Posts categorized under ‘Living in Japan’

This day has been years in the making, and it’s finally arrived; Reiko and I are now the proud caretakers of an over-excited puppy named Nozomi. Nozomi is a female miniature dachshund, born on May 7th of this year. Although she’s only been a part of the family for three hours we already know some interesting things about her.

It’s hard to believe, but three years have passed since Reiko and I traveled to the 各務原市役所 to sign the documents that would make us husband and wife. Thinking back on everything that has happened over the last 1,095 days, I still think it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

After years of putting off the purchase due to sheer good luck (and a patient Mother-in-law), the Mrs. and I have decided to bite the bullet and buy our first car this weekend: a purple Special Limited Edition Daihatsu Move. The biggest selling point was the pearl paint job, of course.

With the rainy season done, the citizens of Japan are bracing for another summer of sweltering heat and suffocating humidity. Meanwhile, back in the cool country of Canada, residents of Vancouver are enjoying some beautiful weather with darn near no humidity whatsoever.

In the three years that Reiko and I have lived together in Japan, we’ve moved a total of 4 times. This is an insane number to be sure, but it’s also something that will likely not change until we buy our home some time in the next five to seven years. Unfortunately, when work or family demands that we move, we have little choice but to listen.

There have been a number of great authors who shaped my view of the universe, but very few have come close to providing the razor sharp wit and clarity we’ve often enjoyed from the words of Samuel Clemens, otherwise known as Mark Twain.

Throughout our lives, we make conscious decisions about the things we will and will not do before they happen. Most of us are lucky enough to make the decisions that will guide our futures towards success, while others consistently make the wrong choices and end up struggling their entire lives.

The Mrs. and I were returning home from 岐阜市 today when something that’s recently become far too common happened: we were harassed by a tailgater. Despite trying every (legal) trick in the book to make this guy back off to a relatively safe distance of 5 meters, he refused to give us enough space to safely slow down or stop without being rear-ended.

To celebrate the last day of Golden Week, the wife and I decided to enjoy a nice picnic lunch at 浄水公園 (Jiosui Park). The weather was perfect. The food was great. And the company … was excellent.

Some days mean more than others in our lives. For the Mrs. and I, May 1st will always be a special day, and we have several special occasions to celebrate every time the calendar flips to the 5th month of the year.

Reiko and I paid a visit to 境川 (the Sakai River) in 各務原市 (Kakamigahara City) to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. We weren’t disappointed.

Here are five more reasons why I wouldn’t want to live in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. While some of them might seem a little far-fetched, the number one reason is the honest answer why I couldn’t make the move.

Last week’s stampede in Harajuku received a lot of attention in Japan and online, but it also served as a reminder of why I wouldn’t want to live in such a big city; Tokyo or otherwise.