When our son received the letter of acceptance for JET we were suitably impressed both with his achievement and the quality of the stationery used by the Japanese Embassy. The followed months waiting to hear his specific destination in Japan were agonising for the entire household. A distinct sense of relief followed the news…
By Elise Burgess Halloween is just around the corner, and although it’s not as popular of a holiday in Japan as in the West, there’s no shortage of terrifying ghosts, ghouls and general nightmare fuel. Low on Halloween costume ideas? Don’t want to end up being the 20th Harley Quinn on the block?…
Good restaurants are usually hard to find, especially if you’re looking for some that have successfully mimicked the flavors of the west, from the gravamen to the bone itself. If you’ve been on the hunt and have come up empty handed, I’m here to reassure you to ‘look no further!’ In this article, I’ll…
Honestly, I am excited to the core, however, having an unfurnished apartment was both horrifying and daunting! Thankfully though, my Kocho-sensei and his family decided to host me for a couple of days so I could get all my things ready in my apartment. As I began to look at all the costs of…
Sarah Leck, Fourth Year Kobe Jet Having wandered far and wide, scoured the furthest reaches of the Earth, Japan gives one very compelling reason for one to stay. The country teems with beautiful creatures, and it’s a privilege to simply breathe the same air as them. (Should I try to be more politically correct? I’m…
Everyone is different in their reasoning for what might benefit their careers, fuel their interests, or what will be either more or less a vacation or an occupational burden. My time in Japan has luckily been a combination of many experiences, which I feel helped contribute to my decision to stay in Japan yet another…
It’s that time of year to say our goodbyes. Below, you can read about five of our departees and their reflections on their time on JET. Luis Alvarez, Ono, 5th year Advice: Change is exciting and new, which can also be frightening. My biggest piece of advice is not to stress about…
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, kings and queens!!! It is that time of year again!!! <gasp> “What time of year again??” I hear your collective thoughts bubble and burst within their confined cranial cages!!! It is the time of year when I write in the HYOGO TIMES!!! Muhahahaha!!!… huh? What now?…
 Where and When I was lucky to have been placed in Ono, about an hour away by bus from Sannomiya, in Kobe. I had originally planned on staying in JET for about 2 years, but almost immediately after arriving, I knew I wanted to stay for five! Ono is considered rural for sure,…