MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR At the end of February, the earthquake-proofing of the main building of my school began. For the week before the move, the staff room was littered with cardboard boxes and teachers debating just how much of the crap in their desks they needed. Everyone had to take everything out of their…
So why does anyone come to Japan? To be reborn into the manga world? To experience how high tech it is (then realise they still use fax machines)? To dress up in a kimono and call yourself a geisha? None of the above. They come to meet Hello Kitty of course! OK so I’m now…
ARK stands for Animal Rescue Kansai. It is an NPO based in Osaka, but with a Tokyo branch as well. As an animal lover, I was attracted to their work and wanted to contribute to their efforts. Japan isn’t a place known for being overzealous about animal rights and such, so this is one of…
大本山　ä¸å±±å¯º The easternmost of the pilgrimage temples located in Hyogo-ken is Nakayama-dera, number 24 on the official route. Nakayama-dera is located in the city of Takarazuka, and boasts a beautiful ume grove around back, in which about a thousand plum trees will be in bloom from late February through early March. Nakayama-dera’s claim to fame…
The oyster season has started again, so what better time to try this easy and delicious dish. Ingredients Serves 3-4 as a main dish with rice and sides 12 oysters (about 300 grams) 1 bunch of spring onions 3 tablespoons red miso paste (akamiso) 1 tablespoon white miso paste (shiromiso) 2 tablespoons mirin 2 tablespoons…
Arima is a beautiful and quaint little mountainside town located behind Mt. Rokko. Only being a stone’s throw from Osaka and Kobe, it is a hidden oasis for Japanese people wanting to get away for a quiet, relaxing weekend. It’s an insolated place tucked away in the luminous landscape of the great outdoors and is…
Like seriously! OK! I know you don’t get it, because neither do I! You were always the friends who hung out and hunted down the great sales at Bloomingdales, Collectibles or SOGO while shopping together; drank cocktails together and bashed on guys; talked each other down off the ledge when you were at your lowest…
Before the winter break, one of my JTEs approached me with an opportunity to do something really exciting with my 2nd year students (JHS, 13/14 year olds). It’s an opportunity that I honestly never expected. With the constant pressure the teachers always seem to be under to follow the textbooks as closely as they can,…
Composting can be a drag. As earth-friendly as it sounds, it’s not simple, where throwing your food into a garbage can is. You need to work at it—make a neat garbage pile in your yard, rake it all the time to aerate and prevent stinky and dangerous mold growth, and deal with vermin who see…