Destination: Japan

Still Alive (but not kicking)

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 | By kitschey | Views [997] | Comments [5]

This pilgrimage... I don:t really know what to think of it yet. It has been neat to meet some people but disappointing to only have partial conversations with them. I would like to be fluent enough to get to know the folk I meet since most are very, ... Read more >

Tags: pilgrimage

Photos: Japan - Shikoku Pilgrimage

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 | By kitschey | Photo Gallery

Photos: Osaka

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 | By zioned | Photo Gallery

Osaka

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 | By zioned | Views [604]

Got established at the hotel - a small business hotel near the station with a warren of shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors and “girls’ clubs” surrounding it. Went for a recon mission to figure out the train stations, etc and had my first Osaka okonomayaki ... Read more >

The Cove

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 | By amy_palfreyman | Views [1406]

In the movie biz and on the streets, there’s a multi-award-winning, highly controversial documentary that everyone is talking about… outside of Japan that is.   In Japan the Oscar-winning film, The Cove , is largely unheard of in the public ... Read more >

Cookies in my future...

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [691] | Comments [2]

My shipment arrived!  I'm so excited!  I opened the box, and check out all my goodies!  All sorts of new things to enhance my cookie-baking experience and help me learn new techniques!  Did you see that awesome new adjustable rolling pin to help me roll ... Read more >

Photos: Japan Part One

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 | By zioned | Photo Gallery

Japan Part One

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 | By zioned | Views [601]

Spent the evening in HCM City with Gary Carkin - my fellow TESOL drama guy and one of his former students - got my redeye flight to Narita and then on to Nagoya to meet Ryo. It was wonderful to see Ryo waiting at his airport when I arrived in Nagoya.... Read more >

Mito and the blossom-less blossom festival.

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 | By amy_palfreyman | Views [1478] | Comments [1]

Upon arriving in any town in Japan, you’d be well advised to pay a quick visit to the local tourist information centre – usually located within the main train station or nearby to any major site of tourist interest.   These centres are useful ... Read more >

Challenges

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 | By kitschey | Views [646] | Comments [3]

Shikoku is very pretty and hilly. It's unfortunate that there is so much construction on and between the hills but I can imagine what the landscape would look like untouched if I try hard enough. I'm staying at my first "ryokan". That's a ... Read more >

Mouthwatering citrus fruits...

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [3075]

One of the joys of living on a subtropical island is, of course, the amazing variety of fresh tropical fruits we have easy access to.  We've been thoroughly enjoying all the types of citrus fruits lately - mikan, shikuwasa, tankan, and kinkan, to name ... Read more >

Autobots Transform and Roll Out!

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 | By abcarlson | Views [1102] | Comments [1]

This weekend Arielle and I decided to take it easy and relax on our subtropical island by staying indoors. :)  Ok, so that might not always be true, but for this weekend, it was.  I spent part of my weekend putting together the three models pictured ... Read more >

Photos: Citrus Fruit

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Just a Quick One

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 | By kitschey | Views [773] | Comments [2]

I'm sick of being on this computer so I'll make it quick. I visited Osaka castle. It's pretty neat on the outside and fun to explore the grounds. You can climb the battlements but the stairs are pretty freaky. Lots of steep steps and no handrails. The ... Read more >

Photos: Day trippin' in Mito and Nikko

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 | By amy_palfreyman | Photo Gallery