Marie Borgers, Author at VOYAPON

Marie Borgers

Originaire de Paris, je suis arrivée au Japon début 2020 pour m'installer à Nagoya. Si chaque voyage suscite un parfum distinct, les modes de vie aux antipodes des nôtres me fascinent, et l'histoire me passionne. Je vibre tout particulièrement dans les sites religieux. J'aime ces chocs culturels qui bousculent nos habitudes et nos visions du monde, et nous bouleversent en profondeur.

17 articles

Articles by Marie Borgers

Moshi Moshi: How to Answer Your Phone in Japanese

June 6, 2025 Communication, Culture, Etiquette, Language

Answering the phone in Japan isn’t just about picking up the receiver and saying hello. Just like in face-to-face communication, Japanese phone etiquette follows a strict set of rules rooted in politeness and social hierarchy. You will often hear keigo...

Two girls dressing the Seijin Shiki kimono in Japan

What is the Legal Age of Adulthood in Japan?

May 9, 2025 Culture, First Time in Japan, Nightlife, Sake & Alcohol, Time & Holidays

Japan is a country known for its traditions, but in recent years, it has made significant legal changes, especially when it comes to the legal age of adulthood. If you're wondering at what age someone is considered a legal adult...

Japan Time Zones and Why the Country Doesn’t Have Daylight Savings

April 25, 2025 Language, Time & Holidays

If you're planning a trip to Japan, doing business with Japanese partners, or simply curious about the current time in Japan, you're probably wondering: What time is it in Japan, the land of the rising sun? Understanding Japan’s time zone...

How to Say Yes and No in Japanese

March 13, 2025 Culture, Etiquette, First Time in Japan, Language

In Japanese, saying "yes" isn’t always simple — there are multiple expressions depending on politeness, context, and relationships. Similarly, while a word for "no" exists, direct refusals are often avoided in favor of subtle, indirect responses. This cultural nuance can...

sculpture made from trash collected from the sea on ojika island

Plastic Culture in Japan: Challenges, Selective Sorting, and New Recycling Management Solutions

February 19, 2025 Convenience Stores, Costs, Culture, Saving Tips, Supermarkets, Sweets, Vending Machines

Japan is a consumer-driven country where shopping is everywhere — from supermarkets and department stores to 24-hour convenience stores. Excess packaging is common, making plastic-free shopping a challenge and leading to rapid waste accumulation. Amid this plastic overload, we explore...

What is the Minimum Wage in Japan?

April 25, 2022 Costs, Money, Saving Tips, Work Visa

In Japan, wage policies and minimum wage are decided at both government and local levels. In recent years, we've seen wage policies evolve according to the changing economic context. After seeing a gradual rise in the minimum wage from 2015...

How to Count in Japanese Numbers

September 13, 2021 Culture, First Time in Japan, Language

In everyday life in Japan, Arabic numerals (1,2,3...) are widely used, but each number still has its own Kanji character and a counting system unique to the country. Learn what makes numbers in Japanese so fascinating and learn a new...

Nakajima Island, Lake Kussharo, Islands in Japan

How Many Islands Are There in Japan?

August 20, 2021 Beaches & Islands, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Mountains, National Parks, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Shikoku, Volcanoes 2 Comments

The famous "Japanese Archipelago" periphrase speaks volumes about the country's geography. Apart from the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, Japan is made up of countless islands and islets of various areas, manned and unmanned. The main island,...

The Best Free Japanese Translation Websites and Apps to Use

July 27, 2021 Communication, First Time in Japan, Language

Knowing a few basic Japanese words and holding a conversation can be very helpful in Japan, especially in a country where only a handful of people are fluent in English. Translation tools give full-sentence translations and pronunciation aids, while, for...

Japan’s Population: How are the Demographics Evolving?

July 6, 2021 Costs, Culture, Saving Tips, Time & Holidays

Japan may be the world’s third-largest economy and a pioneer in technology, but its population is shrinking. What are the social and economic consequences of this demographic decline, and what kind of solutions is the government seeking to implement? Let’s...

The Most Beautiful National Parks to Visit in Eastern Hokkaido

May 14, 2021 Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Mountains, National Parks, Onsen & Sento, Volcanoes

At the boundaries of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido (北海道), whose kanji means “Path to the Northern Sea” is the northernmost island in Japan. The “Japanese Siberia” is situated in the Sea of Okhotsk, at the gateway of Russia. This geographical...

Hida, a Historical Valley of Japanese Traditions

April 30, 2021 Culture, Gifu, Historic Sites, Museums & Galleries, Sponsored, Takayama

Situated in the west of the Japanese Alps, in the north of Gifu prefecture, the Hida (飛騨) region is home to many fascinating facets of traditional Japan. Its most famous building is Takayama Jinya, the former provincial headquarters of the...

Takayama, an Enduring Landscape of Authentic Japan

April 30, 2021 Gifu, Historic Sites, Sponsored, Spring, Summer, Summer Festivals, Takayama, Temples & Shrines

Surrounded by a rich natural environment in the heart of the Japanese Alps, the historical district of Takayama (高山) perpetuates the traditions of Japan’s flourishing Edo period (1603-1868). Since ancient times, this merchant city in Gifu prefecture has been renowned...

Ecotourism and Beauty Baths in Gero Onsen and Kanayama

April 30, 2021 First Time in Japan, Gifu, Mountains, National Parks, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sponsored, Sweets

Nestled in the mountains of Gifu prefecture, Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) is one of Japan’s top three hot spring destinations. Its rejuvenating alkaline spring waters have earned Gero Onsen the reputation of "beauty baths" (美人の湯, bijin no yu). Gero also offers...

Local Gastronomy in the “Satoyama” of Hida Takayama

April 30, 2021 Culture, Gifu, Mountains, Ryokan, Soba, Sponsored, Sushi, Takayama, Yakiniku

It all takes place in Gifu prefecture, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Far from the urban frenzy, traditional villages nestled in the mountains and valleys of Hida Takayama (飛騨高山) invite you to taste the gentle life of the...

Traditional Japanese thatched house in green rural landscape in Gifu, Japan

Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Mountain Village

April 30, 2021 Chubu, Culture, Gifu, Historic Sites, Mountains, Ryokan, Sponsored, Summer, Winter

Ever since the remote village of Shirakawa-go (白川郷) was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, it has been a top destination in Japan’s Chubu region. Nestled in the lush mountains of Gifu prefecture, the village is famous...

What Are The Most Popular First Names In Japan?

March 24, 2021 Culture, Language

In Japan, names hold deep cultural and linguistic significance. For many Japanese parents, choosing the perfect first name is more than just a decision, it’s a way to express their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their child. Traditionally, Japanese names...

Articles by Marie Borgers

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