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AJET
News & Events, Arts & Culture, Lifestyle, Community
FEBRUARY
2016
score! sports for charity
what’s coming to japan in 2016?
the ultimate bento guide
Why japan makes hollywood wait
celebrate shinichi hoshi’s 90th birthday
The Japanese Lifestyle & Culture
Magazine Written by the International
Community in Japan
C is a special art issue of Connect that
will act as a public portfolio for the expat
community in Japan.
Go to this site for more information
the art issue and to send us your work!
Submissions are open until March 2016.
2 FEBRUARY 2016 3
CREDITS &
C - The Art Issue 2
Letter from the Editor 6
News & Events
Event Calendar 10
CONTENTS
In the News 15
Coming to Japan in 2016 16
Arts & Culture
Faces in Fashion 22
When Sexy Isn’t Pretty 24
Head Editor Graphic Design & Layout Corporate Advertising Staff Book Picks 27
Rajeev Rahela Patrick Finn Jared Oliva Japan’s Short Sci-Fi Master 28
ASSISTANT Editor Assistant Designers Public Relations Where the Dead Pause 30
Timothy Saar Mathew Cartwright Jasmin Lau Better Late Than Never 32
Hannah Killoh Mastering Kyuushoku Conversations 34
Section Editors SOCIAL MEDIA
Amy Koller
Alexandra Brueckner Keith Lawton Lifestyle
Hiroshi Fukushima Cover Photo Niseko Restaurant Spotlight 38
Copyediting
Elena Galindo Illaura Rossiter
Thea Felmore Vietnam in Tiny Boxes 44
Erica Grainger
TABLE OF CONTENTS Photo Liam Nolan White Water Rafting in Shikoku 48
Leah Gray
Illaura Rossiter Japanese Bento Guide 51
Rayna Healy Contributors
Cameron Joe Additional Photos Misha Janette Community
Pia Peterson Alexandra Brueckner Daniel Kenney
The Spirit of Ishizuchi-san 58
Margaret Pickard Sterling Diesel Ryan Monahan
One World. One Team. 61
Mira Richard-Fioramore Ashley Dorrell Rachel Paterson
Timothy Saar Freerange Stock Jack Powers Contributing to Connect 62
Jennifer Sanchez Elena Galindo Emma Ruiters
Becca Simas Happy Raft Jennifer Stout
Joyce Wan Hiroshima AJET
Sabrina Zirakzadeh iTunes
Misha Janette
Ryan Monathan
Pia Peterson
Margaret Pickard
Rajeev Rahela
Mira Richard-Fioramore
Illaura Rossiter
Texture.com
Joyce Wan
Wikicommons
新潮社
This magazine contains original photos used with permission, as well as free-use images. All included
photos are property of the author unless otherwise specified. If you are the owner of an image featured
in this publication believed to be used without permission, please contact the Head of Graphic Design
and Layout, Patrick Finn, at patrick.finn@ajet.net.
This edition, and all past editions of AJET Connect, can be found online at AJET.net here. Read Connect
online and follow us on ISSUU.
4 FEBRUARY 2016 5LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR
Hello! Welcome to the January 2016 edition of Connect magazine.
I hope that the Holiday season has treated you well, and you’ve a spring in your step to greet the
new year with. The Connect team sure has! We’ve always got treats for you, but these are 2016
treats, so they’re extra special!
This year is all about “New Year, New Me-als.” I want to try cooking something new as often as
I can; what are your goals?
The weather has become rather cold of late—not just in Japan, but in various parts of the world.
Appreciate the beauty of it all… make the most of it for 5 minutes before running indoors and
hiding under blankets and a kotatsu. That’s where you’ll find me! But if not, the slopes are alive!
Here in Gifu, there are a plethora of ski sports, and locations, to take part in some powdery fun.
This month we have: a sporting charity helping those after the 2011 earthquake; a guide to the
ultimate bento; a heartfelt book review giving an insight into grievances; the wonderful block
events calendar, and many more.
Once again I’d like to thank all those who contributed to this month’s issue. I hope you will all
enjoy reading it as much as I did. And if you haven’t already, please take a look at our special
January edition of Connect!
Have a great February!
Rajeev Rahela
Head Editor
2nd-year Gifu ALT
PHOTO
SUBMISSIONS
interested
in submitting a
cover photo for
the next issue?
CLICK here for more
information and
to submit your
photos!
6 FEBRUARY 2016 7NEWS
News & Events
Event Calendar 10
In the News 15
Coming to Japan in 2016 16
& EVENTS
NEWS EDITOR
connect.news@ajet.net
Margaret Pickard
So begins the daily delicate shuffle across icy parking lot to avoid eating it in front of students.
EVENTS EDITOR
connect.events@ajet.net
Jennifer Sanchez
What do you mean hibernating season is over?
Illaura Rossiter
8 FEBRUARY 2016 9EVENTS CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 1 2 3
Hokkaido Yuki Matsuri Matsushima Kaki Matsuri Mito Plum Festival 2016
(Snow Festival) 6-7 February 2016 20 February 2016 - 31 March
5-11 February 2016 Matsushima Bay, Miyagi 2016
Odori Park Site & Susukino’s Website Karaku-en and Kodokan
Ekimae-dori Site, Sapporo Park in Mito City, Ibaraki
5-18 February 2016 Riyu Sawa God Winter Website
Block 1 Tsudome Communite Dome Festival
Site, Sapporo 20-21 February 2016 Suigo Sakura Illumination
Website Tachiyazawa, Shonai- Until 28 February 2016
machi, Higashitagawa-gun, 1051 Oiwata, Tsuchiura,
Yuki Akari Yamagata Nishiyama 1-67 Ibaraki
(Otaru Snow Light Path Website Website
Festival) 2016
5-14 February 2016 Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Okunikko Yumoto Hot
Otaru City, Hokkaido Mairi Spring Snow Festival
Website 10-11 February 2016 13-27 February 2016
30 minute walk from Okunikko Yumoto Hot
Hachinohe Enburi 2016 Fukushima Terebi Mae Bus Spring, Nikko, Tochigi
Block 2 17-20 February 2016 Stop Website
Block 5 Hachinohe (Map), Aomori Fukushima Station,
Website Fukushima City, Fukushima Oigami Onsen Yuki Hotaru
Block 3 Website 9 January 2016 - 27
Block 6 Kuroishi Jankara Yoi Yoi February 2016
Sake Festival 2016 Ojiya Hot Air Balloon Oigami Onsen, Oigami,
Block 9
20 February 2016 Festival and Lights Tone-machi, Numata-shi,
Block 10 Block 4 5-2 Ichinomachi, Kuroishi 27-28 February 2016 Gunma
City, Aomori Nishinaka (Tournament) Website
Website and Hirasawa (Rides), Ojiya
Block 7 City, Niigata Konosu Surprise Doll
Iwate Yuki Matsuri 2016 Website Festival 2016
Block 8 Until 7 February 2016 16 February 2016 - 06 March
36-1 Maruyachi, Tokamichi Yuki Matsuri 2016
Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, 19-21 February 2016 First Floor of Erumi Konosu
Block 11 Iwate Jogaoka Pureland/Tokamichi Shopping Mall, Konosu City,
What’s a Website High School/Around Saitama
block? Tokamachi City, Niigata Website
Click here! Yokote Kamakura Snow Website
Festival
15-16 February 2016
Doro Koen Park, Yokote City,
Akita
Website
10 NEWS & EVENTS FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS & EVENTS 114 5 6 7 8 9
International Fureai 16th Nyuzen Ramen 20th Music Festival Sweat Jizou Festival The 17th Shikoku Sake A BIRD Theatre
