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Category Archives: Nagano
Welcome to Nagano
Welcome to Nagano AJET Who we are: Nagano AJET is a group for anyone living in Nagano who wants to be part of the international community. We organise monthly gatherings, such as camping trips and barbecues in summer, Thanksgiving Dinner … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Japan Travel, Lifestyle, Nagano AJET, Outdoors, Snow and Ice, Sports
Tagged Featured, IYC, Ski, Snowboard, Winter
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A Ball-Kickin’ Good Time: ALT Soccer Tournament in Nagano!
Mary passes to Jess, Jess shows some fancy footwork as she dribbles past a defender, she takes the shot and … GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Nice work, Nagano!
For the past 9 years, teams from all over Eastern Japan have gathered in Nagano’s own Sugadaira to play in the ALT Soccer Tournament. Deadline is September 24th — register soon! Continue reading
Posted in Outdoors, Sports
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Nagano Summer Music Festivals
photos and write-ups by Whitney Conti Ueda Joint August 6,7,8: Ueda Castle, Ueda Sandwiched between the Ueda city outdoor skate park and Ueda Castles’ high stone walls, Ueda Joint combines earthtones with skateboards and psychedelic jazz with jam band rock. … Continue reading
Posted in 5 Sound. JuneJuly. 2010, Hakuba, Iiyama, Japan Travel, Kiso, Nagano, Places, Ueda
Tagged Peaceful Garden Festival, Sagawa Festival, Ueda Joint Festival
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Nagano in a Nutshell: N,S,E,W,Central
photos and text by Whitney Conti Nagano is the kind of inaka which attracts famed artists, first class alpinists, and a rich culture based around local food and unique landscape. However, the prefecture’s English tourism information is limited and often … Continue reading
Posted in Azumino, Hakuba, Japan Travel, Kamikochi, Kiso, Matsumoto, Nagano, Nagano City
Tagged Nagano
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Zen Soba Bar and Restaurant, Hakuba
Zen is frequently recommended by locals for its combination of traditional architecture and the diversity and locality of its menu. Local wine and sake, traditional soba with mountain vegetables, and newer variations like octopus with spicy olive oil and garlic … Continue reading
Posted in Hakuba, Japan Travel, Japanese, Nagano, Places
Tagged Hakuba, soba, zen restaurant
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Gen Macrobiotic Kitchen Matsumoto
Matsumoto finally has an organically minded, vegetarian option thanks to the two month old Gen Macrobiotic Kitchen. Not that every city mandates local and organic cuisine options (though it should) but the absence of a local vegetarian based restaurant in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Matsumoto, Nagano, Organic, Places
Tagged farm, local, macrobiotic, Matsumoto, organic, vegetarian
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Jump into Summer…literally: Lake Aokiko
In tourism materials, Nagano’s alpine peaks and winter skiing usually outshine most of the prefecture’s arts, culture, and other outdoor activities. But in summer, locals know that the most refreshing way to enjoy the mountain’s lush greens is from the … Continue reading
Posted in Hakuba, Nagano, Places, Water
Tagged lake aokiko, lake nojiriko, lakes, swimming
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Koiwa Workshop Blog May 19th
by Tom Jones After a request from an Australian guest, Ryokan-keeper Tyler Lynch arranged a hands-on tour of the Koiwa Workshop, where traditional Ueda Tsumugi techniques are still in use. As well as learning about the history of silk production, … Continue reading
Introducing Uniquely Nagano
Uniquely Nagano Uniquely Nagano is a think tank enthusiastic about sharing Nagano’s culture through participation. Traditional and contemporary arts thrive thourghout the prefecture and Uniquely Nagano is developing the English language resources and connection to bring those practices to a … Continue reading
Posted in Uniquely Nagano
Tagged geisha, kimono, ninja, silk weaving, Uniquely Nagano, workshops
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Spring Cleaning Guide for Homemade Natural Products
by Erika Pyle You make sure to recycle your garbage into thirteen different categories every day. Paper towels are not allowed in your home anymore and the thought of driving to the convini four blocks away makes you ill. You … Continue reading
Thoughts on Aroma Therapy
by Mary Shannon Teague I’m not an aroma therapist. I have been focusing more on what I’m touching rather than what I’m breathing. However, I am slowly becoming aware of aromatherapy and how easy it can be to change your … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture, Do it Yourself, Living Local
Tagged aroma therapy, natural alternatives
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All Natural Edible Body Wax Recipe:
