Seasonal traditions compared between Japan and Switzerland Halloween is firmly behind us, and the ghostly costumes and plastic pumpkins are packed away. And now – in countries like Switzerland and Japan, where Thanksgiving doesn't exist to provide a buffer – nothing stands between us and the overwhelming, glittery dominance of Christmas. Well, almost nothing. First, we must navigate that seasonal no-man’s-land where society collectively debates: Is it socially acceptable to p

Digital life, bureaucracy, and living abroad Last week, my wife and I went to see Back to the Future in concert – 40 years after its premiere. Forty years! Sometimes I do feel old. As the orchestra launched into that epic opening theme and the DeLorean thundered to life, I felt chills – partly from nostalgia, partly from the dawning realisation that humanity has somehow managed to invent AI that writes poetry, but not a single functioning time machine. And frankly, some days,

Getting lost in Japan’s tech wonderlands Let’s set the scene. It’s the third day of a long weekend – that blissful stage where you’ve lost all sense of time and start to believe you might never have to work again. My wife and I had just purchased a shiny new washing machine at our local tech wonderland, also known as the electronics store – where reason goes in with you, but somehow never makes it back out. All that was left was to pay. Simple, right? A quick beep of the cred

Japan’s home gadgets and cultural obsessions 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 ex

Blending in, standing out, and expat identity Living in Japan as a Western foreigner can be rather interesting. People spot you, freeze, and then quietly decide not to engage unless absolutely necessary. It's entertaining, frustrating, and occasionally useful, depending on how much social interaction you're trying to avoid that day. No matter how long I've lived here, my face will always be a dead giveaway that I'm not from around here. And with that comes a whole bouquet of

Japan’s tech quirks and nostalgic surprises 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 monumental decision, to be sure... at least for me. My dearest wife was considerably less enthused. While she made a contribution to the choice of colour, the rest was left to me as the sole driver: the heroic expedition to the Mazda dealership, the epic quest for the perfect chariot, and the gladi

Heatwaves, weather extremes, and cultural reactions It’s official: The Japan Meteorological Agency has confirmed that Japan just survived (barely) its hottest summer on record. The national average temperature from June to August came in at a sweaty 2.36°C above the norm. That may not sound like much, but trust me, in meteorology it's colossal. And this wasn’t a one-off. This comes hot (pun 100% intended) on the heels of the previous hottest summers of 2024 and 2023. Japan is

Deepening the comparison of two disciplined cultures 🗻 Mountains: A Matter of Ownership and Space Sure, the Swiss Alps are world-famous, but here's a surprising fact: Switzerland only owns 14% of them. But in true Swiss efficiency, that 14% covers 60% of the country, which really drives home how compact Switzerland actually is. Say "Japanese mountains", and Mt. Fuji immediately jumps to mind, although the gloriously symmetrical volcano is by no means the only peak in the lan

The many meanings of “sumimasen” in daily life Last week, I talked about the British "apology reflex" – that charming Olympic sport where two strangers bump into each other and then spend the next five minutes locked in a duel of “No, I insist, it was my fault!” until someone either dies of politeness or misses their train. So, what about Japan, I hear you ask? Well, here it’s a bit different. If you collide with someone on the street, you’ll usually get a quick 「すみません」(sumim

Apologies, nuance, and cultural expectations in Japan Last week, I reflected on how different cultures handle small talk. Just a day later, I was reminded of this in the most unexpectedly sweaty way: while trying to pay for a bottle of water at a convenience store: I confidently stride into my local 7-Eleven, parched from my 37°C walk. I grab a bottle of chilled mineral water, in a bid to avert heat stroke, head to the counter and whip out my phone like a digital samurai, App

Drinking culture differences between Japan, Britain and Switzerland Summer has kicked off in earnest, temperatures are soaring, and hydration has become a competitive sport. Health experts are telling us to drink lots of fluids, so naturally, many of us are reaching for ice-cold beverages – some of which may contain more alcohol than hydration, but they, it's the thought that counts, right? As I sit here with a frosty glass by my side (non-alcoholic, I swear – after all, it's

More cultural contrasts between Switzerland and Japan 🌿 Obsession with Botanical Beauty Swiss and Japanese homeowners treat gardens like tiny works of art, but the expectations come with different levels of pressure. Japanese gardens strive for zen-like tranquility, featuring rock arrangements, koi ponds, and perfectly raked gravel that looks too flawless to be accidental. But of course, these serene wonders require space, and that is a rare commodity in metropolitan areas –

Humidity, weather, and cultural reactions in Japan Earlier this week, the Japanese Meteorological Agency cautiously announced that the Tokyo region had "likely entered the rainy season." "Likely?" I thought. Looking at the monsoon-level deluge outside, I was pretty certain that we had DEFINITELY entered the rainy season. But I suppose meteorologists aren't in the business of guarantees. They wouldn’t want to be flooded (pun intended) with complaints like, "Excuse me, where ar

Japan’s readiness culture through Swiss humour Last week, my wife and I went to the opera – expecting culture, drama, and, inevitably, an overpriced glass of champagne (but that's part of the experience). What we didn't expect was a full-scale disaster preparedness briefing before the curtain even rose. The announcement, delivered in both Japanese and English, wasn’t just about turning off your phone or refraining from illegal filming. No, this was a detailed monologue on ear

Comparing Swiss and Japanese orderliness At first glance, Switzerland and Japan seem like long-lost cousins – both obsessively clean, absurdly punctual, and so devoted to their train schedules that make the rest of the world feel a twinge of envy. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that beneath their polished efficiency lies a delightful clash of logic, tradition, and quirks that make their differences as entertaining as their similarities. 🏳️ Flags: Minimalist and Bol

Japan’s waste rules and cultural discipline Japanese sports fans have earned global admiration for their magical ability to clean up after themselves before leaving stadiums. They don’t just toss their trash - they meticulously gather it, sort it, and leave the place better than when they arrived. It’s basically a post-game cleaning ritual, like a victory dance, but with garbage bags. This comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with Japan’s school system, where children are

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

Returning to Switzerland after years in Japan 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 Bre

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