Festival Matsuri 07 February 2016 24 February 2016 Matsuri Performance of Snow
14 February 2016 27-28 February 2016 777 Bungei Seminariyo, Nakiri, Shima City, Mie 20 February 2016 White
4-5-1, Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chuo 5232-5, Nyuzen, Nyuzen- Omihachiman City, Azuchi- Website Sunrise Building, 27-28 February 2016
City, Chiba machi, Shimoniikawa-gun, cho, Kuwanomiji, Shiga Imakomachi, Tokushima Yodo Cultural Center,
Website Toyama Website World Hobby Fair Website Yonago City, Tottori
Website 07 February 2016 Website
The 19th Japan Media Arts Kyoto Marathon Kyocera Dome, Osaka Sohonzan Zentsuji
Festival Sugo Isobe Shrine Matsuri 21 February 2016 Website Temple Festival Monobe Shrine Setsubun
3-14 February 2016 10 February 2016 From Nishikyogoku Athletic 27-28 February 2016 Festival
The National Art Center, Sugo Isobe Shrine, Daishouji Park to Heian-jingu Shrine Setsubun Mantoro 3-3-1 Zentsujicho, Zentsuji 2-03 February 2016
Tokyo (closed on 9th) Shikiji, Ruotsu, Kaga City, Website 3 February 2016 City, Kagawa Monobe Shrine, Oda City,
Website Ishikawa Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Website Shimane
Website Setsubun Matsuri Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Website
Odawara Plum Festival 3 February 2016 (Annual) Nara Ehime Marathon
2016 Katsuyama Sagicho Ikuta Temple, Kobe City, Website 7 February 2016 Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka
6 February 2016 - 6 March Festival Hyogo Ehime Ken-cho Mae, Matsuri
2016 27-28 February 2016 Website Kumano Otou Matsuri Matsuyama City, Ehime Third Saturday of February
389, Sogabessho, Odawara, Around Katsuyama Honcho, (Fire Festival) Website Saidai-ji Temple, Saidaiji-
Kanagawa 250-0205 Katsuyama City, Fukui 6 February 2016 (annual) naka, Okayama
Website Website Higashimuro Area, 42nd Ashizuri Camellia Website
Kamikura Shrine, Festival
Yokohama Chinatown Gifu no Fuyutabi Wakayama 7 February 2016 Shoto Garden Plum Tea
Lunar New Year 2016 1-14 February 2016 Website Garden Ashizurimisaki, Gathering
8-22 February 2016 Nakao Okuhidaonsengo, Tosashimizu City, Kochi 6-07 February 2016
Yokohama Chinatown, Takayama City, Gifu Website Kure City, Hiroshima
Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Website Website
Website The First Annual
Demon and Fire Festival ‘Entirely Art’ Festival Hagi Plum Festival
Moegi no Mura at Takiyama Temple 4-27 February 2016 27-28 February 2016 & 05-
Illumination 13 February 2016 Kago no Oto 650, Showa, 06/12-13 March 2016
Until late February 2016 Takisan Temple, Okazaki Shimanto-cho, Takaoka-gun, 1125 Tsubaki, Hagi City,
Kiyosato 3545, Takane- City, Aichi Kochi Yamaguchi
cho, Hokuto, Yamanashi Website Website Website
Prefecture
Website
Setsubun-e with Famous
Sumo Wrestlers!
3 February 2016 (annual)
Shinshoji Temple, Shizuoka
Website
12 NEWS & EVENTS FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS & EVENTS 13IN THE NEWS
10 11 DECEMBER - JANUARY
December 16 In addition, joint-teams from Russia and the
United States have been awarded claim of
In a controversial decision, Japan’s Supreme
discovery and naming rights for Elements
Hatsu Uma Matsuri Sengoku Higo Matsuri Court upholds a 19th century law requiring
115, 117, and 118, completing the bottom row
married couples to have the same surname.
6 February 2016 14 February 2016 of the periodic table.
The law does not stipulate whether the name
Kuroiwa Inari Shrine, Ogori Nagomi Town, Kumamoto
taken must be the man’s or the woman’s; (Source)
City, Fukuoka Website
however, court papers show that 96% of
Website January 8
Third Annual Hoppo couples choose the husband’s surname. The
Yutoku Inari Shrine Cultural Festival ruling means more headaches for women in A survey conducted by Expedia Inc. shows
6 February 2016 28 February 2016 the workplace who keep their maiden names Japan comes first in the world in disregarding
Yutoku Inari Shrine, Hoppou Cultural Center, for professional reasons and must now jump annual leave, with 53% of Japanese
Kashima City, Saga Hoppoumachi, Miyazaki extra hurdles because their legal names respondents admitting they do not know how
Website 1pm-3pm are different. The United Nations, citing many vacation days they are owed. Concerns
gender discrimination, has pressured Japan over delays in meeting deadlines, shortages
Nagasaki Lantern Kagi Hiki Matsuri repeatedly to revise the law, citing it as one of staff, and perceived inconvenience inflicted
Festival (Log Tug-o-War Festival) of the few countries that requires married on colleagues are among reasons given by
8-22 February 2016 20 February 2016 (annual; couples to pick one surname. workers in not taking their paid leave. Japan
Chuo Minato Park, Nagasaki third Sunday of February) (Source)
also topped the poll in ratio of workers who
City, Nagasaki Nakatsu Shrine, Kanoya feel guilt in taking vacation (18%) and who
Website City, Kagoshima December 28 say they “cannot get work out of their minds”
Website even during holidays (13%).
Tennenji Shujouonie Japan and South Korea come to an agreement
14 February 2016 Yaese Sakura Matsuri on the long-term issue of “comfort women”, (Source)
Tennenji, Nagaiwaya, Bungo, (Day & Night) a euphemism for women forced to work in
January 11
Takada City, Oita 07 February 2016 Japanese military brothels during World
Website Yaesemachi Park, Okinawa War II. Under the terms of the agreement, in Japan and the UK announce a commitment to
Website addition to a “heartfelt apology”, Japan will deepen defense cooperation in 2016, with UK
Oyama Plum Festival give 1 billion yen to the 46 surviving Korea Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announcing
21 February 2016 to 20 women forced into sexual slavery under reciprocal access to military bases and joint
March 2016 Japan’s rule. Korea confirms that, given combat exercises, including some involving
Okubodai Baien and Japan fulfills its promises, the deal will be the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon
Furuyadai Baien in “irreversibly” resolved. The agreement gives aircraft in Japan. London and Tokyo have also
Oyamamachi, Hita City, hope to those who hope to see a thaw in the agreed to increased information-sharing in the
Kusu, Oita notoriously frosty relations between Seoul interest of cyber security and are looking into
Website got an event and Tokyo. working with the US in joint cyber exercises.
to promote? (Source)
Last year, the UK cited Japan as its “closest
let our editor security partner in Asia”.
know here! December 30
(Source)
A team from Japan will decide the official
Sterling Diesel
name and symbol of Element 113, marking
the first time scientists from Asia make an
addition to the Periodic Table of Elements. The
announcement comes from the International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, which
decided the team’s studies published from 2004
to 2012 give it the strongest claim to discovery.
