Special Feature: A Beginner’s Guide to Cool Biz
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Special Feature: A Beginner’s Guide to Cool Biz

It is August. And once again, it is time to accept your part as that sweaty, melting gaijin, collapsing into the air conditioning on a train, as your fellow, perfectly groomed, Japanese passengers desperately try not to sit next to you. It’s time to acknowledge that feeling of inadequacy as you see an army of…

Special Feature: Once You’re a JET, You’re a JET All the Way
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Special Feature: Once You’re a JET, You’re a JET All the Way

Hello Hyogo-ites! By the time you read this, you will have uttered, “atsui ne” or “mushi atsui ne” at least once to anyone who will hear it. Well, ganbare – summer has only just started! For those of you who are returning home this summer though, you will get to leave the oppressive heat and…

Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage: Imakumano Kannonji & Kodo
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Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage: Imakumano Kannonji & Kodo

今熊野観音寺 (15) and 革堂 (19)   This month we have another Kyoto double feature! Temples 15 and 19 of the 33 temple pilgrimage are Imakumano Kannon-ji and Kodo. First up is Imakumano Kannon-ji, which literally means “present-day Kumano Kannon temple” and it has strong connections to temple 1 (Seiganto-ji), located in Wakayama in the area…

Special Feature: Rugby, Japan style
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Special Feature: Rugby, Japan style

Wales vs. Japan (Sat 8th June 14:00) On Saturday the 8th June a young Welsh side met a feisty Japan for an exciting first game of Wales’ tour of Japan.   Osaka’s Kintestu Hanazono Stadium, Japan’s oldest dedicated rugby stadium, was the stage for the first game of the Japan-Wales test series. 30,000 rugby fans…

Mochi Diaries: Gomatamago ごまたまご
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Mochi Diaries: Gomatamago ごまたまご

Welcome to another instalment of the Mochi Diaries, Chapter 6 Gomatamago ごまたまご! While these guys really aren’t mochi but in fact intricately designed cakes, they are omiyage お土産 and so kawaii I couldn’t resist!!! During my last top to 東京 I picked a box of Gomatamago ごまたまご (Lit. Black Sesame Egg) cakes on my way…