Nagasaki Takengei performance

It has been such a long time since my last post. I have been doing a 100 hour English certificate, so i'm sure I'll have something to say after that.

But, I have been to some recent events in my city, Nagasaki. One of which is Takengei　竹ん芸.
So this event takes place in mid to late October. The performers (some as young as 3 years old) do some amazing acrobatics on the flexible bamboo poles. It is better that you just take a look at the pictures.

Summer in Japan - a couple of hints - something practical for the incoming JETs

So, it is pretty much summer here in Japan. I believe that it is still suppose to be the rainy season, but including today we've had 3 fine days. You know when it is summer when your on the way to school in the morning and you think it would be a great idea to go for a dip in that small river next to school. When you are hoping that the bus gets here quicker so you can sit/stand in the nice air conditioned interior. When half of the English department goes for a mission to the closest supermarket for icecream.

The event called Hotaru ホタル in Japan (fireflies)

One thing that I love about Japan is that it seems to have a season or time during the year for everything. Sakura (cherry blossom) in spring, maple leaves and colour in autumn, Hotaru in the rainy season, etc, etc. I live in Nagasaki, a small city, but it has a fair share of its own events, some of which are famous around Japan (e.g. Lantern Festival).

Anyway, last night I went to see about the 蛍、ホタル、Hotaru (fireflies) around Nagasaki. In fact, I found that Nagasaki has a website setup for giving Hotaru reports (check out other locations around Japan here). So the fireflies are doing their glowing, dancing business from the end of May to mid June. Some famous spots will also have a Hotaru Matsuri (Firefly festival). 

Personally, I loved seeing these things floating around, giving off a kind of magical feeling. The best moments are when you get a good view down the river/stream and see like a tunnel of glowing, pulsating orbs swirling around.  These things were tricky to photograph but I got 1 or 2 keepers that'll i'll post up later.

Any way, cheers, these critters are still about for a bit longer, so get out and see them if you can ;)

Sakura (cherry blossom) in Nagasaki (plus a Sakura song)

So, it was just the end of May. That means the 桜 Sakura (cherry blossom) is starting to fade away. At school this is a time when some teachers are transferred to new schools. Perhaps it is not the best time for some teachers. However, it is a exciting time for others (as they get to leave, or are happy because they get to stay). Some ALTs supervisor are transferred... sad day. I, however, have been lucky, my supervisor and the teachers I'm close to are staying. Unfortunately some of the younger teachers were transferred.

Anyways, during Sakura it will be common to see families or companies set up picnic style under Sakura trees. Some will go all out with BBQ, chiller and all. I went up 立山 Tateyama (Tate hill) in Nagasaki for "Hanami" (Cherry blossom viewing). Here are some photos:

Here is a song which is kind-of related, Sakura by Funky Monkey Babies (a popular Japanese band at the moment):

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

So, Nagasaki is a great place to live for festivals. Nagasaki has its own unique festivals during the year, and they aren't quite celebrated the same anywhere else in Japan. The Lantern Festival is one of these festivals. The festival itself is 2 weeks long, during the Chinese New Year.

It is surely worth checking out. Nagasaki's China town and shopping arcade is packed full of people from all parts of Asia and Japan. It is also a great place to find other JET members looking around.

A few things you must do if you ever attend:

• Eat  Nikuman. A soft white bun with a meat centre.
• Eat Anman. A soft white bun with a red bean centre.
• Eat Marakao. It sort of looks like a small muffin.
• Just eat festival food in general.
• Check out the Megane bridge. This historic bridge looks great with lanterns hanging over it.
• It is a playground for photographers. Bring your camera.
• Check out the numerous events. From Chinese acrobats to 2 stringed instruments.
• Too much to do... just walk around and things will find you.

Nakasaki China Town

Megane bridge

Nikuman

Anman

Another example of Japanese Church & Worship

Here is another video of worship in Nagasaki, Japan.

Church in Nagasaki

Hey there,

So just a quick post about going to church in Nagasaki. In general, church in Japan is probably not as big or the same as wherever you come from. I came from a very large church and now attend a small family like church in Nagasaki.

Check out their website here 

So my observation of my church anyway: fundamentally the same beliefs, emphasis on singing and praise, many new original Japanese songs but also many older English hymns. My church also has a strong focus on spiritual gifts. I'm not sure if this is common or not across Japan.

Anyway, I really just wanted to post a video here to show you what a Japanese worship song is like. This one i'll post is a regular song at my church. Here it is:

I took this video at the anniversary of the 26 Martyrs of Japan in Nagasaki.
If you do look around Nagasaki you'll find a few memorials and influence from the Christian faith. I think it is great to see. I mean, apart from all the grand old churches around there is the 26 Saints memorial, the waterfall memorial for Christians who suffered at Glover garden (perhaps Nagasaki's biggest tourist attraction).  There really is an interesting Christian history in Nagasaki city. However, as it goes, the 26 saints are famous because they were martyrs, so it was obviously pretty hard-times for that faithful back then.

