Japan Blog

I am approaching year three of teaching English in the Japanese city of Tokushima. I am watching the city grow and expand its industries greatly, and the administration, economic activity, cultural and educational facilities have made the state prosperous. I am greatly enjoying the warm climate, fertile soil, and the ocean of Tokushima. One of my students is not able to speak fluent English now, with a few others close behind; I will try to keep you updated of my adventures and teachings here in the beautiful state of Tokushima.

Awa Odori

Last night we had the Awa Odori dance festival, my favorite event here in Tokushima. I am amazed that this festival has been dated back to 400 years ago. It was a blast.

School Lunches

I found the way they did school lunches exceeding strange. I wish we had more range and differenciation in our American school lunches. I appreciate their use of other other types of silverware such as sporks and chops sticks. I find that the simple usage of rice is inspiring as they can eat so simple foods, and all stay so strong. But how do they stuff everything in their mouth, like that? Strange... They ate their lunches in something called a "bento box"- although i was familliar with it, it was still amazing to be able to see. I took pictures around the lunch room with my camera that I brought here to show you guys back home!
A Typical Japanese Bento Box ------------> (above)


Textbooks

I looked at the Japanese textbooks and was appualed. Living in the Japanese culture, it seemed a bit more normal, but how could they only be showing things from one point of view? I pointed it out to one of my favorite students and he had no idea what I was talking about... I guess things are taught differently here in Japan.