14 NEWS & EVENTS FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS & EVENTS 15COMING TO
JAPAN IN 2016
JACK POWERS (HOKKAIDO)
Hokkaido Shinkansen (March)
The frontier will come even closer to the
average salary-man this year. Hokkaido
will become accessible by bullet train
for the first time on March 26. The
existing line between Tokyo and Shin-
Aomori bullet train will be extended
into Shin-Hakodate at Hokkaido’s
southern tip. Japan Railways officials
announced there will be 13 round-trip
trains every day. The reported travel
time between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate
will be around 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Early reports out of JR Hokkaido are
that a reserved-seat ticket on a bullet
train between Shin-Hakodate and
Tokyo will cost 22,690 yen, which is
slightly cheaper than current airline
fares between Tokyo and Hakodate.
However, travelers wanting to go on to
Sapporo and beyond will have to switch
onto regular JR Hokkaido trains.
(Source 1, 2)
Jack Powers is from Chicago, Illinois.
He is a middle school and elementary
school assistant language teacher in
Niikappu, Hokkaido. His hobbies
include walking and eating apples. His
favorite book is “The Hobbit.”
16 NEWS & EVENTS FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS & EVENTS 17G7 Summit (May) Voting Age Lowers from 20 to 18 (July) Mountain Day (August) Tsukiji Moves (November)
The 42nd G7 Summit will be held from May Legislation passed last June to lower Japan’s The Diet passed legislation for a new national Tsukiji, the world’s largest wholesale fish
26-27th in Shima, Mie Prefecture. Combined voting age to 18 will take effect this July, in holiday in 2014. The legislation will take and seafood market, is scheduled to move
with practical factors like easy accessibility, time for the Upper House elections. The step effect this year, with its inaugural observance in November. The government’s decision to
the site was chosen because of its close is meant to address the growing imbalance landing on August 11th. The holiday is relocate the market can be traced back all
proximity to the legendary Ise Shrine. Prime between young and old in Japanese politics. dedicated to mountains and is Japan’s 16th the way to 2001. Early preparations for the
Minister Shinzo Abe looks to show off the Less than a third of people in their 20s national holiday. Mountains make up roughly 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics motivated
majesty of traditional Japanese culture to exercised their right to vote in 2014’s general 70% percent of the Japanese archipelago the government to move ahead with its long-
other world leaders, a popular move among election. That number jumps to 60% and and are seen as spiritually significant in the dormant plan. The world-famous market,
his conservative base. Abe has said that he 68%, respectively, for people in their 60s and Shinto religion. The Japanese Alpine Club which celebrated the 80th anniversary of
“hopes world leaders would feel and enjoy 70s. The unanimous decision from the Upper helped lobby for the new holiday as a way its founding this past year, will move three
Japan’s rich culture and tradition, along with House of the Diet will add 2.4 million new to better connect people with the outdoors. kilometers south to Tokyo’s Toyosu district.
its beautiful scenery.” The summit is expected voters. It remains to be seen how many of Though Japan already has the most national It’s unclear how the relocation will affect
to be a boon for Mie’s economy. The G7 is these young voters will actually go to the polls holidays of any G8 country, the Diet’s passage the market financially this year, especially
comprised of Japan, the United States, the and how their political interests will affect of the law is likely aimed more towards with November being part of its busy season.
United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, upcoming elections. relieving Japan’s obsessive work culture than Tsukiji racked up 3.5 billion US dollars in
and Italy. appeasing mountain-climbing fanatics. sales in 2015. The current site will be used to
(Source 1, 2)
complete Loop Line 2, planned to be a major
(Source 1, 2) (Source 1, 2)
transportation artery for the 2020 Games.
Pour out some extra soy sauce on your sushi
for the old Tsukiji this year.
Ashley Dorrell, Margaret Pickard, Wikicommons (Source 1, 2)
18 NEWS & EVENTS FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS & EVENTS 19ARTS
Arts & Culture
Faces in Fashion 22
When Sexy Isn’t Pretty 24
Staff Book Picks 27
& CULTURE
Japan’s Short Sci-Fi Master 28
Where the Dead Pause 30
Better Late Than Never 32
Mastering Kyuushoku Conversations 34
CULTURE EDITORS
connect.culture@ajet.net
Rayna Healy
Trying to keep morale strong after returning from a tropical Winter vacation in Cambodia.
Lots of time under the kotatsu is all that can help me now
Joyce Wan
Have already broken my resolution not to sleep in any more airports in 2016.
FASHION EDITORS
connect.fashion@ajet.net
Elena Galindo
Erica Grainger
February’s my favorite month, with my birthday & Valentine’s Day!
Cue: champagne & romantic red attire!
ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS
connect.entertainment@ajet.net
Timothy Saar
Started three hobbies this year: calligraphy, volleyball, and LARP.
My geek has grown too powerful.
Sabrina Zirakzadeh
2016 so far: Rediscovered classic sci-fi and subjected my neighbors to nonstop Hamilton.
Fun times!
Illaura Rossiter
20 FEBRUARY 2016 21FACES IN FASHION
FA
JUN TAKAHASHI
TAKAHASH OF
UNDERCOVER
ELENA GALINDO (SHIZUOKA)
Age: 45
Occupation: Designer
Label: UNDERCOVER
Originally born out of inspiration from punk
music and punk sub-culture, UNDERCOVER
is a label that doesn’t subscribe to any fashion
rules. The punk spirit, though subdued,
continues to live on in pieces that are easily
recognizable as inventive and edgy, with the
occasional touch of humor. This is a brand for
those who don’t take themselves too seriously,
and who aren’t afraid to be rebellious, by
pushing the boundaries of fashion.
Claim to Fame
Jun Takahashi is the designer and founder of
UNDERCOVER, a label with an almost cult-
like following at the forefront of Harajuku
fashion culture in the early 1990s. Heavily
influenced by punk and the Sex Pistols,
Takahashi’s earlier designs strived to go
against the grain, which helped garner the
label many dedicated fans from a variety of
fashion sub-cultures and counter-cultures.
Takahashi and his designs do not only appeal
to trendy individuals imbued with the punk
spirit—Takahashi has shown at Tokyo and
Paris Fashion Week, and is twice the recipient
of the Mainichi Fashion Grand Prize. Today
he continues to produce avant-garde pieces for
UNDERCOVER, as well as more commercial
designs through collaborations with labels
such as Nike and UNIQLO.
