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 might raise an eyebrow (or two). But in Switzerland, heraldry isn’t just about ancient battles it’s about tradition… and, let’s be honest, a healthy dose of fashion.   The whole coat of arms business began in the Middle Ages, when knights figured out that being fully armoured had an annoying downside: nobody could tell who was who under the

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 content to ask for your place of birth, the Swiss couldn't care less about that. Instead, they demand your 'place of origin' - a quaint, mythical Swiss hamlet your ancestors might have called home centuries ago. Every Swiss citizen proudly carries their 'place of origin', known as Heimatort in German, lieu d’origine in French, or luogo di

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 reacquaint myself with Switzerland's approach to customer service, a world apart from what I've grown used to in Japan.   While Japan spoils you with customer service akin to royal treatment, Switzerland prefers more of a ‘meh’ approach. Here’s a few examples:     Fondue Night and the Battle of the Bread   On one of the evenings, my brother decide

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 part of spring’s sudden entrance? People-watching

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 Switzerland, or the widely used PayPay, LINE Pay or Ra

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 quick swap. Sure, you can do it all on the smartphone a

Every weekend, I stroll along the Tamagawa River separating Tokyo from Kanagawa, where locals are passionately engaged in baseball. As a European, I watch in bewilderment, pondering why anyone thought a round bat would be a good idea — it seems designed to make hitting the ball as challenging as possible. To be honest, the charm of the sport is a bit lost on me. But in my defence, European countries simply don't have a history of playing baseball. Growing up, I was reluctantl

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 Olympic athlete to guide me. Now, I appreciate the

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 when the employee proceeded to attach the sti

When you hear "Fondue", you probably think of the Swiss classic: cheese fondue – dipping bread into a pot of melted Gruyere and Emmenthal, with a splash (or two) of white wine and Kirsch liquor, all bubbling away at your table. But come Christmas and New Year’s, the Swiss swap their cheese for meat, diving into the world of meat fondue, a tradition now as Swiss as yodeling. But while cheese fondue’s history is well-documented, dating back to the 17th century, the origin of me

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 in a slapstick comedy on ice. I vividly recall a bliz

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. Whenever I did spot another one of the rare speci

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 simple act of pouring tea becomes a masterclass in pre

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. Less than 100 meters from our house, there’s a Shinto s

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 in the cellar is full, your gas connection is alive

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 detail here. The Japanese take precision to a leve

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”.   Was it a risk? Absolutely. An adventure? You bet! Bu

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 or America at the end of Daylight Savings - but 365 da

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 often…   Case in point: Just the other day,

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 maybe even your taxes.   My friend, however, was on a noble