White Day March 14th is White Day in Japan. If you don't know what it is, I promise it`s not nearly as bad as it sounds. White Day is simply a day designated for boys to return sweets to the girls who gave them something on Valentine's Day. After a couple friends asked me why… Continue reading Celebrating Green and White Holidays in Japan
Tag: Japan
The First Perfect Island Day of 2016
I wrote this post last night. I came home from an amazing day and needed to turn my experience into words. Here you go. Today. I need to put a day like today in words. Right after it's happened. When I can still feel the palpable heat of the sun on my face and it makes my head… Continue reading The First Perfect Island Day of 2016
An Island Girl in the Big City (Again)
This past weekend, I decided to overnight ferry to the mainland for a weekend getaway to Kagoshima City. If I want to spend time in the city, the overnight ferry from Amami to Kagoshima is the most convenient way for me to travel for several reasons. 1) The port is only a five minute drive from… Continue reading An Island Girl in the Big City (Again)
Japanese High School Graduation
My high school's graduation ceremony was on March 1st. The Japanese school year begins in April, but graduation happens in the beginning of March, midweek, while first and second year students still have classes. It was a fun cultural experience to attend a Japanese graduation because it was so different than a high school graduation… Continue reading Japanese High School Graduation
I See the Light (And Other Things in Nagasaki)
Last week, I traveled to Nagasaki for the Chinese Lantern Festival. This was my first trip to a part of Japan that was not a part of Kagoshima or Tokyo, so I was really excited to go. I took the overnight ferry from Amami to Kagoshima Wednesday night, and then my friend and I traveled… Continue reading I See the Light (And Other Things in Nagasaki)
Homemade Chocolates
On February 14th in Japan, all of the pressure falls on the girls to give chocolates to the boys. Except the girls don't just buy a box of Russell Stover chocolates for their Valentines. Many of them go all out and make HOMEMADE chocolates. The adorable little chocolate to the right was a gift from… Continue reading Homemade Chocolates
Island Gems
Instead of blowing up my Facebook with more pictures tonight, I figured I'll just post the ones I took today on my blog. On my way to try on a tsumugi kimono for my high school's graduation next month, I got lost and ended up at a hidden beach. What a great place to end… Continue reading Island Gems
Chasing Rainbows and Cherry Blossoms
Yesterday I ran the Sakura Half Marathon on Amami Island, a race than Amami holds every February in the north. The marathon bears its name because the course stretches around a dam that is lined with Amami's early-blooming sakura trees. Since Amami is so far south, we get to enjoy hanami (flower viewing) almost two… Continue reading Chasing Rainbows and Cherry Blossoms
One of My Best Week at School Yet.
This week, I want to burn all of my words for warmth because believe it or not, my tropical island is cold. Especially in my school, and specifically in my teachers' room. It has rained every single day since last Saturday. I'm not just talking drizzles here, people...it has been pouring buckets of cold rain. Anyway.… Continue reading One of My Best Week at School Yet.
It Will Always Be the Little Things
There is something special about the time one spends living abroad. Wherever you are in the world, you are bound to have experiences that are truly unique to you and your situation. I had one of those experiences last night. D and I decided to brave the downpour and go out to sing karaoke with… Continue reading It Will Always Be the Little Things
The Becca Jar 