Tokyo’s dog culture and its charming extremes Japan is shrinking. Well, not geographically, but demographically. It turns out, people just aren't making enough more people. Over the past thirty years, Japan's birthrate has dropped from 1.50 to 1.26. In the same time period, the percentage of over 65s has risen from 12% to 29%, now making up almost one third of the entire population. Japan may have one of the longest life expectancies, but the nation's population has been in d

Cultural surprises and everyday oddities in Japan 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 has turned into a veritable United Nations parade every time I step out for a jog or walk. Given that by the end of 2024, a record-breaking 3.8 million foreigners called this home, it's hardly surprising that running into fellow members of the "foreign species" has become quite routine. That

Tokyo’s seasonal style and cultural expression Only days after a surprise snowfall in Tokyo, spring has suddenly sprung, with temperatures in the mid 20s (Celsius, not Fahrenheit!). One moment you’re dusting off your snow boots, and the next, it feels like British midsummer in March. Naturally, this means it’s time for me to shed the layers and don T-shirt and shorts for my daytime outings (though obviously not for work - that would be pushing it too far). But the best pa

Japan’s tech contradictions through Swiss eyes In the grandiose age of a cashless world, where debit cards, electronic payment Apps and QR codes reign supreme, you’d think that paying a bill would be as smooth as a freshly minted coin gliding over silk. There are so many options out there to part with your hard-earned money electronically: Some are universal, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. Others are localised solutions, such as the hugely popular Twint in Switzer

Mispronunciations, identity, and communication abroad My bank has been on a crusade, encouraging everyone to upgrade to their new bank card with the latest security features. Apparently, even in a country as safe as Japan, there are always crafty fraudsters lurking in the shadows. The new card is a marvel of modern technology, combining the functions of a cash card, credit card, and debit card all in one. The catch? Switching to this new super-card is more of a quest than a q

Japanese customer service at its most astonishing 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 streets). Every visit reminds me of the high-quality customer service we enjoy here in Japan, although it can come with its quirks! From the moment I pull up, the adventure begins. As I back into a parking space (because nobody parks forward in Japan), a representative comes sprinting out like an O

Japan’s stranger rules through Swiss humour Japan never ceases to amaze... The other day, it was time for the periodic vehicle inspection (called 'shaken') of our car, which is mandatory every two years. Once done, they slap a sticker on the windscreen to certify the car has passed the inspection and is roadworthy. So far, so good. A few days later, the dealership rang to say the certificate was ready, and I should drop by to get the sticker affixed. So, I went there. But whe

Japan’s unpredictable seasons and cultural reactions 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 compared to Switzerland's icy blast. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing, and snow is a rare guest. Though when it does snow, Tokyo turns into a scene from a disaster movie. Road traffic grinds to a halt, and pedestrians shuffle along the pavement as if they’re auditioning for a role

How Japan’s quirks become everyday life abroad 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 curiosity! People would look at me with a mix of fascination and fear, like I was about to unleash a fire-breathing dragon. They hesitated to speak Japanese, probably thinking, “This poor soul wouldn’t understand a word!” And at least in my first couple of years here, they would have been right. Wh

When Japanese efficiency surprises even a Swiss expat Japanese efficiency is practically an art form! Imagine a world where everything runs like clockwork, with the precision of a synchronised swimming team. From the seamless precision of trains to the meticulous attention to detail in production lines, it's all about minimising waste and maximising productivity. After all, this is the birthplace of "kaizen". Sushi chefs turn fish into masterpieces in no time, and even the si

Japan’s vibrant contrasts from city lights to tradition 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 urban life. It's all too easy to assume this is the norm and that Tokyo is just another big city like any other. But every now and then, something happens that seemingly catapults you back in time, reminding you of the unique traditions that make Japan special. Take last week, for instance.

Shoes, slippers, and comfort rules across cultures 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 (pun absolutely intended). And although it's still much warmer here than in my home country at this time of year, the dreaded heating season is almost upon us. As a Swiss expat, your instincts kick in: Time to fire up the central heating! Simple, right? Just ensure your gigantic oil tank

Japanese retail culture meets Swiss practicality Ah, the delight of retail therapy, enjoyed by many the world over! So, let’s explore the contrasting shopping aisles of Japan and Switzerland, shall we? I have always found the shopping experience in Japan a very special one, and very different from what you get in Switzerland, where it tends to be a no-frills experience, whereas in Japan it’s taken to an entirely different level. One reason is the incredible attention to d

Japan’s paradoxes through the eyes of a Swiss expat 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 expect from a country on the opposite side of the globe, where my only experience was a few weeks of holidaying. All I really knew was that it was a powerhouse in the manufacture of cars and electronic gadgets, and the origin of my favourite childhood cartoon, “Heidi, Girl of the Alps”.

Time, efficiency, and cultural contradictions in Japan 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 system? Last I checked, an earthly day had only 24 hours. But they, maybe Japan is just that special!” At first, the idea of an extra hour didn’t seem so bad. More time to hang out with friends or catch up on sleep, right? It’s like the day of turning back the clock one hour in Europe

Earthquakes, preparedness, and life in Japan 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 reality? If you choose to live here, it just comes with the territory (pun absolutely intended). Honestly, we don’t think about it much. Only when the earth decides to do a little dance - which, let’s be real, happens quite frequently. So if you put it that way, we probably do think about it quite

Cyclists, chaos, and cultural contrasts on Japanese roads 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, and he started telling me about his day in Akihabara, Tokyo’s buzzing shopping hub packed with electronics stores, and a magnet for overseas visitors. The place is like Disneyland for tech geeks - you can find anything from a simple camera to a robot that will do your laundry, and ma

Health checks, ageing, and expat life in Japan Imagine yourself as both a human and a ship, navigating life’s unpredictable waters. One special day a year, you transform into a sleek, high-tech vessel - a floating marvel of health consciousness. Your mission? To reach the shores of optimal well-being and longevity. Japan boasts one of the world’s highest life expectancies, and it’s not just due to sushi and matcha tea (although those certainly help!). Disease prevention pla

Heat, humidity, and cultural resilience in Japan 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 roll, and you wonder if Japan has secretly relocated to the equator overnight. However, Google Maps insists we’re still in the same spot. So, there can only be one explanation: Summer has arrived! 35 degrees Celsius for the last couple of days, and judging by the forecast, this is just the warm-u

A Swiss search for familiar flavours in Tokyo I have just returned from a 3-week long trip to Europe, to visit family and friends. Apart from the observation that everything is jaw-droppingly expensive over there now, 'curtesy of' an ultra-weak yen, I came across something that is incredibly popular in Europe, yet is seemingly unknown in Japan: Aperol Spritz. For anyone not familiar with the drink: The Aperol Spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an apé