Category Archives: Travel

Life In Japan: New Kid on the Block

Posted on August 27, 2022 by johnrachel

There’s always a surge of excitement when a new face appears on the scene. My village in Hyogo, Japan is no exception to this universal rule. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life In Japan: ‘Japan Pom Pom’

Posted on August 24, 2022 by johnrachel

Japanese people, even OLD ones, like to have fun. Don’t believe it? Check out Japan Pom Pom! Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Living On The Edge, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life In Japan: Lunch Anyone?

Posted on June 28, 2022 by John Rachel

A few days ago, my wife Masumi decided we should go to one of her favorite cafés for a special Saturday lunch. It’s truly astonishing what a person can learn from just eating lunch. Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Food, Japan, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life In Japan: Children’s Day

Posted on May 30, 2022 by John Rachel

There is an official holiday in May here in Japan for which there is no equivalent in the West. It is called Children’s Day! Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life In Japan: Longing For Spring

Posted on February 4, 2022 by John Rachel

Kasai is a small town about an hour-and-a-half southwest of Tambasasayama. There’s a splendid rose garden there. We go almost every spring. Last visit, Masumi, her daughter Azusa, Azusa’s Black Labrador, JiJi, and I, arrived during the peak of the rose blossoms. Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Japan, Spiritual, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life In Japan: “Let it snow . . . let it snow . . .”

Posted on January 24, 2022 by John Rachel

Understandably, with my thousands of friends, millions of acquaintances, uncountable fans and followers, I am overwhelmed with curiosity about the details of my life here in Japan. Here’s one question I’ve gotten . . . well, hmm . . . taking a microscope to the past thirteen or so years . . . I’d say at least three times: “What’s the weather like there?” Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Japan, Spiritual, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Life In Japan: Rice Cakes

Posted on January 22, 2022 by John Rachel

Rice cakes are edible hockey pucks which very popular here in Japan. Not surprisingly they are made out of rice. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

COMING SPRING 2022!

Posted on November 29, 2021 by John Rachel

“Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun” is unlike any love story you’ve ever read. Set in Japan and East Africa, it is based on real events. It’ll be here Spring 2022. Continue reading →

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

Life In Japan: A Generous Spirit

Posted on November 24, 2021 by John Rachel

We have a nickname for our friend Keiko Iwashita. My wife and I call her “Bangladesh Lady”. There’s a very inspiring story behind this. Continue reading →

Posted in Altruism, Education, Japan, Social Commentary, Spiritual, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life In Japan: Police Power IV

Posted on October 7, 2021 by John Rachel

It’s hard to exaggerate the contrast of what looks like the horror show of police brutality in the U.S. with what life is like here. But I’ve tried to capture it in a few stories. This is my latest. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment