This is where the blog began! Way back in 2006, I spent three months living and working in Ise City, Japan. I taught English at a private local school, and I spent my off days traveling around the country. This is my adventure, and my hope is that it will inspire yours!
Traveling in Japan
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The Things You Need to Do Before You Visit Japan
Japan is re-opening for tourism soon! Are you ready?!
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The 12 Ultimate Experiences to Have in Japan
Lots of people have asked me why I haven’t been back yet. Part of me is sad that things will be different. Part of me wants to keep my memories as they are. But all of me wants to go back one day. Here are some of the best experiences I had in Japan, and…
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The Ultimate Tips for Driving on the Left
Wouldn’t world travel be so much easier if everyone drove on the same side? Maybe! But what’s the fun in that? I’ve driven on the left a few times in my life, and ridden in a car driving on the left even more often. It’s really not so bad!
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Your Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel in Japan
Japan was my first solo trip ever, and my first time ever to cross an ocean. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and I can whole-heartedly recommend a trip to Japan for your solo trip, too!
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10 Reasons to Visit Japan
I might have been too young and dumb to be scared because I was just too excited to feel anything else! I hope if you choose to visit this beautiful, friendly country, you’ll love it, too. Here are 10 reasons you should consider Japan!
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What to Eat in Japan
If you’ve been following my series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working in Japan, you’ll definitely want to read this one! It’s a very special What I Ate Wednesday!
Train Travel in Japan
Coming Soon!
Living and Working in Japan
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The Journey Home
Originally published on 31 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working in Japan! I’m home! After one last Sushi Lo supper on Saturday, I turned in my bike and waited at the school for Mrs. Koda to pick me up. She came about 7:15 or…
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Futami: I Couldn’t Stay Away
Originally published on 29 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad in Japan! Today I woke up early to talk to Mom online and get to the beach one last time. Next time I talk to my family, it’ll be in the flesh!…
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Tying Up Loose Ends
Originally published on 29 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my time living and working abroad in Japan! Is it really the last day? Yes! Yes it is! The past 3 days since I got back from Tokyo have been relaxing, wonderful, and memorable. On Thursday, I turned in…
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Hot Springs and Black Eggs
Originally published on 27 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad in Japan! On my next day in Tokyo, I got up and got to walk the dog with Mr. Fujita. That was fun. And when we got back, I got to have…
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Fun Times in Tokyo
Originally published on 27 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad in Japan! And now I’m back from Tokyo! The train ride there was quite a feat. It took 7 1/2 hours and 4 train changes with only 3 to 8 minutes etween…
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Third Year Death Ceremony
Originally published on 23 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer abroad living and working in Japan! Time for the much-anticipated Third Year Death Ceremony! Mrs. Koda’s mother came to ride to the ceremony with us. She’s cute and looks just like Mrs. Koda. We got in…
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Going Away Party
Originally published on 23 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad teaching English in Japan! Wow, there’s so much to say about the past 2 days! At work yesterday (after having a week to cool off from the incident with Yuri, it wasn’t…
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Daiki: The Japanese Meal of a Lifetime
Originally published on 23 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad in Japan! And this is a very special post in the series because it’s What I Ate Wednesday!
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Tea at the Nagoya-jo Castle
Originally published on 21 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad in Japan! Hello again! Now to continue with Quick Whit’s Grand Adventure. Today I went back to Nagoya. It’s only an hour and a half trip, so I thought that’d be nice after…
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Shingu Shrine
Originally published on 21 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first summer abroad while living and working in Japan! Well hello! I hope everyone’s had a good week. Let me know what you’re up to! Yesterday I went to the Shingu Shrine at the recommendation of the…
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Pearls are this Girl’s Best Friend
Originally published on 19 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad, teaching English and living in Japan! Hey there! So here’s the latest since my last e-mail. I went to Pearl Island again to see the Mikimoto Memorial Hall that we didn’t get to see before.…
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Yukata and Hanebi
Originally published on 16 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad, living and working in Japan! It’s been a good day! Yesterday’s festival and fireworks were fun to watch. It was my little 4th of July on the 15th of July! I talked to Mom…
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One More Glitch
Originally published on 15 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” about my summer living and working abroad in Japan! Well hello. I hope everyone’s weekend is off to a great start! Just thought I’d update you a little. Work went well enough this past week, up until Friday, my…
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The End is Near; I’m Making Plans!
