This year, once again, I went to the Itabashi Art Museum to check out the 79 winning entries by 80 international...
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Life in Japan
2022 Bologna’s Illustrators Exhibition in Tokyo
I went to the Itabashi Art Museum to check out the winning entries of 78 international artists from the Illustrators...
2021 Nengajo Draw Result!
Wow! We won three sheets of Otoshidama stamps for this year's Nengajo Draw. Our year of abundance has begun! 😀 Each...
The Experience of My First Exhibition at Creators’ Expo｜第９回 クリエイターEXPO初出展の感想
It was a difficult time because of COVID-19. The exhibition was initially scheduled for April but was postponed to...
My First Exhibition in Tokyo – Next Week!
I will be participating in the 9th Creators’ Expo in Tokyo, this year! My first debut as an illustrator in Japan.
The Cat Museum in Japan
For their summer holiday, we brought the kids to Izu City, in Shizuoka Prefecture, for a 2D1N trip. We visited the Izu...
Izu Shaboten Zoo
Last Saturday, we visited Izu Shaboten Zoo in Shizuoka Prefecture. It was quite far from our Chiba home, almost 200 km...
A Glimpse into the Business of Illustration in Japan
Today, I finally took a step out of my shell. I left the kids with their grandparents and traveled to Tokyo on my own...
2019 Nengajo Draw Result!
Here is our prize for this year's Nengajo Draw. We got the usual Otoshidama stamp sheet, which is a New Year gift...
Walk-a-Rabbit on a Little Farm
Last weekend, we were in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, for our annual ski trip. On our way back, we visited a small farm...
Nasu Animal Kingdom
Last month, during their school summer vacation, we brought the kids to Nasu Animal Kindom (那須どうぶつ王国), in Tochigi...
Visiting Noda, the City of Soy Sauce
Last Sunday, we visited the Kikkoman Soy Sauce Museum in Noda City, Chiba. Noda's climate and location have made it...
Guinea Pig Runway!
Spring is here! So, we decided to bring the kids to a park or anywhere with Sakura trees blooming. We went to...
Free Buffet at the Konnyaku Park
Last Sunday, we visited Konnyaku Park in Kanra-Machi, Gunma Prefecture. The park (by Yokoo Daily Foods) has the...
Colourful Winter in Chiba
Last Sunday, with a group of friends from Singapore, we went to the Country Farm Tokyo German...
A Fishy Day Out in Tokyo!
I have been living in Japan for nine years now, and I have never set foot in Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. So, my...
A Trip to the National Museum of Japanese History
Last Saturday, we visited the National Museum of Japanese History (国立歴史民俗博物館) in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture....
Bible Verse Art – John 1:12
Fireball, my seven-year-old, has often been picked on by older kids and some of his peers in school. It hurts because...
Free Yummy Ice Creams!
After spending an amazing day (and night) at Shirakabako (白樺湖) in Nagano Prefecture, we were heading home....
Great Summer Fun at Ikenotaira Familyland!
The kiddos are on their summer vacation now, so we brought them to Shirakabako (白樺湖) in Nagano Prefecture last Sunday....
Good Bye and Live Well, My Dragonflies!
This is going to be the shortest and happiest post I have ever written! This was what greeted me in the morning when I...
Nymphs to Dragonflies
I have some good and bad news. I will start with the bad news first. In my last update, I mentioned Tippy. His life as...
Tippy, Our First Dragonfly!
Here is the update on our YAGO (dragonfly nymphs). Meet Tippy, our first dragonfly! (And yes, I named it, and now...
Babysitting Dragonfly Nymphs
Fireball is in Grade Two now. Specifically, for this age group (no idea why), they have an event in school known as...
Hunting for Character Easter Eggs at Tokyo Disneyland
We were given two Disney theme park tickets, which will expire in June. Since we wanted to avoid the crowds during the...
Meeting Hello Kitty in Seibuen Amusement Park
I am pretty sure that spring is already here - the start of the dreaded hay fever season. The temperature...
Japanese Traditional Crafts – Kimekomi
In the last few days of 2016, I was rushing to complete a New-Year-themed DIY Chirimen kit. I managed to finish the...
More Than A Cup Of Noodles
Last Saturday, we brought our kids and my bestie from Singapore to the Cupnoodles Museum in Yokohama (Kanagawa...
The Little Switzerland in Nasu
Yeah, autumn is here! It's time to hit as many parks as we possibly can before winter creeps upon us. So we brought...
