 Mobile Suit Gundam was principally developed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Tomino and made its tentative first steps as the rather more punchily titled Freedom Fighter Gunboy before its initial TV debut on April 7, 1979. The original series was based upon a premise that recurs frequently in the milieu – that of a child…
 “To build and strengthen connections between Japanese and foreigners through the Taj Ultimate event and introduce people to the wonderful scenery and community in Tajima†– the vision of Taj Ultimate For the past eleven years, Taj Ultimate has provided a platform for foreign and Japanese people of all ages to come together…
Looking to get away from everyone’s living and travel advice? Or maybe you need a break from current events? In short, you simply want a few minutes away from the real world. Welcome to The Refuge. This is the newest section of Hyogo Times, where we bring you works of fiction from our very own…
If April’s article “The Do’s and Don’ts of Yakushima Hiking†by Paige Ngo intrigued you, read on for details about the most popular hikes on Yakushima and getting around the island without a car! First things first: don’t expect your typical walk in the woods! The many forces of nature combine to…
Earlier last month some of Kansai’s finest beer enthusiasts came together to show off their drinking prowess in the 5th edition of the Kansai Beer Olympics. Keeping their glory days alive, over 60 competitors met on June 15 at Naniwanomiya Park, across the street from the Osaka Castle complex. After initial greetings, applying sunscreen and…
A bento requires three things: a box, tasty food, and visual appeal. The goal of bento is not just to take some food somewhere for later consumption. The goal is that when lunch time arrives the eater finds something visually appealing as well as edible inside that little box. Think of the bento…
I am not a sport’s person. I’m a dog person, occasionally a cat person, but I definitely do not like sports. However, there’s an exception to every rule, and I have finally found a sport that I like. Love. Want to do over and over again, maybe even multiple times in one day. It…
With rainy season all but over, it is now time to enjoy summer’s sunshine whether that is by heading to the beach or having a barbecue with friends. Of course, nothing quite says summer like an outdoor musical festival in the foothills of Mount Naeba in Niigata, Japan. Fuji Rock Festival, presented by Smash Corporation,…
  Leaving home for university coincided with my father discovering the entertainment possibilities of the Internet. Subsequently we have maintained a rather sweet father-daughter e-mail communication sharing YouTube videos, rugby match reports and location-related news articles. One such e-mail pinged into my inbox in February: a scanned clipping from the Times about Japanese research…