 Japanese Sanctions and Russian Security Drills Things were looking up for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President Vladimir Putin, and their respective countries due to improving economic ties and because a possible solution to their territorial disputes seemed to be at its closest in recent memory. However, events in August brought Japan’s rapprochement to a…
 Ten essential experiences to have in the prefecture we call home. Affectionately known as the bellybutton of Japan, Hyogo is a treasure trove of fun and adventure. Thanks to an expansive train network, several ferry ports, innumerable bus routes and its own airport, Hyogo is a very accessible prefecture – which is ideal because there…
For over 1,400 years, hot springs in the northern part of Hyogo have served the needs of bathers. Today, the town of Kinosaki is a charming traditional Japanese village. Walking along the river is breathtaking, especially at night when the streetlights are turned on. You can see (and join!) many people strolling in…
Quiet, reserved, shy, these are words foreigners often use to describe the typical Japanese person. Anyone who has tried to coax a group of students into volunteering for a question or has been the target of disapproved glances for speaking too loudly on the train knows this. However, music has and always will be…
 Miso is a key ingredient in Japanese cooking but I was too scared to cook with it for a long time, mainly because I had no idea how! I stumbled upon this recipe when exploring the popular Japanese cooking site Cookpad last year and it started my love affair with miso. It’s a super…
  As ALTs, we are regularly tasked with bringing native English and “fun†activities into the classroom. But how does one necessarily combine solid language teaching in a spirited environment that engages even your most apathetic students? Granted, there is no silver bullet, but I’ve found Total Physical Response (TPR) to be very effective…
II Evading the authorities was exhausting. On top of that, Gaia’s first six months of pregnancy had been taxing. She oscillated rapidly between giddiness and terror. Vomiting was a twice-daily ordeal. Too many questions haunted her: Could a baby survive in this wasteland? Could they continue to dupe Zoran? Where were her parents? Gaia…
Harry Potter World at USJ A magical village of wizarding wonders has opened at Universal Studios Japan this summer! If you’ve been harboring childhood fantasies of Butterbeer, magic wands, or singing toads, read on to learn more about making the most of your magical journey! The Harry Potter World at USJ is significantly smaller…
A New Term Begins! Hey there, Hyogo – It’s hard to believe that it is September already – our departing friends have left Japan to start new chapters of their lives and the new ALTs have arrived and are (hopefully!) settling into their new lives. With the new term beginning, it is easy to…