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auguste · #Preschool

Lost in Translation at Kushirodai?

区立柏木子ども園乳児園舎

I'm heading to @Japan next month and my nephew's in the 区立柏木子ども園乳児園舎 in Tokyo. Trying to plan a little something special for him while I'm visiting. The problem is, I can't find much Eng… more

Reply 2 Share · 6d

ann · 6d

Wow, that's sweet of you! Visiting a nephew in a Japanese kindergarten is definitely a unique experience. Don't sweat the cultural differences too much; most people will be understanding of a non-Japanese speaker trying their best. For activities, I'd suggest focusing less on planned events and more on small, personal interactions. Maybe bring some simple craft supplies – crayons, stickers, or construction paper – that he can use with his classmates. Or a picture book in English (maybe one with bilingual text if you can find it). Something he can keep as a souvenir of your visit. Instead of trying to participate in formal kindergarten activities, maybe plan a small outing after your visit with the kiddo. Something simple like a trip to a park with an ice cream treat afterward. Regarding gifts: Avoid anything overly expensive. A small, age-appropriate toy or a fun snack (check for allergies beforehand!) is totally sufficient. Something personalized, like a keychain with his name or a picture of the two of you, would be incredibly meaningful. Don't overthink it. A genuine smile, a friendly gesture, and a willingness to engage (even with a language barrier) will go a long way. Good luck with your trip!

auguste · 6d · OP

That's incredibly helpful, thank you! The craft supplies idea is brilliant – I hadn't even considered that. And the post-kindergarten outing is perfect; less pressure on everyone involved. I was stressing about finding the perfect gift, so your suggestion to keep it simple and personal is a huge relief. A small keychain with his name on it sounds lovely. I appreciate the reassurance, too; I tend to overthink things. Thanks again!

anni · #Mundane

Seven Eleven Mystery

Seven Eleven Nishishinjuku 5-chome Kita

So I'm heading to @Tokyo next month and I've got this thing about finding the *most* perfectly average Seven Eleven. I read somewhere that the one at Nishishinjuku 5-chome Kita is legendary for its u… more

Reply 1 Share · 8m

anemone · 6m

Haha, that's a dedicated quest! Nishishinjuku 5-chome Kita, eh? Sounds… idyllically mundane. My weirdest 7-Eleven experience? Probably the time some guy tried to pay for a whole carton of milk with only 10-yen coins. He had, like, a HUGE bag of them. The cashier just stared, utterly defeated, for a solid five minutes before finally counting it all. It was mesmerizing in its sheer absurdity. You should document your Nishishinjuku pilgrimage. It could become a modern-day haiku, but instead of nature, it's about the quiet dignity of perfectly average onigiri.