Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog. I am bellelene, the author of this blog. I write mostly about my daily life in Japan and sometimes about my trips abroad. Have a look around, I am pretty sure you will find something of your liking -or okonomi as they say in Japanese.
I’ve been curating this page since 2014, a long time ago, and along the way both the topics, the audience and my goals have changed. For the time being, life in Japan is in focus. Considering that Japan’s borders remain tightly closed for the past two years, the internet might be your only opportunity to enjoy Japan. This blog aims to provide a raw view of the country ‘as is’, under the scrutiny of a local who has lived in Tokyo for 5 years already. All pictures and content are original, produced by me.
I try my best to upload one long format article every week. Usually, I alternate between languages, which means an English article comes out once every second week. In order to keep up with all new posts, you can follow this blog or my page on Facebook. Additionally, I post daily on my Instagram, with completely different content. While the captions are in Greek, the pictures are still worth it, I think. Plus, you can view a ton of unedited stories and footage from daily life in Japan. Take note of your favourite spots, in order to visit them on your next trip.
As you have probably already noticed, I use two languages to write articles, namely English and Greek. The most important articles are collected under the tag featured. Read the most recent posts at the main page, search a specific keyword at the search bar or feel free to look into detail in some of the selected categories below. English articles are available in categories Japan and On the road. In category Japan you can read topics of the subcategories City life, Culture, Daytrips, Festivals, Hiking, Roadtrips, History and Rants. Additionally, there are two important links, one with a map of suggested locations in Japan and one with notes about a pleasant stay. You can also try reading or viewing the pictures inside articles in Greek. In my opinion, the ‘translate page’ feature of google translate does a pretty good job with Greek->English text.
If you like what you read, please comment or share it with your friends. You can always reach me via various means of contact. I appreciate all kinds of feedback! Happy reading and I hope to see you around!
Posts about Japan in Category “Japan“
Shibazakura: Mt Fuji’s flowering carpet
Let’s imagine that you just got to Japan in May and all the cherry blossoms are gone by now, swept by the spring rains. What can you do to add a bit of pink in your life? If you are around Tokyo, you still have time to visit Mt Fuji’s shiba-zakura.
Hiking in Shizuoka: The haunting Mt Amagi and Hatcho pond
The location where it all happend; where my Brazilian friend who knows no samba tried to teach me samba.
The town of rice and dreams
This time of the year, a few years back, I found myself in the tiny town of Kakuda, staying at the home of a proper Japanese family. This homestay experience aimed to foster stronger connections between the Japanese countryside and international students. Homestay is reappearing now as a choice for solo travelers seeking cultural immersion.…
2023 recap: the posts you enjoyed most
As we wrap up another incredible year on belleelene, I find myself reflecting on a journey filled with peaks conquered, countries explored, and new beginnings embraced.
For those who want to keep it short
Info Bites: Sake balls
[GR] Έχετε αναρωτηθεί ποτέ πώς ξεχωρίζει κανείς το φρέσκο σάκε;
[EN] Have you ever wondered how one can tell the difference between fresh and dated Japanese sake?
Info Bites: Zoshigaya Cemetery
[GR] Αποφάσισα να περάσω μια βόλτα από το σημαντικότερο νεκροταφείο του Τόκιο, το Ζοσιγκάγια Ρέιεν . [EN] I decided to visit the most important cemetery of Tokyo, Zoshigaya Reien.
Info Bites: Kawasaki Warehouse
[GR] Σήμερα θα σας μιλήσω για το καλύτερο μαγαζί με παιχνίδια (arcade) που δεν υπάρχει πια. [EN] Today I’m going to talk to you about the best arcade game center that exists no more.
Info Bites: Sushi restaurants
[GR] Που λέτε, το πιο εξαιρετικό σούσι το έχω φάει σε τοσοδούλικα συνοικιακά καταστήματα σε τυχαία μέρη της πόλης. [EN] The best sushi I’ve ever eaten in my life can be found in small neighborhood shops at random locations in the city.
Posts about mountain hikes in Category “hiking“
Exploring Fukushima: Goshikinuma Ponds
If you are stranded somewhere in Aizu and Fukushima, with no strength left but to drag your feet, I’m here with a hiking suggestion for beginners. Follow the trail around the rainbow lakes of Fukushima and learn more about the Japanese gods. Keep in mind that this the perfect excursion for mid-June, when lush greenery…
Day Hike from Tokyo: Mt Takatori, Mt Nenbutsu and Mt Azuma
Let’s say you are tired of people and would like to find a serene route to retreat to. If that’s the case, then Mt. Takatori (高取山) at Hadano in Kanagawa is an ideal option.
Day Hike from Tokyo: Lake Okutama
I’ll be soon running out of hikes, so it’s back to basics. After numerous failed attempts to reach lake Okutama (I always got distracted and followed a different path), I finally made it!
Day Hike from Tokyo: Rokkokutoge to Kamakura
Ok, so it snowed again in Tokyo this week, plus it’s Ume blossom season and you don’t feel like walking much. You’d much rather find a nice viewpoint to have a picnic and some drinks, preferably relatively close to the sea. Alright, I’ve got you covered. Today we are going to traverse Miura peninsula, from…
Posts about mountain hikes in Category “Roadtrips“
Roadtrip in Okinawa: Nago
The north of Okinawa is wild, inaccessible and lonely. The last of the three kingdoms included the peninsula of Yanbaru. Today we’ll see pineapples, jungles and a little bit of Karate Kid.