An Aviation Adventure
Last week, we brought Fireball and Twinkle-Bell to the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences (航空科学博物館), which is next to...
A box of Tasty Silkworm Chocolates
This box of silkworm-looking chocolates is by far the most interesting omiyage (お土産/ souvenir) I ever...
Ikaho Toy, Doll & Car Museum
Hooray, the kids are back in school! Finally, I can peacefully write about our visit to Ikaho Toy, Doll and...
Shibukawa Skyland Park
Just before their summer holiday ends, we brought Fireball and Twinkle-bell to the center of Japan! We went to...
All Aboard to the Metro Museum!
The kids are on their summer vacation, so we have been bringing them to museums (or somewhere...
A Visit to JAXA Tsukuba Space Center
Yesterday was Umi no Hi (Marine Day / 海の日), a public holiday in Japan. Instead of heading to the beach, we went to...
Kids Dom – A Kingdom for Kids!
On Komodo no Hi (May 5th), we brought our cubs to Kids Dom, better known as Kodomo no Kuni (こどもの国) in Ichihara City,...
How to wear a Japanese Kimono
The first time I wore a kimono was at my wedding, seven years ago.♡ It was a "silver" kimono with peacock and flower...
An Illustration for Our Winter Post Cards
Sending out New Year Cards, otherwise known as Nengajo (年賀状), is a popular tradition in Japan. (You can read more...
A Peek into the World of Moomin in Saitama
I had never heard of Moomin until I stayed in Japan. It was here that I came across a lot of merchandise featuring...
A Glimpse into the Past at Boso Village
Last month, we brought the kids to Boso no Mura (房総のむら/Boso Village) in Inba-gun, Chiba Prefecture. Visiting the...
Simple Reversible Tote Bag
Fireball's kindergarten was having its annual bazaar last month. So, I did my part by sewing a few tote bags to...
Free Clams on the Beach at Chiba Port Park
During Golden Week, we brought the kids to a man-made beach at Chiba Port Park for Shiohigari (潮干狩り/clam digging). We...
Visiting Japan on a Rainy Day – Decks Tokyo Beach in Odaiba!
My sister came to Japan to visit us early this month. We wanted to plan an outing for her and our kids to spend some...
A Visit to Tokyo Skytree
Last week, as part of my husband's company day trip, we visited Tokyo Skytree (finally). The 634-meter high...
Chilling Out with the Animals in Saitama Children’s Zoo
Early this month, before winter in Japan, became too chilly, we brought the kids to Saitama Children's Zoo...
All Aboard! The Next Stop is the Railway Museum
It was too hot to go outdoors during the Obon holidays in Japan. So we brought Fireball and his baby sister, Twinkle...
A Marvelous Trip to the “Art Forest”
For our first Natsuyasumi (summer vacation) trip, we brought Fireball and his little sister to Kasama Geijutsu no Mori...
Christmas Snowman Wrapper
Yeah, Christmas Day (my favorite holiday) is just around the corner. To welcome the season of giving, I decided to...
A Splashing Time at Teganuma Aquatic Park
Last Saturday, we took Fireball to Teganuma Shinsui Hiroba (手賀沼親水広場 / Teganuma Aquatic Park), which is located in...
An Enjoyable Day at Ichikawa City Zoo
Fireball's summer holiday is coming to an end. Since his mummy and eight-month-old baby sister are not big fans of...
DIY Projects for my Pre-schooler 4: Sling Bag
Here is a sling bag (aka. messenger bag) I made for my three-year-old four months ago. In Japan, this type of school...
DIY Projects for my Pre-schooler 3: Lesson Bag
Here is the lesson bag (レッスンバッグ) that I made for my Fireball three months ago. Woah, time flies! In Japan, Lesson Bag...
DIY Projects for my Pre-schooler 2: Shoe Bag
After I wrote the step-by-step process for the O-bento Set, I have decided that there will be a total of FOUR instead...
DIY Projects for my Pre-schooler: O-Bento Set
This is a continuation of my previous post - The Big Preschool Prep for ME. Of which, I mentioned how I made my own...
The Big Preschool Prep for ME!
The wait is almost over. My little boy will begin Yochien (幼稚園 / kindergarten) tomorrow. With the newfound extra free...
Hina Matsuri – The Doll Festival
Hina Matsuri (雛祭り / the Doll Festival), which is also known as Girls' Day or Peach Festival, is celebrated on March...
