Destination: Japan

Sakura petals at Himeji Castle

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 | By kurenai | Views [3999]

  Today was a roaming day, and a bit far from my normal grounds: I went to Himeji in Hyogo prefecture. I left my apartment at 9:30 am to be in Himeji by 11 so I could meet my friend at the station. We headed straight into the Himeji tourist office ... Read more >

Tags: castle, cherry blossom, culture, himeji, japan, park, sakura, spring, temple, tradition

another ceremony I don't get informed about

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [468]

This afternoon was a ceremony for the teachers who have left to go to new schools. It was written on a calendar I have, but no one told me that I should dress up, and no one mentioned that most people were buying presents etc. So when everyone disappeared ... Read more >

Host Club Hustle

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 | By kurenai | Views [15393] | Comments [1]

So Saturday night – or rather early Sunday morning – a couple of Western friends and I decided to visit a host club. For 3 of us (myself included) this was our first step into the dark and mysterious world of hosting but the last of our group ... Read more >

Tags: host club, japan, nightlife, osaka

Gallery: Opening Ceremony 2009

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 | By peter_allen | Photo Gallery

Under the Sea...

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [844] | Comments [1]

After our trip to the Ocean Expo Park and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, I think I agree with Sebastian - "everything's better, down where it's wetter!"  At least when it comes to viewing the extremely impressive Kuroshio Tank!  We opted to take ... Read more >

Gallery: Churaumi Aquarium

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Spain

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [525]

"We have the pleasure to inform you that your short film “Flip” has been selected for the Official Selection of Animation on the 7th Manlleu Short Film Festival." Just got this email last night. So that's four festivals so far, no rejections ... Read more >

Back again

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [362]

I am back at work again :( Things are a little different with the new faces in the teachers room. Plus I will have an extra elementary visit this term, so i will be away more often. My JTE has said she needs me in every class at Kurohone, so i will ... Read more >

NIKKO Japan

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 | By colin_and_lou | Views [3636]

Nikko is a small city at the entrance to Nikko National Park. It is most famous for the Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine complex and mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Nikko has been a center of Shinto ... Read more >

Thailand

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [616] | Comments [1]

Well, there's a bit to cover about the last two days. I got to Thailand late Saturday night, the plane was delayed in Tokyo so we arrived about a half hour later than expected. Fortunately I had prepaid for my hotel room when I booked online so it wasn't ... Read more >

My first day in my new home

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 | By ladydowse | Views [833]

I stuck my finger right into the middle of a raw egg this morning. I thought it was boiled and as I attempted to peel said egg I got a hand-full of goo. Quite what I was supposed to do with a raw egg I am not sure, but given the selection of random food ... Read more >

The heathen westerner

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 | By ladydowse | Views [651]

Something I have realised is that Japan makes me feel a bit like an uncivilised heathen. Not on purpose I’m sure. The first thing that strikes you is how incredibly polite everyone is, how calm and clean the subway trains are and how efficiently everything ... Read more >

Tags: culture shock

Gallery: Thailand - spring break

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 | By peter_allen | Photo Gallery

It's time for sumo!!

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 | By kurenai | Views [2813]

Sumo season is here in Osaka and with it comes bustling crowds of people in an already bustling part of a busy city (Namba). This is probably the strangest time for a foreigner to live in Osaka because not only are you repeatedly mistaken for ... Read more >

Tags: culture, japan, osaka, spring, sumo, tradition

JAPAN

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 | By colin_and_lou | Views [569]

WE made it plane landed ok -- and i was right we are freeezzzzzinnngggggg more about japan when we thaw out !!!!!