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

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”.

Chocolate, customs, and cultural surprises in Japan Valentine's Day: A day when couples demonstrate their love for each other by giving each other cards and presents across the globe. Well, with one exception: Japan! Because as Christmas Eve in Japan has taken the top spot in the calendar as the favourite day for lovers and couples (if you wonder why, take a look at one of my previous posts: Christmas in Japan - KFC and Christmas Cake), I guess they had to slightly re-purpose

Discovering Japan’s bathing culture as a Swiss newcomer Growing up in Switzerland in the 70s, our house had two bathrooms, a bigger one with a bathtub, mainly reserved for our parents, and a slightly smaller one with a shower, predominantly used by my brother and me. I actually don't think that the shower was being used much in those days, at least as far as I remember, and certainly not by us kids. We would just wash our faces upon getting up in the morning, and then once a

Japan’s adulthood rituals seen through Swiss curiosity Today is one of those days when, walking around town, I'm truly reminded that I live in Japan, as the sight that presents itself wherever one goes cannot be observed anywhere else in the world. The reason? It's 'Coming of Age Day' ('Seijin no Hi'), a public holiday and the most important day in the calendar for all those who have turned 20 and therefore the age of maturity, and it is held in order to congratulate and enco

Running, resilience, and life in earthquake‑prone Japan Growing up in an alpine nation, where winter sports traditionally play a big role, New Year's Day was inevitably accompanied by the New Year's Ski Jumping competition, which takes place every year in the German ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and is broadcast live on German, Swiss and Austrian TV stations. There were always two fixtures in our TV schedule on this day: The live coverage of the New Year's Concert from

Traditions, rituals, and quiet celebrations across Japan New Year ('shōgatsu' ) is undoubtedly the most important holiday in Japan. And as with many other things in this country, expect it to be different! In contrast to Western cultures, the New Year's Holidays are generally not a time for parties and fireworks (the latter being reserved for summer festivals), but a time for reflection and to be spent with family - actually not unlike what Christmas is to many in the Western

KFC, cake, and cultural twists on a global holiday Christmas in Japan is - like many things in this country - different! On the surface, nothing seems to set it apart from Western countries: Stores deck the halls with boughs of holly, baubles and all of that, and carols float out over the speakers wherever you go. There are beautifully illuminated Christmas trees, and you can find roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and all of the other ingredients for a winter wonderland, at leas

A Swiss expat unpacks Japan’s take on foreign holidays It's Thanksgiving today in the United States. And Labour Thanksgiving Day in Japan. Which marks a not so common occasion where the two countries share a national holiday on the same day - at least this year. Because while the American Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, in Japan the holiday is tagged to a certain date (23 November) instead. This year the two coincide, hence the joint holi

Japan’s gift‑giving culture through Swiss eyes Japan can be an absolute minefield when it comes navigating social code, and that is most evident when it comes to formal occasions such as weddings and funerals. Take weddings, for example. In Japan, it is customary for wedding attendees to give congratulatory money to the bride and groom. This money is called 'goshugi'. Now, that sounds simple enough, right? You decide on an appropriate amount, pop it in a nice-looking envelope

Ghosts, traditions, and cultural surprises in everyday Japanese life It's the Halloween season, and the ghouls, ghosts and zombies are out in force, also in Japan. Japan, though, has a rather interesting (one could even say 'spooky') relationship with festivals or traditions originating in the West. Take Christmas, for instance: Japan being a Buddhist country, it cannot really relate to the birth of Christ, which, of course, is the original reason we celebrate Christmas - alt