-
Recent Posts
Archives
Categories
Meta
Category Archives: Gaijin
No gaijins need apply
In preparing for my trip to Tokyo where I will spend the next three months, I embarked on what I thought was a relatively simple task. I needed to find an apartment. I had a budget. I knew how close … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged discrimination, foreigners in Japan, gaijins, inkan, Japan, Japanese culture, racial discrimination
Leave a comment
Tsunami relief work
I’ve been in Japan since the beginning of April and am now in Rikuzentakata and Ofunato where there was excessive and horrific tsunami damage. I wanted you to know there are two other blogs I’m working on where I report … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged earthquake, George Clooney, Iwate, Japan disaster, media, natural disasters, nuclear disaster, Ofunato, relief work, Rikuzentakata, Tohoku, tsunami, volunteering
1 Comment
Where’s George Clooney?
Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Nuclear reactor malfunctions. One is enough. To get hit with all three is a major catastrophe. Why then, may I please ask, has the world not shown Japan the kind of help seen in Haiti (earthquake) and in … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged earthquakes, George Clooney, humanitarian aid, Japan earthquake, relief work, tsunamis
Leave a comment
Earthquakes and tsunamis
Sending out thoughts and prayers to those affected in Japan by the earthquakes and tsunamis.
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged earthquake, earthquake in Japan, Japan, natural disasters, tsunami, tsunami in Japan
Leave a comment
The Spider’s Thread: Kumo no ito
I glance up at the wall across from me and see a spider making its way down. I hate spiders. What it is that freaks me out and makes me do a girly scream is totally beyond me. There’s one … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Buddha, Japanese elementary school, Japanese folk tales, satan, spiders
1 Comment
Hinamatsuri: Girls Day in Japan
All my girlfriends had them: The entire set of Hinamatsuri dolls. I didn’t. “We aren’t Japanese and they cost too much” was the answer I always got when each year in late February and early March I would beg my … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged gaijin, Girls Day, hinamatsuri, Japanese culture, Japanese history, origami
Leave a comment
Gaijin at the Oscars
Shout out to Lisle Wilkerson (interview with her posted on this blog) who’s at the Oscars tonight interviewing celebs for WOWOW (Japanese television). If anyone finds a 6 foot tall blonde in a black vintage dress (like half the other … Continue reading
The joy of Japanese food
I was invited to a “nabe” party last night. Nabe, in Japan is essentially a stew. Flavor it with miso, soy sauce, kimchi, fish stock or what have you, then throw in vegetables, fish, meat, noodles and more what have … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged comfort food, edamame, gyoza, Ippudo, izakaya, Japanese food, macaroni and cheese, ohagi, oshiruko, ramen, sekihan, sukiyaki, sushi, tofu
Leave a comment
Gay in Japan
I recently got involved in a conversation about whether I thought it was a good idea for a gay gaijin to come out in Japan. This is a biggie. My short answer was “no.” My longer is much more complicated. … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged coming out, Gays in Japan, Hard Gay, homosexuality, homosexuality in Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese history
Leave a comment
Calling all JETs
This is a quick posting to let all you JETs out there know of an amazing resource for y’all. Check out http://jetwit.com/wordpress/ to connect with JET alums, network and socialize as well as browse job postings. Jetwit also has a … Continue reading
Posted in Gaijin
Tagged foreigners, gaijins, JET program, JETs, jetwit, teaching English in Japan
Leave a comment
GAIJIN! 