General
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Helpful Japanese Phrases for Daycare (Hoikuen) and Preschool (Yochien)
I received a request to share some helpful phrases in Japanese when it comes to daycare (hoikuen) and preschool (yochien), and if you’re a long-term reader, you’ll know that if you ask, you…
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Best Newborn Baby Products in Japan for 2023
Last year I wrote about the top newborn baby products in 2022 as voted by mothers in Japan in a Tamahiyo poll. The list for 2023 is now out with some items and…
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What to Eat at Restaurants in Japan with Toddlers and Kids
If you’re visiting Japan or even living here and wondering what your toddler can eat at restaurants in Japan, I’ve got you covered. Since we’re building a house, we’ve been having to eat…
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Shichi-Go-San: A Celebration for Children Ages 3, 5, and 7 in Japan
One thing I love about Japan is that there are many celebrations for children, such as Omiyamairi, Okuizome, and Shichi-go-san. As my daughter celebrated her first Shichi-go-san this month, I’d like to share…
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Jichinsai (地鎮祭): A Shinto Ceremony for Building a House in Japan
It’s been a while since my last post about building a house in Japan! We’re almost finished with the designing stage and construction will start next month (!) so we had our Jichinsai…
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Top 2022 Christmas Presents for Kids in Japan
It’s December, which means Christmas is just around the corner! Just like last year, I’ll be sharing toys that Japanese retailers indicated in a poll are the hottest for kids in 2022. Of…
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An Overview of Yōchien (Preschool/Kindergarten) in Japan
Yōchien (幼稚園), known as preschool or kindergarten in English, is an educational institution in Japan for children ages 3 to 5, helping prepare them for elementary school. The concept was a bit confusing…
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Inoko, a Halloween-like Tradition in Western Japan
Halloween has only recently caught on in Japan, but instead of Trick-or-Treating, it tends to be more focused on costumes and cute Halloween decorations. Having grown up in Canada, though, my childhood memories…
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Traveling Internationally by Plane (During COVID) with a Toddler: Japan ⇔ Canada
It’s been a month since I returned to Japan after traveling to Canada with my toddler and I think I’ve recovered enough to finally be able to write about it. I think that…
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Hotel Monterey: Kid-Friendly Resort in Okinawa
Last month, my family visited Okinawa and stayed at the Hotel Monterey Okinawa. I’ve been to Okinawa four times before, but this time would be my first time traveling with my daughter. My…
