Hello. Is it meat you’re looking for?

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…

Yakiniku Poster 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.

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2017 MAJET-KAJET Dragon Boat Races!

Every October, hundreds of people travel to Kagoshima’s Nejime Port for the Minami Osumi Nejime Dragon Boat Festival! Teams of 10 people board colorful, dragon-shaped boats and race down a 380m river course to claim the prize.

This year, MAJET will be collaborating with Kagoshima AJET (KAJET) to bring Dragon Boat Racing to you! This is a great opportunity to meet our neighbor JETs and build new connections and friendships, while also enjoying and participating in a unique cultural experience. It’s been a couple of years since MAJET has participated in this event, but we’ve always had a really great time, and we are really looking forward to joining KAJET this year!

While this event isn’t until October, we have to register by the end of August (yikes!), so if you are interested in participating, please review the information below and RSVP as soon as possible! Continue reading

Meet Me in Miyazaki!

One of Miyazaki’s biggest and most exciting festivals, the Cape Toi Fire Festival, will be held on the 25th-26th of August this year. For those who don’t know, the Fire Festival features locals slinging lit torches towards the top of a 100-foot pole in order to light it: a sight not to be missed!

So that our new arrivals don’t miss out on this amazing festival, MAJET is planning a nearby welcome barbecue before the festival, so it’s a truly unforgettable weekend! Senpais, reach out to our newest additions by offering them a lift and let’s give them a proper welcome to beautiful, sunny Miyazaki!!
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Here’s looking at you, kid

The rainy season is upon us and with it comes Daiso humidifiers, hydrangeas, mould, and bittersweet farewells. Before our new and old friends leave Miyazaki for bigger, better things, let’s end it with a bang at the 2017 Farewell Party. Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, our leavers will be walking into Aoshima’s Cafe Zeal to listen to Sam play it again. While we all eat and drink way too much, we’ll know that’s it’s not goodbye, it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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On a Deserted Island: MAJET and KAJET’s Shipwrecked Adventure!

The autumn equinox has come and passed, and now it is October. While the heat may hang around for a while yet, it’s time to say goodbye to our dear friend, summer. But not without one final adventure!

MAJET and KAJET teamed up to organize a joint beach party at beautiful Ajiro Beach near Makurazaki, Kagoshima. This beach is only accessible by ferry, with only a distant lighthouse to remind you of civilization. The water is clear and cool and full of fish and coral to explore! Continue reading

Shipwrecked in Makurazaki!

School may be getting back in session, but the heat is still going strong and will through the end of September. Why not come enjoy one last beach adventure before the summer sun officially fades away? This year, MAJET and KAJET are teaming up to bring you the best beach party in Block 11: Shipwrecked in Makurazaki! Continue reading