March 3rd is Hina Matsuri (Doll’s Festival) a.k.a. “Girls Day”. Once upon a time, dolls carried away bad spirits from their owners when set adrift in rivers, seas, and oceans (nagashibina). This custom is still practiced in... Read more »
Hopefully butter isn’t too high on your list of holiday ingredients. If so, you should prepare yourself to find empty shelves and a note of apology where the butter used to be sold; the government’s plan to... Read more »
Contributed by Clair Hurford from nekonomachi A few months after our two year old started hoikuen in Kyoto, she was sent home with a leafy bamboo branch tied with various paper decorations she’d spent most of June making.... Read more »
In the K-A Momtrepreneur’s Corner, we introduce a K-A Mom Facebook Group member running her own small business in Japan. A special discount for KA blog readers is included at the end of the post. This month,... Read more »
Recently I read an article about the things you’d never thought you’d say until you were a parent. As a mum or dad, the words that sometimes come out of your mouth, well, it beggars belief! Add... Read more »
Being a foreigner can sometimes get to you. People stare, people talk behind your back, people giggle as you pass by, people wonder what you are shopping for at the supermarket, people walk up and ask you... Read more »
The Randoseru School Backpack – What Kids Need to Carry! Contributed by KA Mom (Mum!) Diane K. My daughter will be starting grade two in a few weeks now. After arriving in Japan only a year ago... Read more »