The Nintendo Switch is region free, and many (not all) games, including Octopath Traveler, have the full Japanese text and audio available in the U.S. release of the game. No need to import from Japan! This is an amazing resource for gamers who are learning Japanese. Here’s my latest grab! Kanji: 魂消た (The kanji doesn’t…
Traditional Soba at Yamatoan on Mount Yoshino in Nara (Yoshinoyama)
Yoshinoyama (吉野山 or Mount Yoshino) in Nara prefecture is mainly famous for it’s beautiful cherry tree blossoms in the spring. However, I was in the area in the summer as part of another trip, and Google Maps led us to a wonderful soba shop, Yamatoan. The staff are very friendly. Maybe it’s because we went…
Japanese Lesson from Games: 取捨選択
The Nintendo Switch is region free, and many (not all) games, including Octopath Traveler, have the full Japanese text and audio available in the U.S. release of the game. No need to import from Japan! This is an amazing resource for gamers who are learning Japanese. Here’s my latest grab! Kanji: 取捨選択 Hiragana: しゅしゃせんたく Romaji:…
How-to Transfer Nintendo Switch data to a larger microSD Card on MacOSX – It can be a Nightmare!
My Nintendo Switch microSD card filled up and I needed to move to a larger card. This would all be so much easier in Windows (see Nintendo’s official guidance). But I have Macs. This method worked for me when moving data from a 128 GB microSD card to a 256 GB microSD card on Nintendo…
Japanese Shochu – Chihonokura
I’m no shochu connoisseur, but I’ve had a lot of shochu. My relatives drink a ton of the potato-based Kirishima, so I am using Kirishima as the basis of comparison for every shochu I have had recently. I recently picked up a carton of potato-based Chihonokura from the Shirakawa Suigen area in Kyushu. Compared to…
Fancy White Bread in Japan at Nogami Bread
Need a fancy loaf of bread? Sure you do! Try Noagmi Bread. This double sized loaf on display costs 864 yen, or about $8.50 USD. A smaller loaf is 432 yen. I have had this bread on several occasions, and it’s delicious for sure, but it’s not something I would plan on eating every day….
Takoyaki Parties Never Get Old
Yet another Takoyaki party! But is it TENKASU or AGEDAMA? Many Japanese people from the Kansai area in western Japan have a Takoyaki kit as part of their kitchenware items. If there’s a home gathering of Japanese expats takoyaki will probably make an appearance before long. The rice crispies looking thing you see above is…
A Visit to Awajishima Circa 2004
In 2002 I took a trip from Osaka to Awajishima. The trip was awesome and was suggested by a reader of my blog at the time. I was lucky enough to be hosted by an exchange student friend who was living on Awajishima, so I had a local host of sorts. The trip was a few…
Octopath Traveler Final Boss – Galdera
(This article contains mild Octopath Traveler spoilers including images of the true final boss, and tips to defeat him.) The true final boss in Octopath Traveler will not be easy for the casual, or even mildly fanatic, gamer. In fact, if you find it easy, you’re truly something and I am in awe at your…
Harajuku Circa 2002
When I was relatively new to Tokyo I visited Harajuku summer 2002. Here’s some photos and memories from that time. Harajuku is just about a 20 minute stroll from Shibuya. If you plan to visit, just get to Shibuya and you can walk to Harajuku and through Omotesando as well on the same trip. Harajuku…