Official Homepage
Official Instagram
Elena Galindo
22 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 23WHEN SEXY ISN’T
There comes a tipping point, In Japan, it is well known
the “hump” as we’d say, that the magazines are very
when nothing in an adopted segmented into defined
PRETTY
culture can really be all genres. But when it comes
that surprising anymore. to young fashion, there are
This is especially true in two major groups: Aka-moji
my experience working in (Red-letter) and Ao-moji
A CULTURE SHOCK fashion in Japan. I’ve seen
my share of fashion with
(Blue-letter) magazines. The
latter refers to Harajuku
IN JAPANESE
flair while living in Tokyo— styles, where people dress
the yamambas, cyber goth, for themselves and their
shironuri and kigurumin— personalities. While the
“PRETTY” STYLE FASHION
but they wouldn’t make me former Red-letter magazines
surprised. In fact, those are refer to dressing for *someone
something I *expect* to see else*. […] I couldn’t believe
MISHA JANETTE (TOKYO) as someone interested in the that the style lived up to its
subcultures. name: it was really all about
being “attractive” to men. It
But recently I was learning flew in the face of my personal
about a type of fashion that (and perhaps clouded) stance,
that honestly took me by that “fashion” was always
surprise. I had never really something very personal
cared to pay much attention and for ourselves only.
to it, but when I did I was This “Pretty-style” actually
taken aback in a slow-simmer seemed very… taboo.
way. Kind of like hearing a
country cover of a hip hop “Sweet” over “sexy”
song that takes a few minutes seems almost taboo?!
to process. So what was this UNDERCOVER
fashion that confuggled me?
It’s *drum roll* In the west, “dressing for
men” obviously means
… “Mote-kei.” something VERY different.
The makeup can be high-
Mote-kei (mo-tay-kay) is maintenance “natural” or
translated as Pretty-style but very “glammed-up”, but the
it literally means “attractive- clothing is always, always
style”. It is a way of dressing SEXY. Lots of skin, legs,
pretty, with a defined goal cleavage or tight, tight, tight.
of catching or keeping a That is what “dressing for
(Japanese) man/woman. men” means 90% of the time.
Learning about mote-kei and So while looking at the styles
just how penetrative its ideas in the Red-letter Japanese
for catching the opposite sex magazines, I noticed they
through clothing are really were showing skin, but it was
awakened in me a renewed very calculated ..and there
urge to get to the bottom of was not a lot of it. They were
something. Usually fashion is demure, sweet, and innocent,
just fashion. But sometimes with just a bit of spice. Not
there is something more standing out too much,
there. Luckily, I had the looking very approachable,
perfect opportunity to go and most certainly following
head-to-head with it. And “mass market” trends were
you may find it curious as to the main schtick. It almost
Misha Janette what happened… […] seemed retro. I couldn’t get
24 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 25STAFF
the term “Mad Men-era” out every page had something lot about the differences in
of my noggin when reading it. soft on it. It looked so being a “man’s girl” in terms
But I needed to learn more. comfortable and warm. I of style. I was happy to see
BOOK PICKS
Is this REALLY what Pretty- looked in my closet and: no that sexy doesn’t necessarily
style was all about? sweaters! Not one knit item. mean Pretty kei. There is a
I always thought of knit as lot of pressure for girls in the
It’s all fantasy? fuzzy, like mold is fuzzy. Ick, west to be sexy as if that is
UNDERCOVER not for me. But this time… the only way to attract men.
maybe. Alright, I got this. But here in Japan there is a Kafka on the Shore
[…]
At least I could get a fuzzy whole ‘nother layer and way
Haruki Murakami
The most important keywords sweater, right? […] of doing things. This doesn’t
of Pretty style to note is mean I don’t think a lot of it This book will make you want to visit the
So finally I bit the bullet isn’t silly, because it is. But forests of Shikoku and eat unagi. My favorite
romantic fantasy. I learned
and went for the fuzziest if we want to talk silliness, character is Nakata because I am also an
at the magazine that much of
thing I could find in the one only needs to look at our illiterate in Japan!
Pretty style is about the girls
most Red-letter brand in Cosmopolitan (smh). Dating
writing romantic fantasies in Becca Simas
Laforet; Snidel. Snidel! I culture is also obviously way
their minds. The uniform for Co-Sports Editor
know, surprising right! I was different (another topic for
this happens to be flirty, fuzzy
trying to be inconspicuous another day).
and comfortable. Although
and practically tiptoed in
everyone says that the fuzzy,
but that’s hard when I`m a Born in Washington State,
soft clothing is so that guys buy buy buy
foreigner who stands out, and Misha moved to Tokyo in 2004
will want to put their hand
the sales assistant recognized to study at the prestigious
on you, I personally think
me from Bunka. My cover was Bunka Fashion College which
it’s really just because it’s
blown! In any case, I tried on counts Yohji Yamamoto and
comfortable to wear…for the
a sweater and skirt ensemble Kenzo as graduates. Misha
*girls* themselves. […]
that was SO fuzzy, it was like was named as one of Business
I could understand the a carpet. I couldn’t tell if this of Fashion’s “500 people
fantasy part, but I couldn’t made me “mote” or not. I was shaping the global industry”
believe that this was all really feeling uneasy about this (BoF500) for Japan along
for the men. Do men really experiment… […] with Comme des Garcon’s
prefer this sweetiepie sort of Kawakubo Rei and Junya
..but life never turns out the Watanabe in 2014. You can
fashion?? I wanted to call up
way we expect, does it? Turns find her on Instagram and at
my Japanese boyfriends and
out I was going to be the her website.
ask. But then I realized that
least “pretty” of em all. Those
thought alone meant I was
fuzzy hairs? They were flying Read the full piece here.
trying to discredit the culture
everywhere! It was in the air,
here by believing that the
on their clothes, and in the Japanese Fairy Tales Trout Fishing in America
sexxed-up version of a woman
food! I was swallowing them. Yei Ozaka Richard Brautigan
was somehow “correct” and a This article
They were like magnets to
far more girlie “Pretty-style” is a direct
everything but the vessel they As a child, fairy tales fostered my This book has nothing to do with
couldn’t be. […] excerpt from
were *supposed* to stay on. I affection for foreign cultures. This fishing, but Brautigan is a cool writer
the original at
Pretty-kei, pretty tough was being more of a nuisance book provides a reference point for who inspired Murakami (and even
Tokyo Fashion
than a prodigy. And then one being in one of those cultures. called Japan home for a while).
to pull off UNDERCOVER Diaries.
of my male guests said to Liam Nolan Pia Peterson
Perhaps because the season me, “You look very Harajuku now, Copy Editor Co-Travel Editor
is changing and it makes us today.” Huh?!! The point was pose for the
all a bit weird, but I had a to not look Harajuku. I failed camera!
thought: Should I take on a big time. I am going to stick
challenge?! Try Pretty style?! to my styles I know best. But
I was laughing at myself I am sure feelin’ this retro
for thinking it. But looking style kick, pretty style or not.
through the clothes in the
magazines, I realized that So in the end, I learned a
iTunes
26 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 27SHINICHI HOSHI,
JAPAN’S
SHORT SCI-FI
MASTER
RACHEL PATERSON (OKAYAMA)
2016 is the 90th anniversary than five pages long. Hoshi is forays to the stars. Rather than
of the birth of Shinichi Hoshi, the most prolific short-short weaving epic or scientifically
one of Japan’s most beloved writer in Japan, with over precise tales, Hoshi used
and popular authors. Despite 1,000 works published before sci-fi elements to highlight
this, outside of Japan his work his death in 1997, and more the human condition. His
remains relatively unknown. than 100 collections currently stories inspired writer
Since many of Hoshi’s works in publication. (1) Haruki Murakami (Kafka on
will be re-released this year in the Shore, 1Q84) and anime
honor of his birthday, why not Hoshi’s stories cover many legend Tezuka Osamu (Astro
acquaint yourself with this genres, but he is best known Boy, Metropolis), and are still
little-known, but wonderful, for his poignant science- much beloved by Japan to
writer? fiction. His most famous this day.
