Exactly 2 years ago the first blog post was published here on “Zooming Japan”.
On November 13th in 2011 I started out with an article telling you how I made it to Japan.
I can’t believe it has been two years already!
A lot of things have changed since then and I’m really grateful to all Zooming Japan readers and social network followers!
You keep me motivated and thus this blog running!
Over 31.000 Awesome Followers
To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Zooming Japan, I want to share a few interesting blog posts and statistics with you.
Zooming Japan has considerably grown in the past two years with your help. Currently we have over 31.000 followers.
I would have never expected THAT!
In order to be able to compare Zooming Japan’s growth next year – or in two years, here are some current stats:
- 28.437 Facebook Likes
- 1.551 Twitter Followers
- 543 Instagram Followers
- 524 RSS Subscribers
- 533 in Google+ circles
- 303 Newsletter Subscribers
- 127 Pinterest Followers
- 126 Youtube Subscribers
That makes a total of 31.620 followers from all over the world:
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Most Popular Blog Posts
Within the past 2 years a few blog posts seemed to be especially popular among my readers. Sometimes I was surprised about your choice, but it always makes me happy if you like reading my articles! ^___^
Here are the most read / viewed blog posts:
- The Shocking Truth About Dating in Japan as a Foreigner (44.892 views)
- Kanamara Matsuri: Phallus festival in Kawasaki (12.940 views)
- Insects and other pests in Japan (10.956 views)
- Tashirojima – Cat Island (7.478 views)
- Is It Safe To Travel To Japan? (6.266 views)
Least Read Blog Posts
Most of the articles in this list are rather new, so I guess that explains the lower numbers. Make sure to check them out if you haven’t yet:
- Ozu City: The Little Kyoto of Iyo (90 views)
- Authentic and Majestic: Ozu Castle in Ehime (114 views)
- Scenic Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture (134 views)
- Kumano Hayatama Taisha (Kumano Sanzan) (166 views)
- Sunpu Castle in Shizuoka (187 views)
Blog Posts About Life and Work in Japan
I try to just write about things that I’ve recently experienced or that got me angry. That’s how most of my blog posts in this category come to life. Sometimes I also just remember when I was relatively new here in Japan and had a tough time with things, e.g. the laundromat, the garbage separation system etc.
If there’s anything in particular you’d like to read about, just let me know in the comments below!
Here are the life and work related blog posts I’ve published thus far:
Life:
- A German Alien in Japan – Series
- Dreaming of a Life in Japan: The reality
- Sad and Surprising Facts About Foreigners Born in Japan
- All You Ever Wanted To Know About Dating Japanese Men
- How safe is your apartment from cockroaches in Japan?
- Driving in Japan
- Japanese Driver’s License
- Japanese hospitals and medical care
Work:
- All you Need to Know about Working at an Eikaiwa in Japan
- Gaijinpot: Your Best Resource for Life, Jobs and Study
Zooming Japan – Interviews
Actually I love to interview people. Even with the people I’ve already met in person, I always get to know new things about them. And I like hearing about other people’s stories and how they came to Japan.
Interesting People I interviewed:
- Benjamin Martin – More Things Japanese (blogger, youtuber, author)
- Teaching English in Japan – Interview with ‘Loco in Yokohama’
- Ashley Thompson – About Her Blog: Surviving in Japan
I also enjoy being interviewed. I’m a very talkative person, so I guess it’s no surprise that I like answering questions about my life in Japan. Two interviews are in German, so I fear not everybody can read them. The newest interview just came out today. What a coincidence and how nice to have it on my 2-year anniversary! ^__^
Interviews with Zooming Japan:
- “Teaching and English education in Japan“ (in German) – by Lehrzeit (November 29th 2012)
- “From Germany to Japan” – by BlogExpat.com (December 3rd 2012)
- “Blogging in the land of the rising sun” (in German) – by BlogProjekt.de (May 7th 2013)
- “Gaijin – A Word and its Connotations” – by Tofugu (May 29th 2013)
- “Interview with Jasmine from Zooming Japan” – by Japanese LinguaLift (November 2013)
Zooming Japan – The Newsletter
Earlier this year I decided to create a newsletter for all of my readers. It’s the best way to get the newest blog posts right into your mailbox, so you can be sure you never miss any updates.
There’s also a monthly newsletter with the latest news about Japan, upcoming events, seasonal travel tips and more. You can get an idea by having a look as past issues:
November 2013 Issue
September 2013 Issue
Interested? Then you can sign up here. It’s completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time, no questions asked. Of course, your e-mail address is being kept private. I won’t give it to any third party.
Zooming Japan – The Shop
I’m sure most of you have heard of it already. I’ve created a Japan related shop where I sell Japan related items.
Most of the items are stationary utilizing the photos I’ve taken here in Japan.
If you like my photos, please check out my little Japan Shop and see if there’s anything you want. There are regular discount campaigns, too!
You can even earn money with Zooming Japan’s Shop. Read more about it here.
Zooming Japan – The Future
As you know I’ve travelled to all 47 Japanese prefectures and a lot of Japanese castles, but I’m still exploring new places regularly. There’s enough material for years and years to come and I want to share all the great spots I’ve discovered here in Japan with you!
Of course, I’ll also continue to write about the daily life in Japan – as I’m sure it’s useful for the people who intend to live here in the future. And there’s still the ongoing “A German Alien in Japan” series as well.
I hope that with your help this blog will grow into a useful resource for anybody who is interested in living, traveling or working in Japan.
I’m eager to hear your feedback and suggestions, so don’t hold back!
Thank you SO MUCH for sticking with Zooming Japan!
I hope to see you around in the future as well. ^____^
What? Two years, really? How quick time flies…
But…we have to say ‘Thank you’ for all of your posts, interviews, photos and so on! I really appreciated to see new articles from you, although my english isn’t so good. :mukatsuku:
Also congratulation for you outstanding work! Thank you, J. :D
That’s what I thought. Can’t believe it’s been two years already. Time REALLY flies! (O__O”)
Aww, thank you SO much! :D
Wow, two years… incredible! How time flies when you’re having fun :notamused:
I wish you all the best for the coming years. I love reading your posts and I travel vicariously through Japan with you in them (and take notes for what to visit next time I’m there).
Thank you! :heart:
Silvia, thank you so much! ^____^
I really enjoyed traveling with you. Hope you’ll come to Japan again soon! :D
Sincere congratulations! I enjoyed your blog since when i found it, you sure are one of the best!
Continue in that manner, I cannot imagine checking my news feed without seeing something new from you.
Thank you and good luck for the future!
Alex, thank you so much for always sharing my photos and blog posts with your followers. It really means a LOT to me! :D
Also, I really appreciate your nice and encouraging words. I’ll keep doing my best! ^____^
Congratulations Zooming Japan! Two fabulous years and I have really enjoyed reading your posts about your life and travels in Japan. I wish you continued success in the future and hopefully many more blog posts and interesting places to visit to come. All the Best!
Thank you so much, Japan Australia! I can give back the very same compliment to you! ^____^
I hope we both keep blogging and stay in contact for a loooo~ng time! :D
Congrats on your anniversary :sparkling: :luvit:
I always love seeing what new posts you come up with and they greatly inspire me when planning my own Japan trips, as much of your info can’t be found in regular travel books :peace:
Keep up the awesome work ;P :heart:
Aww, thank you so much!
I’m really glad to hear that.
Hope you’ll keep reading in the future as well. :chu:
WOW! I can’t believe it’s been two years! おめでとうございます! :thumbup:
Me neither! :huh:
Thank you, koronda! :D
Congratulations! :)
Thank you! ^__^