All posts tagged "Homebase"

  • The passing of pets

    It’s so hard to believe that it’s been a year since our beloved Siamese cat, Flurry, died. He and his sister, Flicka, came into our lives after our flame-point Siamese, Slinky, passed away 13 years ago, and...

    • Posted March 1, 2024
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  • New low-cost fully automatic washers

    Even with all of the great advantages of heavy duty washer brands in the market today, you might still need to mull over the decision of whether you will be making Japan as your permanent home. Japan’s...

    • Posted January 5, 2024
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  • Tokyo is at persistent risk of a disaster. Prepare your family.

    Japan predicts a 70% chance of an earthquake directly hitting Tokyo in the next 30 years. Do you ever wonder how your family would escape if an earthquake shook your building or your home was engulfed in...

    • Posted October 31, 2023
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  • It is safe to use aluminum foil and containers in the microwave – if you know the rules.

    There is a lot of do’s and don’ts on the internet about whether or not heating food with aluminum foil or package inside a microwave oven is safe. One netizen says “aluminum foil could damage the magnetron...

    • Posted October 23, 2023
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  • Feng Shui for living: Travel Tips

    One of the many joys of life comes from traveling – and some say the best part of it is arriving at home. Let’s look at how to make all parts of your trip enjoyable and in...

    • Posted June 27, 2023
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  • Using Feng Shui principles and minimal decor

      One of the preconceptions about Feng Shui is that it involves having a home with an Asian flavour that is sparsely decorated: plain open spaces with little more than a few bamboo stalks and a wind...

    • Posted May 29, 2023
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  • Staying healthy and balanced around pets

    Pets are an important part of many people’s lives and can bring joy and warmth to one’s home and life. Because they become a major part of home activities and one’s lifestyle, there are important considerations to...

    • Posted May 23, 2023
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  • Fashion meets furniture

    From June 7 to 13, 2003, Isetan Shinjuku Store’s The Stage welcomes the first chair  collaboration between fashion brand Auralee and Danish furniture design company, Fritz Hansen, putting a spotlight on the latter’s best-selling ‘Seven Chair’. The...

    • Posted May 22, 2023
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  • New AI-powered online grocery promises to save you time and ease your shopping experience.

    Amazon is beloved by families, and for good reason. It saves them time. According to research, the average time people spend grocery shopping per year is between 70-75 hours. In a letter to shareholders, Amazon’s founder Jeff...

    • Posted April 6, 2023
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  • Bulky winter wear storage techniques when you don’t have enough closet space.

    Spring has sprung and it’s time to put away those bulky winter wear that take up space you don’t have. Some spring and autumn basic items can be used all year round, and summer clothes can also...

    • Posted March 13, 2023
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  • Do you live in an aging wooden house in Tokyo? Expect to get a seismic circuit breaker from the government.

    Many wooden houses in the eastern and southern parts of Tokyo often built so close to each other are considered vulnerable to fires after an earthquake. The roads in between are also too narrow for fire engines...

    • Posted January 23, 2023
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  • This gallery sells a wide range of artworks to dress up boring walls.

    White walls don’t need to be boring, especially if you fill them with your favorite artwork with a design element that creates a focal point in your space. However you choose to do this –  one rule interior...

    • Posted August 30, 2022
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  • Getting a bicycle insurance from 7-eleven even if you don’t read Japanese.

    In April 2020, Liability insurance became mandatory for all bicycle owners of any age in Japan. The Japanese law requires bike owners to register both new and second-hand bicycles with the Crime Prevention Registration Office under the...

    • Posted August 26, 2022
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  • The easy way to get rid of fruit flies

    Fruit flies or gnats tend to annoy people during the summer months.  If you see too many of them flying around your kitchen, there could be a few reasons why. You may have thrown banana peels in...

    • Posted August 2, 2022
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  • Is Musenmai, Japan’s ‘no-rinse’ rice any good?

    The Japanese swear rinsing rice twice is what gives it the fluffy texture and aroma. Despite the lengthy journey of rice from rice paddies to store shelves, a starchy dust that coats the rice remains. This is...

