Category: Japan

Model Trains = Fishtanks but cooler

Having a model train set and a miniature railroad is so soothing. It’s kind of like why people have fish tanks but coole

Starbucks Japan has addictive digital stamps

I don’t drink coffee but Starbucks Japan has a special gimmick that has me grabbing a chai Latte every time I visit a ne

Volunteering at a Food Bank in Japan

Recently, as part of my work as a Hiroshima Study Abroad Ambassador, I got the opportunity to volunteer at a Food Bank in Japa

The Shinkansen is Fast and Flawless

Japan’s shinkansen, or bullet train, is a marvel of modern transportation technology. First introduced in 1964, the shinkans

I lost my wallet (again)

For the 2nd year running, roughly close to the same date – I lost my wallet. This time, I left it at a rest stop in Okay

Visiting my “home town” in Japan

Shimane is my home prefecture and Ama Town is my “Furusato” or home town. I spent many memorable years living in A

Shimanami Kaido again and again

The Shimanami cycling route between Onomichi Hiroshima and Imabari Ehime, which crosses various islands in the beautiful Seto

Higashi Hiroshima City to Hiroshima City

Higashi Hiroshima is a city in Hiroshima prefecture and the Saijo area is famous for Sake production and the main Hiroshima Un

I spent the night on a Shinkansen

On July 22nd on the Tokaido Shinkansen, services were suspended between Hamamatsu and Nagoya stations due to a derailment invo

Night bus from Hiroshima to Tokyo

Recently I took the night bus from Hiroshima to Tokyo. The night bus is probably the cheapest way to travel long distances in

Blue Mountain Coffee now available at 7-Eleven in Japan

For a limited time, customers of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan can drink Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. The special Blu

JET Video Contest

The administrators of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program are holding another video contest. The aim is to highlight the v

Jamaipanese goes to Graduate School

I recently started a new chapter in my life after wrapping up a very memorable number of years living on a remote island in Ja

Lost and Found in Japan – wallet edition

Japan is legendary when it comes to the probability of a lost item being returned. Lost and Found in Japan is its own subgenre

The end of the rural island era is coming

I was supposed to only be here for 2 or 3 years but the universe had other plans. My pre-launch blog post shared how happy I w

New Japanese Banknotes with high-security features

New Japanese Banknotes with high-security features are set to enter circulation beginning in April 2024. The new notes incorpo

The Shinkansen: A symbol of innovation and efficiency

Japan’s shinkansen, or bullet train, is a marvel of modern transportation technology. First introduced in 1964, the shin

I passed the JLPT N4

I have some good news! I passed the Japanese Language proficiency test N4! Passing the JLPT N5 greatly boosted my confidence a

Kinkakuji – Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion revisited

When I visited Kinkakuji in Kyoto for the first time 11 years ago, I said it was what the Eiffel Tower was to Paris or the Sta

2022 Year in Review

I used to make “Happy New Year” posts but for whatever reason stopped. After web-surfing into Jeff’s 2021 year-in-review

The MOST addictive substance in Japan

No, it’s not alcohol, or drugs (I think). It’s a kind of liquid, a beverage that melts your stresses away and refuels

Capsule hotels in Japan – cheap, no frills accommodation

Capsule hotels in Japan are awesome. They are a kind of overnight accommodation that feature rows of sleeping capsules stacked

Cycling in rural Japan – Nishinoshima

It’s been a while since I made one of these adventures in nature. I went to a rural island nearby to enjoy cycling in Ja

Marvel’s Avengers STATION

Marvel’s Avengers STATION is an amazing interactive exhibition. The premise is that you are being “recruited” as an Aven