Tag: Japan

2018 SDC Otsukare Banquet

Leave a comment

This year’s ALT Skills Development Conference, on February 2nd, will mark a full day of presentations and brainstorming. To celebrate making it through such an arduous day, MAJET is throwing a party to say Otsukaresama!

Meet us at the delectable international buffet Manmaaru for an ‘Otsukare Banquet’. The tabenomi houdai will include delicious dishes from Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, the Phillipines, and Morocco, and even caters to various allergy and dietary requirements. There will be meat-free options and allergen and gluten labelled dishes so you can enjoy a carefree dining experience. Continue reading →

The 2017 Miyazaki City International Festa

Leave a comment

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 →

Mad for Mountains!

Leave a comment

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 →

Hello. Is it meat you’re looking for?

Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading →

2017 MAJET-KAJET Dragon Boat Races!

Leave a comment

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 →

The Battle for Cleanliness: A Fight You Don’t Have to Face Alone

1 Comment

So you’ve survived your journey to the Far East, somehow stumbled through three days of Tokyo Orientation, and, after what feels like a lifetime, you’ve finally arrived in the place that will be your new home for (at least) the next year.

You were picturing it all–either your predecessor gave you a virtual tour and sent you pictures, or you were just imagining the quintessential Japanese apartment: tatami rooms with that fresh straw smell, the small but quaint rooms, and of course a fancy Toto Toilet that would not only spray your bottom, but would revolutionize the very way you experienced the bathroom. Yes, life in Japan would be beautiful, organized and neat, just like the train stations in Tokyo and Osaka. Continue reading →

Volunteer at the 2017 Sea Festa!

Leave a comment

*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 →

The Amazing Race 2017: Spirited Away to Aoshima, Hyuna’s Animated Adventure

1 Comment

The time has finally come for the Sixth Annual Amazing Race Miyazaki! This is one of our biggest events of the year. Some of you may already be familiar with the American TV show, The Amazing Race. The Amazing Race Miyazaki is loosely based around this televised competition. In this event, teams race to solve clues, complete challenges, and earn points!

Each year, MAJET chooses a new theme and different locations around Miyazaki City for their challenges to take place, giving participants the chance to discover new secrets about the city. This year, the race will be based in Aoshima, and each challenge and their clues will take you on a journey through the animated worlds of Studio Ghibli and Disney! Continue reading →