Blogs from Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan, Asia

As an American living in Japan, I often have to respond to my Japanese colleagues concerns about personal safety in America. After all, didn’t you know that EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD OWNS (AND USES) A GUN? Teachers feel it is their duty to relay the story of the Japanese teenager who went trick-or-treating in the States. He did not knock on the door before entering, and since he didn’t understand the word ‘freeze’, was shot to death. The message from the teacher: either learn the meaning of ‘freeze’, or you will die if you go to America. With each concerned question comes a nice opportunity to dispel certain myths about the United States. Yet, there has always been one follow up question in my mind that I have never had the courage to ... read more

A year ago, I declined an invitation to attend a festival that despite the fact that this was no ordinary festival, I could not be convinced to leave my apartment to venture out into a cold winter’s night…wearing next to nothing. My friends that ended up going that night came home raving about it. They said it was one of the most bizarre experiences one could have in Japan. They downplayed the nudity and instead told me of the camaraderie they felt with their fellow man while getting cheered on by a crowd of thousands. The whole thing sounded a bit surreal to me. So fast-forward twelve months, and suddenly I found myself pretty much naked, bruised and cut, at a festival. I’ll tell you how I got there. While there are many “hadaka matsuri” (literally ... read more

Although it is cliché to say, it’s true that time just flies by. It’s hard to believe that I left for Japan almost a year and a half ago, and also that it’s been about five months since my last blog post. Sorry for the wait! It’s with great excitement that I write this with only five days and about 20 hours of travel separating me from my return to the States for Christmas and New Year’s. It will be my first time coming back, and as one can imagine, there are a lot of emotions that come along with it. First, a quick recap of the past six months: I have been very fortunate to have some members of my family come to Japan to see me. Without them, I would not have been able ... read more

from matsuyama, i walked to hojo, visiting temples 52 and 53 on the way. it was a hot day and my energy was zapped, yet the little port town was pretty. at sunset, i walked along the harbour. there were lots of old folk in floppy sunhats and slippers gossiping in the streets. i had the feeling that, after id passed them and wished them konbanwa (good evening), they might gossip about me, too. the sun set over the kashima hojo island, a big green lump in the seto inland sea, and the water turned pink. big herons flew from boat to boat. i felt lazy, and not much like i wanted to walk on the next day, yet i had to, so i did. after hojo, i found myself in a seemingly endless stream of ... read more

I have no qualms in admitting that this was my third visit to Ritsurin Park. It is such a beautiful park. Plus it constantly changes all the time with a variety blossoms or plants in different months displaying all their wonders. As it turns out the museum in the park also rearranges its exhibit often so you can enjoy visit it as well time and time again. ^_^ ... read more

So the reason you haven't heard from me in a bit is largely due to underestimated travel times. You see, originally me and this guy I met at the hostel who I've become friends with were going to go to see this world famous art gallery and some shrines and stuff on Naoshima island, near Shikoku... But when the train ride ended up taking most of the day and we couldn't get a ferry to Naoshima and we were stranded in Takamatsu. We found a cheap hotel and wandered around the city a bit. The next day we ended up getting to see it but then, on our way back, it was too late again--though we did get a bit of the way back to Tokyo--the train shut down, leaving us stranded around Shin-Osaka station. So, ... read more