One of the things I’ve always loved about Japan – apart from the polite people, super-efficient trains, and vending machines that sell everything short of life insurance – are the gigantic  electronics stores. These are not just shops. They are cathedrals of consumer technology, temples where you can lose yourself for hours among the latest gadgets, futuristic household appliances, and mysterious contraptions you didn’t even know existed but suddenly can’t live without. The u

Last month, I once again did my civic duty (or privilege, as I prefer to view it) as a Swiss citizen: I voted in a national referendum....

Living in Japan as a Western foreigner can be rather interesting. People spot you, freeze, and then quietly decide not to engage unless...

On 30 September, I will be celebrating my 29th Japaniversary – that's right, 29 years since I started a new life in the Land of the...

Last week I made the bold decision that our loyal, 8-year-old car had earned its pension. Time for a shiny new replacement, I thought. A...

It’s official: The Japan Meteorological Agency has confirmed that Japan just survived (barely) its hottest summer on record. The national...

🗻 Mountains: A Matter of Ownership and Space Sure, the Swiss Alps are world-famous, but here's a surprising fact: Switzerland only owns...

So, here's a fun fact: around 11% of Swiss citizens live abroad. That's right – roughly one in ten people born in the land of cheese,...

Last week, I talked about the British "apology reflex" – th at charming Olympic sport where two strangers bump into each other and then...

Last week, I reflected on how different cultures handle small talk. Just a day later, I was reminded of this in the most unexpectedly...

I’ve just returned from a two-week holiday trip to Switzerland and the UK, and once again, I'm left marvelling at the wildly different...

Summer has kicked off in earnest, temperatures are soaring, and hydration has become a competitive sport. Health experts are telling us...

🌿 Obsession with Botanical Beauty Swiss and Japanese homeowners treat gardens like tiny works of art, but the expectations come with...

The other day, I made what I believed to be a casual, innocent comment to my wife. You know, one of those soft suggestions disguised as...

Earlier this week, the Japanese Meteorological Agency cautiously announced that the Tokyo region had "likely entered the rainy season."...

Last week, my wife and I went to the opera – expecting culture, drama, and, inevitably, an overpriced glass of champagne (but that's part...

At first glance, Switzerland and Japan seem like long-lost cousins –  both obsessively clean, absurdly punctual, and so devoted to their...

Switzerland’s flag is basically the peak of minimalist design - sleek, square, and effortlessly stylish. While other countries went wild...

Japanese sports fans have earned global admiration for their magical ability to clean up after themselves before leaving stadiums. They...

Japan is shrinking. Well, not geographically, but demographically. It turns out, people just aren't making enough more people. Over the...

The contrast couldn't be more dramatic. In the world's richest and most powerful country, a president has taken office who is determined...

Being in an international marriage comes with its fair share of complications, and no, I’m not talking about clashing cultures or...

Japan has been surfing a tidal wave of popularity lately - both as a holiday hotspot and a full-time home. As a result, my neighbourhood...

Most Swiss families have a coat of arms. If you’re from a country where heraldry is reserved for castles, crowns, and the nobility, this...

Switzerland doesn't just march to the beat of its own drum - it toots its own alphorn when it comes to passports. While most nations are...

Last month, I found myself jetting back to Switzerland to take care of family matters. In just six brief days, I had the chance to...

Only days after a surprise snowfall in Tokyo, spring has suddenly sprung, with temperatures in the mid 20s (Celsius, not Fahrenheit!).  ...

In the grandiose age of a cashless world, where debit cards, electronic payment Apps and QR codes reign supreme, you’d think that paying...

My bank has been on a crusade, encouraging everyone to upgrade to their new bank card with the latest security features. Apparently, even...

Every weekend, I stroll along the Tamagawa River separating Tokyo from Kanagawa, where locals are passionately engaged in baseball. As a...

I've had to pay a few visits to my Mazda dealer lately (the latest one to get my Sat Nav updated, so as not to get lost on Tokyo's...

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...