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…
Hi everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween and are looking forward to Thanksgiving. After a surprisingly long summer, the temperature has rapidly dropped which means the start of my favourite season! To me, autumn is on a par with spring. People seem to migrate to famous places like Kyoto and Nara just to…
Ahoy there! Forgive the nautical greeting; I’ve spent a lot of time on boats recently, and may have caught cabin fever whilst navigating the high seas between Honshu and Shikoku on a voyage around the participating islands of the Setouchi Triennale. If you miss out on the art festival itself (finishing on November 4th), I still…
In 1994 Osaka, despite being a cosmopolitan hub of international business, offered no opportunity to celebrate European film culture. Fortunately, all that has changed thanks to the ongoing hard work of film aficionado Patrice Boiteau, chairman and founder of the Osaka European Film Festival. This November the Osaka European Film Festival celebrates its 20th year….