Packaging in Japan

In Japan, consumers buy items that must have great packaging – extra packaging for the interior box, and extra flowery paper for the exterior gift wrapping. And then, you must put your item on to a big bag, and when it rains, it is better to put an extra plastic bag to protect your [...]

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A Visit to Seoul, South Korea

For Golden Week, my family and I spent several days visiting the nearby city of Seoul in South Korea. We visited the following famous places and attractions:

Deoksugung Palace – was originally the home of King Seongjong’s elder brother, Prince Wolsan. After all the palaces were burned down in the Japanese invasion of 1592, Deoksugung [...]

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Japan urges limiting kids’ cell phones

In the news about children and cell phones in Japan – we recently got our 12 year old son a cell phone!

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Convenience Stores (Konbini)

“See a corner, see a convenience store”, especially in Tokyo.
Do you know there are over 35,000 konbini (convenience stores) in Japan? That’s one for every 3,300 Japanese residents! With large chains like Lawson and Seven-Eleven, these ubiquitous 24-hour retailers (many open 365 days a year) play a major role in daily life in [...]

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Boy, it is crowded!

According to Wikipedia, with a population of over 32 million in 2003, Tokyo is the largest city (metropolitan area) in the world, with a high population density of over 4,000 people/km2 – that’s a lot of people!  Seoul was second, with a similar population density with Tokyo.  Here is list of the top 20:

Tokyo, Japan
Seoul, [...]

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Bank of Japan keeps benchmark interest rate steady

The Bank of Japan says it’s keeping interest rates the same.  Japan’s central bank made a unanimous decision at a two-day policy board meeting to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5 percent.

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My first golf game in Japan

Last weekend, I participated my son’s school charity golf tournament at Maple Point Golf Club in Tokyo, Japan (about an hour+ drive). With about 40 golfers, this charity golf tournament raised money for children so they can attend the school on scholarship.
It was a long day (had to wake up at 5 am [...]

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What Bill Gates Said (Not)

This was originally credited to Bill Gates, but according to snopes.com, apparently, this did not originate from him – doesn’t really matter.
Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not [...]

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Japan’s arcade industry slumps as Wii takes off

Looks like the Wii is very popular in Japan – we brought our Wii from Canada, and have recently bought a Japanese Playstation 3.

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Japanese Toilets (Washlets)

Japan’s modern Western-style bidet toilets (toire or Washlets as the Toto company calls its products), installed in more than half of Japanese households, are technological marvels with more buttons and features than could ever be figured out. Be careful what you press or you may receive an unexpected drenching You will [...]

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