Ai Faithy Perez
Ai was born and raised in Japan but speaks Japanese as a second language. She loves photography, singing, cooking, and traveling.
Articles By Ai Faithy
All You Need to Know About Japanese Cherry Blossoms
“Sakura, sakura, ima saki hokuru” (桜、桜、今咲き誇る; cherry blossom, now you are in full bloom) sang Naotaro Moriyama, son of the gorgeous Japanese folk and Jazz...
March 31, 2016 | Lifestyle
Hinamatsuri: A Japanese Girls’ Day Celebration
As a small child, I thought that Japanese Girls' Day or Dolls' Day, hinamatsuri (ひな祭りor 雛祭り), was actually called Princess Day, as the Japanese...
February 18, 2016 | Lifestyle
Celebrate New Year’s in Japan Like a Local
Every New Year season in Japan, you will hear people say “akemashite omedeto gozaimasu” (明けましておめでとうございます, literally, opening congratulations). It’s a mouthful to say, but thankfully...
December 30, 2015 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle
See Tokyo with an Underground Mystery Game
If you ever wanted to be Sherlock when you were a child, this is your chance. The Underground Mysteries by Scrap Corporation is a treasure...
December 2, 2015 | Lifestyle
All You Need to Know About Christmas Shopping in Tokyo
It’s started. Halloween has come and gone and Christmas decorations and signs went up almost overnight, like Santa Clause was coming to town early. My...
November 26, 2015 | Lifestyle
The Complicated Rituals of Japanese Funerals
Last month, I wrote “Pay Attention to the ‘Emergency’ Kanji,” in which my darling partner mistook the “let the parcel man in” button for the...
October 21, 2015 | Lifestyle
An Elegant Gourmet Experience at Chez Taka, Higashi Azabu
If I had to describe my food experience at Chez Taka in just two words, it would be elegantly sumptuous. Nestled in the quiet neighborhood...
September 11, 2015 | Food & Drink
Pay Attention to the “Emergency” Kanji
Early on a Sunday morning, I was rudely jolted out of my peaceful sleep by raging sirens. My lovely, unable-to-read-difficult-kanji partner had pressed the emergency...
September 9, 2015 | Lifestyle
Obon: Japan’s Halloween
If you’ve been in Japan for a while, you may have heard the word obon floating around during these excruciatingly hot summer months. Obon (お盆)...
August 12, 2015 | Lifestyle
The Weird and Wonderful World of Japanese Street Food
Summer is around the corner. I can feel it on my skin. The hot, heavy air; the gentle sizzle you feel on your shoulders when...
June 24, 2015 | Lifestyle
Authentic Afghan Cuisine at Pao Caravan Sarai, Higashi Nakano
I love traveling. And what’s more, I love eating. Even though I make it overseas once or twice a year, globetrotting on a stuff-my-face quest...
February 13, 2015 | Food & Drink