Saturday Night in Kigali 🏀✨

Friday night started with a handball game at BK Arena with friends, but it unexpectedly turned into something more. While we were there, our friends told us about a group of Japanese expats in Kigali who get together to play different ball sports and stay connected through a group chat. Before I knew it, we were added to the group, and I heard they were planning to play basketball at Zaria Court on Saturday night.

They encouraged me to join… and I hesitated. A lot.

It’s been about 20 years since I last played basketball 😅

But my wife, being the wonderful encourager she is, told me to go for it. I’m really glad I listened.

Saturday night was SO much fun. We had a big group, so we played for about two hours, rotating teams every 10 minutes. That gave everyone time to rest, catch their breath, and laugh about how out of shape (or surprisingly not!) we were. The games were friendly but energetic, with the Japanese expat community playing against the Filipino expat community here in Kigali.

One of the highlights? Realizing my hairdresser was on the opposing team 😂

Small world.

After the games, we all headed to the sports bar at Zaria Court, grabbed dinner, and spent the rest of the evening chatting and getting to know each other. Before we knew it, it was around 11 pm.

It finally feels like we’re starting to build real connections here, making friends, getting involved, and becoming part of the local expat community in Kigali. Moments like this remind me how important it is to say yes, even when you’re hesitant.

Looking forward to many more nights like this 🙏

A Friday Night in Kigali: Dinner, Handball, and a Bittersweet Beer

Friday evening turned into one of those nights that remind me why I love living in Kigali.

We started the night with dinner at Zaria Court, catching up and laughing with some Japanese expat friends who also call Kigali home. Good food, good company, and that relaxed Friday energy, it was the perfect way to kick things off before heading out. We grabbed some food from Food & Stuff next door. If you haven’t tried it yet, their pulled pork sandwich is excellent. The perfect late-night comfort food.

From there, we made our way to the BK Arena to watch Men’s Handball, featuring a Nigeria vs. Angola match. It was actually my first time visiting the BK Arena for an event and going inside, and I have to say, it really impressed me. The atmosphere, the scale of the venue, and the excitement of the crowd made it a memorable first experience. Handball is fast, physical, and intense, and seeing it live was a lot of fun.

After the match, we stopped by Kweza Craft Brewing for a beer… only to find out that their tap room is closing its doors tomorrow. A bit of bittersweet timing, but I’m really glad we were able to enjoy one last drink there. Kweza has been a great spot, and it felt meaningful to end the night with a toast.

All in all, it was such a fun night out: great friends, good food, exciting sports, and a few memorable Kigali moments wrapped into one Friday evening.

A Winter Holiday Visit to Rwanda: Memories from Japan to Africa

 

The winter holiday season around New Year is always special, but this year it became truly unforgettable. From December 28, 2025 to January 3, 2026, we had the joy of hosting dear friends visiting us all the way from Japan here in Rwanda.

They arrived on Sunday afternoon at Kigali International Airport, and despite the long journey, their excitement was contagious. We started our time together with dinner at the German Butchery, easing into the visit with good food and conversation.

The following day, we spent time exploring Kigali, getting to know the city together. For lunch, we stopped at Sundowner, giving our friends a taste of East African cuisine and one of Kigali’s beautiful viewpoints.

Our adventure then took us south toward Huye, with an important stop at the King’s Palace in Nyanza. There, we learned more about Rwanda’s royal history and experienced the impressive Inyambo cows, a powerful symbol of Rwandan culture. Another highlight of the day was the coffee experience from seed to cup, where we learned how Rwandan coffee is grown, harvested, and processed. The experience ended perfectly with coffee prepared and served in the traditional way. We enjoyed dinner in Huye that evening, reflecting on a full and fascinating day.

The next morning started early as we headed to Nyungwe National Park. Surrounded by ancient rainforest, we hiked to experience the famous Canopy Walk, suspended about 70 meters above the forest floor and stretching across three suspension bridges. Walking above the trees was both thrilling and humbling. Along the way, we were lucky to see mountain monkeys, birds, and even a squirrel.

After our hike in Nyungwe, we made a spontaneous decision. Instead of driving back the way we came, our friends wanted to see Lake Kivu, and we’re so glad we changed plans. We drove west and then north along the lake before heading east back to Kigali. The scenery was stunning: endless tea fields, views of the DRC across the lake, a beautiful waterfall, and countless people walking along the roads carrying goods to local markets. It was a powerful glimpse into everyday life and the natural beauty of western Rwanda.

Back in Kigali, we welcomed the New Year together. As midnight approached, fireworks lit up the city from all directions. At home, we prepared a special New Year’s meal, homemade kara-age, croquettes, French fries, and plenty of other potato-based dishes. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm, joyful, and full of gratitude.

On our last full day, we visited the Niyo Arts Center, spending time enjoying art, music, and creativity, before exploring Kigali a bit more and picking up souvenirs for our friends to take back to Japan.

All too soon, departure day arrived. We saw our friends off at the airport, and the goodbye was emotional. There were tears, hugs, and a deep sense of how special this time had been. In just a few short days, we shared laughter, adventure, culture, and countless memories.

We are so thankful that they traveled all this way from Japan to Africa to spend the holidays with us. It was a visit we will never forget, and one that reminded us how meaningful it is to share our home, our country, and our lives with people we love.

Happy New Year 2026!

 Happy New Year 2026! ✨

Wishing you good health, happiness, and many meaningful moments in the year ahead. Thank you for being part of my journey. Here’s to new beginnings and continued connections.


あけましておめでとうございます 🎍
2026年が皆さまにとって、健康と幸せに満ちた実り多い一年になりますように。いつも支えてくださりありがとうございます。今年も素敵なご縁を大切にしていきたいです。