Japan
These blogs are about Japan, the country I’ve been living in since 2022.
Dutchies in Tokyo #2 – Nadine and Charissa
Twin sisters Charissa and Nadine (both 28), despite different studies, both ended up in Japan. We meet in Hamarikyu Park, because the view there is so Tokyo: behind the Japanese gardens loom the large glass skyscrapers of Shiodome. The contrast in Tokyo that the sisters love so much is clearly visible here.
Dutchies in Tokyo #1 – Maria
Initially, I had arranged to meet Maria (26) on Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. But when dark clouds gathered over Rainbow Bridge, we decided to move to one of Maria’s other favorite spots: Electric Town Akihabara. We take pictures as the tourists in Mario Karts race behind us, then have a cup of coffee. Although Maria says she only speaks “Japanese for emergencies”, her way of speaking is very Japanese. Her oh’s and ah’s, her hmm’s and so-so-so’s… They betray that Maria is more Japanese than she thinks.
Thrifting Tokyo: Koenji and the Oi Keibajo flea market
In my previous post about shopping in Tokyo I told you about Harajuku and Shimo-Kitazawa. This time I’ll take you to Koenji and the best kept secret of Tokyo: the Oi Keibajo-mae flea market!
Thrifting Tokyo: Harajuku and Shimo-Kitazawa
Wie voor het eerst in Tokio komt, de eerste de beste hippe vintagewinkel in Harajuku binnenstapt en het prijskaartje van een smoezelige Adidas-sweater omdraait, schrikt zich een halve hartaanval. Wát?! 35 euro voor dit ding uit de Zak van Max?! Maar het zou zonde zijn om thrifting in Tokio direct helemaal af te schrijven. Want wie weet waar ‘ie moet wezen, en waar níet, kan wel degelijk spotgoedkope pareltjes op de kop tikken. Ik vertel je alles.
Tokyo for nerds: Toys
As I promised in the previous part of this series, in this blog I’ll take you to Nakano Broadway. From Disney figurines to watches, from manga to model trains, everything that’s collectible can be found here.
Tokyo for nerds: Trains
As you may know, I’m a huge nerd. And just like every other nerd, I have my obsessions: trains, and Disney parks. Tokyo is like heaven for nerds, called “otaku” in Japanese. In this series of blogs I’ll introduce you to nerdy Japan. In the next post I’ll take you to Nakano Broadway, but first: trains!
Japan’s most not-scary bridge
I have to admit something. I fell for clickbait. And not in a way that I clicked on a link and wasted three seconds of my life, no. I spent eight hours on a train yesterday, over an hour today, I spent 20 euros on a taxi and walked an hour for a… Disappointing bridge.
Who wants to go back to Namie, Fukushima?
On the 15th of March 2011, four days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent disaster of nuclear plant Fukushima Daiichi, all inhabitants of Namie that aren’t evacuated yet, are ordered to leave their town. The radiation levels in the village, just eight kilometers away from the plant, are way too high. A little […]
I visited all Disney parks in the world: my top 6!
Last month, it finally happened: I got to cross off one of my biggest #lifegoals from my bucket list. Disney bingo. I’d been dreaming about it since I was fifteen: visiting all the Disney parks in the world.
Toeps in Tokyo #7 – Ooedo Onsen: onsen entertainment
Stuff yourself until you’re full, and after that, get naked! Doesn’t sound like the best idea, but in Ooedo Onsen you can do just that. And it’s awesome!
I’ll take you to the candy shop
You’ve probably heard of it: those crazy Japanese have a festival where they carry around huge penises and eat penis popsicles. That festival was today, and with it being only 37 minutes away from us, Charlotte and I just couldn’t let this opportunity pass…