Category Archives: Japan Life

On The Fox Trail……At The Rooftop Shrine Connected To Both Earth & Sky!

Posted on July 3, 2024 by tokyofox

It is said that bonafide official shrines should be located ‘on the earth under the sky’ but there are a fair few which don’t meet such criteria including two of Japan’s most popular ones; Meiji Jingū and Fushimi Inari. There is … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Life, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

6 Nights In Izu: A Blackout, Birthday Celebrations, Over-Tourism, Star Wars Day, Walking Adventures, J3 Football & The Birthplace of Long-Distance Calls!

Posted on June 1, 2024 by tokyofox

Heavy rain, cooler temperatures and no electricity for 24 hours meant our latest trip to Izu didn’t get off to a good start at all but thankfully things did get much better and it actually ended up being quite an … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Japan Life, Japan Travel, Sport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Surviving Without Electricity For 24 Hours In The Modern Day Is More Difficult Than You Might Think!

Posted on May 18, 2024 by tokyofox

They say history doesn’t repeat itself but yet again our most recent trip to Izu got off to a very bad start. With sunny days on the horizon I decided to travel light but that did mean I felt a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Japan Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Crowds Come Out To Have A Sham-rockin’ Good Time At The Inaugural Green Ireland Festival 2024

Posted on March 20, 2024 by tokyofox

Back in the late noughties I was a regular attendee at the various festivals taking place in Yoyogi Park and can remember going to ones relating to the likes of Vietnam, India, Jamaica, Thailand, Brazil and Gay Pride. However, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Life, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Alphabet Dating In Japan With My Wife Who Really Was Still Completely Unaware Of The Task At Hand! (S03E06: Review)

Posted on February 9, 2024 by tokyofox

  The third and final season of this dating challenge wrapped late last year in December after about 12 months of working our way through the alphabet. This series is one that probably looks quite fun and exciting from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Japan Life, Music, Quirky Japan, Sport, TV Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Eldest Sister’s Family Came To Japan & Spent Christmas At Our Place

Posted on January 4, 2024 by tokyofox

When my eldest sister mailed me back in the summer saying she was thinking of coming to Japan in December I didn’t quite believe it as I had just never considered the idea of any family member actually coming to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Japan Life, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Countdown to Christmas 2023 in Tokyo

Posted on December 26, 2023 by tokyofox

  As much as I have got (back) into celebrating Christmas in recent years, the number of  festive films, songs, jumpers and so on really cannot make up for being surrounded by family and friends. I can’t say I ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Films, Japan Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

TF Top 10……Non-Buddhist & Shinto Religious Buildings In Tokyo

Posted on November 25, 2023 by tokyofox

  Recent adventures in Chiba Prefecture seeking out the rather isolated Thai temple got me thinking about other such interesting-looking religious buildings in Tokyo. Of course the vast majority of religious places in Japan are Buddhist or Shinto but there … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Life, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Alphabet Dating In Japan With My Wife Who Really Was Still Completely Unaware Of The Task At Hand! (S03E02: F-J)

Posted on October 18, 2023 by tokyofox

  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 →

Posted in Food & Drink, Japan Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

This Japanese Star Festival Wasn’t Quite What I Wished For On Our Wedding Anniversary!

Posted on July 9, 2023 by tokyofox

  July 7th is known as tanabata in Japan and it celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they can only meet once a year on the seventh … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan Life, Quirky Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments