travelinJapan

travelinJapan

Follow me to get first-hand and authentic tips on travelling in Japan


Pokemon doughnuts

27 Nov 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei

Now that I have two Pikachu fanatics in my household, guess the first store we patronised during our visit to Japan. It seems that the creators of Pokemon have a special collaboration with Mister Donut. Look at these intriguing offerings. My son t...

Japan’s Relationship with Robots

5 Nov 2024 3 minute read 1 comment cryotosensei

Daunting challenges like a declining birth rate and an ageing population are enough to paralyze any nation, but Japan, with her deep reservoirs of fortitude and ingenuity, faces up to these challenges squarely by investing hugely in ‘carer robots’ to...

Statement of Purpose from Sensei

2 Nov 2024 2 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei

It’s the time of the year in which bright-eyed Japan enthusiasts from many parts of the world apply to get a coveted spot in the Japan Exchange Teaching program. I dug this up so that I can cross-post this on my blog, both as a resource of inspiratio...

History of Japanese food culture

31 Oct 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei

Washoku (Japanese cuisine) is so delectable that it is recognised as a UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. This begs the question of how it came to be such a famous cuisine globally! China was the first nation to influence Japan during trading...

Creative Ramen Flavours in Japan

27 Oct 2024 3 minute read 2 comments cryotosensei

Originally imported from China and known as "chuka soba" (Chinese-style noodles), ramen has certainly taken on a life of its own in Japan. Every region boasts ramen delicacies that bring oomph to your tastebuds via their distinctive, delicious flavor...

Suizenji Garden in Kumamoto

27 Oct 2024 1 minute read 1 comment cryotosensei

No time to hike Mount Fuji? No problem. At the charming Suizenji Garden in Kumamoto City, you will be greeted by the sight of an immaculately manicured miniature Mount Fuji. History buffs will be thrilled to know that this garden replicates the 53 po...

3 reasons why you should visit Naoshima

26 Oct 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei

Eye-catching pumpkin A ferry ride away from Kagawa Prefecture, Naoshima is famous for its yellow polka-dotted pumpkin made by Yayoi Kusama. It is a charming island with many attractions to offer the visitor. As it is designated as one of the sites...

Karashi renkon popcorn

25 Oct 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei

One signature dish from Kumamoto, Japan is karashi renkon (mustard lotus root). I love chewing the crunchy lotus roots to relish the symphony of flavours exploding inside my mouth. The mustard tingles my taste buds with a spicy kick. Once I start...

Script for Japanese food lesson

22 Oct 2024 5 minute read 1 comment cryotosensei

I’m tasked to introduce popular Japanese food items to my school’s seventh graders after their final year exams next Monday. So this is what I came up with while working on the PPT slides. Maybe you will learn a thing or two. Ohayo gozaimasu. This i...

4 lovely islands to explore in Japan

22 Oct 2024 3 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei

Japan is a rare country that straddles comfortably between tradition and innovation, where it is not uncommon to find a century-old shrine in the vicinity of a towering skyscraper. Indeed, its bustling cities in the major tourist areas of Hokkaido, T...