Roadtrip to Narai-juku in Nagano
As the holiday of Culture Day draws near, every year without fail, I’m planning a road trip. And every year, without fail, the planning is going to be so last minute that the most accessible destination from Tokyo is going to be the same: Nagano prefecture. Starting backward, I’m going to describe my latest trip,…
Roadtrip to Hokkaido: The stinky valley (Pt. 3)
A surprise to no one, it seems like Hokkaido’s north is pretty cold, even when judging from spring’s average weather. That’s why, it is time to head to the south, where belated hanami blossoming (compared to the rest of the country) awaits. The first stop is Noboribetsu (登別), which with your new-found Ainu vocabulary skills…
Roadtrip to Hokkaido: All is white (Pt. 2)
At the end of last post, we left lake Akan to head towards Biei, which presents itself as ‘the most beautiful village in Japan’. tldr; it may well be, but I visited in the wrong season. Nevertheless, despite being known mainly as a hot photo spot for the seemingly infinite flowering fields, there are plenty…
Posts about General travel abroad in Category “Culture“
Visit Engakuji: Autumn in Kamakura
Koyo season is upon us, and probably the best location around Kamakura to marvel at the beauty of autumn leaves is the quiet temple of Engakuji (円覚寺). Today, we’ll stroll around the temple complex and discuss some of the history of the Shogunate of Kamakura and Zen Buddhism.
The Gundam Moves!
In Japan, early spring is the best time of the year to move around, since it’s the only period of the year that the sky is clear from clouds and rain. The highlight of the season is obviously the cherry blossoms, but what to do if they haven’t bloomed yet? You go to the Gundam…
The hidden Japanese art of Onsen
What my years in Japan have taught me is that after a tiring hike, there is always a hot spring at the foot of the mountain to relax and freshen up. The abundance of volcanoes in the country is related to the numerous natural hot springs all over the country. And the Japanese people make…
Omiyage, meibutsu; there’s a bit of everything
I am pretty sure that everyone knows what a souvenir is. Do you happen to know what an omiyage is? Omiyage (お土産) is basically the japanese version of a souvenir. Traditionally, when someone from work or the lab goes on a trip, regardless if it is for business purposes or casual vacation, it is common…
Posts about General travel abroad in Category “On the road“
Hiking in Greece: Herode’s villa at Loukou and the ancient Thyrea
Approximately a 2-hours drive from Athens, lies the small town of Astros. It is a seaside resort, especially for Athenians and folks from nearby landlocked cities. This trend isn’t new; even back in the Hellenistic era, wealthy Athenians knew a good thing when they saw it. They’d escape here to build their summer retreats and…
Hiking in Greece: The many gorges of Samothraki
Last summer, I had the most amazing summer vacation experience: no electricity, no water, no cash, no internet, no mobile phone and wildfires. But who needs all these when you are free camping at the lush green Samothraki?
Hiking in Greece: Hermes playground at Mt Ziria
The Ziria mountain range is home to the second tallest peak of the Peloponnese. Taygetus is first, Ziria (or Cyllene or Kyllini) is close second. The Pleiad nymph Taygete resides in Taygetus, the Pleiad nymph Maia resides in Ziria. A few more peaks around the Peloponnese and you will master the entire Greek mythology.
「書かれざる」アグラファ山脈
この頃、毎週日曜日をハイキングの神様に捧げることにしている。最近、偶然にも面白いハイキング仲間に出会い、一緒に素晴らしいーまだぼんやりとしたー思い出でいっぱいの週末を過ごした。一緒にアグラファ（Agrafa）山脈の「書かれざる」領域を冒険しよう（もう誰かこのダジャレを考えたかな？）。
Read the article in GreeceJapan.com
Random rants in Category “Rants“
Year in Review 2020 a.k.a. how I lived through covid19 in Japan
[Feature photo: Robo-dinosaurs serving as receptionists in Henna hotel in Osaka] I still remember the day that people around me in Tokyo started feeling anxious about the then new covid19. All eyes were set on Asia and Europe was still quiet. On the 25th of February we were preparing to set off for a trip…
Tokyo: A house in the city
The other day, I asked a girl why balconies and doorsteps in Tokyo do not have any kind of illumination source most of the time. She responded that the basic concept is that you are out at work the whole day and when you return you draw the curtains, turn off the lights and stay…
Hiring paperwork highlights in Japan
Recently, I had to be re-hired from a Japanese company i have been working with as a part-timer for three years. All this time, my employment was handled stress-free through a dispatch company – for a hefty amount from the employer’s side. Apparently, in Japan there is regulation mandating that one is not allowed to…
Should I go study in Japan?
Usually, people decide to pursue graduate studies in another university or even another country rather than the one that they obtained their bachelor degree from. For many, Japan seems like an ideal choice; an opportunity to live in the orient without the pressure of work. Especially now that European institutions are highly competitive and with…
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