Blogs

February 4th Marks the Arrival of Spring In Japan

February 4th Marks the Arrival of Spring In Japan

Posted by Taro Kobayashi on 1st Feb 2015

In early February, though still cold in Japan, days start to get noticeably longer, and it begins to feel that winter is on its way out. Pretty plum blossoms begin to bloom first, and an early-bloom … read more
Rain, Glorious Rain!

Rain, Glorious Rain!

Posted by Taro Kobayashi on 2nd Jun 2014

Today is the first day of tsuyu, the beginning of the rainy season in southern Japan.  Spring is in its full glory and gentle, warm rain has been falling all day. It will rain here every day f … read more
No Health Insurance Required

No Health Insurance Required

Posted by Taro Kobayashi on 1st Apr 2014

Thirty dedicated volunteer “Toy Doctors” in our town, Miyazaki, run an organization called The Toy Hospital (omocha-no-biyouin in Japanese.) As you have might have guessed, they mend br … read more
Managing Waste in My Town

Managing Waste in My Town

Posted by Yuri Nonaka on 6th Dec 2012

Here in Miyazaki, there is a city-wide effort to reduce waste under a program called 5-R. Refuse: Avoid accepting items that will become unnecessary trash. Reduce: Generate less trash. Re … read more
Tokyo Story: A Deeply Personal Movie

Tokyo Story: A Deeply Personal Movie

Posted by Momoko Kagamizu on 3rd Jun 2011

Toky Story ( tokyo monogatari) is an unpretentious, profoundly personal and visually stunning movie directed in 1953 by the celebrated Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu. Tokyo Story is a tale of cont … read more