I received a request for this post and I thought it was a great topic. Thanks for commenting and following my blog, everyone! Your support means the world to me. There were a few times I wanted to quit, but I’m glad I didn’t This post is dedicated to how I made friends in Japan […] Read more…
JET versus GEPIK
Applying to teach abroad may be a daunting task. If you’re looking for the easy way to come over, programs like Interac or working at Eikaiwas in Japan sound good for the most part. If you’re considering Korea, you might go the Hagwon route, but know that not all Hagwons are created equal. Like all […] Read more…
Where To Rent Hanbok in Seoul: One Day Hanbok
UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, One Day Hanbok has been temporarily closed. I recommend renting from Hanboknam instead because they’re still open and cater to foreigners. I’m sure if you’re here you’re probably thinking… Where to rent a hanbok in Seoul? Like literally, where can I get my hands on one of those beautiful […] Read more…
Bau House Dog Cafe in Seoul
2024 UPDATE: The Bau House Dog Cafe in Seoul is permanently closed. In Asia, the more unique the cafe, the more everyone wants to visit. If you’re a dog person like me, you NEED to check out the Bau House Dog Cafe in Seoul. These sweet fur balls are also up for adoption or have […] Read more…
Reverse Culture Shock After Japan?
Weird question number one: “How was China?” I often got asked this after I came home for my month long holiday home from Japan. I would just smile and reply, “It was good, thanks”, to which someone else will correct them or I just ignore it and go about my day. Weird question number two: “Why […] Read more…
Happy Kira Kira Paradise | Sailor Moon Store in Naha, Okinawa
UPDATE: Happy Kira Kira Paradise located in the shopping mall HapiNaha is permanently closed. I’m a Sailor Moon fan and I don’t hide it. Thanks to this anime I began to question where it came from, leading me to pick up a book about Japan, and fall head over heels in love with the country. […] Read more…
Love in Fukushima
This week’s guest post comes from Felicity, an Australian JET living in Fukushima. She writes about her romance with a Japanese man. Just before I got on a plane to Japan to join the JET Programme in July, 2012, my mother told me, “You won’t come back again now. You’ll marry a Japanese boy and […] Read more…
Nara is the Best Place in Autumn
Autumn in Nara is the best. The weather cools down during the day, you get healthy doses of cute fashion, and special fruits like persimmons are found in abundance. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and it’s the best time to travel if you love to photograph nature and the changing colors of the trees. While […] Read more…
How to Prepare for Typhoons in Japan
Japan is very prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. While most of us in affected areas keep calm like the Japanese do, we still need to be prepared. Okinawa is very typhoon prone and I know a few things about coasting through them gracefully. Luckily, the buildings in Okinawa are made of concrete and built […] Read more…
How to Survive Winter in Japan
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty shall we? Japan lacks proper insulation. Some of us may come from colder climates (like me, who comes from Chicago and our winters are no joke) so we think, “I’m a trooper! I’ll be fine.” No, really, it’s not a joke. I have JET friends in Hokkaido who keep […] Read more…
JET Program: Tokyo Orientation FAQ
Going to Japan for the first or [insert number here] time can be a wonderful, exciting and joyous time. If you’re reading this post, you’re most likely new to the rodeo so Gina Bear is here to help answer your questions and make your transition to the Land of the Rising Sun easier. Like you, […] Read more…
Cultural Fatigue in Japan
I’m taking a break from my helpful posts to discuss some very real topics. This post is kind of a damper, but cultural fatigue in Japan needs to be discussed. A new country isn’t always going to be perfect and sometimes you will get worn down. I looked up a great article about Cultural Fatigue on Vagabond […] Read more…