Bye Bye January 2024

Bye January, the month that promises so much and hello February, the month that makes me realise that the promises were all empty.

Kasai Rinkai has loads of daffodils out at the moment near the big wheel.

We got a new futon! I don’t want to be dramatic, but when we first moved here, we bought a very cheap futon and have been using it for the last 7 years. When I say it was flat, I mean, it was almost pointless sleeping on it, we probably would have felt just the same level of comfort sleeping on the floor! ...

june memories 2023

june memories

The Rainy season in Kanto started on the 8th June this year but we haven’t had much rain. We’ve had lots of overcast days but also days with nice blue skies. The hydrangeas have been out in full force with all their pretty blues, purples, pinks and whites.

Some of my husband’s family came to visit Japan this June, so we met up with them when they were in Tokyo. We took them to Asakusa and had wonderful gelato at I’m mikan. I had a citrus flavour and milk – both were really good. My husband asked ...

Travels to Chichibu, Saitama

*Warning – it is photo heavy*

This weekend, we decided on a whim to go to Chichibu・秩父 in Saitama. I’m not sure how I came upon this idea, but I did and we went.

It takes (depending on the train) around 1hr20 to 1hr50. The faster the time, the more pricey the ticket. My husband had a prior engagement on Saturday which didn’t finish until 15:00. We were aiming to meet at Ikebukuro Station to get the limited express Laview train at 16:30 but we got there earlier and decided to go with the express train to Hanno・飯能 and change ...

golden week 2023

昭和の日 290423

I cleaned and did homework today. I have a Japanese lesson each week where (at the moment) I review N1 vocab and then read a couple of newspaper articles with my teacher. Then for homework, I review and Anki words I don’t know. Last week we read about exchange students and difficulties getting jobs with regards to Japanese language ability and then about ChatGPT and concerns unis have about it.

憲法記念日 030523

A beautiful spring day in Tokyo reaching 22ºC. We stayed local this year and today was really local. We enjoyed the new greenery that’s sprouted up ...

march + april memories and may wish list 2023

march + april memories

Cherry blossom season was a bit up and down this year weather-wise. One day it would be lovely, bright, warm sunshine and the next it would be cold and rainy.

Each year, I try to go to one new place to see sakura and this year I managed a couple – locally, Tsukishima and Monzennakacho. We went on a night river cruise from Monzennakacho which was special.

My husband’s friend was in Tokyo during March/April and we went for monjayaki at Tsukishima. I’d never had it before and I didn’t think I’d care for it – ...