With raves and music festivals spread throughout the year in California, coming to Japan where the electronic dance music scene is not as popular was a bit tough for me. Sure, I would hear some EDM music in the clubs or go to concerts at Ageha (like Porter Robinson), but with no outdoor festivals…
              There seems to be a general consensus in the music review world that good music isn’t defined by one sound or genre, but what certain bands or musicians are doing within their specific genre. Most creative praise is given to those who find new methods, either instrumentally or vocally, to introduce the familiar…
All You Need is Kill: 2-in-1 Edition by Ryosuke Takeuchi and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, original story by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, and illustrated by Yoshitoshi Abe Before the action packed movie Edge of Tomorrow starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt was released in theaters this June, it was a 2004 light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka…
There’s just so much good food and drink around that we put three of our great contributors in one awesome article. Keep reading for Bender’s experience at El Charro, Erika’s review of Takarazuka’s The Cricketers, and Ryan’s look at several specialty bars all over Japan. South of the Border in Shinsaibashi: El Charro If…
Temple Trekking: As the culture capital of Japan, Kyoto is undoubtedly one of the best places for Hyogo JETs to visit and enjoy a unique blend of traditional culture and modern Japan. The city’s many temples, gardens, museums, parks, and other highlights provide entertainment year-round, but the autumn leaves, known as 紅葉 (kouyou),…
              Cambodian history elicits two very different reactions. On one hand, the impressive scope of the Angkor Empire, which built Angkor Wat and other surrounding temples, is awe-inspiring. On the other, the vestiges of the Khmer Rouge are heart-wrenching, especially as the repercussions still affect Cambodians today. Getting There and Around              We…
My first day of German II, my teacher announced that each time we asked, “How do you say ___?†we would lose one percent of our final grade. Gulp and heavy sighs. As a panic-stricken wave washed over us she pointed to a giant poster at the front of the room. It read “Circumlocution. 
I’m a summer person but one thing I do look forward to in the cooler months is miso soup. It’s simple to make, warms you up, and is jam packed with umami, protein and other nutrients. I didn’t like miso soup until coming to Japan and this recipe hooked me in even more. So…
After months of preparation, things were looking doubtful for this year’s rafting expedition. The largest typhoon of the year was brewing and looked set to bring high speed winds, torrential rains, and extremely dangerous conditions. After exhaustive organisation from our intrepid leaders, Erika and Claire, this was not what anyone wanted to hear. Fortunately, our…