Tag Archives: Japan

The Clampetts Hit the Road- Travel Tips

As did thousands of other travelers, the Clampetts took to the skies for the holiday season. Unlike most ExPats who either returned to the US or headed for sun, we headed North to one of the world’s most precious and … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Something to Try during the Holidays

This is not a food blog- but- I’ve been harassed by a certain family member to do more sharing on gastronomic topics. After reflecting on the Japanese food I’ve been eating while in Japan vs the food that was disguised … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

It’s an Emergency

Living in Japan is a perilous affair. Just one look at the inhabitants will tell a visitor to beware, dangerous heat seeking bacterium of potentially nefarious origin lurk around every doorway waiting to catch an unaware immune system dormant. Countless … Continue reading

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Posted in Medical, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Culture Lesson #7: Yet Another Culture Lesson Learned the Hard Way

For the most part, Japan is a cash culture. One must be prepared to pay cash at all junctions where money exchanges take place. Finding an English-speaking ATM to give me cash was an all-encompassing quest and a source of … Continue reading

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Posted in Culture Lessons, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , | 162 Comments

A Pet Update- The Hurricane

The wind howls and swirls in circular motion in a certain Southern state as the Hurricane continues to make her presence felt. In positive ways of course. The Hurricane attempts to teach her room-mate Odie various ways of navigating around … Continue reading

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The Building Christmas Party- Bah Humbug

My favorite neighbors are the ones that honk and wave, smiling as they drive by. Without stopping. Preferably there are 8-10 acres, a herd of cattle and a stream between us as well. This keeps idle chit chat to a … Continue reading

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Watch out Silly Wabbit…Fuw’s the Fashion in Tokyo

I admit to complete ignorance of the East prior to my arrival including the influence of Japanese fashion on the rest of the world. Tokyo ranks 5th with New York, Milan, Paris, and London. More specifically due to an area … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Eating Out- the English/Japanese Dictionary is Useless

Eating out in Japan can be tricky- unless you’re a Clampett. Study the picture above. Lesser Ex Pats could be intimidated. Notice the curtains- hanging down in front means the restaurant is open. Signage in Japanese means no English menu- … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving in Karuizawa

Thanksgiving and time to get out of Tokyo. According to Offspring #1, snowboarding season started on November 15th- we were late for the slopes. Nagano, home to the Winter Olympics, is a short 2 hour bullet train ride away. Preparations … Continue reading

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There’s No Japanese Food in Japan….

It’s true- Teriyaki, Benihana “Hibachi style,” stuffed sushi rolls- all of these traditional Japanese staples are non-existent in Japan. For the Clampett family, this emerges as a blessing since Teriyaki’s sweet, glutinous topping overpowers the flavor of any substance applied … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments