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…
A Different Point of View The human is imbecilic. The human is dangerous. The human is beyond our help. Oh Margravine, your strength is waning and I cannot stop your demise. That is the way you have chosen to go, but you promised we would be spared. You said we could save the world you…
The annual Shikoku rafting trip has, over the past few years, become a permanent fixture in the Hyogo AJET calendar, and with good reason. Each year, between 20 and 25 JETs from Hyogo head out into the remote wilderness of a place called Happy Raft in Kochi prefecture to enjoy a wet and wild…
With the (recent?) closure of Osaka’s Sailor Moon themed cafe, Cafe Talisman, I’ve needed to look elsewhere to get my nerdy food fix. Sadly, there is a relative dearth of these in Kansai (the ones I have found are not geared toward my interests). Tokyo houses many, a large portion of which are only temporary,…
“I Like Basketball and Tomatoes. See You!†I was an ALT in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan (Lansing’s sister city) through the JET Program from 2006 – 2009. I taught in public junior high and elementary schools. JET It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite memory. I have many. I’ll begin with a…
 Recently, when I was visiting my godson, he was amazed by my daring, revolutionary and transgressive method of writing in block capitals. He was agog, he was aghast– a saving light had come at last! See, he explained to me that “capitals are much easier to do” and so, much like Uncle Rory, he…
Uh oh… What is this odd sensation I feel? It’s been so long, I had almost forgotten about you. We had a respectful parting last time in midÂ-April, but I see you have crawled back to me after all these months. It was only when I woke up to my feet being tickled…
Every year, Japan’s abundant Momiji trees change from green to a glorious shade of red. This beautiful sight, naturally, demands admiration. So, here’s a list of some great spots in Hyogo for all your viewing needs. And it’s even in a convenient map format! Note: Leaf viewing in Hyogo usually starts in mid October at…
 So you’ve finally made it through all the self-introductions and slightly awkward Q&A sessions with your new students. Congratulations! Now it’s time for the real fun to begin: you’re going to have to actually teach for real now. What a joy. For those of you feeling more or less paralyzed by fear and…