work, Bokko-chan, tells the
Shinichi Hoshi was born in story of a robot built to work The short length of Hoshi’s
1926 in Tokyo. He studied at a bar and the men who stories makes them easily
agricultural chemistry in fall in love with her without accessible to most levels of
university but dropped out of realizing she isn’t human. Japanese learners, while
his graduate studies program Other tales include aliens their subject matter shines
to work at a pharmacy and to befriending children who a light illuminates Japanese
pursue writing. He published forget them once they are attitudes in a unique and
his first short story, Sextra, in grown, mysterious holes in insightful way. For fans of
1957. He specialized in short- the earth from which nothing sci-fi, the human condition,
short stories—often referred emerges but people still flock or poetic writing, Shinichi
to as “flash fiction”—with to, and otherworldly beings Hoshi is one Japanese author
most of his fiction being less observing humanity’s first you must seek out.
Rachel Paterson is an ALT
living in Okayama. She loves
I’m ready science-fiction of all kinds
for my Um, I’m a and thanks her partner for
closeup, writer... introducing her to Mr. Hoshi’s
Mr. Hoshi! work.
Sources
(1) The Hoshi Library
新潮社
28 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 29BOOK REVIEW
WHERE THE DEAD PAUSE
AND THE JAPANESE SAY
GOODBYE
RAYNA HEALY (SHIMANE)
Marie Mutsuki Mockett, Grief, of course, is utterly not actually alone. Whether
an American woman, was personal and intimidatingly they are alive or dead, they
struggling with depression big. In the West, there are are not alone” (3).
while dealing with the loss of few rituals surrounding
her father and the prospect grief (2). Grief is a private Mockett’s book explores
of burying her grandfather’s wound that is nurtured on grief and recovery through
bones in Japan. That’s when a more individual level. In her own experiences and
disaster struck in the forms Japan, grief and death have through the cultural lens
of an earthquake, tsunami, a communal place. Every and national experience of a
and nuclear disaster, the year when the deceased are grieving Japan. It’s worth the
latter of which occurred just welcomed back during Obon. read for the insights, ideas,
25 miles from her family- Mockett found Toro Nagashi, and cultural commentary
owned temple. a lantern floating festival at on grieving in Japan and a
the end of Obon, a particularly reminder that hope lies in a
Mockett’s return to Japan poignant experience. During compassion born of common
after the disaster led her on this event, people write the human experience.
a journey deep into the heart names of deceased family
of a suffering Japan. She members on lanterns and Sources
comes face to face with not f loat them in a river at (1) “After Father’s Death, A Writer
just her own grief but with sunset. This represents the Learns How ‘The Japanese
the grief of an entire nation. Say Goodbye’” NPR. NPR.
return of deceased souls to Web. 15 Jan. 2016.
In her book, Where the Dead the afterlife.
Pause and the Japanese Say (2) Murray, Colleen I., Katalin
Goodbye, we follow Mockett The river lights up like a night Toth, and Samantha S.
Clinkinbeard. “Death, Dying,
across Japan as she meets sky, an enormity of souls
and Grief in Families.” 75-95.
with priests and tsunami remembered and beloved. It’s Online.
survivors. Mockett sees that impossible to keep track of
(3) Mockett, M. M. (2015).
in Japan “there are all of these one’s own lanterns in a river Where the dead pause, and
wonderful traditions which filled with so much light, the Japanese say goodbye:
take individual pain... and dispersing the concentrated A journey. W. W. Norton &
cast it against the backdrop grief. Mockett notices that Company.
of… human suffering” (1) the lanterns begin to cluster
iTunes
This doesn’t exactly shrink together as they travel
your own individual pain but farther and farther down the
grows the context in which river. For Mockett, watching
you see it. the lanterns cling to each
other, and being surrounded
by hundreds of anonymous
people during a goodbye that
was deeply intimate, made
her realize that “[p]eople are
30 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 31BETTER LATE
That’s because it is, and all
of it needs to be okayed by
Hollywood first.
THAN NEVER
we’re late!
Piracy, or lack thereof we’re late!
Another factor slowing down
WESTERN MOVIES IN JAPAN
release dates in Japan is the
lack of film piracy. You could
argue the severe penalties
DANIEL KENNEY (OKAYAMA) against piracy (10 million yen
and ten years in prison) keep
If you’re like me, you enjoy A little about the Preparation is key; most in Japan from pirating
Hollywood movies. You also Japanese film industry patience is a virtue movies. Whatever the reason,
most likely enjoy watching piracy is not an issue here,
them in theatres, with people, In the 1960s, Japan had Delaying a release is one and thus not a factor in timely
like a civilized human being. around 7,000 theatres, and way distributors secure that releases as in China or South
attendance was high. These return. Seeing how a movie Korea.
However, if you enjoy days, Japan has just over performs in other countries for
Hollywood movies and you 3,000 screens, compared to the and markets gives them Now that you have a general a very
live in Japan, you may have U.S.’s 40,000. In order to stay hard data they can use to idea of why foreign movies important...
noticed that most of the world profitable, the time-honored convince people to part with take so long to get here, release
gets to see them before you strategy of raising ticket their 1,800-2,300 yen. If what is there to be done? Not date!
do. prices has been employed, you are Japanese language- much, I’m afraid. Japan isn’t
plus expensive concessions savvy, you’ve seen the, “All known for changing its ways, okay... I’ll
What gives? What do and merchandising. In of America loved this film” especially when there is no stop...
Mongolia and Tunisia have addition, Japan’s domestic or “Worldwide Big Hit” incentive to do so. All I can
that Japan doesn’t? Does film industry commands messages before the trailer tell you is make patience one
Japan simply like to let its most of the space on those gets underway. Positive of your cardinal virtues.
foreign movies age, like wine? screens, with an average of word of mouth gets people in
nearly 60% of the market theatres, after all. Daniel Kenney thinks the fact
The answer to that is, “Yeah, since the 2000’s. Hollywood that ‘Yokai Watch the Movie 2:
kind of.” A combination of hasn’t commanded the The delay also buys King Enma and the 5 Stories,
factors keeps most foreign Japanese market since the time for promotion and Nyan!’ beat ‘Star Wars’ in
releases from arriving in early 90s. This situation merchandising. Hollywood overall tickets sold paints a
Japanese movie theatres on leaves Japanese distributors A-listers have a chance to eat grim future for Japan. He
time, and it’s not because hesitant to take chances sushi on a variety show and also thinks Timothy Dalton
the Japanese film industry is on foreign films that could sell their movie. Failing that, wasn’t a bad James Bond.
stupid and hates us, as I once tank, or cut into the profits the Japanese dub actors often Follow him on Twitter to see
thought. of the newest Yokai Watch get touted as the stars of the what else he thinks, or to tell
sequel. They’re running a movie and do press junkets. him how wrong he is.
jurassic
If you have ever stopped by
iTunes world
the movie
release
dates
2015.06.12 2015.08.05
iceland, 2015.06.16 2015.06.24
japan
morocco, mongolia tunsia
...sorry...
usa, etc.
business and,
like any business, they want
a guaranteed return on their theatre gift shop, you may
investment. have noticed merchandise
that seems Japan-specific.
