Monthly Archives: September 2023

Tokyo Daytripper: Wat Is A Thai Temple Doing In The Middle Of Nowhere!

Given that such a temple is something I’d barely give a look at if I was in Thailand, it is perhaps a little strange that I made such a big effort to see one in Japan. However, this  temple is … Continue reading

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Cricket In Japan? Yes, It Really Does Exist!

Whenever baseball is mentioned in my English classes some students do actually ask me about cricket due to the vague similarities of the two sports. I rarely say too much about it but since learning a few years ago that … Continue reading

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60 Hours In Niigata: Natures Window, Dystopian & Scenic Stations, A Dinosaur Building, A World Cup Stadium, Platform Zeros & Cheap Alcohol Vending Machines

  Each year I try and get away by myself for a mini break but as the years go by the time away seems to get less and less. 12 months ago I decided to head up to Niigata for … Continue reading

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Alphabet Dating In Japan With My Wife Who Really Was Still Completely Unaware Of The Task At Hand! (S03E01: A-E)

  Seasons one and two (as well as the prequel season zero) of alphabet dating certainly pushed the boundaries of what a “date” is, and that continues in season three with even more tenuous examples for each letter of the … Continue reading

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We Watched Japan Play An International Rugby Match Last Weekend!

When I told my wife I had got tickets to see Japan play a rugby match in Tokyo she thought it was for a World Cup match even though that is taking place nearly 10,000 kilometres (about 6200 miles) away … Continue reading

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TF Flashback: Travelling To A Trio Of Top Places In The Lovely & Often Overlooked Laos (2008)

  It may live very much in the shadow of its more famous neighbours but Laos is a country that should not be ignored or just added on to South-East Asian itinerary in the name of ticking off another country. … Continue reading

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Shizuoka Shenanigans: Spiders, Spicy Sustenance, Sizzling Steaks, Sacred Shrines, Strange Soda, Ships & Soccer

The latest trip to our holiday home in Shizuoka Prefecture was a little different as this time I took our little dog there by myself with my wife joining us later that evening. On an incredibly hot morning it was … Continue reading

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Hockey! Hockey! Hockey! Oi Oi Oi! Finally Watching Live Hockey In Tokyo After My Tokyo 2020 Setback

One of the sports I had tickets for in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was field hockey but of course Covid_19 put paid to my plans to watch that. I can’t say that I had a real itch to see a … Continue reading

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Interesting Japanese Playground Structures #41 – Squid Park

Many of the parks and children’s playgrounds in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, are quite poor compared to other countries in terms of space, surroundings and a lack of grass. However, a handful of them do tend to possess extremely creative structures … Continue reading

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The Force Was Strong At This Traditional Japanese Summer Festival In Central Tokyo

The hot and humid summer months in Tokyo bring about a series of outdoor festivals and events which are very much a part of Japanese culture. It’s kind of sad to say but these festivals are never too appealing for … Continue reading

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