There’s been a lot of noise lately about cycling rules in Japan, especially since stricter enforcement and new penalties started on April 1, 2026. 
Let's talk through what’s actually going on, and why so many people (cyclists and drivers) are feeling confused and anxious about it. 
This isn’t a rant, and it’s definitely not legal advice. It’s just me sharing my thoughts as someone who uses a bike almost every day, trying to make sense of rules that seem clear in isolation but complicated in real life.

• If you live in Japan, how are you feeling about these changes?
• If you’re overseas, how are cycling rules handled where you live?
• Do you feel education and awareness are prioritized over punishment?

Thanks for listening, and thanks for having a coffee with me ☕ I’ll catch you at the next video. Bye for now!


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In this episode, I talk about my child’s elementary school graduation in Japan and how different it was compared to my own upbringing in Australia.
From the structure and seriousness of the ceremony to reflecting on how school life began during the pandemic, this was a surprisingly emotional experience for me as a parent. And as always, I also share today’s Japanese Word of the Day at the end.

0:00 Intro 
0:25 Attending a Japanese Elementary School Graduation
0:52 A Stark Contrast with an Australian Upbringing
1:15 Reflections on the Seriousness of Japanese Schooling
2:04 This Class Growing Up During COVID
3:06 Life with Restrictions (Masks, No Sports or Swimming)
3:50 Relief Watching the Kids Thrive Again
4:19 Word of the Day

Thanks for listening and supporting the Ohazassu channel!

============== Ohazassu Links ==============
Website: https://www.ohazassu.com
X: https://x.com/ohazassu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohazassu/

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What’s it actually like to live in Nagoya long‑term?
In today’s video I take you on a walking tour through Nagoya Station, Fushimi, Sakae, Yabachō, and Ōsu. At the end, I share my honest pros and cons after living here for almost 14 years. Nagoya often gets misunderstood because it’s ranked as Japan’s 3rd or 4th biggest city, but the reality is… it’s a totally different vibe from Tokyo or Osaka.

This is a long video, so I've decided to provide you with a comprehensive chapter list, enabling you to jump right to what you need. Of course, if time allows, I highly recommend watching the entire video to gain as much info as possible. As you'll see, I have a lot to say 😄

==Quick walk-around tour of Nagoya City==
00:58 Nagoya Station Tour & Surrounding Landmarks
03:59 Walking to Fushimi
07:37 Fushimi Area & Science Museum
13:19 Sakae Shopping District & TV Tower
18:24 Oasis 21 & Nearby Art/Museum Spots
23:17 Yabachō to Ōsu... Shops, Food & Street Scenes
27:08 Ōsu Shotengai
36:58 Ōsu Kannon Temple

==Answering your questions==
38:40 Q&A + Pros & Cons of Living in Nagoya
39:24 Cultural Differences
40:23 Dialect
42:19 Lifestyle
46:17 Cost of Living
50:44 Fun Areas
53:54 Residential Areas
1:00:45 What Are the People Like?
1:07:22 Anything Unique About Nagoya?
1:11:38 Waste & Recycling
1:12:06 Random Tips
1:14:31 Cool Events
1:17:12 Pros & Cons of Living in Nagoya
1:32:24 Word of the Day

Whether you’re planning to move here, thinking about visiting, or just curious about daily life in Japan, I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what Nagoya is really like. 

============== Ohazassu Links ==============
Website: https://www.ohazassu.com
X: https://x.com/ohazassu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohazassu/

============= External Links =============
Sanseido Book Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/98rFGDRF5b689NPB9

Daiichi Ameyoko Biru
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mLm1aVTg2L6KanPR9

Official City of Nagoya Flood Hazard Maps (if this link ever breaks, search for 名古屋市洪水ハザードマップ)
https://www.city.nagoya.jp/bousaiportal/hazardmap/1035122/index.html

Nagoya International Center (NIC) (completely underrated support organization for foreign residents)
https://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/

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I've been doing a lot of Japanese language content lately, so it's time to talk about a coffee and upcoming video ideas.

Join me for a cuppa or two, and please forgive my hay fever. It's really quite bad this year. Worst ever! 

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Struggling with the JLPT reading section? I was always failing the reading section in my practice tests, but I did something that helped me pass both N1 and N2 on my first try.

Improving my reading speed also made a huge difference in real workplace situations here in Japan.

If you’re aiming for N1 or N2, or planning to work in Japan, I hope this helps you stay motivated and improves your reading confidence. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!

============== Ohazassu Links ==============
Website: https://www.ohazassu.com
X: https://x.com/ohazassu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohazassu/

============= External Links =============
Book recommendation 👇 上級学習者のための日本語読解ワークブック https://book.alc.co.jp/book/b10029471.html

https://youtu.be/uxggTmmmce4?si=126j1DnpNlUZt2GH
https://youtu.be/N_jG0zlG4g4?si=hOo4l5D75iCgGkil

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How much Japanese do you actually need to live in Japan? After 13 years here, I’ve realized the answer is very different from what textbooks and online debates claim.

If you’re learning Japanese, or thinking about moving to Japan, I hope this episode takes some pressure off and gives you a clearer path forward.

============== Ohazassu Links ==============
Website: https://www.ohazassu.com
X: https://x.com/ohazassu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohazassu/

============= External Links =============
 • Zipf’s Law (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipf%27s_law

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Living in Japan can be an incredible, challenging, confusing, and deeply rewarding experience.

After 13 years in Nagoya (and my first stay over 25 years ago in Osaka), I’ve learned one thing: your mindset matters more than anything else.

In today’s video, I share some factors that have influenced how I perceive Japan, from language ability to open‑mindedness to one of my favorite Japanese concepts: 守破離 (shuhari) — the journey from following rules → learning how to bend them → eventually innovating on your own.

For the first time, I also talk about something I’ve quietly observed. Japan often judges effort and improvement, not absolute ability. It’s a different way of looking at people.

Whether you’re thinking of moving to Japan, already live here, or are just curious about the culture, I hope this video gives you something real to reflect on.

And stick around for the Word of the Day at the end, today’s word is a good one.

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Ever wondered why Japan never feels “ordinary,” even after years of living here? In this episode, I share my personal reflections on what keeps life in Japan fascinating, 13 years after moving here. From the concept of home shifting over time, to the addictive curiosity that Japan sparks, and even why the bullet train still makes me giddy, this is a deep dive into why Japan gets its hooks into you and never lets go.

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Hisabisa の impromptu episode. 

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Think you know basic Japanese? Think again!

In this video, I share real Japanese words that even kids use every day, but you’ll never find them in your textbook or classroom lessons!

==============
Ohazassu Links
==============
Website: https://www.ohazassu.com
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