32 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 33MASTERING
Kids like talking about their This question will probably they like from the placemats
family, and this is usually garner you replies like they use, and so much more.
a good way to go about it. Yokai-watch, Dragonball, I’ve seen my kids studiously
KYUUSHOKU
It’s also a really great way Crayon Shin-chan, Kyary practicing their kanji or
to know how your students Pamyu Pamyu or Youtube’s making origami before lunch
are connected in the school, Hikkakin. What this also is served. Asking them about
CONVERSATIONS
you’ll find very often that means is that you may need to it is bound to get a response,
the ninensei you’re talking to keep hip on Japanese popular and maybe even a lesson
is actually the sister of that culture—good luck! worthy of Wikihow on the
naughty boy in Grade 6. intricacies of making orizuru.
6. Up Your Janken Game
(EMMA RUITERS, HOKKAIDO)
誰が好きの？ I am sometimes asked, and Thus, we arrive at the
By the grace of the 1952 1. Body Language: of Moses. This made me come this always comes without conclusion of this navigation
Dare ga suki no? of kyuushoku niceties.
School Lunch Law, around Channel Your Energy off as quite formal and adult context, to play Janken—
12 o’clock on weekdays, all to the kids. At home, most of Japan’s version of Rock, Hopefully, this has provided
Entering the classroom can Who do you like? you with inspiration, or
across Japan, kyuushoku— them never use -masu form. Paper, Scissors. A boy will
that delicious, healthy be nerve-wracking, especially maybe it’s just enlightened
The best advice I got was to I like to call this one Weapon turn around in his chair,
lunch—is carried by earnest when you don’t know any of you to this writer’s lonely
use plain form and no instead X. This really gets the crowd and just command me to
elementary and junior high the kids in that class—worse struggles. So the next time
of desu ka for questions. I saw going, but it can go two Janken with him. When you
schoolers to their classrooms, when kids are rushing you, you drop your tray beside that
a noticeable improvement in ways: “we’re too young and least expect it, they strike
carefully distributed and furiously janken-ing for you cool rokunensei, remember to
my students’ responses to me. innocent to like anyone” or from the shadows, so make
promptly devoured by hungry to sit at their table, and drop some Weapon X too; it
total disclosure! Prepare to sure you’re always prepared!
students. generally clamouring for your 4. Wear Something may just be the tool you need
get the low-down on who likes Don’t be afraid to issue a
attention. With a precarious Strange to connect with those tricky
whom and who is dating in few challenges of your own.
As an ALT teaching in tray of ramen clamped tightly pre-teens. And with that,
I guess I stumbled right into the grade 6 class. Remember: if two people’s
elementary school, you may to your torso, you just barely gochisousamadeshita!
this one, but a regular part eyes meet, they have to battle!
be expected to eat lunch with manage to muster a nervous ドラマとかアニメとか漫画とか
smile. Smile, keep your body of my style is a lanyard with 7. Be Observant Joyce Wan
your students, and if you my keys and a big red gorilla 何が好きの？
have you’ll know it as one of language open, remember
not to high-five (or is it hai- on it. I know, I’m a veritable Dorama toka anime toka Lastly, be observant. You’ll
two things: amazingly fun fashionista. However, this be surprised about how much
or soul crushingly awkward. tachi?) anyone while holding manga toka nani ga suki no?
your tray (oops…) and just never fails to generate you can learn just by looking
This may include desperately excitement wherever I go— around—what books the kids
utilizing your limited enjoy the proceedings. What drama/anime/manga/
even amongst chuugakusei! game do you like? are reading, what characters
Japanese to understand the 2. Take an Interesting On days when I don’t wear it,
cute albeit incomprehensible Set of Chopsticks I get asked where it is.
ichinensei, fielding questions
from four sannensei who seem What elementary schooler 5. Ask Some Leading
to expect you answer them all can resist commenting on Questions
simultaneously, attempting to their sensei’s set of rad
get a conversation going with Pokémon chopsticks? You’d Having asked around amongst
aloof rokunensei, warding off be surprised how much my ALT friends, and from
inappropriate questions or conversation can be had what works for me, there seem
merely attempting to stymie over just two pieces of wood. to be three real winners that
your pain as absolutely Sometimes, I switch it up and really get the conversation
everyone eats in solemn take in a pretty lacquered going in elementary school. 7 tips before it
silence. From my first set—which female yonnensei Warning: one of them is more to conquer gets you...
rather awkward kyuushoku never fail to appreciate. appropriate for gonensei and kyuushoku!
experience, I have spent hours rokunensei.
3. Mind Your Language quiet!
since attempting to foolproof
(or don’t) 兄弟は何人の？ back in
my kyuushoku game, and
the pot!!
have produced these seven When I first arrived, fresh off Kyoudai wa nannin no?
tips for your reading pleasure. the boat, I could not be parted
Itadakimasu! from my polite -masu form How many siblings do you
while speaking Japanese, have?
even if you enlisted the help
34 ARTS & CULTURE FEBRUARY 2016 ARTS & CULTURE 35LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle
Niseko Restaurant Spotlight 38
Vietnam in Tiny Boxes 44
White Water Rafting in Shikoku 48
Japanese Bento Guide 51
FOOD EDITORS
connect.food@ajet.net
Alexandra Brueckner
If anybody needs me for the next two months,
I’ll be snowboarding waist-deep in Hakkoda’s powder.
Mira Richard-Fioramore
TRAVEL EDITORS
connect.travel@ajet.net
Leah Gray
2016 has been an enjoyable year so far.
I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will be like!
Pia Peterson
Taking advantage of this mild winter to get in the 3 R’s—reading, running,
and rewatching old films.
Illaura Rossiter
36 FEBRUARY 2016 37NISEKO
Japan’s a haven for those The Niseko Supply Company
of us who love winter
Quality cheese is something a lot of us are
sports, and Niseko, a huge
RESTAURANT
guilty of missing while living in Japan, but
mega-resort composed of four
the fondue at Niseko Supply Company is
smaller ones that’s located
amazing enough to fill that void. There is no
about an hour and a half by train
way that you’ll leave this place still hungry.
SPOTLIGHT
from Sapporo, is widely considered
Their cheese fondue weighs in at more than
one of the best spots in the country for
200 grams of cheese allotted per person (!)
powder hounds. Though for all of its powder
and odds are that you’ll be wiping down the
stashes and pristine groomers, Niseko has a
pot with chunks of bread to get every last drop
ALEXANDRA BRUECKNER (AOMORI) lot to offer off of the slopes, especially when it
of it. Just make sure to save room for dessert;
comes to food.
