Tag Archives: Japan

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Life In Japan: Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 20, 2018 by johnrachel

They celebrate Valentines Day here — a distinctly Japanese version of the love holiday. It’s very innocent to be sure, but the guys are still in charge. Yes, on Valentines Day, the guys in Japan just sit back and the girls pile it on — chocolate, that is. From what I can tell, none of the giving is based on hot passion, hot sex, hot anticipation. Basically, the message is: “I’m a girl and you’re a boy and you’re not all that bad.” Or maybe: “I like you. I think. Call me maybe?” Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Arthur the Celebrity Cat

Posted on February 12, 2018 by johnrachel

My adorable cat Arthur beat me to the punch and got in the newspaper. And he doesn’t even have an agent. What do I need to do to get some press around here? Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Bicycle Theft

Posted on January 31, 2018 by johnrachel

There’s an innocence here in Japan, and a sense of honor and courtesy, a respect for the possessions of others. So much so that a bicycle theft is truly out-of-the-ordinary. And thus it warrants extraordinary response by the authorities. This is a true story. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: New Years

Posted on January 30, 2018 by johnrachel

Oh yes, what a wild time we had bringing in the New Year. Fasten your seat belts and savor the events which surrounded the onset of 2018 for us here in Japan. Continue reading →

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