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For leaving JETs, summer is often a time for closure. They come from all over the world, but for a brief moment – whether it be one year or five – they all shared the bond of calling Gunma home. Although these JETs will be moving on to new adventures, it’s certain that their time in Gunma will be unforgettable.
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As they prepare to depart, GAJET caught up with some leaving JETs to reflect on their time in Gunma.
“It was a blank slate. I didn’t know what to expect,” recalls Teresa … -
Head to the seventh floor food court at Takasaki’s OPA mall on any given Wednesday evening, and you will likely see groups of young people seated at tables and cheerfully chatting. It may seem innocuous at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that they are not regular mall-goers.
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Take a closer look and you’ll further notice that each group is comprised of two foreigners and two Japanese locals. Placed on each table, an orange piece of laminated paper with a picture of Gunma’s beloved mascot, Gunma-Chan.
Written above the picture: … -
While classes may have stopped during the summer vacation, JETs are still required to go to work. Of course, many of us will use vacation days during this time.
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On the other hand, there are also many JETs who will find themselves confined to their desks during this time. It doesn’t matter if you’re entering your fifth year on JET or if you just got off the plane, desk warming can be one of the most boring things about the job.
The summer stretch at your desk may feel like an eternity, … -
Welcome to Gunma! You’ve just arrived in Japan (more specifically, Gunma), and have spent the past few days trying to get acclimated to your new home. Perhaps you’ve been fighting the sweltering heat, navigating the soy-sauce aisle at your local grocery store, and facing off against other daily challenges which would not be a problem back in your home country.
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Regardless of how your new adventures in Gunma have been, it’s definitely time for a proper welcome for the new JETs. GAJET is hosting a Welcome Party on Friday, August 17. … -
Before I got here, I sent a lot of emails and Facebook messages about ultimate frisbee. I asked in Gunma ALTs and I bothered the people in Tokyo. I was informed that there was no such thing as ultimate frisbee in Gunma. A lot of people said they had tried, but they ended up shrugging their shoulders and saying, “shoganai, ne?”
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“Shoganai” is not a word that I take kindly to.
At Gunma Games, I brought out a disc and found that a few others had, too. Tossing around, we talked about …
Travel recommendations and tips.
Ideas for the classroom.
Highlights from Gunma’s dining scene.
“How-to” guides for living in Gunma and Japan.
General Japan-related topics.
Food and Drink »
~Osusume Café Series~
written by Tamara Schoenberger
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This week’s café review is for anyone who appreciates a hot coffee paired with some cool jazz.
Concert Café in Takasaki
I almost didn’t notice this café as I walked past. But from the inside, deep and earthy tones of a double bass found their way through seams and glass panes and leaked into the streets. The low, inviting rhythm caught my attention and I had to stop and listen.
By the entrance there is a menu board listing all the artists to play over during the current month. I …
Food and Drink »
~Osusume Café Series~
written by Tamara Schoenberger
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Warming your hands with a steamy mug of house coffee as you look around in awe of the cozy, contemporary and themed atmospheres of Japan’s coolest cafes doesn’t have to be limited to weekend ventures to Tokyo! With these articles, I aim to bring the spotlight to the more than deserving cafes of Gunma. Even in the inaka (and surprisingly enough, especially in the inaka) there are hidden gems scattered all around the prefecture just waiting to be unearthed. As I find these, I want to …
Guides, 日本 in General »
Finding music gear in Gunma
by Neal Beaver
New Year’s resolution is to get a new hobby? If you’ve set your heart on learning a musical instrument, but don’t know where to get one, this guide is for you! I used to trek all the way to Tokyo, thinking the big city would have the best deals, but I learned that Gunma has hidden gems of its own. There are plenty of music stores in Gunma that didn’t make this list. If you had a great experience somewhere, please share in the …
Guides, 日本 in General »
So you’ve decided that you want to keep your original phone from your country and only get a sim card in Japan. Use this handy guide to get yourself set up!
Guides, 日本 in General »
It starts snowing and my brain goes into survival mode. My t-shirt reads “I survived Snowmageddon”, but snow is as alien to me as a South African in an izakaya. We don’t get snow in South Africa—at least that’s what I tell people—but speaking for myself, it’s more that we don’t “get” snow.
Guides, 日本 in General »
It’s been about four months since I’ve left Gunma after my year on JET. I’m currently working full-time at a private school teaching third grade as an aide, while also actively looking for the next step in my career. Finding a job is on everyone’s minds as they end their tenure in Gunma. I think about Japan pretty often, and came up with a list of things I wish I knew (and wish I did) while I was in Japan. Hopefully, this can help you in preparing to go back …
Guides »
You’ve run out of ideas for warm up activities and you no longer get excited by 24-hour combinis. JTE small talk still isn’t getting any easier and, worryingly, you’re actually starting to like melonpan. Despite Japan feeling like a second home, you’re edging towards the dramatic conclusion that is “Stage 4.” It’s time to awkwardly decline that offer to recontract because, if you’re honest with yourself, you know it’s time to move on. Only one issue remains: what next?
Food and Drink, Guides »
As I sit in the staffroom sipping my lukewarm, bitter, flavorless school drip coffee (because I’ve run out of the next best thing, Blendy sticks) I cast my mind back to my weekend in Tokyo… visiting amazing cafés, stylishly drinking macchiatos as if I was Kim Kardashian buying shoes at Louis Vuitton. If you’re feeling like me and (constantly) craving a decent coffee then here is my top five cafés to visit in Tokyo for a bloody decent coffee.
Food and Drink, Guides »
The temperature is steadily dropping here in Takasaki. As the crisp night air of fall makes way for the dreaded karakaze of winter only one thing can drag me from the warm confines of my apartment (or my kotatsu). Ramen.
Guides, 日本 in General »
World Cup rugby is just around the corner and warm-up games are already being played. As this year’s World Cup is being held in my home country (England) I thought it was high time that my friends in Gunma get a lesson on rugby.
Life After the B.O.E. is a comic by David Namisato, a former CIR in Aomori-ken. The online comic has ended, but the book is available to purchase.