Japanese Vegan Restaurant

There were not many vegan restaurant in Japan when I lived there - but a hong kong show that I’m watching right now about Japanese vegan food reminded me of this one right in the center of the business district in Tokyo and they do serve pretty good vegan food, with no butter, no milk and no egg.  Pretty vegan by my standards.  And the place is really clean like most Japanese eatery - and I think they used  green cleaning products - the owners explained to my Japanese co-workers who was there with me.

I don’t know if you noticed when you watch Japanese drama on J-TV  - but all Japanese homes, restaurants and even small cafe are the cleanest and truth be told - most of them are into green cleaning products and all about saving the earth and the environment.    The girlfriend who is still living in Japan told me that these days - you can find vegan restaurant everywhere in Japan - one even have a yoga studio together with the cafe.  They sell both holistic stuff in their store as well as green products.  The next time I am in Tokyo I will have to visit this yoga/vegan cafe.

Who Said It Doesn’t Storm In Japan

It’s February in Japan and I remembered being in Tokyo one year in February and it was cold.  Even though we didn’t see as much snow as my girlfriend had in Akita Prefecture where she lives - I still saw snow on the mountains.  Those who say that it doesn’t snow in Japan - hahaha!! you are wrong!  There is no central heating in Japan - most people use a small heater to heat up the room they are in.

Corner Food Stores

Just like everyone around the world  - we loved our fried food on sticks and I remember Japan has plenty of these corner stores when i was living in Japan.  I love the kushiage (fried food on sticks).  These fried food are usually good and they are usually crowded because they are cheap and you can just picked up what you like and eat while walking home - or bring them home for a night snack.   I wished we had such a corner store here in Canada - would love to have some of these fried food that goes for like 50 cents a piece.

Driving In A Foreign Country

So you have been in Japan for a year now and wants to be able to drive.  Buying a car in Japan was definitely cheaper than Singapore - where you need to get the COE (Certificate of Entitlement) which cost a bomb.  So unless you only want a scooter license, you will have to eventually go through the process of converting your home driver’s license to a Japanese one.   But since you can use your driver’s license for only one year from the date you enter Japan.  Please take note though - once that year expires - you need to change it to a Japanese license - by taking a written or what we called the practical test.  But make sure you do it 3 months before it expires because that’s how long it will take.  Don’t even attempt to drive after your license expires because the fine is ridiculous and I’ve heard of people losing their Visa over it.  Then find the  cheapest car insurance and you are on your way to driving around a foreign country legally.

Meri Kurisumasu

Meri Kurisumasu is Merry Christmas in Japanese - and in Japan - I hear it is not so much a religious thing - but more like a celebration - a holiday of good cheer.  Christmas eve  - you will find all the love hotels being fully booked.   Christmas is also not a public holiday in Japan - so school and any kind of business is open - what a bummer eh?   so for those who are thinking of going to Japan during Christmas - go right ahead.

Year End Celebration In Japan

During this time of the year in Japan - every company - is trying to finish up their deadline and close up for the week for Christmas.  And while doing that I remembered when we were in Japan arranging for  term life insurance quotes for the expatriates bosses staying for another year in Japan.  Yes!  working in Japan - you still need life insurance and medical insurance - in Japan - they do have several company that are quite competitive.  So besides the year end party, cakes and champagne to toast another good year we are leaving behind and hoping for another good year next year - the bosses wants their insurance claims and life insurance in order too.  I don’t blame them - for working overseas - you need to be insured and knowing that you have the best premiums and the best insurance in case of emergency are all very important for a good start for the new year.

Living In Tokyo

While everyone knows that living in Japan can be very expensive - there are some places/homes you can rent at pretty good prices.  This is a place that one of my expatriate friend was staying in a long time ago.  Nothing spectacular from the outside but only 15 mins away from central Tokyo - and the rent was pretty decent and the house was huge enough for husband and wife and a little kid.  How did they get such a good bargain - well, they rented from a retired co-worker who was moving away from Tokyo and going back home to Osaka.

The Festivities Of Christmas

I received some holiday cards from Japan from the girlfriends who are still there - and some who have married to japanese men - and some ex-co-workers.  I do miss Japan at this time of the year - where everything is brightly lit up.   The atmosphere is different - and I remember at this time of the year in Japan - everyone is in a very relax mode - and clearing off all their outstanding work - so that they can travel home - in different parts of Japan.  But I love all the holiday cards I received from my friends from Japan - because they are very pretty and definitely well written.  Thank you all for the season greetings!

Body Shop Japan

For those who are wondering if there is a body shop in Japan - there is! in fact - the body shop was in Japan many, many years ago - you can even find it online in Japan - and even though the carry similar products are all body shops in the entire world - the prices are a little bit higher than in  your local drugstore in Japan.  But I hear that the Japanese girls usually go for the more upmarket stuff - because they have so many choices in Japan.  Plus the Japanese are big on the whitening lotion to make them look fair and pretty - so unless the Body Shop Japan carries something like that - they rather buy from Shisedo or Kose - the so called “house brand”.

Guest Houses With Hot Spring

Many tourist and local loves to stay in a traditional guest house because they have a hot spring right at these guest houses.  I bring along my herpes simplex 1 all the time - because going into hot spring can make some uncomfy that has herpes.  Although I love to go into hot springs and hot tub - I’m also afraid if I may catch something in these water - but was told that it’s quite unlikely because the water is so hot - that any kind of disease cannot get thru’ to our body.   So how does one get herpes I was asked all the time.  But are the Japanese not afraid ? or getting herpes? Amusing eh.