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.

The third annual Gunma Games are coming up fast! The Gunma Games are the first big event of the year for new Gunma JETs. It’s bound to be the hottest and most talked about event all year, so don’t miss it! For those that have already been to the Gunma Games I have no doubt you’re coming back for more. But, for those of you that need some convincing I’ve prepared my top three reasons why you should attend the Gunma Games!

Think back to that magical moment when you first arrived in Japan. Spirits high, you take your first step out of the plane on a beautiful summer evening into a brave new world. A world full of opportunity, new friendships, humidity, sweat, and pit stains… You realize that jeans were a bad idea, and you wish you knew just how hot Japan really is before getting here.

All year I’ve been looking forward to my favorite GAJET event: The Mt. Fuji Climb. To get ready I’ve been running up and down the stairs at school during my free periods, and planning what to pack this year.

When JETs arrive in Japan, they are given a three year visa. This visa is good for three years as long as you do not leave your job or change professions. So the question is, what happens when you’re in your third year on JET and you have decided to continue your job for another year?

America’s favorite past time is finally here, It’s baseball season! Baseball also happens to be extremely popular in Japan. Many of your students know and love the sport, and will often talk about their favorite teams and players. Let’s explore baseball in Japan together!

So there you sit at your enkai, staring at another glass of pale, watery beer. If only you could get your hands on a dark and roasty stout or a hoppy and fragrant IPA. Anything but Asahi! Luckily there are opportunities for better beer in Gunma, if you know where to look. 

Warmer weather, longer days, and flowers in bloom… Spring is slowly making its way into Gunma! (Hallelujah!) Of all the flowers putting on a show this season, none quite compare in popularity to the sakura.

Winter is here! What is the one thing guaranteed to drag us out from under our warm toasty kotatsu? Why, snowboarding and skiing, of course! Did you know that next to Hokkaido, the Gunma-Niigata-Nagano region has the best ski resorts in all of Japan? Gunma, banzai!

Hi, friends! As school starts back up and the days grow shorter, I wanted to share a guide about one of Gunma’s best features: autumn leaves!