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….
 This year’s JETs have the opportunity to go to a truly special event: the Setouchi Triennale. Every three years this festival ignites the sleepy islands scattered between Kagawa and Okayama prefectures with a blaze of modern art. Many of these islands would have almost nothing to offer outside the festival season, but this…
Japan has great trains. Coming from Canada, where we have basically none, I have really enjoyed the convenience of the trains in Japan. That being said, there is always a point when the trains are no longer fun or convenient. Mostly, any route that’s over 45 minutes long, constantly busy, and that you…
While the most famous of the UNESCO status gashou-zukuri villages is Shirakawa-go, nearby is Gokayama, which houses several intriguing locations. Of these, I recently traveled to Ainokura and Suganuma with two companions. As befits their World Heritage status, the houses have been remarkably preserved and there are seasonal celebrations at various points throughout…
As some of you know, CLAIR is holding a video contest for JET Program participants about the communities in which we all live. The winners haven’t been decided yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all the great videos of places throughout Japan. Plus, voting continues until March 31. Click through the links in…
A bay city with a nearby volcano, Kagoshima is a beautiful and rather unique Japanese city. The volcano, Sakurajima, is still active and thus erupts rather frequently. 1914 was perhaps its largest recorded eruption and covered the city in ash, including a torii on the volcano’s island. Its remarkable landscapes make Kagoshima City a…
When travelling in Japan as a tourist, getting around is easy. The rail pass makes travel a breeze and the tourist tracks are clear and well-travelled. However, it is once you become a resident that you realize that travelling within Japan is a lot more convoluted and expensive that it originally seemed, especially if…
Nagasaki served as one of Japan’s primary ports for many years, with the result that the city now has a very distinct atmosphere compared to other mainland Japanese cities. Chinese and European influences are easy to observe, largely through cuisine and religion respectively. The Chinatown is one of three in the nation, and…
Perhaps Miyagi’s most well-known denizen is the daimyo that founded Sendai, Date Masamune. His likeness can be observed in many areas near the prefecture’s capital. Several years following his death in 1636, the pine tree-clad islands of the aptly named Matsushima were recorded as one of the Three Views of Japan. It’s easy to…