Being a Dad in Japan

It’s truly magical to see your children get together with your relatives’ children and they just click. Both sides know relatively nothing about each other. They meet in the afternoon for the first time or years since they last saw each other and by bedtime (which is absurdly late of course) they want to share…

Each day after daycare the ritual of deciding which park to go begins. Sometimes a stone’s throw away. Other times, kilometers away. With our bicycles loaded with backpacks, today’s crafts from daycare, 1, 2, or 3 children, and outdoor sporting goods, it’s a wonder that we can go anywhere more than 100 meters away. That…

Trips big or small, it pays to have your packing list set right. Especially when you have kids. Things always end up last minute and in a panic just before launch. I haven’t forgotten a child at home, yet. Hoping not to pull a Home Alone on my children anytime soon and that’s why for…

I’ve used the Times car-sharing service for a number of years now. Times has the biggest network of stations (12,000+) and cars (27,000+) with the largest number of drivers (1.3m+) in Japan. I haven’t had any desire to purchase a car while living in Tokyo thanks to the amazing public transport and the vast network…

Zipping over the snow with my son was a dream come true. Being on the slopes together was a long time coming. Age, viruses, and life had thrown up enough barriers over the years that I hadn’t been sure when we’d get in a trip. Finally, a break in the storm of life had emerged…

The fear and worry in her eyes is understandable. Her most beloved people in this world are all going on a trip. It’s not without risk, hence the worry. I empathize. I also recoil. It feels like I’m doing something wrong and doubt creeps in. I reassure her everything will be alright, but how do…

For a year, my middle son has been going to a half-day of daycare. He’ll be returning to full-day daycare when I transition back to work in the coming month. It’s bittersweet to know that our time with this circle of friends is coming to a close. We say we’ll meet on the weekends, we’ll…

Four 2-year olds or younger are running around the house. The moms are all gathered in our living room on the floor laying out the plans for next year’s PTA activities. My toddler has spotted me from across the room and waddles over going “mam yam mam”. It’s a tad before noon and he’s hungry.…

You wiggle your toes in your socks. You can feel the dust just stuck there. You know it was a good day. Parks in Tokyo, Japan have a lot of bare dirt in them. It must be an American Midwest thing, but I’m used to a lot more grass. Winter in Japan is bone dry.…

Why can’t anyone but Mario get the star and become invincible? My son posed this question to me today. He’s never played Super Mario Brothers, we just happen to have a Mario-themed Uno deck. The star is featured on one of the cards and we got to talking. I wish I had a better answer…

Our go-to to go food for parks. Tamago-yaki. Mix an egg or two with some salt and sugar and some veggies like spinach for good measure. Use the special rectangular tamago-yaki fry pan that gives you a great way to pan fry, roll, fry, roll and repeat until you get a baumkuchen looking omelet. Slice…

The boys can’t wait to go to the dentist. A tradition that started with my eldest son several years ago. Now, I shuttle two, eager boys several stations away every couple of months to get their teeth checked and cleaned. Their dentist has gone all-in on catering to children. Lego and Playmobile figures are arranged…

On the way to daycare each day, we pass by a house that lights up my son’s eyes and imagination every day. On the front of the house, perched on the second-floor balcony is an owl statue that makes me do a double take every time. That, however, is just a teaser for what lies…

Japan never experienced a lockdown like other countries. There was a period in the spring of 2020 when kids couldn’t go to daycare or school. Days were spent working in the parking lot under the maple trees while the kids ran around. Despite the time in the shade and sunshine, I wasn’t moving. Too much…

We fear what we don’t understand. Like my wife’s voice coming from the wall-mounted intercom in our shower. My toddler will be having a grand old time splashing around in the bath, smile ear to ear, and then the voice appears. The immediate spin of his head to face the source, his eyes going wide,…

It’s taco night and the kids are all helping to cook and prep. The toddler, kindergartner, and first-grader. While it’s tortillas, guacamole, and fillings on the menu, it’s a lesson in learning to trust my children that’s being served. We’re making tortillas again thanks to the simple recipe in The Taco Tuesday Cookbook. Both of…

PTA work on the horizon. This is for the daycare and not the elementary school, so not as intense! I know I’m already going to be overwhelmed working full time again. Not looking forward to adding more stuff on top. A lot of the regular meetings are also held during work hours. Not so realistic…

I never played in a caged park until I came to Japan. Or had kids. Something like this would be unthinkable in the Midwest of the US. Big open areas are a specialty of that region. Why box anything in? I’ve discovered, however, that there are some nice advantages to having a caged play area.…

It was his first time outside the boundaries of our home in two weeks. Should he use the scooter? His bike? Walk? He got his sweater on, pulled his cap on, and fitted his mask into place without skipping a beat. All the muscle memory spring back to life so quickly. But the light in…

Even after we have all this technology to aggregate everything, it still pays to visit individual car rental websites in Japan to look for the best deals. I want it to be so much easier than it is. And please, let me put in my full name. Last names can be more than five characters.…