Destination: Japan

Japanese vacation - day two

Fri, 7 Jul 2006 | By stock_market_nomad | Views [786]

After making my way back to Oak Hotel to check-in (a very nice hostel, might I add), I have to come back at 1500 for the current occupants to check out. I can drop off my luggage, though, so I grab my Tokyo map and a Japanese phrasebook, and decide ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures

Moving again- It's not what you know...

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 | By dan_in_japan | Views [1169] | Comments [3]

Hi all, This is the front gate of Gokokuji temple, in the town of the same name where I live. I consider myself quite lucky to live here, in the heart of Tokyo- amoungst all the dreary skyscrapers and traffic jams, Gokokuji has carved itself a nice ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

Photos: Kyoto

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 | By carlsbad_sven | Photo Gallery

Japanese vacation - day one

Tue, 6 Jun 2006 | By stock_market_nomad | Views [863]

All my life, I've wanted to travel to Japan. In fact, that was one of my big motivators for joining the Navy - there are few jobs outside the military that can get you here to live for an extended period of time. Of course, Navy life usually lets you ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures

Anatomy of an Earthquake

Tue, 6 Jun 2006 | By dan_in_japan | Views [23227] | Comments [2]

Japan, as a country lives with the constant problem of natural disasters, perhaps more so that other countires. Here, earthquakes, typhoons and tornadoes are a way of life, and because of this, the Tokyo government created the Disaster Centre (well, ... Read more >

Tags: The Planning Phase

Preparing for the JPLT

Sat, 27 May 2006 | By dan_in_japan | Views [8679] | Comments [19]

There is a new photo file So as you all know, I am enrolled at the moment at a Japanese school. I attend school for four hours a day, and the course that I am enrolled on is designed to get me to pass the JPLT test, which is the internationally recognised ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

One Day: Travelling from Kanazawa to Takayama, Japan

Fri, 26 May 2006 | By leelefever | Views [905]

8:15AM : Wake up, shower, pack backpacks, post to TwinF. 9:08AM : Depart Kanazawa Garden Hotel for the beautiful Kanazawa train station (literally best exterior we've seen)- no train schedule to Takayama in hand. 9:22AM : Arrive at station, get ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

Lee Decodes a Japanese Sign

Sat, 13 May 2006 | By leelefever | Views [576]

Today we went on a little hike to the ruins of Tsuwano castle. On the way, Lee saw this sign and interpreted as follows:    1. Scrape the bottom of your shoe 2. Place scraped matter in your hand 3. And smoke it?       He only glanced at it, but ... Read more >

Tags: Laughter

Can a lot really happen in a month...?

Wed, 10 May 2006 | By dan_in_japan | Views [3001] | Comments [6]

Hi all, I'm sure you are wondering what I have been up to for this past month...well, if you take away study, work and jiu jitsu, not too much else, but I am sure I will be able to write a paragraph or two to keep you interested.....read on! The big ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

Thailand for a week!

Mon, 8 May 2006 | By karina | Views [469]

I had national holidays ("Golden Week") and Nick took a week off uni/work so we could go to Thailand!!!  It was a heaps short but really beautiful trip and I'm so sad that I have to go back to work :(  The weather was so beautiful compared to ... Read more >

Tags: Update

Roppongi Tokyo Nightlife

Sat, 6 May 2006 | By leelefever | Views [1804]

We have to admit that the movie "Lost in Translation" has left an indelible mark on our expectations of what your supposed to do in Tokyo. There is surely no better place on earth to experience the karaoke phenomenon and last night we repeated ... Read more >

Tags: Party time

I made it!!

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 | By karina | Views [500]

Ok, so I am safe and sound in Aomori, Japan........ as of like 8 months ago hehe. So its taken me a while to set something up but Ive finally done it so lets see if I can keep this thing up cos we have all established that I suck at sending photos, right?? ... Read more >

Tags: Work

Gallery: Life In Aomori

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 | By karina | Photo Gallery

I am here

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 | By sullivat | Views [468]

I have arrived on-line. I now have an online journal...halfway through my year in Japan.  I will write more when I feel like it.

Tags: Work

Sakura & the end of term

Sat, 1 Apr 2006 | By dan_in_japan | Views [791]

These past two weeks have seen the start of the Sakura season, which is perhaps one of the most important seasons in Japan. Japanese people are fiercely proud of Sakura, or the blooming of the cherry blossoms. The trees stand bare for 48 or so weeks ... Read more >

Tags: The Great Outdoors