Celebrating Love in Japan – Valentine’s Day & White Day
Valentine's Day Like the rest of the world, Valentine's Day (バレンタインデー) in Japan is pretty much hyped up with a...
Authentic Home-cooked Char Siew Rice
Japanese food, especially sushi, has been my number one favorite food. However, after staying in sushi paradise for a...
Etegami for GW – 04 Children’s Day
In Japan, May 5th is Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi/子供の日): Boy’s Day / Children’s Day Two years ago, I wrote about how...
Etegami for GW – 02 Constitution Memorial Day
May 3rd is Japan's Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi / 憲法記念日). Frankly, I doubt I would know the significance...
Four Etegami for Golden Week – 01 Showa Day
I realized that I had been pretty slack with my Etegami Art Series recently. So, before I'm further delayed by...
2012 Nengajo Draw Result!
This year, my husband and I did not win any prizes for the Otoshidama-Tsuki Nenga Hagaki (お年玉付き年賀はがき). However, my...
My Winning Nengajo!
Last month, I sent my 2012 Nengajo to the Japanese New Year Card Contest, which is annually organized by our local...
Osechi Ryori – The Dishes of Wishes
Osechi Ryori (おせち料理) is a collective set of auspicious delicacies with symbolic meanings, beautifully arranged in...
Have a Cozy New Year in 2012!
Dearest Friends of Blackcabbit,Here is a Japanese New Year e-card (Nengajo/ 年賀状) for you.May the Lord bless you and...
Celebrating Christmas in Japan
As a Christian, Kurisumasu (クリスマス / Christmas) is undoubtedly my favorite holiday. However, being in a nation deep in...
String of Bad News
From now on, 11 March 2011 will be infamously known as the day of Higashi Nihon Dai Shinsai (東日本大震災/Great Eastern...
Flashbacks: Terror of a Monstrous Wave
Three minutes after the calamitous Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake strike on 11 March 2011 (14:46hrs), Tsunami Keiho (津波警報 /...
When the Calamitous Earthquake Strike…
A Really Grim Friday 11 March 2011 (14:46hrs) is now a day that will haunt Japan forever. It was just a day after we...
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 4 (First Birthday)
Not a Cake but a Mochi In Japan, there is a tradition that is celebrated only once in a lifetime; a special custom for...
Setsubun – Where have all the soybeans gone…♫
Setsubun (節分 / Seasonal division)–marks the end of winter and is a day before spring. According to the traditional...
2011 Nengajo Draw Result!
Yay, we won another consolation prize. Just like the year before, a set of beautiful 2-piece New Year stamps. I felt...
Omisoka – New Year’s Eve
The hustle and bustle of Shogatsu (正月 / New Year's Day) started in the last few days of December. Most Japanese people...
Mochitsuki – Pounding Mochi
Yesterday, we had an unplanned but delightful day at a bakery in our neighborhood. My MIL happened to notice their...
The Vernal and Autumnal Equinox Days
What is an equinox? It is an event whereby the center of the sun is over the earth's equator, making the length of day...
Respect for the Aged Day
I did an Etegami (picture postcard) for "Respect for the Aged Day."Message: Stay healthy (and energetic) at all times!...
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 1 (Naming Ceremony)
Oshichiya Meimeishiki - Baby's Naming Ceremony In Japan, we have a naming ceremony for the newborn on the seventh...
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 3 (First Meal)
Our 100-day-old's First Meal Today, Baby is 100 days old! We had the Okuizome (お食い初め / “First Meal”) for him. Okuizome...
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part Three
Horrifying Hospital Ordeal I was already at the end of my 41-week. Baby was way overdue. Though he was in a normal...
Baby Celebrations – the Japanese Way 2 (First Festival)
Baby's First Festival A Japanese baby's first festival celebration is known as Hatsu zekku (初節句). Only the initial...
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part Two
Maternity Badge After notifying our local municipal office about my pregnancy, I was given a few items. One of them...
Memoirs From Pregnancy to Childbirth – Part One
Maximum Weight Gain of 10 kg In Japan, doctors believe that overweight mothers-to-be may have a higher risk of...
2010 Nengajo Draw Result!
Those of you who have read my earlier post (Nengajo – Japanese New Year Card), would have known about...
Nengajo – Japanese New Year Card
Whenever December 25th approaches, many of us will customarily exchange Christmas and season greetings via cards,...