Tag Archives: Tambasasayama

Life In Japan: Tilling The Soil

Posted on March 5, 2019 by johnrachel

As belated as my agricultural epiphany is, I’m now aware of what’s been going on “behind the scenes” for 20,000 years now. Please don’t laugh. I know my ignorance is pathetic. But better late than never. Or is it? Anyway, the first stage in getting stuff to grow? Preparing the soil! Actually I can relate. What boy doesn’t like to play in the dirt! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Shrines and Temples

Posted on February 18, 2019 by johnrachel

Houses of worship, i.e. temples and shrines, are everywhere here in Japan — even some Christian churches — but at a much more modest level of “everywhere” than the U.S. 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: A Morning at the Clinic

Posted on September 15, 2018 by johnrachel

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 →

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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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