You can find all sorts of Halloween themed foods including cakes and desserts, decorated so cute it is a pity to eat them. For those hoping to come to Japan in the near future, I want to introduce some of the coolest Halloween foods from 2020.

Before moving to Japan, I almost always came on vacation starting in tsuyu/rainy season and for good reason: it’s a cheaper, less busy and still beautiful time to check out Japan!

If you and your significant other are travelling together in Japan around February 14th, you're already well on your way to having a unique Valentine's Day. The Nunobiki Herb Garden would be more suited for those looking for a low-key, quietly intimate day.

Come to Japan at the end of February and you will see shelves of chocolates, gifts and flowers laid out at the front of stores. “Hang on,” you might say to yourself.

One of the most colourful and special traditions of Japan takes place on March 3rd, and it is known as the Dolls' Day, Girls' Day or Hinamatsuri (雛祭り). A day to celebrate and think about happiness and good health, as praying for a good future, of all young girls in Japanese families.

We have all noticed the increase in sweetness these days. We have all stopped by the shelves and had a look at the different packaging. We have all started to think about whom to give sweets to. We have all wondered why so early.

The clever designs and tight collaborative efforts with many a familiar Japanese character, thank you Sanrio and Disney for those, jostle unashamedly for your attention. Somewhere between the Meiji chocolate bars and the Valentines appropriate heart-shaped moulds, I found a treasure chest of Japanese special edition goodness.

February is, mainly, about ...ehm...spring. It starts with the third day of the month, known in Japan as setsubun. According to the Buddhist and Shinto tradition, this day marks the beginning of spring by the lunar calendar, and it ought to be celebrated.

If you are living in Japan and want to give gifts to your host family, coworkers, or housemates, or if you are just visiting and want to buy things to take home with you, here are some inexpensive suggestions.

Second Monday of January marks as the Coming of Age Day (成人の日) Seijin no Hi) and it is a national holiday in Japan.

For many families, the bonding and togtherness aspects of New Year’s culminate in gathering around the kotatsu, a low, heated table, watching t.v., eating, drinking, and playing games. The two most common, and perhaps most traditional games are Karuta and Hanafuda.

As an international student in Japan, I have spent around two times here during New Year’s Eve. I think that it was not a bad choice to spend New Year’s Eve in Japan, not in my own country.