DYI コーナー by Erin King Does Japan leave you feeling like a huge hairy beast? Body hair got you down? Have no fear, DIY advice is here! Continue reading to discover how you can remove the “hair” from your J-insecurities! … Continue reading
A Brazilian Portrait of Life in Japan
All the Colors of My Japan by Nixon Ribeiro My Japan has always been marked by different colors: while they are most often colorful, sometimes they are gray and without much joy. But I like Japan and I feel good … Continue reading
Single Sub Rosa
By JayDee I thought for my first article it would be appropriate to introduce myself. In order to maintain some dignity on my part, some privacy on my friend’s part (who will no doubt become references in future articles), and … Continue reading
Hiyori Café, Nagano City
text and photos by Whitney Conti Hiyori Café is a literary lovers’ garage turned hip café space. Above Hiyori café’s basement location is the headquarters of Nagano magazine publishers, Country Press. Country Press’ most recognizable publication is Kura magazine, which … Continue reading
Posted in Bakeries and Cafes, Nagano, Nagano City, Places
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Tsubu Tsubu, Nagano City Peace Food
“Peace Food since 1983″ “TsubTsubu Café proudly presents creative dished made with different grains that feature the grain’s best characteristics.” (Tsubu Tsubu sweets menu) If earth tones, vegetables and soft toned conversations sound lovely to you then Tsubu Tsubu is … Continue reading
Posted in Bakeries and Cafes, Nagano, Nagano City, Nightlife, Organic, Places
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9kjikan Café, Nagano City
Straight coffee in a simple setting 9kjikan (rest time) makes simplicity stylish. Their walls are clean, white, and bare with the exception of a pinned up pocket size calendar and post card sized Abbey Road placard. Tables are simple with … Continue reading
Onbashira Festival First Hand
The early morning buzz rose through the streets along with the smell of tako-yaki and yaki-ika as the festival stalls opened shop. Sake was being offered all around before a group of us set off to get optimum seats to … Continue reading
Posted in Festivals, Nagano, Suwa
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Personality and Blood Typology; Sekkusu In The Shi: It’s in his…blood?
By Paula Kerrigan Did you ever think that there might be a connection between your blood type and your split personality? No? Well in Japan not only is it a widely held belief, but big business too. The craze for … Continue reading
Mastering the mountain; Climbing Mt. Fuji
By Paula Kerrigan You are wise to climb Fuji once and a fool to climb it twice. I knew a girl once who had been to Egypt six times but had never seen the pyramids! Coming to Japan and not … Continue reading
Introduction Lesson Bonanza Part 2
English Sensei Spirit Part Two: Lesson Plans By Joe Koch and Emma Nicoletti Introduction Miscellany (Joe Koch) I do nearly the same introductory lesson for all my high school 1st year classes since it seems to work well. I’ve done … Continue reading
Introduction Lesson Bonanza
English Sensei Spirit Part One: Various Ideas and Activities By Raena Mina, Brandon Kramer and Caitlin Orr Stuck for ideas for that first class in Term 1 with the new students? Your fellow JETs are here to help with some … Continue reading
Sapporo’s Yuki Matsuri
Travel Japan: Sapporo By Lauren McRae Sapporo, being the main city of Hokkaido, is a large, modern city but without the crowds. Once a year, Sapporo takes advantage of the sub-zero temperatures and creates a wonderful world of ice and … Continue reading
Posted in Festivals, Hokkaido, Snow and Ice
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Chikuma International Expo May 30th
Hey everybody, This is James from Chikuma City Hall. I want to let you guys know about the Chikuma Expo this Year. It is one of the biggest events of the year in Chikuma and people from all over Nagano … Continue reading
Feisty Fish Feast Finished! Champion Crowned
By Alastair Lomas, Sports and Fisheries Correspondent Crowds waited with baited breath as the umpteenth approxi-annual All-Toyama Sushi Challenge got underway at ‘Sushi Kui, ne!’ in Takaoka on Saturday March 13th. It’s been a while since there has been one … Continue reading
Kiso’s Mt. Ontake, Japan’s 2nd Tallest Volcano
Mt. Ontake, the second tallest volcano in Japan, sits quietly, yet smoking, in the Kiso Valley. The hike up the volcano and the views from the trail are excellent and the spirituality of the place is hard to miss- shrines, small … Continue reading
Kiso Valley Edo era Post Towns Trail
The Kiso Valley Definitely worth a look is the trail between the post towns of Tsumago, Nagano and Magome, Gifu. The 8 km trail passes through the quiet Kiso countryside following the old Nakasendo route that linked Tokyo and Kyoto in the Edo … Continue reading
Kamikochi National Park Basics
Kamikochi （上高地） National Park is one of the most scenic spots in Japan and one of my favorite places. The views are spectacular. There is an abundance of nature. The trails are well kept. And in the summer, the temperatures … Continue reading