Anyhow, maybe post more videos later ;) Cheers!

Japan Life - Taking the bus... how to do it!

Sorry, it has been a while since posting last. I have been holidaying around Kyoto!
So, I want to talk about something that you will tackle very early on... Buses!

This is something I had to overcome in my first week here in Japan, and I wasn't told anything.
So here is what happened. My first adventure into the city of Nagasaki went like this: try to decipher the
bus time table at the bus stop. See the bus with what looks like the correct Kanji and Katakana. Decide to go for it. I notice people take a ticket, I take one upon entering. I decide the bus is going the wrong way (incorrect, it was just going another route). Watch kids get off for an example. Figure you chuck the ticket into the machine next to the bus driver to get the price. I chuck in the ticket. Machine reads "Err 2". I'm like "How much?". Bus driver says in Japanese "You don't understand Japanese do you?". Me: "no". Bus driver takes correct fare from my hand.

Well, not exactly a terrible day, but it can be avoided. It didn't help that I don't really do public transport back home (I have my own car), but in Japan....   Let me give you the run down on successfully getting to know your way around.

Generally,

• Ask your predecessor for the name of important destination and routes (and the Kanji of course).
• Learn the closest stops and routes to your school and other important places.
• Learn the route back home. Most people will probably not live at the buses destination, so you have to learn what bus routes you can take back home.
• Figure out what type of bus it is. Is it a flat fare? Or does the fare depend on how far you travel.

Riding the bus:

Firstly, check the schedule at your bus stop. There will probably be 2 schedules. One for normal weekdays, and another for the weekend. There will probably be a grid layout with destinations on the left (and their different routes, e.g. via point A, point B), and the hours running across the top. Usually public holidays use the weekend schedule (unless there is an additional schedule printed).

When the bus comes, check the destination on the front and side screens. Make sure the destination and route are the ones you want. When you're getting in you may realize there is a scanner at the door for cellphones or bus cards. There may also be a ticket dispenser built in to the scanner. If so, take a ticket (or scan away). If there is no ticket, it is probably a flat fare; try find the pricing written somewhere in the bus. If you've got a ticket there will probably be a number on it. It corresponds to a number on a screen at the front of the bus. This will show you your current fare. The bus will usually announce the next stop e.g. "Tsugi wa Arashiyama desu." (Next is Arashiyama). There may also be Kanji displayed for the next stop at the front. When your stop comes by, press one of the many buttons around the bus. There is usually a machine for change next to the bus driver (make sure you use the coin sized slot for the coins that you want turned to change). You can usually get change for 1000yen notes or coins.  You also put your fare into the same machine once you've arrived. There will be a large mouth on the machine, simply chuck the appropriate fare into it (if you have a ticket, throw that in too). The machine should make a happy beep if you have given it the right amount (it will not give you change if you put to much in). 

Getting out of a bus in Japan is usually done pretty efficiently. Make sure you've got the right change before the bus stops. Get change from the change machine just before the bus stops if needed. However, it is not the end of the world if you don't.

Any how, hope that prepares you ;)

Living in Nagasaki (with the JET programme)

First of all, if you're moving to Nagasaki with the JET programme your lucky ;)
Nagasaki is a great city that is full of history and has a laid back feel to it. There is plenty to do, and it is not far from other great places like Fukuoka and Unzen.

You will find most of the life in Nagasaki is gathered around the shopping malls and the shopping arcade.
In Nagasaki there are 3 large malls: one in Ohato (near the wharf and sea side park), another called Amu Plaza (at Nagasaki station, Nagasaki eki-mae 長崎駅前), and the last one CocoWalk ココウォーク (in Mori-machi, not far from the Nagasaki Peace Museum). There is also a shopping arcade at Hamano-machi 浜の町.

Although, shopping is not the only thing to do here, and there are quite a few other places to visit. Sea side park is a nice ... sea side park... this is a great place to visit at anytime. Nagasaki also has a China town called Shinchi 新地 (Kanji pretty much means New Ground or vacant ground, if your interested...) which is a great place to visit. Close to China town there is Glover garden. Glover garden is old western-style buildings left by settlers. Glover himself, I believe, came from Scotland. Also, most importantly, don't forget to check out the night view of Nagasaki from Mt Inasa 稲佐山. So much more to do here....

Now, more about what's like to be a JET in Nagasaki. There is a great bunch of JET friends here that near meet every week, so you won't be alone. It is especially great to have some of those more knowledgeable of Nagasaki show us around to the all-you-can-eat restaurants. Make sure you're not a stranger when you arrive! (You will have a chance at the Nagasaki orientation to meet people).

Housing - I haven't heard any horror stories of terrible apartments here. In my case, I love my apartment. Two rooms (Tatami floor), kitchen, storage room, toilet & shower room. I think it is normal to get a few bugs. I had a few cockroaches come and visit me before summer was out. Nothing to worry about, just keep your place smell free and the beasts will stay away ;)

Anyway enough! Got any questions? Leave a comment!