Inspiration, innovation and identity — our 20 Questions interviewees had lots to say about their chosen careers and the paths that led them here in 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/27/our-lives/2025-end-of-year-20-questions-wrap/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #livinginjapan #womensissues #japanesecrafts #shinto #anime #mixedrelationships #2025inreview
Weighing in at only 3 kilograms, this petite cat has a sweet aura and even a whiff of magic about her. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/18/our-lives/adoption-cats-emery/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives
A Tokyo-based pastor from California preaches tolerance and inclusivity and muses on history, coffee and vinyl records. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/12/our-lives/pastor-hector-herrera-tokyo-union-church/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #christmas #religion #expats #vinyl #coffee #spirituality
This handsome young dog, weighing in at 15 kilograms, will bring a warm and friendly presence to any household. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/04/our-lives/adoption-dogs-naruto/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #dogsforadoption
Hand-poured candles, a mountainside town in Hokkaido and a love story that began on a British Columbia farm. North Candles isn’t just a brand, it’s a whole life that Alex and Mami St-Jean built from scratch. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/28/our-lives/north-candles-alex-mami-st-jean/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #hokkaido #expats #smallbusinesses #canada #mixedrelationships
After an adjustment period, Kalimba has been showing her sweet and playful side. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/25/our-lives/adoption-cats-kalimba/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #catsforadoption
Meet the kebab man of Kawasaki who is serving up Turkish grilled meats to eager customers from his red food truck. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/21/our-lives/bilo-kebab-turkish-food-truck/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #kawasaki #kanagawa #turkishcuisine #foodtruck
With a wellspring of affection for everyone she encounters, this 11-year-old dog will surely light up your life. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/19/our-lives/adoption-dogs-omochi/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #dogsforadoption
Proving himself to be an invaluable companion, the 16-year-old tuxedo cat has been resettled for good in his foster home. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/12/our-lives/bach-rehome/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #successfuladoptions
One man's trash is another man's art — meet the Tsukuba-based British artist crafting intricate sculptures out of aluminum cans. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/08/our-lives/jon-homewood-tsukuba-artist/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #artists #waste #tsukuba #ibarakiprefecture
Since being taken off the streets in poor physical condition, 11-year-old Genmai has regained considerable vitality. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/30/our-lives/adoption-dogs-genmai/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #dogsforadoption
The first non-Japanese Shinto priest recognized by an official association talks about the past, present and future of his spiritual journey — and some of his favorite foods. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/24/our-lives/florian-wiltschko-shinto-priest/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #shinto #shintoism #expats #mieprefecture #spirituality #hayaomiyazaki
After a life on the streets, Jimena is learning to adapt to her new environment and appreciates having a feline friend to help her through. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/22/our-lives/adoption-cats-jimena/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #catsforadoption
Nagoya radio host Chris Glenn will make history this month as the first non-Japanese to play Oda Nobunaga in the city’s annual samurai parade. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/17/our-lives/chris-glenn-oda-nobunaga/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #odanobunaga #shogun #samurai #nagoya #expats
An Indian woman in Japan is blazing trails in the workplace and on the cricket field, pursuing her passions and finding her balance. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/09/our-lives/shrunali-ranade-cricket-engineering/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #indiancommunity #engineering #engineers #cricket #womenssports
Ten-year-old Thales, named after a Greek philosopher, is decidedly unserious and will make an energetic companion for the right household. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/10/07/our-lives/adoption-dogs-thales/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #dogsforadoption
Believed to be around 3 years old, Kashata is a shy fellow in need of some love and attention. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/30/our-lives/adoption-cats-kashata/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #catsforadoption
After a long career in preschool education, Australian Linda Joyce is now taking up sustainable tourism as a bilingual concierge in rural Tochigi Prefecture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/25/our-lives/linda-joyce-tochigi-tourism/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #tochigiprefecture #tourism #overtourism #sustainabletourism #hotels #rurallife
Three-year-old Bronte has remained a happy-go-lucky fellow despite the adverse conditions of his upbringing. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/24/our-lives/adoption-dogs-bronte/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #dogsforadoption
She left Lima with a Japanese surname, but in Japan she was still treated as a foreigner. Sandra Takayama’s journey captures the challenges — and resilience — of the Peruvian Nikkei community. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/22/our-lives/japan-peru-history-immigration/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #peru #wwii #nikkei #perujapanrelations