“This is Japan” is a weekly blog post where I talk a about my life in Japan. It’s a place where I can share some of the strange, funny, or interesting stories from my week. Sometimes it is a bit personal or random, but I hope you will enjoy learning what it is like to live [...] The post Summer Nights At Nagoya Castle Bon Festival – This Is Japan 25 appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Haven’t you ever wondered how paper umbrellas are made? No? Neither had I. They were just one of those things that just…were. A souvenir for decoration. However, in Chiang Mai, paper umbrellas are a very important item. There is even a yearly umbrella festival. When I was in Thailand, one day I miraculously ended up [...] The post Arts and Crafts at the Chiang Mai Umbrella Factory appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Tanabata is a story of two literal star-crossed lovers. They can meet once a year at the Milky Way. In Japan people make a wish and tie it to a bamboo tree. The post The Star-Crossed Lovers Of Tanabata Star Festival – This Is Japan 19 appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Are you facing a tooth extraction in Japan? Afraid of what everything entails? Read my experience of an easy, painless, and cheap tooth extraction. The post Tooth Extraction In Japan: A Play-By-Play appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Rio de Janeiro is a city of contradictions. Though not without its issues, there is much beauty and glamour in this ocean-side city. The post 10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Rio de Janeiro appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Driving to Irago Misaki is a great way to see the Pacific Ocean in Japan One of the advantages of living abroad for an extended time is you have many opportunities to explore parts of the country that hardly make a blip on the tourist radar. I love seeing these parts of Japan. Like Irago [...] The post Road Trip To Irago Misaki: Surfers, Sea Stars And Stingrays appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Japanese summer is very hot and humid and uncomfortable. Here are few things to help you survive Japanese summers and make them more fun. The post 10 Tips To Help You Survive Japanese Summers appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Looking for a fun and interesting souvenir to bring home from Japan? Sure, you could stock up on chopsticks, folding fans, and Japanese snacks (which you should, by the way), but everyone does that. Don’t you want something more unique? Yeah, you do! I have just the thing for you. While it may not be [...] The post Painting Mini Toilets In Tokoname, Japan appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

Japan's Shirakawago in Gifu is a great place to experience the start of spring, see the new rice paddies, and marvel at the gassho-zukuri houses. The post Shirakawago In May – A Guide For Travel In Spring appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more

A few days ago I had vague plans to go to Himeji. I was going to meet my husband at Himeji Castle in mid-afternoon, so I had the whole first half of the day to kill time by myself. It was cherry blossom season, and I was not excited about being around lots of people [...] The post Hiking Mt. Shosha and Engyoji Experience in Himeji appeared first on Stewie Overseas ..read more