Well hello! I hope everyone’s having a great week. Mine’s been pretty good so far… and tomorrow (Friday) is my last day of work! Hooray! So Monday was a good day. My break time got changed, so that was a little annoying, but Yuri was in a good mood, so that made the whole day seem better. I…
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Spa and Onsen Experiences
Originally published on 10 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer living and working abroad in Japan! Onward to the Nemo Nu Sato Resort! We got there at the last 30 minutes of the lunch buffet, but there was still plenty to go around. It was all very…
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Mikimoto Pearl Island
Originally published on 10 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first summer abroad in Japan. Boy, do I have things to tell y’all! Yesterday was as close to ideal as I can think of. We started off going to the Mikimoto Pearl Island, continued on to a health…
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Teacher Training
Originally published on 7 July 2006. This post os part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my summer working abroad in Japan! Kon-nichiwa! School has gone better the past couple of days. We had our second teacher training on Wednesday. I was sort of dreading it because I had to give a demonstration of part…
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Working Girl in Ise City
Originally published on 5 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad to teach English in Japan! Hello! I hope everyone’s had a wonderful 4th of July. I celebrated here in Japan by wearing my Braves t-shirt and some star socks my family sent to…
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Ninja Museum and Ueno Castle!
Originally published on 3 July 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad to teach English in Japan! Hey there! I hope everyone’s had a good weekend and you’re all looking forward to July 4th! Eat something grilled and watch the fireworks for me! Yesterday’s escapade…
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Adventures in Nara!
Originally published on 30 June 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad working in Japan! Well Hello! I hope everyone’s having a good week and you’re looking forward to the weekend! I went to Nara yesterday. It was a beautiful day, and the town was absolutely gorgeous!…
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Yukata Shopping and Sushi for Supper
Originally published on 26 June 2006. This post os part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad to teach English in Japan! Today we went yukata shopping! Mine’s very pretty, but you’ll have to wait till I wear it for the festival to see it! We didn’t try on the whole…
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A Package from Home
Originally published on 26 June 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever solo trip to teach English in Japan! Hi there all. The past few days have been up and down, so I’ll just hit the highlights for you. We (the Americans) got the silent treatment at…
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Changes in Plans
Originally published on 23 June 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first trip abroad living and working in Japan! Kon-nichiwa! It’s been a poopy past couple of days, but I have things to look forward to, and it will get better. I’m determined it will. I had fun…
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Futami: My Place in the World
Originally published on 20 June 2006. This post os part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever solo trip abroad–to Japan! Hello all! If you were hoping it would rain yesterday so I’d stay inside and not have interesting experiences with which to fill your inbox… you’ll be sorely disappointed! Yesterday was positively…
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The Boss’ Drinking Buddies
Originally published on 18 June 2006. This is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad–to Japan! Konbanwa! (Good evening!) For those of you in the USA, Ohayo Gozaimasu! (Good morning!) Today was a unique experience! I started out doing laundry and ended up going out for sushi with Mr. Koda’s “Drinkin’…
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Riding the Bus
Originally published on 16 June 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever solo trip to Japan! School has gone well the past couple of days! I’m really trying my best to do everything right, and Yuri’s feeling better, so I think she’s been more willing to overlook some…
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Off Day Escapades
Originally published on 14 June 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” from my first every trip abroad to Japan. So, I woke up to overcast skies on my day off on Monday, but I’d prayed it wouldn’t rain because I’ve really REALLY wanted to go back to Naiku (the Inner Shrine). After catching…
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Tall Tales and English Lessons
Originally published on 13 June 2006. This post is part of a series about my first ever solo trip to Japan! Yesterday I gave Yumi and Yoko (two of our Japanese English teachers) an English lesson. It was pretty fun because we read “The Legend of John Henry” and “The Legend of Johnny Appleseed.” I grabbed a couple…
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Geku Shrine and Live Fish!
