Category Archives: Environment

Life In Japan: Panda Heartbreak

Posted on April 30, 2025 by johnrachel

Because they are due to be returned to China in June, we just visited the four pandas living at Adventure World, in
Wakayama Prefecture. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Street Aesthetics

Posted on April 15, 2025 by johnrachel

The city here did an amazing job of improving the aesthetics of one of our traditional streets. Continue reading →

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Advance Praise: What Do Mermaids Eat?

Posted on October 16, 2024 by johnrachel

For a book that isn’t even out yet, there sure seems to be a lot of “buzz”. Could it be that it has given people a reason to be positive and hopeful at a time when there’s so much bad news in the world? Continue reading →

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Rahqa

Posted on October 10, 2024 by johnrachel

Meet Rahqa, a mermaid with muscles, tattoos, and some very passionate concerns about the destruction of the oceans. You can’t blame her. It’s where she lives! Continue reading →

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Corinne

Posted on October 7, 2024 by johnrachel

Meet Corinne, a mermaid that was hit by a nuclear submarine. Read all about her and 18 other mermaids in the most uniquely beautiful fantasy/travel/cookbook ever! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: The Triumph of the Lotus Plants

Posted on August 31, 2024 by johnrachel

I described in a previous article how an area elementary school was using our local castle moat for a school project. In one end of a section protecting the castle on its south side, they planted lotus flowers, purely to add some color to the huge puddle. Their work has come to fruition. It’s amazing! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Swallows

Posted on August 29, 2024 by johnrachel

Among the many surprises which moving to Japan has blessed me with is my acquaintance with swallows — the bird, not the muscular movement of the esophagus. Continue reading →

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LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux

Posted on July 5, 2024 by johnrachel

My my how time flies! LIVE FROM JAPAN! was published end of January, 2021. I sent the first shot of love here to the fans of the book June 2023. Then, as now, I let everyone know that the saga continues, as I regularly post articles on new happenings and my evolving perspective on life here as an American expat. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Monkey Attack!

Posted on June 23, 2024 by johnrachel

My wife and I were finishing breakfast this morning and when we looked out the back window on the forest that is adjacent to our property, there was a MONKEY! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: 2nd Day of Spring

Posted on March 22, 2024 by johnrachel

Have I ever mentioned how crazy the weather is here? Continue reading →

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