Category Archives: Uncategorized

Before I came to Japan, I was not a huge fan of sake. Now that I live in Niigata, I have acquired a taste for the alcoholic beverage. Niigata is considered to be one of the capitals of sake brewing in Japan. If you are interested in the history or process behind the brewing ofContinue reading “Sake Brewery Tour”

              I have been asked by some of my friends and family back home questions about the nature of Christmas in Japan. People are wondering if they celebrate it, and if so, what kind of things do they do. Well, they actually do celebrate Christmas here, in a way. Christmas is not a traditional holidayContinue reading “Christmas in Japan”

As of Novmber, I have officially lived on Sado for a year. Time is flying and it certainly doesn’t feel like a year has passed. Earlier in the year, when it was looking unlikely that Japan would open before 2023, two of my good friends boldly purchased airplane tickets to visit me. As the monthsContinue reading “Hawaii”

I am getting tired of prefacing each of these posts with apologies for not writing more frequently. I am sorry, but finding motivation to make these posts can be difficult at times. Still, I am very happy to write to everyone who is interested in my life at the moment. August was a busy month,Continue reading “August”

Hello, everyone. I apologize for my recent lack of updates. July has been a whirlwind as it is the last month for all of the English teachers who are returning home at the end of their contracts. Everyone is in a last minute rush to plan fun things together before we say goodbye. I evenContinue reading “Hokkaido”

The Okesa dance is perhaps one of the most recognized and strongest of the traditions of Sado island. The incantation-like singing and twang of the stringed Shamisen accompaniment is the first thing you hear over a loudspeaker when you disembark the ferry on arrival here. There are also silhouettes of the dancers in their kimonoContinue reading “Yoi no Mai”

Hello, everyone. I am sorry I haven’t been posting much lately. I have been a bit busy and I haven’t been happy with the quality of my writing recently. It is hard to believe, but May 15th marked my 6th month since arriving in Sado. Already half a year here, I have celebrated my birthdayContinue reading “Cherry Blossoms and Golden Week”

Here’s something not a lot of people know about me: I’m a bit of a boxing fan. I wasn’t interested in the sport for most of my life but, on a whim, I decided to tune into the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko heavyweight title fight about 5 years ago. It was an epic, back and forthContinue reading “Saitama and Boxing”

Today, the Japanese 2021-2022 school year officially came to an end. Even though graduation was about three weeks ago, classes continued until two days ago, while preparations were made for the final two days of ceremonies. Yesterday was the official Closing Ceremony. The students and teachers all gathered in the gym, while there were someContinue reading “Farewell Ceremony”