Having somehow managed to get through the Kobe Marathon in November and remain smiling for most of it (no I’m not sure how that happened either), I had almost forgotten that I’d signed up to participate in the Osaka Sweets Marathon in December. When signing up, I think my reasoning went something along the lines…
In October there was an 英国 fair at the Hankyuu department store in Umeda. There was a picture of pasties on the advertisement for it. Pasties! Teachers at work may have been lusting after scones, but meh, they’re easy enough to make at home (though the cream is an issue I will allow). When I…
The perennial cheapskate in me will always be happy to find a good deal on the drinks/good food combo. When the same is offered right on my doorstep I can never decide if it’s a good thing, or just dangerous for the wallet and waistline. On this occasion I am very much leaning towards the…
It goes without saying that the best things about Japan will always be the people that you meet and relationships that you forge; The friendly lady who sells bread at one of your schools, the volunteers running Japanese language classes, the other ALTs in town and random people you ‘inherit’ from predecessors. And that’s before…
So long, farewell, ã¾ãŸã“ã‚“ã©, goodbye… I’m still not entirely sure what prompted me to volunteer to edit the Hyogo Times last year, but to whatever neurons fired and prompted me to give it a go, I say thank you. It’s been great fun reading all the articles before the rest of the world, apparently…
Fujisan – That eponymous symbol of Japan. A perfectly shaped cone, almost artfully topped with snow, towering over Shizuoka and Yamanashi; visible in all its glory from Tokyo when the haze abates. Since ages past it has held a special place in the Japanese psyche, a sacred mountain oft depicted in artwork and literature. It’s…
Oh the great outdoors! As it finally starts to get to a reasonable temperature (for what – about 3 weeks?) I find my eyes drifting towards the mountains (I’m a country lass, for now at least) and my feet itching to bound upwards. I used to hate my parents for dragging me out walking when…
Break ups are evil. Whether it’s been a long-term thing or that bit shorter, but accompanied by high hopes, deciding that enough is enough, or worse, having someone decide that for you, is one of the least entertaining things you can do with another person. You may know, in your heart of hearts, that…
çµç¶æ¹– (ã³ã‚ã“; Lake Biwa) is Japan’s largest freshwater lake and covers a large part of Shiga Prefecture. It’s a haven for birdwatchers, watersports, camping, and generally having a good time outdoors. It’s also a very popular destination for cyclists with a well-kept cycle path pretty much all the way around. At around 220km in circumference,…