Japan never ceases to amaze... The other day, it was time for the periodic vehicle inspection (called ' shaken ') of our car, which is...

When you hear "Fondue", you probably think of the Swiss classic: cheese fondue – dipping bread into a pot of melted Gruyere and...

It's winter, and the question I hear more than anything else is: "Aren't you cold?" You see, Tokyo winters are like a lukewarm cup of tea...

How Japan has changed! Back when I first landed in Japan 28 years ago, I felt like a rare Pokémon in a sea of Pikachus — an oddity, a...

Japanese efficiency is practically an art form! Imagine a world where everything runs like clockwork, with the precision of a...

Living in or near Tokyo for over 20 years, you tend to get used to the neon lights, towering skyscrapers, and the breakneck speed of...

As a long and hot summer has finally come to an end and the air is - slowly - getting cooler, our air conditioners finally get to chill...

Ah, the delight of retail therapy, enjoyed by many the world over! So, let’s explore the contrasting shopping aisles of Japan and...

This month marks 28 years since I crash-landed in Japan with my shiny new Japanese wife, ready to start a new life. I had no clue what to...

The first time I came across a sign indicating that a shop was open until 25:00 or 25:30, I thought, “Wait, did Japan invent its own time...

People from abroad, well aware of Japan’s reputation for being a seismic hotspot, often ask me if I’m not afraid of earthquakes.   The...

The other day I had dinner with a Swiss friend, who was visiting Japan for the very first time. We settled down for a pre-dinner drink,...

Imagine yourself as both a human and a ship, navigating life’s unpredictable waters. One special day a year, you transform into a sleek,...

Stepping outside in Tokyo these days is like walking into a brick wall. The humid air clings to you like wrapping film around a sushi...

I have just returned from a 3-week long trip to Europe, to visit family and friends. Apart from the observation that everything is...

It may come as a surprise to many outside of Japan that most streets here don't have a name. The notable exception are main streets,...

With days - and evenings - getting warmer, I feel myself drawn to restaurant terraces and street cafés - not that they can exactly be...

A few months ago I mentioned that my old Swiss Driving Licence was going to lose its validity this year, as Swiss authorities will now...

Japanese banks and credit card companies take security very, very seriously. Which would seem to be a good thing, right? Except, they...

As I'm writing this, it's 3 degrees Celsius outside in the middle of the day, and the mercury is not expected to rise much further than...