Niseko Supply Company is just as famous for
Whether you’re craving something Japanese its crepes as it is its melted cheese.
or otherwise, sweet or savory, cheap or a bit Reservations: 0136-55-8861
more expensive, Niseko has plenty of options
〒044-0081北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田 190-13
niseko’s that’ll silence your growling stomach in no
temptintg time. Here are seven spots that’ll make your Lava Lounge
crepes winter holiday memorable for more than just
the time spent on the slopes. If your cheese craving runs more towards
the pizza end of the spectrum, Lava Lounge
Rakuichi is where it’s at. With none of the “ketchup
on toast” disappointments that Japan is
There’s soba… and there’s Rakuichi soba. Soba sometimes guilty of serving, Lava Lounge’s
master Rai, and his wife Midori, run this tiny pizza is the real deal. You can stick to the
twelve-seat restaurant, and the buckwheat standard toppings like pepperoni, Hawaiian,
noodles, painstakingly made in front of your and margherita, but the more unique
eyes, are bound to be some of the best you’ll offerings—like shrimp and snow crab with
ever have in Japan. Reservations are required coriander or chicken, Camembert, and sun-
(often months in advance) for a seven-course dried tomatoes—are what make Lava Lounge
kaiseki dinner. However lunch is a first-come, worth a visit.
first-serve affair, though be prepared to wait. Reservations: 0136-55-8797
The freshness of the food and care with which
〒044-0081北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田 191-29
it’s made makes it all worth it, though.
Reservations: 0136-58-3170 Abucha 2
北海道 虻田郡ニセコ町 字ニセコ 431 A good portion of Abucha 2’s menu
is standard izakaya fare: zangi
(Hokkaido-style fried chicken),
skewers of pork and chicken,
lazy? and plenty of gyoza. Those are
we link to delicious, to be sure, but if you
maps! come to Abucha 2 and don’t
indulge in some shabu-shabu,
you’ll be sorely missing out.
Abucha 2’s menu boasts lots
of shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and
nabe options. Carnivores will
love the high-quality Hokkaido
beef, while seafood lovers can go
for the snow crab option. And if spicy
food is your jam, than the kimchinabe
will be calling your name.
Reservations: 0136-22-5620
〒044-0081 北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田191-29水墨1階
38 LIFESTYLE FEBRUARY 2016 LIFESTYLE 39abucha 2’s
jiucy meat
lava
lounge’s
seafood
pizza
40 LIFESTYLE FEBRUARY 2016 LIFESTYLE 41Fridge Bar
Though technically this place’s name is Bar
Gyu+, everyone knows it as the Fridge Bar…
because its door is (you guessed it) an old-
fashioned refrigerator door that you’ll have to
duck through to enter. Inside, the bar is homey
and darkly lit and soundtracked by jazz. It’s
the perfect place to grab a drink, whether
you’re waiting for your dinner or digesting it.
No reservations needed, call: 0136-23-1432
〒044-0081 北海道虻田郡倶知安町字山田 167-21
Milk Kobo
Life is better with ice cream. Life is best
with Milk Kobo ice cream. Made with fresh Hana 1 Café
ingredients from a nearby ranch, Milk Kobo’s Hana 1 Café isn’t much more than a tiny
ice cream is so good that you’ll crave it even hut located at the base of Hanazono, one of
when you’re half-frozen after a day on the the resorts that make up Niseko. Their hot
mountain. The small café offers flavors like chocolate is nothing short of amazing. It’s
green tea, strawberry, cookies ‘n’ cream, and made with real Hershey’s syrup (no powdered
vanilla, and the on-site bakery means that you mix here!) and milk that’s steamed to hot,
can pick up baked sweets like cheese soufflé frothy perfection and then topped with a
and tarts, too. massive marshmallow that’s nearly as big as
No reservations needed, call: 0136-44-3734 the cup’s mouth. It’s the perfect way to warm
〒048-1522 北海道虻田郡ニセコ町曽我 888-1 up your hands and stomach between runs.
Hirafu Intersection food Alexandra Brueckner, Texture.com
trucks
If your wallet is getting a little
slim or if you just want to grab
a bite between runs, the
food trucks that are near
the main intersection in
Hirafu, Niseko’s largest
resort, are your best bet.
Whether you decide to go
for the Turkish kebabs,
fish ‘n’ chips, freshly made
personal flatbread pizzas,
or Indian food, your choice
likely won’t cost you
much more than
a thousand yen,
and it’s pretty
much guaranteed hana 1
to be just as delicious
café’s hot
as any of the food you’ll
chocolate
get in the town’s
restaurants.
42 LIFESTYLE FEBRUARY 2016 LIFESTYLE 43VIETNAM
IN TINY BOXES
PIA PETERSON (YAMAGATA)
While breaking out of the daily Licences for conversion incredible dishes.
routine and traveling around into temporary Vietnamese
Japan is a pleasure, there is licences (you should talk Hanoi
a lot to be said for getting out to your local DMV or AAA
and exploring the neighbors representative for more info). The northern capital of
that lie across that wee strip You can then rent a bike for Vietnam. The winding streets
of blue ocean. Following on about US $5 a day, or buy and open cafes have earned
the heels of December’s piece one outright for about US this city a lot of comparisons
on Thailand, here’s a glimpse $250 and resell it after you’ve to Boston or Paris. It is
at traveling in Vietnam and made your journey. Buses are beautiful, with old buildings
making the most of a cheap plentiful and there are many and lots of small lakes within
ticket. small-time travel agencies the city’s borders to wander
that will help get you a seat around between meals. Hanoi
Visa with legroom and, more is also the jump-off point for
importantly, air conditioning. the mountains, Sapa, and the
Vietnam’s visa process has world cultural heritage site
changed recently, and the Buses run about US $1 for
every hour. For example, a Ha Long Bay.
embassy website warns
travelers to watch out for sixteen-hour bus between
Hoi An
companies that promise visa Mui Ne and Hoi An would
on arrival, but then don’t be about US $15. Watch out People go to Hoi An to fall
deliver. If you don’t live near a for taxis, which will likely in love, and end up falling
consulate, then I recommend overcharge you, and always in love with the city. Its
My Vietnam Visa. For a ask a hostel if they can “old town” was inhabited
“Visa Approval Letter”, the provide a bicycle at the time at various times in history
My Vietnam Visa company of booking. If you’re driving by the Chinese, French,
charges US $35, followed by a a motorbike, traffic is hectic and Japanese, and has a
US $25 charge for the actual and we saw more than one remarkably well-preserved
visa at the airport. This can vacationer with road rash colonial atmosphere. The
take 3 to 5 business days. and an arm in a sling. Vietnamese are extremely
Minimal stress, minimal proud of Hoi An, and others
Where to go?
waiting room time. come here for the beauty, food
Ho Chi Minh City (crab doughnuts and banana
Travel flower salad, to name a few),
Formerly known as Saigon, it and the beach.
Most airlines that f ly to
is the largest city in Vietnam.
