For undulating sand dunes straight out of Arabian Nights look no further than Japan’s least populated prefecture, our very near neighbour, Tottori. That’s right, just to our north west you can live out your Ali Baba fantasies, complete with camels and hundreds of other tourists. The Tottori Sand Dunes are Japan’s only dune system, and…
Temple 8 of the pilgrimage is Hasedera, called the Flower Temple, a beautiful site in Nara Prefecture. My own trip to Hasedera was unique along my helter-skelter pilgrimage route: rather than simply wander around taking pictures and reading information off my phone, I actually spent the night in a ryokan in the monzen machi (the…
When it comes to the winter vacation period, in my mind there are three options:stay in Japan and indulge in champagne powder skiing (did that last year), head home for creature comforts (this year’s plan) or jet off somewhere exotic where the idea of needing a kotatsu would make locals guffaw. If you fall into…
In my opinion this is the best Japanese comfort food, and likely to be found in your school’s cafeteria as a favourite amongst the students too. Katsu is breaded pork and don means atop rice (if you remember from last month’s kaisendon); the clincher is the steamed egg and sweet sauce topping combination – winning….
Hello Hyogo! Happy Halloween! Ok so I know I’m a bit early, but Halloween will be here before we know it! For me October means all of my sports festivals are over and it’s time to start teaching again, including getting ready for my Halloween lessons. This month there are a lot of fun events…
Kaisen don (or sashimi donburi) means seafood atop rice. This simple dish is made up of your favourite raw seafood layered beautifully across cold, seasoned sushi rice; the open sandwich of the sushi world, if you will. This colourful bowl is quick and easy to make and perfectly refreshing for these sweltering summer days. Serves…
Interviews with Hyogo JET alumni to find out what they are up to post ALT life. Â Andrew Brasher, originally of the USA, spent 4 years as an ALT in chic Kobe suburb Ashiya, and now lives and works just around the corner in Osaka. What are you doing now? Andrew: Right now I work…
Our pilgrimage takes us next to Nariai-ji, temple 28, located in the northern reaches of Kyoto Prefecture. Getting there is a task, but the temple is located on a hill above Amanohashidate, which makes for a great day or even weekend trip. Amanohashidate is one of the three traditionally recognized Most Scenic Places in Japan…
If you are an Australian or New Zealander living in Japan for any extended period of time, whaling will undoubtedly have arisen as a topic of conversation. It may be sprung on you out of the blue at an enkai during a course of whale, or initiated by your own actions if you’re bored in…