Into Your Car and Out of Your Speakers: DYGL
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Into Your Car and Out of Your Speakers: DYGL

 DYGL (pronounced “dayglo”) is a 4-piece indie rock band. They sing in English, but they are based in Japan. Recently, they took time out of their work and tour schedules to answer a few questions about their influences, beginnings, and aspirations for the future. Can you give readers a brief history of DYGL?   Currently, DYGL…

“You Want in on This?” Travel Hong Kong
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“You Want in on This?” Travel Hong Kong

              For many centuries, Hong Kong was under the control of Imperial China. However, following the First Opium War, control of the islands shifted to the United Kingdom but for a brief period in World War II when the Japanese occupied. As a colony of the UK, Hong Kong westernized and became rather democratic. In…

Winter of Our Content: Eight Winter Wonderland Adventures
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Winter of Our Content: Eight Winter Wonderland Adventures

  Although, I’ve never been the biggest fan of winter, Japan has slowly been winning me over with its variety of unique activities during this season. When going outside may be one of the last things you want to do, these 8 activities and places will be more than enough to get you out from…

Tochigi Prefecture: A Nature-lover’s Paradise near Tokyo
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Tochigi Prefecture: A Nature-lover’s Paradise near Tokyo

    Yo! My name is Ryan Suzuki. I was born and raised in California. I’ve moved around a few times, but the last city I lived in before JET was Garden Grove.I’m in my 2nd year on JET and I teach at Tochigi High School in Tochigi City. It’s an all-boys super science high…

Holiday Season Homesickness – How to Handle It
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Holiday Season Homesickness – How to Handle It

  In case you’ve been living under a rock these past few weeks you will be well aware that theseason to be jolly is here. In addition it has left every bare inch of unattended retail space drenched in tinsel and baubles while a variety of Christmas jingles waft overhead with their own unique Japanese…

Kyoto’s Fall Foliage
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Kyoto’s Fall Foliage

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),…

The 2014 HAJET Rafting Trip
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The 2014 HAJET Rafting Trip

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…

My kids are crazy and I don’t know what to do!
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My kids are crazy and I don’t know what to do!

– A Beginners Guide to Classroom Management   So it’s been a few months now and everybody seems to have fallen into a nice routine and the mystery and excitement of your arrival have finally worn off. Both for you and your students. No longer do they stare at you in silent wonder but instead…

Kagoshima Prefecture: Dormant on the Surface, Active Below
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Kagoshima Prefecture: Dormant on the Surface, Active Below

  Who are you and where are from? What year are you on JET? Where do you teach and what level? Hello! My name is Shane Allen. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I came to rural Kagoshima by way of the neon lit Las Vegas, Nevada. I am currently here on my second year teaching in…