    • Posted July 16, 2022
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  • When do Japan homeowners pay property taxes?

    A property tax is levied on homeowners regardless of which country you live in. Japan is no different. Property tax is made on a recurrent basis for a real estate property you own, also known as “fixed...

    • Posted November 15, 2021
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  • Siroca releases a new Microwave oven with a good defrosting control.

    If you have tried to thaw frozen meat straight from the freezer using a microwave oven, chances are parts of the meat came out half cooked and other parts  stayed raw because of uneven heating. Why does...

    • Posted November 8, 2021
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  • Butternut Squash Soup

    A hearty soup to try at home… On a cold autumn day, there’s nothing as soothing as a warm cup of delicious soup. You will fall in love with this super creamy butternut squash soup with an...

    • Posted October 28, 2021
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  • Take a break from social media and learn how to sew.

    Do you sew or mend your children’s clothes?  You might be balking at the idea but how does ¥5,000 for a hem repair sound? The cost of repair in Tokyo is expensive and would cost more than...

    • Posted August 23, 2021
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  • Feng Shui, Food and You

    Food is one of the great pleasures in life in addition to being a necessity. Nourishing ourselves on more than just the physical level is paramount to a satisfying life. In Feng Shui, anything to do with...

    • Posted July 28, 2021
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  • Skin irritation from prolonged mask wearing? Here’s a fix.

    While it it important to continue wearing a mask for protection against the COVID-19, prolonged masking can cause flare ups, acne, dermatitis, and other skin irritations known as “maskne“, warns dermatologists in Japan. Maskne is a portmanteau...

    • Posted July 21, 2021
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  • Anna Umemiya misses the greatest dad in the world.

    Although the life of model, tv personality and product endorser Anna Umemiya has been impacted by many important people, it is her father who truly had the greatest influence. Her equally famous father is no other than...

    • Posted June 18, 2021
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  • Japanese life hack products every resident should know.

    The kitchen is one of the dirtiest areas of the home so it needs to be cleaned as you go. If you spend much time cooking, washing dishes and looking after kids, then that leaves you less...

    • Posted July 2, 2020
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  • Apartment hunting? Avoid a rectangular layout. Here’s why.

    A powerful 9.1 m earthquake in March 2011 shook a rectangular shape building in Tokyo forcing people out. (Source: YouTube) A survey of 400 apartment renters by Glide, a moving company, reveals that 40% of respondents affected...

    • Posted June 9, 2020
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  • Feng Shui: The entrance to your home should be entrancing!

    Every part of your home reveals aspects of how you function in your outer and inner worlds.  Your entrance is particularly important as it represents your frame of mind as you enter new situations in your life....

    • Posted June 3, 2020
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  • How to make a delicious brewed coffee at home using Starbucks’ tips.

    A daily cup of coffee can help relieve stress caused by unprecedented challenges we are experiencing due to the outbreak. When you want to calm down the nerves and relax, coffee may not be the first thing...

    • Posted May 20, 2020
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  • What’s it like being a male trailing spouse.

    The classic definition of a trailing spouse is a wife who leaves home to join her husband on an overseas work assignment as an expat. As more female join the work force, traditional gender roles are gradually...

    • Posted May 13, 2020
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  • Common sense habits that keep viruses out of Japanese homes.

    In this time of coronavirus threat, the Japanese case numbers seem to be lower than the rest of the G7 countries. This may be routinely connected to common sense habits practiced in Japan. When you’re welcomed to...

    • Posted March 30, 2020
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  • Family meals: How long is curry safe to eat if it’s stored properly?

    Curry is one of the most commonly served dinner meals in Japan. Delicious, easy to prepare and also tastes better when not served right off the stove. So the practice for most families is to serve it...

    • Posted March 11, 2020
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  • My kid is having fun konmari-ing our smartphones.

    A KonMari consultant is advising people to declutter not just the house but also the apps on their phones. The KonMari method is a decluttering system of simplifying and organizing your home by getting rid of things...

    • Posted March 7, 2020
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