It was a rainy, blustery morning much like the day Harry first discovered he was a wizard when Miyazakians from all over the prefecture gathered in Miyazaki City to challenge the Amazing Race. We didn’t let the rain get us down, though! Continue reading
Every December, the Miyazaki international Foundation hosts a grand international exchange event, and this year’s was the biggest yet!
Groups from throughout the prefecture came to host information booths to teach about their home countries and cultures. Many people performed traditional music or danced on stage. Visitors enjoyed trying their hand at crafts, practicing a new language, and playing new instruments. A variety of food and drinks were available as well. Continue reading
December is almost here, and with it comes many great holiday volunteer opportunities!
This year, MAJET has been asked to participate in three exciting international events for the holidays, and we’re looking for some bright, energetic people willing to spread some holiday spirit.
Check out the opportunities below and sign up for whichever one(s) you’re interested in! Continue reading
Miyazaki is known as the sunniest place of Japan (the original name of Himuka literally means “facing the sun”), so many people think that summer is the best time to visit. However, the autumn can be just as exciting, if you know where to look. 😉
Many of Miyazaki’s hidden gems are tucked away in the mountains to the northwest. Forests boasting beautiful foliage, hidden rivers and waterfalls, excellent hiking, and much more await the intrepid explorer! Here, the towns are small and unique customs are passed on from generation to generation. The locals are friendly and eager to share their experiences with passersby. And lucky for you, MAJET has planned an event to show you all of these wonderful things in a single weekend! Continue reading
Get your tare sauce ready, Miyakonojo’s annual Yakiniku Festival is coming up on the 7th of October! The festival showcases Miyazaki beef and celebrates Miyakonojo as “the best place for meat in Japan” (which it definitely is). But instead of just telling you about it, we’ll let some Miyakonojo and southern Miyazaki locals do the talking. We’re sure you won’t want to miss the biggest fireworks and meat festival in Kyushu after you hear our seven guests’ favourite things about the event…
When: October 7th, 11:00am – 8:00pm
Where: Kannon-ike Park, Freedom Plaza, Takajo, Miyakonojo. (map)
Cost: Reserved table and meat package tickets cost ¥2,000.
But if you don’t mind waiting for a table to open up, the event and grill use is free, and you can buy meat packages at various stalls on the premises.
Transport: There will be shuttle buses running between Miyakonojo Station and the festival grounds. A schedule can be found here, but only in Japanese. Contact MAJET at miyazakiajet@gmail.com for translation services.
*For information in Japanese, please click here
Sea Day (海の日) is coming, that lone public holiday in the long, hot month of July. It’s a day this island nation sets aside to show its gratitude and respect for the sea, and lots of people spend the weekend getting in some beach time.
A day at the beach isn’t easy for some, though. That’s why Marine Blue organizes a volunteer event each year called Sea Festa (海フェスタ)! This event started years ago to help encourage people with muscular dystrophy to enjoy the sea. The event has grown to include many other disabilities as well. Some guests are blind, some have brain injuries, and some have other physical impairments. Continue reading
Spring has sprung, and soon the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom! Sakura blossoms symbolize many things, especially for students and teachers. The bittersweet ending of a school year when graduates move on, students change classrooms, and teachers are transferred to new schools. The excitement of a new beginning or a fresh start in a new place. All overshadowed by the fleetingness of the sakura blossoms, reminding us to enjoy things while we can, for nothing lasts forever. Continue reading
Mark your calendars! The time has come to announce MAJET’s biggest intercultural event of the year– The 6th Annual Amazing Race!
MAJET’s Amazing Race was started by a group of ambitious JETs who came together to create an event that would combine the knowledge and experience of both English and Japanese speakers by bringing together Japanese and Western culture via a yearly theme. This year’s theme will be a Ghibli-Disney crossover! Continue reading
On December 23rd, in Ichibangai, a number of bubbly volunteers gathered on a rather chilly afternoon to spread warmth and festive cheer to Miyazaki City folk. There were plenty of activities on offer like cookie decorating, face painting, performances, pictures with Santa and Santarina, and many more. Continue reading
As the holiday season is in full swing, some of us are heading home to be with family or going on tropical vacations. And some of us will stay here in Miyazaki to watch the red leaves fall off the branches and warm up with a hot bowl of ramen. There is a chance it won’t be as nostalgic as your hometown traditions, but Miyazaki and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer during this season! So, we have compiled a list of ideas to battle those Japanese-shocked holiday blues. And hey, you might even discover a new tradition of your own! Continue reading
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