Hey everybody! We’re here safe and sound in Japan, the earthquake shook us up quite a bit but everyone’s ok in our area. It’s pretty crazy watching the pictures come through on TV. Even the reporters on TV are wearing helmets!
The trains are still down, so we have a few stranded coworkers staying with us tonight. We’re making the best of it, so this will be just a short post to check in and let you all know we’re ok! Posting lots of updates on Twitter if you want to follow us there ❤
After the Graduation Ceremony last week, the teachers celebrated by having an Enkai. 宴会（えんかい）means a banquet or a party, and they can range from boring staid affairs to raging infernos of drunken debauchery.
It’s considered rude to pour your own drink, and instead you Continue reading
Ugh, feeling really oogy today, so all you get is this picture. It’s not even new, I took it on an Otakon business trip to Tokyo in 2007 when I got wicked sick–the Tokyo Death Plague, we called it. I’m not quite that bad today, but the picture pretty accurately sums up how I feel right about now. I had intended to write about going to the doctor here in Japan, and how it differs from the US, but I think I’m going to crawl back under the covers now, instead. Bleurgh…
Do you wish you had a cat, but your apartment doesn’t allow pets?
Do you you crave the warmth of a furry friend, but hate cleaning up after living creatures other than yourself?
Well, has Japan got the product for you! A brand new Continue reading
Something beautiful happened on my way home from work the other day.
I pass by a little park every day, and I noticed that the Sakura trees had started blooming. Not Ume trees, but proper cherry blossoms! It must be an early blooming variety, as it’s still a bit chilly and extremely early, but I was still really happy to see them.
I walked in to take a few pictures, and all of a sudden Continue reading
It’s been a pretty great week here in Japan! I haven’t even gotten a chance to blog all the fun stuff that’s going on, but here’s the run down of what I put up this week:
★ On Monday, we looked at Starbuck’s gorgeous Sakura Frappuccino & Sakura Chiffon Cake. I expected them to be nice, but I didn’t realize how nice they would be!
★ On Tuesday, I experienced my first High School Graduation here in Japan. It was interesting seeing the differences and similarities with US graduations!
★ On Wednesday, we tried some Hello Kitty Hina Arare, and talked about Hina Matsuri. The treats were cuter than they were tasty, but it’s been fun seeing the various ways girl’s day was celebrated!
★ On Thursday, the day of Hina Matsuri itself, we found some gorgeous doll-shaped cakes at the local combini. Tasty and adorable!
★ Friday brought the Engrish of the Week, of course, and it made me giggle like a 12 year old boy every time I saw it. How about you?
★ On Saturday we tried something new–Horse Sashimi. It was a bit strange, and I felt a bit conflicted about eating it. What do you think?
Around the web there’s been some pretty great stuff too!
◆ Our friend Geoff attempted to recreate the Miami Burger in the States! It looks surprisingly accurate, but apparently didn’t taste too good. This is after Bob attempted his own Idaho Burger a few weeks ago. I’m really excited about people trying to recreate some of the stuff we’ve posted about–hopefully the Manhattan Burger gets such love! We haven’t tried it yet, but one of our friends said it’s the best yet 🙂
◆ Also, one of my Ume Blossom photos got featured as part of this week’s Show me Japan! Very cool! Don’t know if I’ll get a chance to participate this week, but hopefully next week 🙂
◆ Don’t forget the weekly round-up over on Tokyo Bounce! They always have tons of great links!
◆ Oh, and finally the March Japan Blog Matsuri has been announced! This month’s theme is “Faces of Japan” and I can’t wait to enter!
There’s lots of Japan related fun over on Twitter (@vyxle) and if you have anything awesome to share, let me know!
Tonight while we were out, our friend Grant ordered the Horse Sashimi, or 馬刺し. It’s been on my list of “Things that I want to try that really kind of freak me out.” I don’t know, but for some reason eating horse just seems weirder to me than beef or chicken or pork. What do you guys think? Would you eat horse? Is it normal in your area, or strange to you?
Happy Friday, everybody! This sign was up during construction of a building near my school, and made me giggle EVERY TIME I walked by.
So what are you up to this weekend? I’ve got some leads on some Hina dolls, and in super exciting news, McDonald’s Manhattan Burger came out today, the last of the Big America 2 Series! I can’t wait to try it!
Today is Hina Matsuri! I still haven’t found any proper doll displays of ひな人形, the dolls I mentioned in yesterday’s post. I did, however, find these adorable creations at the Lawson’s by our house. 
Seriously, how adorable are they? It’s ridiculous! They’re almost too cute to eat, with their Continue reading
Hina Matsuri is tomorrow! 明日はひなまつりですよ！Hina Matsuri is also known as Girl’s Day or the Doll’s Festival, and is particularly celebrated by families with little girls. The primary activity, as far as I know, is decorating one’s home with a tiered stand, on which beautiful dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, and their attendants are placed. These dolls are often passed down as family heirlooms, and are believed to Continue reading
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