Okunoshima: A Floppy-Eared Paradise
| |

Okunoshima: A Floppy-Eared Paradise

  Japan is a mystical land full of wonders, mysteries and all things kawaii. No place in Japan quite encapsulates all of these things the way Okunoshima aka “Bunny Island” does. Originally used as a research facility for biological weapons during World War II, the island was kept secret and the rabbits its test subjects….

A Definitive Ranking of USJ’s Top Seven Attractions
| |

A Definitive Ranking of USJ’s Top Seven Attractions

    In honor of my seventh visit (and as it’s the most magically powerful number), below is a list of Kansai’s best theme park’s best attractions. Obviously, not everyone will agree with this, but I think it’s safe to say most other ALTs’ lists would be populated by the same rides. Without further ado,…

|

The Squid

  The Englishman surprised his co-workers and the BOE by requesting a second year. Most of them had judged him a “One-r” (as they called those who couldn’t bear to be away from their homeland for more than a twelvemonth), with his illiteracy, frequent bouts of culture shock and general lack of guile. But he…

June 2016
|

June 2016

    It’s hot and muggy, the JLPT is in two days, and many Americans are probably cursing that fact. Welcome to July, and my final issue as the editor of the Hyogo Times!   My first July was the easiest: I went on a road trip up to 天橋立 with my Kobe area friends,…