Everything in Japan is done in a Japanese way and I confess: I like it this way.

An invitation to a Japanese home is considered a great honor in Japan. Marina Villar shares some tips from her personal experience of being invited as a guest at a Japanese home.

If you are planning to visit Tokyo for the first time you may decide to stay in town. And I agree, you will not find reasons to go anywhere else. If you are living here or you are already familiar with Tokyo, you might be wondering what else you can do or visit that is close by. If this is your case and if you enjoy nature, Ikuta Park could be an excellent idea.

After almost two years of living in Tokyo, I know, for sure, that I am no longer seeing everything with the same sense of surprise because as I usually call it, I am already part of the landscape. The last few months, lucky me, I have been receiving many guests, who enjoyed going around with and showing them all about the local culture and traditions.

As part of a celebration, my husband and I wanted to organize a memorable activity. We did not know where to start but we were opened to everything. Our budget? Find out what we did, right here.

The magic about Sakura is not only the beauty of the flowers but also the beauty of going out, getting closer to nature, walking around without a specific plan, spending hours sat under a tree, and the beauty of finding yourself in love. Why not? In love with your own moment and your own life.

Tokyo is a big metropolis full of modern high buildings and skyscrapers but also, full of green areas all around, so running is not an impossible mission as some may think.

In Japan Sumo is much more than just a sport. It is a living example of Japanese culture, traditions and history. And the rikishi or wrestlers serve as cultural ambassadors when they take part in events overseas. Sumo shows discipline, hard work and courage but not only inside the dohyō or ring, also outside and in wrestlers´ every day life.

Silence can avoid conflicts, engage respect and create distance. It can be ambiguous and sometimes misinterpreted, specially for those like me, who come from abroad. But, like everything else related to cultural differences, getting involved and willing to understand it, is always helpful.

It is amazing how much the nature has to offer when you have the time, the energy and the wiling to connect with it. My recommendation: “Never waste those precious moments. Never”. Of course, after all these activities, I feel like I deserve the best of the meals. And here is where you get Kaiseki for dinner.

Chef Shuji´s restaurant and cooking school are located in Seki, a tiny old town in the heart of Gifu Prefecture. This city with a population of 90.000 people has a deep history, rich heritage and plenty of nature.

Some Japanese women are giving up on marriage, but it does not mean that would stop them from having their original big dreamy day.