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- Life In Japan: The Telephone Booth | John Rachel on Life In Japan: I Love Japan Redux
- Life In Japan: Annual Neighborhood Curry and Bingo Party | John Rachel on Life In Japan: I Love Japan Redux
- Life In Japan: Jennifer, Media Darling | John Rachel on Books
- Look who is praising The China Trilogy: the votes are in – it R-O-C-K-S! What are you waiting for? – CHINA RISING on An Unlikely Truth
- Look who is praising The China Trilogy: the votes are in – it R-O-C-K-S! What are you waiting for? – CHINA RISING on Books
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Category Archives: Social Commentary
Life In Japan: Western Holidays
I admit, at first I had mixed feelings when I encountered Western holidays in Asia. Wasn’t it cultural pollution? Wasn’t any place safe from Ken and Barbie dolls, the Easter Bunny, Superman, Santa Claus, Ronald McDonald, Taylor Swift? Gradually, however, I’ve adjusted to the fact that in Asia, Japan in particular, the modus operandi tends to be a sponge more than a condom. The cultural roots here are so deep, a little cross-pollination actually reinforces the uniqueness of the region’s distinctive features. Continue reading
Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged Black Friday, Christmas, Easter, Easter Bunny, holidays, Japan, Ronald McDonald, Santa Claus, Taylor Swift, Valentines Day, Walmart
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Life In Japan: Persimmons
Ever had a persimmon? You should try one! I’m glad I did. Continue reading
Posted in Food, Japan, Social Commentary, Spiritual
Tagged Emily Dickinson, Japan, persimmons, Sasayama, Shinto, Walden Pond
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Life In Japan: A Lost Wallet
Every year in October, we have here in Sasayama — my hometown — the Festival of the Portable Shrines. It’s one of my favorites! An incident occurred during this year’s festival which speaks volumes about the people here and the general level of moral integrity. Continue reading
Life In Japan: A Morning at the Clinic
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
Life In Japan: Onsen
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 hot springs, hygiene, Japan, naked people, onsen, salad shooter, saunas, steam baths, WWOOF
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Life In Japan: Festivals
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 Aomori, cherry blossoms, Dekansho Festival, Festival of the Portable Shrines, festivals, Japan, Obon, Sasayama, Sendai, Wild Boar Festival, Yamagata
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Life In Japan: Passion For Reading
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 bookstores, bookworms, drooling, Japan, literacy, reading, smart phones, tapeworms, wormholes
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Life In Japan: Rice and Bean Fields
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 Detroit, exhaust fumes, farming, Motown music, rice paddies, Sasayama, soybean fields, WWOOF
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Life In Japan: Western Food
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 Americanization, bagels, Buddhism, Burger King, diabetes, Dunkin Donuts, globalism, heart attacks, Japan, KFC, Krispy Kreme, McDonalds, obesity, Taco Bell, Tambasasayama, Westernization
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Life In Japan: Monkeys
There are an estimated 950 macaque monkeys in Hyogo Prefecture, and 180 alone in Sasayama, my hometown here in Japan. How many of you can say you have seen monkeys in the unwild surrounds of your home and community?
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