Tag Archives: Japan

Life In Japan: Shitake Barbecue Restaurant

Posted on April 24, 2024 by johnrachel

My wife, one of her twin daughters, and I had an interesting experience recently. We went to a shitake barbecue restaurant, specializing — you guessed it — in shitake mushrooms! What made it so interesting is that we gathered our own shitake to grill. They grow it on the premises and when you enter, they give you a little green basket and off you go, personally selecting the feature food item for today’s barbecue feast. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Yosakoi Festival

Posted on April 18, 2024 by johnrachel

The fun and excitement never lets up here. This past weekend, there was another festival here in Tambasasayama, the Yosakoi Festival. 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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Life In Japan: Otsuka Museum of Art

Posted on March 13, 2024 by johnrachel

Japan continues to dazzle and amaze me. This past weekend, Masumi took me to the Otsuka Museum of Art, and it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Music Education

Posted on December 18, 2023 by johnrachel

I continue to be amazed at the level of education here in Japan. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Hyogo Prefecture, Breadbasket of Asia

Posted on July 20, 2023 by johnrachel

Little did I know that Hyogo Prefecture — the equivalent to a state or province — is among the top producers in a host of other agricultural products. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Prescription Drugs

Posted on July 14, 2023 by johnrachel

I still have part of my tonsil. Help! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: A Typical Sunday

Posted on July 7, 2023 by johnrachel

If last Sunday wasn’t typical, it was representative. There’s no doubt about it, I do some very different things here in Japan … and I love it! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Eating Octopus

Posted on June 30, 2023 by johnrachel

For at least six decades of my life, I never once thought about eating an octopus, or any part of one. I put them right in there with rats, earthworms, cockroaches, garden slugs, slime mold, the beating heart of another human, in the I’d-rather-starve-to-death folder. Now I love eating octopus! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: One Potato Two Potato

Posted on June 21, 2023 by johnrachel

You’ve heard the expression, “The world is an oyster.” It’s attributed to Shakespeare, from The Merry Wives of Windsor. I have to come clean. I never bought into that. In fact, for some reason lately I’m leaning toward: “The world is a potato.” Which puts a whole new spin on global warming, wouldn’t you say? Continue reading →

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