This article is brought to you through a partnership between the Heart of Japan blog, a project by　the Hyogo International Association, and the Hyogo Times. Boasting 10,000 candles placed all over the town, Takasago Lantern Festival (é«˜ç ‚ä¸‡ç¯ç¥, Takasago Mantousai) also features jazz and traditional Japanese music performances along with specially illuminated historical buildings, temples…
Last month we kick started our first book club with reading fanatics from all over Hyogo (thanks for coming guys!). There were heated opinions, casual conversations and a spontaneous game of charades. For an unbiased review here’s Amy Kelly from Akashi: An afternoon of high-brow literary analysis with a side of book-title charades. Last month,…
This article comes from former Awaji island ALT Stephen Harmon’s blog A Walk in Japan. Having spent a year exploring all that the island has to offer, Stephen is the perfect man to tell us how to use this year’s Skills Development Conference on Awaji as an excuse for an unforgettable, fun-filled weekend trip on…
This month Arjan Tulsi speaks to Canadian couple David Chan and Susan Wong about their Hyogo experience.  When were you in Hyogo and where were you placed? We were in Hyogo for 1 year from 2010-2011 and were Hyogo ALTs placed in Kobe. We got married the year before joining JET and were lucky…
Our next stop along the pilgrim trail is in Nara, temple number nine, known as Nan’endo. Nan’endo is a small octagonal space (in fact, its name means “southern round/octagonal templeâ€), part of the more massive and influential Kofuku-ji complex. Kofuku-ji has been one of the most influential temples in Japanese Buddhism, and Nan’endo has always…
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…
      Taking full advantage of the glorious weather over October’s only three day weekend, 17 ALTs assembled in Sannomiya to begin the four hour journey down to Kochi prefecture on Shikoku. After crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, we headed over Awaji Island, and finally…
‘There’s Pride in Osaka?’ My incredulity says something about my expectations of Kansai Rainbow Parade 2013; I had been fore-warned that Japan, wonderful as it is, is sometimes not the most tolerant or permissive of countries when it comes to certain personal preferences. So, it was with a little trepidation and cautious enthusiasm that I…
I don’t think this can technically be classed as Japanese food but this heart attack handful is a trendy alternative to the American hamburger. Ingredients Instant ramen (not a Cup Noodle – the packet kind!) 1 egg 100g minced meat (pork or beef) A pinch of chopped spring onions 1 tsp soy sauce Vegetable…