Originally published on 13 June 2006. This post is part of a longer series of posts about my first ever solo trip to Japan! So my internet is up and going again. I was so relieved when we got it working again! Not being able to talk to my family and write y’all some long e-mails was…
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On the Job Frustrations
Originally published on 8 June 2006. This post is part of a longer series of posts about my first ever solo journey to Japan! Hello there. Yesterday was beautiful outisde, but it was a frustrating one at work. Apparently there’s lots of stuff my colleague, Anna, and I have done wrong. We were told the other day that we’re…
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Tales from Tokyo
Originally published on 7 June 2006. This post is part of a longer series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad to Japan! Ohayo-gozaimasu! (Good morning!) Time for more of Quick Whit’s World Travels. I forgot a couple of things about Sunday in Tokyo, so here are a couple more stories! Before we went to…
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Tokyo Take 2
Originally published on 6 June 2006. This post is part of a larger series of “e-mails to home” from my first ever trip abroad–to Japan! So I woke up on Sunday and read my Bible. I miss real church with other people. I’ll be glad to go to a service when I get home. I got…
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First Glimpse of Tokyo
Originally published on 6 June 2006. This post is part of a series of “e-mails to home” that I wrote during my first ever solo summer abroad living and working in Japan! Hello to all! I have officially conquered Tokyo with the help of Mrs. Fujita and her amazing family. I hopped the morning train (6:48am) from…
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Kyoto: Take 2
Originally published on 2 June 2006. This post is part of a series of e-mail “letters to home” from my first ever solo trip abroad to beautiful Japan! I decided Wednesday night to go to Kyoto again on Thursday. That’s about as spontaneous as I get–I change plans the night before! I figured I ought to use…
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Kyoto: First Glimpse
Originally published on 2 June 2006. This post is part of a series of e-mails home from my first ever solo trip abroad, Japan! Next up: Kyoto! Yoko and I went to Kyoto to see a big temple.We took two trains and walked a loooooong way up hill (but it was a wonderful workout!) to get…
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Exploring Osaka
Originally published on 2 June 2006. This post is part of a series of e-mails to home from my first solo summer abroad in Japan! Hello again! So I rode to Osaka with Yoko in her car. It’s a 2.5 hour trip with several tolls along the way. It’s expensive for her to go home!…
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The Nagoya Experience
Originally published on 2 June 2006. This post is part of a series of e-mails to home from my first ever solo trip abroad: Japan! Well hello there! My travels have been pretty good so far, and I’m not done yet! Follow along with me… Monday, I went to Nagoya. This was the first time I’d…
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Train Travel to Nagoya
Originally published on 29 May 2006. This blog post is part of a larger series about my first ever trip abroad–solo to Japan! Well, hello once again! The trip to Nagoya was ok. I feel pretty accomplished for taking the train and all that all by myself, but I was disappointed in myself for not venturing…
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What to Eat in Osaka
It’s What I Ate Wednesday, and today I have a very special edition as part of my Japan series: What I Ate in Osaka!
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Fun and Food
Originally published on 29 May 2006. This blog post is part of a larger series about my first ever trip abroad to Japan! Kon-nitchiwa once again! I have a big week ahead of me, and I thought of some things to tell y’all before I start in on the big travels. First of all, I love…
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Teaching English in Ise
Originally published on 27 May 2006. This is part of a series of posts about living and working in Japan–my first trip solo and abroad! Kon-nitchiwa! (Hello!) I hope everyone’s having a great week. I decided now’s as good a time as any to tell you about working at the school, since so many of you…
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Lost in Ise City
Originally published on 23 May 2006. This is part of a series of letters to home that I wrote while living and working in Japan on my first trip abroad. So I had the day off yesterday (a pleasant surprise). I decided I needed to explore and kinda see what’s here. Well you’d never believe all…
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Naiku Shrine
Originally published on 22 May 2006. This is part of a series of posts from my time living and working in Japan in 2006. Boy, do I have things to tell y’all! I’ve really missed being able to go to church while I’m here, but I know God’s with me all the time, and He provided a…
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Finding My Way Through Life
Originally published 19 May 2006. This post is part of a reminiscent series of e-mail letters I wrote to my friends and family during my summer teaching English in Japan. Hello all! I hope everyone’s having a great week. Let me know what’s going on over in your side of the world. Here’s what’s happening on…
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Japan: First Impressions
Originally published 16 May 2006. This is part of a series of e-mail letters I wrote home during my summer teaching English in Japan! Hi everyone! We just got internet in the apartment yesterday, so now I can write to you! Well, Japan is beautiful. The food is awesome–I get to eat sushi every day! However, my…
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Japan: Tale of a Fateful Trip
My readers, I’m about to let you in on something life-changing, Earth-shattering, and mind-broadening. At least it was for me. Just over 10 years ago I was 20 years old, fearless, and in search of adventure outside of my tiny little hometown in Tennessee. An opportunity to live and work in Japan practically fell into…