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

History, housing, harmonies: Tokyo-based artist Melos Han-Tani draws inspiration from the everyday for his games, music and writing. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/12/our-lives/melos-han-tani-game-designer/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #videogames #gaming #composer #music

A little patience will go a long way with 5-year-old Cymbal, a shy cat with distinctive markings that was rescued earlier this year. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/09/our-lives/adoption-cats-cymbal/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #catsforadoption

Meet Jon Heese, the Saskatchewan native who has remained staunchly independent throughout his career in Japanese domestic politics. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/08/our-lives/jon-heese-ibaraki-politician/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #ibaraki #localgovernment #canada