Chibaraki blog’s first year

Looking back through the blog statistics, I realized this month marks one year of the Chibaraki blog.  Lots of local gaijin and Japanese people have contributed with linkage, photos, insights, and good company in my wanderings around Chiba, Saitama and Ibaraki Prefectures. Thanks!

Full Latin Music in Kashiwa

This is Ryuichi and Pri dancing bachata.  Ryuichi is from Dominica who teaches dance all over Tokyo.
Ben in Kashiwa turned lots of local people on to Latin dance. A few weeks ago, I got my first Salsa lesson with Ken, and got hooked. Don’t worry if you don’t have a dance partner. It is a really friendly atmosphere, [...]

Hondoji and Bamboo shoots

Last weekend, The Dreamer, who is new to Nagareyama, and I went on a field trip to see 本土時 Hondoji, the Nichiren Buddhist temple famous for its four-season garden.
When you walk out of the north exit of 北小金 Kitakogane Station on the Joban local line, it is less than a ten minute walk to the temple. [...]

Gideon and Light in Matsudo

Gideon, a British expat living in Kashiwa, has a remarkable eye for sights. He brings micro and macro views of Japanese culture, nature and technology. His next gallery exhibit with 写楽 Sharaku Photo Club is next weekend.
He writes -
I’d like to invite you to my latest gallery show in Matsudo, this time with some of [...]

Where am I? Train melodies

When your train is about to depart a station anywhere on the JR East lines, you will hear a melody to tell you the train is departing. The train lines and stations have distinctive jingles which remind you where you are and whether you are on a local or express train bound for wherever.
I spend [...]