Melissa Ge, Author at Tokyo Weekender

Japan Life: Working for Room and Board

Melissa Ge — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 05:40:36 +0000

Are you in between jobs, have some extra time, or just interested in new experiences? Do you want to experience a part of the country for a short time and on a budget? Then you may be interested in working for room and board in Japan. It’s perfect for students looking to spend their holidays […]

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8 Paw-some Ethical Dog Cafés in Tokyo

Melissa Ge — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 09:37:18 +0000

How To Spot an Ethical Dog Café First, check where the café got its dogs from. Animals bred specifically for cafés usually come from mills or farms that often raise the animals in inhumane conditions. Ideally, the café would have gotten its animals via rescue and adoption. It’s also important to be aware of which […]

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Muscle Girls Bar Creates a Welcoming Space for Fitness Fans

Melissa Ge — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 06:06:12 +0000

Japan is home to a plethora of themed cafés, bars and restaurants including maid cafés, a science lab-themed bar and a ninja restaurant. Those who have spent any time on TikTok or YouTube may have seen viral videos about Muscle Girls, the only female fitness-themed bar, not only in Japan, but the world. Below, Tokyo Weekender checks it […]

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7 Paw-some Ethical Cat Cafés in Tokyo

Melissa Ge — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 05:34:26 +0000

In Tokyo, it doesn’t take much effort to find an animal café. Beginning with cats, the selection has expanded to include hedgehogs, owls, snakes and more. Still, cat and dog cafés offer a more humane alternative to wild animal cafés, since they are domesticated animals bred for human companionship. Wild animals such as snakes and […]

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10 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Chiba Prefecture

Melissa Ge — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:33:50 +0000

Located adjacent to Tokyo, Chiba Prefecture is home not just to Disney resorts and Narita International Airport, but also to breathtaking natural wonders, including valleys, waterfalls and caves. Its beauty shows both inland and by the sea from its spacious parks and Mount Nokogiri to Kujukuri Beach, Japan’s longest stretch of sandy coastline. It proves a […]

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13 Best Places to See Autumn Foliage in Kanagawa Prefecture

Melissa Ge — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 07:11:25 +0000

Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Kanagawa Prefecture to witness stunning displays of red, orange and yellow autumn leaves. It’s easily accessible by train from Tokyo, making it perfect for a day trip. Hakone, known for its hot springs, and Kamakura, known for its temples and shrines, are two of the most […]

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11 Best Places to See Autumn Foliage in Saitama Prefecture

Melissa Ge — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 07:14:09 +0000

As a fun day-trip destination located northeast of Tokyo, Saitama offers easily-accessible strolling and hiking escapes. The area is mostly known as a residential hub, but it has a wealth of nature and culture to explore. Signs of the Edo Period (1603-1867) remain in famous historic towns such as Kawagoe, while areas like Chichibu offer […]

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The History of the Shiba Inu Breed in Japan

Melissa Ge — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 07:51:58 +0000

The Shiba Inu are one of the oldest and most popular breeds of dog in Japan. One of six native dog breeds here, they’ve become pop culture icons. You can find them in collectible gacha form, viral doge memes and even cryptocurrency. Shiba Inu history traces the breed’s origin back to when the first settlers came […]

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Japan Hiking Guide: Top Spots from Hokkaido to Okinawa

Melissa Ge — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:26:50 +0000

Those who read our previously published definitive guide on the 34 national parks in Japan may want more specific suggestions on hikes to do within the country. This roundup lists Japan’s top hiking spots from Hokkaido to Okinawa, from easy one-day hikes to more difficult ones for experienced hikers. Hokkaido Hikers who want to completely […]

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8 Japan Related Documentaries on Netflix

Melissa Ge — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 09:30:49 +0000

For those interested in learning more about Japanese culture, Netflix has a great selection of documentaries about the curious land of the rising sun. While some exclusively focus on Japan, others feature a deep dive into one aspect of the culture in a single episode. From samurai and street food to kabuki and idols, there […]

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