Category Archives: Japan

Life In Japan: A Peek Inside a Japanese Elementary School (1st-Grade)

Posted on February 27, 2025 by johnrachel

Unbelievably charming and heartwarming short film about Japanese first-graders putting together a concert to welcome the new first-graders coming to their school. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: I Love Snow

Posted on February 8, 2025 by johnrachel

I grew up and lived the first half of my life in Michigan. There, over the entire three months of winter, there’s tons of snow! When it snowed it was SO BEAUTIFUL! Being out in a gentle snowfall is truly delightful. The snowflakes tumble and swirl, land on your skin and melt, and fill the entire air with a joy which is incomparable. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Christmas Season . . . Osaka

Posted on December 29, 2024 by johnrachel

Japan does Christmas in style. This year we went to Osaka and two floors of the huge Hankyu Department Store were Christmas themed. There was every holiday gift item from all over the world there. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: “Sasayama Mary”

Posted on November 15, 2024 by johnrachel

Meet Sasayama Mary! Yes, she’s a cat-woman. Or is it woman-cat? How did this happen? Very interesting story indeed! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: An Interview

Posted on September 30, 2024 by johnrachel

About two months ago, I was interviewed locally about my book “Live From Japan! Anecdotes on the People and Culture of Contemporary Japan from the Perspective of an American Expat.” I thought the interview went well. It certainly was fun! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Clouds

Posted on September 11, 2024 by johnrachel

Clouds sure carry a variety of messages, encourage some wild imaginings, evoke a range of reactions and sentiments. The clouds here in rural Japan are splendiferous! 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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Life In Japan: Dekansho 2024!

Posted on August 18, 2024 by johnrachel

The Dekansho Festival here in my hometown is my favorite. The music, dancing, food and fireworks are great. But most of all, it’s seeing the whole community come together to have a good time that makes it so special. It’s truly inspiring! Continue reading →

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My Two Recent Anti-War Books

Posted on July 18, 2024 by johnrachel

Writing about and promoting peace to an American audience might be a thankless enterprise. But to be thankless, it would first have to be noticed. Dylan said it best: There’s no success like failure. Continue reading →

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