Special Feature: A Beginner’s Guide to Osechi Ryori
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Special Feature: A Beginner’s Guide to Osechi Ryori

In amongst the faux snow and strains of, “I’mmmmmm dreammingggg of a whiteeeeee Christmassssss”, you may have also seen in your department stores and supermarkets ornate square boxes filled with products in every colour, begging to be bought at obscene prices. A far cry from roast turkey (northern hemisphere) or seafood (southern), this is osechi…

Special Feature: Christmas in Japan
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Special Feature: Christmas in Japan

“So, what will you being doing this year at Christmas?” This question was met with various permeations of bemusement, amusement and indifference. These were the most common responses: “Nothing really” “Working” (this is a Japanese office after all) “Having a party with friends” “Drinking” “At lectures” “Eating Christmas cake” “What? Should I be doing something?”…

Kicchiri Kitchen: Double Recipe! Chicken Nabe & Persinnamon Cake
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Kicchiri Kitchen: Double Recipe! Chicken Nabe & Persinnamon Cake

Simple Chicken Nabe for One.   As the “samui” grunts enter the staffroom you know what’s coming: winter. My solution to tackle this season is nabe, lots of nabe. Nabe is a soupy hot pot recipe literally full of meat and veggies ready to cure your winter blues (or flu?). It can be enjoyed party…

Where Are They Now: Jonathan Shalfi ( Harima 2009-2012)
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Where Are They Now: Jonathan Shalfi ( Harima 2009-2012)

 As interviewed by Arjan Tulsi.   When were you in Hyogo and where were you placed? I was in Harima-cho from 2009-2012, teaching at Harima-Minami Senior High School. In my first year I also had a visit school one day a week (Kinjo High School – a night school in Akashi).   What was your…

Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage: Ishiyama-dera 石山寺 and Mii-dera 三井寺
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Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage: Ishiyama-dera 石山寺 and Mii-dera 三井寺

Ishiyama-dera, temple number 13 on the route, and Mii-dera, number 14, are both located along the southern edges of Lake Biwa. We’ll take them on in numerical order. Ishiyama-dera is a beautiful temple upon a mountainside overlooking the lake; it is built on and amongst wollastonite rock formations that give it a different look from…

Special Feature: Kobe’s Luminarie
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Special Feature: Kobe’s Luminarie

This year, from 5 December to 16 December, Kobe will again glow in the multiple colours of the Luminarie, and you too can enjoy the spectacle whilst being carried along in a tide of people, neck craned skywards.   The site, extending from the Old Foreign Settlement to Hiyashi Yuenchi Park, will be visited by…

Special Feature: What’s Yours is Mine: China’s new ADIZ
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Special Feature: What’s Yours is Mine: China’s new ADIZ

            Maybe you have recently thought to yourself, “Gee whiz, I’ve been working so hard creating engaging lessons, exploring a new country, and learning a new language, I have had no time to stay up to date on global current events.” Even worse, with the holidays right around the corner,…

Your Friendly Neighborhood AJET: December 2013
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Your Friendly Neighborhood AJET: December 2013

The short sleeved shirts and cool-tech innerwear of summer have finally given way to the scarves and gloves and berets and socks and layers layers layers of winter. With the weather switch now firmly jammed on cold, many JETs, especially those from warmer climates (namely, those from the Southern hemisphere who greeted summer smugly) may…