Japan service Hanoi and Ho Mui Ne
It’s a busy place, with 6
Chi Minh, and transfers in
million motorbikes for its 9
the country to smaller areas Quieter than the party beach
million residents. If you can
like Hoi An go for about US town of Nha Trang, Mui Ne
handle the bustle and don’t
$50. Once in the country, is an interesting place that
have a problem walking all
your options are endless. is caught between Vietnam,
over the fairly spread out
With a few weeks’ notice, Russia, and paradise. The
city, you’ll discover that it’s
it’s simple to get a Vietnam inf lux of tourists during
a mecca of street food, cheap
driver’s license, and as of winter means that the beach
‘fresh beer’ brewed locally,
2015 Vietnam is accepting town caters to foreigners,
and specialized restaurants
Inter national Driver ’s with a Mexican and an
that only serve one or two
44 LIFESTYLE FEBRUARY 2016 LIFESTYLE 45Indian restaurant along dock somewhere. the country is in the tropical
the strip. It’s also home to zone, fresh exotic fruits
a remarkably quiet fishing Safety and fresh fish are available
village with miles and miles If you drop your wallet in everywhere for the same low
of empty beaches in the Vietnam, don’t expect it to price. I recommend taking
mornings. A relaxing break be delivered to your house a cooking class, preferably
from the chaos of Ho Chi the next day. Tourism is a big one that will give you a tour
Minh City, Mui Ne gives you business, and some people of the market and explain
the option of learning more will try to take advantage of what are those green, spiky,
about Vietnamese food and that. Make sure you don’t get football-sized fruits (spoiler
culture away from the major into unlicensed taxis or ones alert: the famous stinky
cities. Though the creature without meters, lock up your durian) and what to even do
comforts of a good huevos stuff in a shared hostel, and with a fertilized duck egg.
rancheros and bars aren’t too keep your cell phone and cash I’ll leave that one a mystery.
far away if you need them. close to you at all times when Some great cookbooks about
you’re out walking around. Vietnamese cuisine are Into
Hue the Vietnamese Kitchen by
Budgeting Andre Ngyuen, and The Food
Hue is famous as the old of Vietnam by Luke Ngyuen
imperial capital of Vietnam, From Narita to Ho Chi Minh (no relation).
and hosts the Forbidden City, or Hanoi, airline tickets
Purple City, the old imperial can run as little as ¥30,000. Warnings aside, the point of
grounds- so beautiful it really Once in Vietnam (where the travel is to explore, discover,
did move me to tears. The city exchange rate is roughly and enjoy yourself. Vietnam
is gorgeous and interesting, 20,000 dong for every ¥100), is a beautiful country with
and the imperial grounds, both food and accommodation delicious food that is definitely
occasionally damaged in its can be remarkably cheap. worth a trip!
1,000-year history, has been Most meals cost less than US
remarkably well-preserved $2/¥250, and a bed for the Pia Peterson
and night can be US $4.50/¥600,
even in extremely popular
Phu Quoc, Ha Long Bay, areas. If you’re staying in
and Sapa one place, you can get by
fairly cheaply! However, if
These are three of the main
you’re traveling around the
tourism draws of Vietnam.
country, here is some advice:
They’re incredibly beautiful
We saw the majority of our
and draw a lot of tourists,
money going to taxis at the
which for some people ruins
beginning of our trip, so we
the beauty. Aside from Phu
started planning ahead. A
Quoc, an island south of Ho
few minutes of research on
Chi Minh City, they are easily
distances, neighborhoods,
accessible through organized
and Google Maps, as well
trips from Hanoi. Unless
as asking a reliable person
you are centering your trip
ahead of time for a quote,
around one of these places,
helped us avoid any additional
I recommend researching
expenses.
your options for a package
tour. These are usually Food
run by hostels, hotels, or
independent travel agents This is one of the main
who will take care of all of reasons that people travel to
the steps of getting you safely Vietnam. A banh mi or bowl of
down the fairly complicated pho on the street will be tasty,
road of point A to point B satisfying, and cost you less
without stranding you on a than a dollar. Because most of
46 LIFESTYLE FEBRUARY 2016 LIFESTYLE 47WHITE WATER
Perfect Days, Happy Raft, Number One Boat name stuck.
and the Yoshino River
The water was a lovely Surfing
RAFTING
Tsukuda Every now and then I have a emerald color, and I couldn’t
day that I can look back on wait to get it in. It was time Around lunchtime, Sushi
and say, “Wow, that day was to divide into groups and be asked us if we wanted to
perfect. I wouldn’t change a assigned a guide. I grabbed try surfing. Allison and I
IN SHIKOKU
Minawa single thing about it.” The my friends Allison and took him up on his offer. At
2015 Hiroshima AJET White Kelsey, and we found three the bottom of the stretch of
Water Rafting Trip turned more people to complete our rapids we had just navigated,
out to be one of those days. group. Our guide, “Sushi”, the white water was ideal for
LEAH GRAY (HIROSHIMA) came over and introduced testing our ability to “surf”,
Canyoning company Happy
Raft was our gracious host, himself. He gave us basic which basically meant “cling
providing us with great instructions on how to steer to the raft for dear life for as
guides, as well as all of our the raft and work as a team, long as possible before you
Iyaguchi
equipment. and what to do if someone fell inevitably fall off.”
out. Then we spent some time
Awa-Kawaguchi Getting Ready practicing on a calm stretch We watched as, one by one,
of water. His instructions for the groups in front of us did
After signing the necessary just that—some lasting a
navigating rapids always got
paperwork, we pulled few seconds, some lasting a
us to move quickly—someone
our wetsuits on over our good deal longer. Everyone
from another raft later told
swimsuits. The weather was was having a blast though,
me that they could always
absolutely beautiful, so, even and with a mixture of
hear us as we went down
though it was the beginning anticipation and nerves, it
the rapids because Sushi
Koboke of October, I wasn’t worried was finally our turn. I braced
hey, sounded like a drill sergeant.
Mt. Nakatsu about being cold. The staff myself, listening carefully
remember Our raft didn’t capsize once
handed us our lifejackets, for Sushi’s instructions, and
that time we when it wasn’t supposed
helmets, and paddles. then—oops!—we got pushed
went... to, so all that time he spent
Everyone wrote their names away by the current after
Mt. Kunimi yelling “GET DOWN” wasn’t
on their helmets so that we only a couple of seconds in
wasted.
could easily identify each the churning water. Nothing
other. Next, it was time to We rotated positions around to fear though; we hadn’t
load up the buses. Most of the raft, but for the first part missed our opportunity.
the people there were a part of the journey I was one of Sushi paddled back around,
of our group, but there was two people in the front. This and before we knew it, it was
also another AJET group and meant that it was my job to our turn again.
Oboke
some other smaller groups. stay in sync with the other
Before long, we had arrived person, and the people behind The first few seconds were
at our destination along the us were supposed to stay in relatively uneventful, but
Koboke stretch of the valley sync with us. So, before long, then I felt the raft turn, and
surrounding the Yoshino we developed little chants to Sushi yelled, “Right, RIGHT!”
River, or literally “small- keep us all paddling at an along with a number of other
dangerous to walk along” even rhythm. Forward was directions that I only hazily
(1). The “small-dangerous” “stroke, stroke,” at an even comprehended.
stretch is so named because, high pitch, backward was
did well, it’s a little dangerous, I just gripped the raft as hard
someone “back, back,” at a high-low as I could and let my instincts
but you probably won’t drown pitch, and gentle was “slow,
say if you fall out of your raft. I take over, using my weight to
rafting?! slow” in an exaggerated high
rafting?! later found out that the Ōboke balance against the pull of
pitch. Our little chants started the water. Then I felt the raft
Tosa-Iwahara area, literally “big-dangerous catching the attention of
to walk along”(1), is so named start to tip back and pivot.
other rafters, so to encourage Not good. Sushi continued to
because you probably will some friendly competition,
drown if you fall out of your shout instructions at us, so I
we started calling ourselves switched all of my weight to
raft. “Number One Boat,” and the the front, hoping to keep the
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