Category Archives: Japan

Life In Japan: A Morning at the Clinic

Posted on September 15, 2018 by johnrachel

I have one story that accurately represents how the “socialized” health care works here, straight from my perspective as a patient. Let me say up front, I’m completely blown away by health care in Japan, but I’ll let you judge for yourself the merits of centrally organized and controlled health care. Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Onsen

Posted on September 11, 2018 by johnrachel

An onsen — 温泉 — is a hot spring for bathing. Onsens come in all shapes and sizes. Some indoors, some outdoors. Some are spartan. Others indulge in lavish aesthetics and connecting with nature. Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Festivals

Posted on August 25, 2018 by johnrachel

While Japan is called The Land of the Rising Sun, my personal preference would be The Land of the Festivals. The entire calendar is littered with fascinating, extremely entertaining, family-oriented festivals. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Passion For Reading

Posted on August 24, 2018 by johnrachel

Japanese people love reading. Sometimes, as expected, it’s on a smartphone. But the love of print materials, in particular books, is alive and well here. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Japan, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Rice and Bean Fields

Posted on July 12, 2018 by johnrachel

Living in the rural area of Japan I now live in, I have to say, I’ve learned to appreciate the “cycle of life” as never before. Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Japan, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Western Food

Posted on May 5, 2018 by johnrachel

Though my taste buds were born, raised, and trained in America, I love Japanese food! I really do. I now regularly eat many things I would have considered very special treats for very special occasions — sushi, tempura, edamame, teriyaki — and eat some things I never would have attempted before — octopus, squid, rice daily. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: The Nesting Tree

Posted on April 24, 2018 by johnrachel

Great egrets and gray herons must number in the hundreds here in Sasayama. They can be seen everywhere, along the riverbanks, in the rice fields, soaring high overhead above our rustic town. Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Japan, Spiritual | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Western Arts – Pt 2

Posted on April 9, 2018 by johnrachel

I find it a fascinating question why Japan is so enamored with Western art forms, not that I’ve made any progress coming up with a definitive answer. My very Japanese wife serves as an example. She sings opera, plays classical piano, and teaches Western-style music to elementary students as part of the official school curriculum. But there are other things which remain intractably Japanese. Why Western music? Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Music, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Western Arts – Pt 1

Posted on March 25, 2018 by johnrachel

Japan has an interesting, kind of bizarre romance with Western culture. This has been going on for some time. It’s fascinating to see the juxtaposition and fusion of two such diametrically different cultural milieus, especially what emerges in both the popular and classical arts. It works because regardless of what’s imported into the culture here, the people remain at core so essentially Japanese, respecting and honoring a long, unique heritage and an unparalleled work ethic. Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Japan, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: White Day

Posted on March 12, 2018 by johnrachel

White Day in Japan is the occasion for the guys to give sweet treats and other simple gifts to the girls, payback for bestowing on them piles of chocolate and other heart-shaped confections on Valentines Day. Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Japan, Nihilism, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment