There is a chill in the air. Winter will be here in Japan soon. Persimmons are in season; bright red, sweet, juicy and bursting with flavor. Our local farmers dry them to make a tasty treat calle … read more

Last weekend was the time for our annual tsubaki matsuri Festival of Camellias in Miyazaki's Tsubakiyama (Camellia forest). Wild Japanese Camellias (called yabu tsubaki) are native to the region, a … read more

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

One of our staff members, Ms. Yuri, lives by the Komatsu creek near the center of Miyazaki. A few nights ago, during a summer rainstorm, she could hear the constant cries of a kitten coming from outsi … read more

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