I first started becoming interested in budget travel out of necessity, when I was a poor student in 2013. At that time, I wouldn’t even stay in hostels (which could cost as much as 40$ a night), instead opting for inexpensive “home stays” where I lived with local families for a small fee. But I … Continue reading Why I Love Hostel Environments Despite My Anxiety and Introversion
It’s a little late to be trend forecasting for summer 2017, but I wanted to get started on the Japan Fashion Trends autumn edition and didn’t want to just skip a season because I started too late. Here are the summer fashion trends to look out for this season (compare with spring fashions here). Bohemian … Continue reading Japan Fashion Trends Summer 2017
I never really thought much about specialty coffee – or coffee quality in general, really – until I went to Japan. Before that, it was either I hate it or I don’t. And before today, I didn’t even know that instant coffee and drip coffee use different beans (low grade Robusta vs quality Arabica), and … Continue reading Order Coffee from Japan: ABC Coffee Club Subscription Review
In larme, the focus is on whatever is cute right now, with no hard and fast rules. The one basic code: the tagline of the magazine larme-kei is named after is “Sweet Girly Artbook“, and that pretty much tells you all you need to know. It’s somewhere between wanting to look cute for yourself but still … Continue reading My 10 Larme Brand Recommendations
I’m sure you’ve read a lot of budget travel guides, but I promise that none are as thorough as this one. I’m not just making suggestions, I’m breaking down the prices based on my own experience, down to the last cent. That’s right. Accommodations, food, entertainment. All of it for under 1000 $ USD, right … Continue reading How to Live in Tokyo for Less Than 1000 Bucks a Month
Tokyo loves dogs, and it’s right here in this city I’ve found some of the cutest – not to mention best dressed – dogs in the world. While our furry friends aren’t welcome everywhere in the city, that doesn’t mean they can’t ever go out at all. Here are 5 very pet-friendly places to take your beloved … Continue reading Doggy Date: Pet-friendly Places to Take Your Dog in Tokyo
If you spend as much time indoors as I do, you might want to think about investing in some comfy outfits you won’t be embarrassed to answer the door wearing. Japanese roomwear (or room wear) is similar to pajamas but not as…well, pajamas-ish. Here are 8 Japanese roomwear brands to get you started. Secret Key … Continue reading Where to Buy Japanese Roomwear and Loungewear
Coffee has become a hobby for people. They splurge on obscure brands and argue about the best roasters with their friends. And it’s all totally understandable. Coffee is more than just a drink, it’s a community, a past time, a comforting friend. I was inspired by my post on the new ABC Coffee Club (still waiting … Continue reading Meet 10 of the Best Craft and Indie Coffee Roasters in Tokyo
Do you want to look more kawaii? I was reading an article on a Japanese lifestyle website that talked about this, and I found it pretty amusing. It’s mostly for if you’re trying to appeal to your love interest and more specifically to make your crush confess, known as kokuhaku – a very important step … Continue reading Four Unexpected Gestures that are Considered Cute in Japan
Tokyo’s next generation hostels combine cheap accommodations with cool lounges, bars and cafes to hang out in. They’ve got to be some of the most international places in Tokyo, and that makes them worth checking out whether you’re visiting the city or not. Here are a few of my fave hostel and bar / cafe / … Continue reading 7 Next Generation Hostels with Bars and Cafes in Tokyo
Tokyo Wholesome 