Remember after coming back to Canada and thinking, “Wow, our shopping carts are so huge!” Well you’re not the only one.

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Train “Easy Transfer and Exit Guides”

This is one thing that I really miss about Japan (although I only remember seeing these in Tokyo). My job in Tokyo demanded that I go to different stations everyday for work. The train network alone is already a crazy nightmare to the inexperienced traveller (JR, Metro, and a hundred other private lines all weaved together), and nothing’s worse than getting off the train and not knowing which direction to go next, especially when you’re pressed for time. But once you get used to it, it’s not so bad. (more…)

Hangaku Hunting = End of Day Grocery Store Discounts

During the four adventure-filled years I spent in Japan on the JET Programme, one of the seemingly mundane activities that I found unusually fulfilling was hunting for end of day deals at local grocery stores. The thrill of the chase, competing with like-minded salary men and obaachans, the reward of a tasty dinner, and the sense that I was doing something uniquely Japanese, made this one of the most unexpectedly satisfying cultural experiences I had.

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If I had to look through the many memories I experienced in Japan, I would have to say that the most favourable of them were during the fall. Canada and Japan may share many similarities in experiencing seasonal variation, however there are a few things they do in Japan that really makes this season come alive.

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Probably everyone who has ever taken a drive in the inaka notices the scarecrows. When I was on JET, I used to collect photos of these surprisingly scary life-size faux-humans.…

A weird thing which I feel natsukashi about are the little 20¥-off coupons that Seicomart, the Hokkaido-based konbini chain, would give you for bananas. They were little things–one could say forgettable things. However, those little coupons turned out to be some kind of papier-mache social bond for those of us living in towns small enough to have only one Seicomart as the sole konbini. (more…)

A Miyazaki JET’s Perspective
Alex Boake

As a first year SHS ALT living in Miyazaki Prefecture, transitioning to life in Japan was—of course—a major adjustment, as I’m sure it is for many. As a Canadian, getting used to Kyushu’s hot and humid climate was probably the biggest challenge of all. (Not to mention the seriously gigantic insects that are able to flourish in these sub-tropical conditions.) There are many things about becoming a JET that you have no control over. Although you do get to submit your top-list for placement, where you actually end up is out of your hands. That being said, I wouldn’t change a thing about my situation. The people of Miyazaki are reportedly some of the friendliest people in the already friendly nation of Japan. From the very start I’ve felt welcomed and supported by my community, and have been able to make friends at work and in my neighbourhood, despite my sometimes limited Japanese speaking ability. Not every placement is perfect but there will always be some way to make a connection and have an excellent time.

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Ninja For A Day

It goes without saying that being a non-Japanese living in Japan has its fair share of hardships. It is especially true if you don’t know the language and stick out like a sore thumb with non-brown eyes and lighter coloured hair. (more…)