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//By Lynne Francis// In northern Akita Prefecture, there sits Lake Towada. This lake borders Akita and its northern neighbor, Aomori Prefecture. While the lake is covered in a misty haze in the winter, its south-eastern side hosts the Towada Winter Story Festival. Unlike other festivals that span a few days, this grand mix of a … Continue reading
//By Jessie Fast// There is perhaps nothing more terrifying for children than being confronted with their nightmares face-to-face. However, for children in Akita, that is exactly what happens at the Namahage Sedo Festival in Oga City. Namahage, Akita’s infamous demon-gods with daggers in hand and red or blue faces, are used by parents to scare … Continue reading
This is the third part of a five-part series. The first part can be found here, and the second here. //By Andrew Lewis// 6. Public Discourse The best thing about the internet is you can find anything you want, whenever you want it. The worst thing about the internet is that you can find anything … Continue reading
//By Lynne Francis// As ALTs, there comes a time when we all help our students with projects, papers, and speeches. However, very few of us get the chance to stand in the position of presenter rather than judge or coach. I, along with nine other contestants from six countries who currently live, study, or work … Continue reading
This is the second part in a five part series. The first part can be found here. //By Andrew Lewis// 8. News It was not so long ago that news anchors were wringing their hands about this new “web-log” thing, where irresponsible people without journalistic integrity could write and post an article about something in … Continue reading
This post is the first of a five part series. //By Andrew Lewis// Houston, Texas. Oil derricks. NASA. Failed sports franchises. Harbor. Mesquite barbeque. Rodeo. East Coast comedians’ punchlines. Yes, my hometown is well known for many things. It’s not just the city all the big nationwide tours skip over. It’s also the city trying to … Continue reading
The thoughts of a third-year ALT upon returning to the American South. //By Ashley Hinkleman// Reverse Culture Shock #1: Why is everyone speaking English? Reverse Culture Shock #2: Why does no one understand me when I speak Japanese? I tried to explain a game to my four-year-old niece, and when she didn’t understand, I started explaining … Continue reading
//By Jessie Fast// Sometimes, on the 4:15 bus back to Akita from Araya, the bus pulls over for a young man and an old woman at a particular bus stop in front of a white school. More accurately, I suppose, the bus pulls over for the old woman only, because the young man never gets on … Continue reading
// By Christina Gunning // Thursday started out like all the other days this week. It’s my first official week of class at the junior high so every lesson centers on, well, me. I have my fancy powerpoint with all the pictures of my family and my hometown. By now, I’ve got my confidence up, … Continue reading
// By Jessie Fast // I came to Japan in July 2011, about four months after the East Japan Earthquake. We had been warned that electricity use had been cut in an attempt to compensate for the shortages in the northeast, and the Tokyo nightscape was scattered with patches of darkness where signs hung unlit, the … Continue reading
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