There’s just so much good food and drink around that we put three of our great contributors in one awesome article. Keep reading for Bender’s experience at El Charro, Erika’s review of Takarazuka’s The Cricketers, and Ryan’s look at several specialty bars all over Japan. South of the Border in Shinsaibashi: El Charro If…
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),…
              Cambodian history elicits two very different reactions. On one hand, the impressive scope of the Angkor Empire, which built Angkor Wat and other surrounding temples, is awe-inspiring. On the other, the vestiges of the Khmer Rouge are heart-wrenching, especially as the repercussions still affect Cambodians today. Getting There and Around              We…
My first day of German II, my teacher announced that each time we asked, “How do you say ___?†we would lose one percent of our final grade. Gulp and heavy sighs. As a panic-stricken wave washed over us she pointed to a giant poster at the front of the room. It read “Circumlocution. 
I’m a summer person but one thing I do look forward to in the cooler months is miso soup. It’s simple to make, warms you up, and is jam packed with umami, protein and other nutrients. I didn’t like miso soup until coming to Japan and this recipe hooked me in even more. So…
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…
IV “Bionca! How many times do I have to tell you?! Get down from there!†Gaia chastised her six-year-old in exasperation. Bionca had grown into an unusual-looking child. Her skin was in splotches of Gaia’s own dark skin, mixed with the pale skin of her father. Similarly, her hair was a strange amalgamation of…
– 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…
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…