Tag Archives: community

Life In Japan: Where Aging Is Valued

Posted on September 20, 2022 by johnrachel

Because yesterday was Respect for the Aged Day (a national holiday), every person in my small city of about 50,000 people who was 75 or over, received a gift package from the city. How charming! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Covid Care Package

Posted on February 17, 2022 by John Rachel

This is what arrives on your doorstep here in Tambasasayama if you test positive for Covid and have to self-isolate. Continue reading →

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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 →

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Life In Japan: Working Together

Posted on May 25, 2021 by John Rachel

Noma Village, on the far east end of Tambasasayama, my hometown in Japan, has “work days”. When the weather is accommodating, one member from each household shows up at 8:00 am on a work day — it’s always a Sunday — and we do whatever needs to be done to keep our village clean, attractive, and functional. I can’t begin to tell you how cool I think this is! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Tondo Matsuri

Posted on January 14, 2021 by John Rachel

Tondo Matsuri festivals are held all over Japan, the second weekend of the new year, at all levels. There are major festivals with thousands of people, as well as more modest local celebrations. The central feature of the Tondo Matsuri … Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: The Telephone Booth

Posted on May 9, 2020 by johnrachel

Why do you still find pay phones in Japan? Well . . . someone just might need to make a call. And maybe their iPhone battery is down. Or they dropped their Samsung in a toilet and it’s not so waterproof after all. They are there on the off chance someone needs them. Does this seem odd? Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Police Power

Posted on February 14, 2020 by johnrachel

Kakogawa is a town in our area. There an 81-year-old lady’s disabled husband fell off the bed where he unfortunately spends most of his life now.  She was unable to lift him up and put him back into the bed.  He himself could offer no assistance. The lady then called the police. Hoisting people from a fall is not really their job but they said they would get there as soon as possible. Two policemen showed up at her house in ten minutes. They were able to lift the old man back into the comfort of his bed. Protect and serve. Be human. Be helpful. Be kind. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Annual Neighborhood Curry and Bingo Party

Posted on November 12, 2019 by johnrachel

There is so much community here in Japan, at least where I live. Maybe this is not the case in the big cities, but at least here, the people living in my “village”, the neighborhood community on the eastern edge of the city I live in, get together regularly and do things or just have a good time. It’s very charming! More importantly, because of all of these social affairs, I feel like I belong here as part of an extended family. It also gives everyone a stake in keeping the neighborhood safe, clean, wholesome. Friendly smiles and greetings are the norm. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: JA

Posted on January 20, 2019 by johnrachel

JA stands for Japan Agriculture. JA is a huge, sprawling organization, with hundreds of stores, facilities, and offices across the entire country. But … it’s not a corporation. It’s not a government facility, branch, or department. It’s a COOPERATIVE! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Benten Shrine Ceremony

Posted on July 12, 2017 by johnrachel

This past weekend was our annual Benten Shrine ceremony. The whole celebration took about an hour. Lots of smiles, good will, warm feelings. Life in Japan is still full of wonder for me. What a fascinating country! Continue reading →

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