disclaimer: This focuses on the experience of a single person who is already present in Japan, and who therefore can go to apartment agencies in person easily.

Continue reading “Apartment Hunting Adventures: What to Expect” →

Done in a Day: Tower of the Sun and Osaka Expo Park

On By Stefanie WhatIn GeneralLeave a comment

There are two types of people in the world: people who rush through art museums, and people who linger for hours. I’m part of the former group. While I appreciate art and all the work people put into it, I don’t spend much time looking at one piece. I will look over it for a few seconds, read the plaque, go, “Wow, that’s cool,” then move on. I’m more of a fan of pieces that are performed, somehow, whether that’s through music or something else.

So it shouldn’t have been so surprising that the Tower of the Sun in Osaka Expo Park struck such a chord with me. But more on that later.

Today, let’s talk about a daytrip that will give you plenty of nature and space and, if you time it right, a cool exhibition or two to check out with tasty food. Let’s talk about Osaka Expo Park.

Continue reading “Done in a Day: Tower of the Sun and Osaka Expo Park” →

Liliane, the Girl Who Can Speak to Animals, Book 1: A brief review

On By Stefanie WhatIn readingLeave a comment

Hey listen, sometimes you gotta take it easy on the Nihongo. Sometimes you look at some heavy tome and go, “You know what? No. I want some popcorn for my brain.” So, you pop into the library and check out the kids’ section for a light read. And what I found was the series 動物と話せる少女リリアーネ. The original German title for the first book is Liliane Susewind. Mit Elefanten spricht man nicht! by Tanya Stewner.

Continue reading “Liliane, the Girl Who Can Speak to Animals, Book 1: A brief review” →