Hello all! October has arrived and with it far more temperate weather as we inch closer to the spectacular leaf-changes of autumn, one of my favourite seasons. Did you know Japan has four seasons? It may not the first time you’ve been asked this and it certainly won’t be the last! This question, which…
Greetings! As we move into September the August heat gradually dissipates, soon to be just a sticky memory, and new excitement arrives in the form of the start of school. First time ALTs will have the joy of their first sweltering opening ceremonies; at least one student will faint, either from heat or excitement at…
Showcasing the most stimulating independent short films from across the world, Future Shorts is the biggest international short film festival of its kind. Founded in London in 2003 the festival is now celebrated around the globe with over 1700 screenings, across 6 continents in more than 350 cities in 90 different countries – that’s one…
Greetings all! Welcome to the August issue of the Hyogo Times. Of course August means that we must say goodbye to those retiring from the Hyogo JET community. It is a bittersweet time, but isn’t any period of change? Two of my closest friends are returning home this summer, so as a last…
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…
Unagi (The Eel) Shohei Imamura, 1997 Coverage of the last Cannes Film Festival with all its Cote d’Azur glamour and boulevards teeming with cinematic talent left me pining for films, diamonds and a red carpet gown. The yen is not currently particularly conducive to the latter two, so I had to sate my hunger with…
Next time you’re in the capital; don’t bother queuing for the Sky Tree to get the view. Head to the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower at sunset for a spectacular 360° view of the city (and the Sky Tree itself for that matter), then enjoy a decadent dinner with the best seats…
I have a confession to make: I am a traitor to the supremacy of Hyogo-ken. I’ve been cheating on our Asian home with the next door neighbour. Yes, I am having a torrid affair with Osaka. Kobe’s nice and all, but Osaka just sizzles with energy and adventure; it’s the bad boy every twenty-something fools…
Japan in spring is a veritable treasure trove for locals and visitors alike. My family therefore decided that it would be the perfect time to visit for a good dose of culture and travel. However, as the years go by, the parents do tend to prefer a relaxing holiday and avoid city breaks. So this,…