Tokyo Disneyland During the Pandemic

The pandemic has really taken a toll on entertainment across the world. While Walt Disney World is open and expanding, Disneyland took a decidedly more reserved approach to keep in line with California regulations. Tokyo Disney Resort, however, has taken even greater measures to make sure that people can enjoy the parks while taking minimal […]

Disappearing Iconic Arcades in Japan

There’s been a bit of hand-wringing the past year or so in Japan about the state of Arcades, or Game Centers as they are called here. Arcades have slowly been closing, but with the pandemic, it seems an alarming number of iconic Tokyo arcades have begun closing their doors. What exactly is going on here? […]

What It’s Like to Get The Covid Vaccine in Japan

It’s been a while since the last update, but we’re back and fully vaccinated. Let’s start with that, shall we?

No Mask Picnic Day in Japan

Because no country has a monopoly on terrible ideas.

Japan’s GoTo Travel Campaign and Coronavirus

Capitalism needs people spending money to work, but what happens when a global pandemic threatens to shut down commerce? What if your country isn’t experiencing it very harshly and you’re still suffering a slumping economy with businesses closing? Japan tested one possible solution to help its especially struggling tourism sector: The GoTo Travel campaign was […]

Life in Japan With Covid-19: Government-issued Masks (Abe no Mask)

The day has finally arrived! After first hearing about this in Spring, it only took until June for my wife and I to receive our masks from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe! Well, not from him directly, but from a government initiative to provide each household in Japan with two reusable masks to assist with keeping […]

Life in Japan With Covid-19: State of Emergency

A few weeks ago, Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency for a few choice provinces around Japan. Just last week, he expanded that to include the entire nation. So what does that mean for me and the rest of my community here in Japan?

Life in Japan With Covid-19: Anti-Coronavirus Mascots?

Japan has a mascot for just about anything and a global pandemic doesn’t stop those creative impulses. There was, earlier this year, the introduction of an official quarantine mascot who came out of the shadows of obscurity to shine once more. Additionally, an old Edo-era monster, known as a Yokai, has been gaining popularity for […]

Surgical/Medical Masks in Japan

Something that I thought would be appropriate to discuss was the use of surgical masks in Japan. I can’t speak for other Asian countries, but we tend to see lots of images of Asian people, in general, in surgical masks going about their daily routines. Many in the west scratch their head and ask “Why?” […]