All posts by TF Tribe

  • Teaching old tricks to a new dog

    If you’re going to draw an animal, a dog is a good choice.  Human beings and dogs seem to be on friendly terms.  And if you’re going to draw a dog, a Japanese Shiba is a good...

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • Meet Abigail Terrien

    The TF tribe talks to a foreign mum who is trying to fill a need for eco-friendly alternatives  in Tokyo. Where is your family originally from and what brought you to Japan? We are a very international...

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • Towers at Kachidoki

    You need: City living, reasonable price range, high rise, waterfront, self-contained condominium for a couple starting a family.Solution: The Tokyo Towers at Kachidoki. Kachidoki  is an emerging livable area for families in the Chuo district in close...

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • High rise, low rise, family size

    The TF team toured  a number of high rise condominiums for rent in the city but many fell short of what expat family standards consider livable. Practical and functional design, awesome view are some of the basic...

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • Home Sweet Home

    In the past, the complexities of owning a dream home in Japan made it hard for most of us to even consider. Now as a result of present market conditions, whether buying a ready built house or...

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • Living in classic style!

    Azabu, the most popular upscale residential area in the Minato district, is home to many embassies and luxury apartments. Its walking distance to National Azabu and Meidi-Ya supermarkets that service the foreign community, hospitals, international school

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • Japan’s new lease on life

    Like me, perhaps your first glimpse of Japan was from the tiny window of a large 747 circling Narita sometime during or even well after the ‘90s.  From the air you saw lush green fields and woods,...

    • Posted April 29, 2009
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  • Stepping back

    When I lived in New York City years ago, I worked in a music studio at Brooklyn College, creating new kinds of music. But whenever I had the chance, I would go to the museums to look...

    • Posted March 30, 2009
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  • Mystical Miyajima

    An hour south of the city of Hiroshima, the tiny island of Miyajima sits majestically in a curve of Japan’s Inland Sea. Easily accessible as a day trip from Hiroshima or on a weekend away from Tokyo’s...

    • Posted March 30, 2009
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  • Roti

    Tokyo is oft referred to as a melting pot of culture. That pretty much defines the American brasserie style dishes that Roti is known for.  Named after a French word meaning “roasted,”  Roti is about authentic American...

    • Posted March 30, 2009
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  • The Scoop

    A glitzy fashion party complete with a runway show at the Ritz-Carlton was the setting when Tokyo’s younger socialites celebrated Christiana De Blank’s 7th birthday. Tokyo Families has the scoop from the front row.   On the...

    • Posted February 27, 2009
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  • Frugal fun

    Photo © Elena Derevstova Living as we do in one of the world’s most expensive cities can easily put a dent in the family’s budget. Don’t sink into doom and gloom – take stock of your situation...

    • Posted February 27, 2009
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  • It’s all about the people

    Husband and wife photography team, Geoff & Rebecca Letchford,  shed some light on their craft.  How did you get started with photography and design, respectively? Geoff: I originally was heavily involved in fashion and commercial photography. I...

    • Posted February 27, 2009
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  • Masterful molecules

      Some say that life’s joys can be found in the little things. The same goes for cuisine. Tapas Molecular Bar puts aside the concept of conventional dining in favor of a gastronomic trek. Award-winning chef Jeff...

    • Posted February 27, 2009
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  • Share the love

    APPLE CAKE For 6 servings   Ingredients • 4 good size apples • 180 grams sugar • 150 grams sifted flour • 100 grams melted butter • 3 eggs • 80 grams raisins • 50 grams pine...

    • Posted February 1, 2009
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  • On the move

    Uprooting and relocating again? Having that talk with your children about new schools again? What is the effect of such dramatic changes on kids’ education? Some of us worry that it may be confusing or disruptive to...

    • Posted February 1, 2009
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  • Classroom capers

    There was a time when international schools were predominantly the territory of foreign families living and working here. In recent years there have been dramatic changes. The increasing number of bi-cultural marriages are making International schools more...

    • Posted February 1, 2009
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  • Spelling conundrums

    How many people, children or adults, will discard a word when they are unsure of its spelling – in favour of an easier choice?  The English Language is so rich in its vocabulary that it would be...

    • Posted February 1, 2009
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  • Digital Eve: IT solutions with a feminine touch

    TF spoke to Chiharu Kawai, Media Coordinator for Digital EveTell us about Digital Eve.In June 2000, Digital Eve began when three women, Dana Jones, Diane Darling, and Judy Hawkins got together online to talk about starting a...

    • Posted December 25, 2008
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  • OBIKA: Food fusioning

    Silvio Ursini of the famed Bulgari was recently in Japan to inaugurate the opening of the much-talked-about Obika, the 10th addition to his chain of Mozarella bars worldwide.    How did the mozzarella concept come about?Well, I’ve had...

    • Posted December 25, 2008
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  • Big Wednesday, Thursday, Friday…

    Photo © Elena Derevstova It‘s seven in the morning, the temperature is a measly 2 degrees and we are sporting swimming costumes. Admittedly our costumes are under several layers of fleeces and tracksuit bottoms. We are off...

    • Posted December 25, 2008
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  • Don’t knock the mock!

      The Oedo Onsen, Monogatari in Odaiba is one of the must-dos, lauded in guide books as a shining example of the eccentricities of Japan. Put your tourist trap prejudices aside and give the family a break....

    • Posted December 25, 2008
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  • Long haul comfort the AA way

    Need to get to Los Angeles for some timely business, or are you considering taking your family on a hop across the pond for some well-earned time off? Then why not try American Airlines (AA) latest ‘New...

    • Posted December 25, 2008
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  • Learning to ski – Annie’s way

    Do you want your children to learn how to ski or snowboard, so winter vacations are fun for the whole family?  Then look no further than Kiroro’s Annie Kids Ski Academy (AKSA), located in the world-class snowy...

    • Posted December 25, 2008
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  • Family fun on the slopes of Hokkaido

    Racing to fame at the age of 23, Annie Famose captured a silver and bronze medal in both the Woman’s Giant Slalom and the Woman’s Slalom events during the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Retiring from...

    • Posted November 29, 2008
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  • Seasonal delights

    It’s holiday season. The candles are lit, a beautifully decorated table glittering with silver, glass and crackers awaits. Why not try some delicious alternatives to the traditional bird and pudding? Meat loaf fit for kings A traditional...

    • Posted November 29, 2008
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  • Yo ho ho!

    Traditions are fuzzy in our adopted country whether it’s a holy day or merely a holiday, you’ll find yourself surrounded by Christmas cakes topped with strawberries and hopeful lovers walking awkwardly hand in hand. Even our man...

    • Posted November 29, 2008
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  • Winter warmers

    Usually Japanese winters last from December through February, and while not as harsh or bitter as some Western winters, the cold can still creep into your bones. There are of course a myriad of possibilities to keep...

    • Posted November 29, 2008
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  • The way forward: prediction, karma, and happiness

    What brought you to Japan? Destiny brought me here.   Why should we pay attention to Astrology? Astrology reveals the characteristics of an individual: his positive and negative traits, successes and failures, position and status, chances of...

    • Posted November 4, 2008
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  • 100% Hip City

    We all know Tokyo is hip but Tokyo Designer’s Week kicks off at the end of October to make sure we don’t forget. Now in its 23rd year, the event is a mecca for designers from around...

    • Posted November 4, 2008
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