As we start a new JET year, we’d like to introduce you to the Hyogo AJET council. These great JETs volunteer their time to organize awesome events and support all of us here in fabulous Hyogo. Aiko Lignon Hi, I’m Aiko from Itami. I’m a third year JET. I love…
The cicadas are chirping, the sun is melting everything, and for some unexplained reason your neighbors are wearing yukata on a random Tuesday. That’s right folks; it’s August here in Japan and that means a few things. First of all, it means hundreds of new JETs have just arrived in Japan! To them I say,…
So you want to see a summer festival this year? Chances are that whatever town you find yourself living in will have a perfectly lovely matsuri or three all prepared. However, if you want to venture elsewhere in our fine prefecture here’s a few you may have heard of. Dekansho Matsuri…
My name is Penny Fox and I’m originally from Sydney, Australia, although I’m not sure now which to call my ‘hometown,’ since I spent the full 5 years on JET (2009 – 2014). I actually had 2 placements – one for the first 3 years, where I taught at a total of 10 schools (3…
Summer in Japan makes me think of fireflies, green rice paddies as far as the eye can see, yukata, fireworks, wind-chimes, beer gardens and of course somen. Somen noodles are extremely thin wheat noodles that are sold dried and often eaten in summer in Japan. They are also eaten in the cooler months in a…
Whether for a last minute summer getaway or the upcoming “Silver Week†in September, Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei, is a spectacular destination for those looking to travel outside of Japan. With a rich history including European, Chinese, and Japanese settlement, visitors can experience a unique blend of culture and some fantastic cultural sites….
 Laugh, cry, use acronyms like SMH, WTF, LOL, and FML all while reading these JET experiences. Welcome to the Monkey House  So it’s official, if you change the rules of kings cup/box head and add candy and tokens to the mix …it becomes a pretty badass English game! And here I was…
8:15 AM. At this time on August 6th, 1945, the city of Hiroshima became the first to be devastated by a nuclear weapon. The ones who were instantly vaporized were lucky in that they did not have to suffer the effects of radiation poisoning. After Japan surrendered, reconstruction began. Now, the only visible remnant…
In German, it’s called “Fernwehâ€Â (lit: far away pain). It’s the sense of wanting to be anywhere but where you actually are. Think of it as inverted homesickness. Though the ragged poverty of the English language prevents us from expressing this emotion, we have all certainly experienced it. That slight sinking feeling; knots in the stomach…