Continue reading »]]> Japanese Sweets/Candy test

I have to apologise. In week six I wrote Japanese Candies were horrible. Back then I just had bad luck with picking the right things. Meanwhile I found some good sweets/candy. However gumdrops don’t seem to be very popular in Japan. You’ll find more candy than gumdrops in every grocery store. When one finally found gumdrops the packages are so small that one will ask her or himself, why the packages are reclosable at all. Those packs have a three times smaller capacity compared to regular German gumdrop packs with the difference that the price is three times as high compared to German Gumdrop packs. None the less. Most of those gumdrops are tasty. Enjoy the video.

Japanese candy test – Japanischer Süßigkeitentest von Daaaaaaaaaaaax

Here a selection of different candy package designs. For the first time you can vote in this blog which package design you like best! Three packs will be raffled off amongst all voters and will be sent to them. Winners can choose which candy they would like to receive. So you don’t have to take the one you voted for. Any recourse to courts of law is excluded. (Sorry, still have to set up the vote. Will post it here once everything is set up)

[Show as slideshow]

(This text has not been revised. Should you spot a horrible mistake you simply can’t live with :) or a typical “German English” phrase please let me know by dropping me a message or a comment. I will correct it and credit your name should you wish that. I’m happy to receive any feedback and really appreciate your help.)

Special thanks to: Hyunjung Kim, 유현화, both South Korea; Fumi Ono, Japan; Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Lilith Pendzich;

Continue reading »]]> Maria Prusakova Part II

Masha about how it is to go back to a “normal” life again. Advice for Snowboarders. And something about her successor.

Masha part 2 von Daaaaaaaaaaaax

(My apologies for the bad sound. The battery for my mic died that day and it was not possible to get a replacement up here in the mountains)

[Show as slideshow]

Next Sunday, Japan is going to commemorate the earthquake-, tsunami-, and reactor catastrophe of 3/11. In respect of all the people who lost their family members and friends I decided not to post an article next week but only to concentrate on updates. Our thoughts are with the people who lost their lives or existence that day.

Special thanks to: Maria Prusakova, Russia; Hayden Rhodes, New Zealand; Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Lilith Pendzich;

Continue reading »]]> Video Mania

Well, well, it’s once again video time. But this place is simply too beautiful not to be filmed.

Beagstaign von Daaaaaaaaaaaax

Manza Mountain

My colleague Hayden wanted to do some snowboard tricks. Unfortunately the slope was not steep enough. He explains the healthiest way to walk and why walking is so healthy.

Surftrainingsecrets.com von Daaaaaaaaaaaax
Next week, will have a written post again. This time about Karaoke. So long!

Special thanks to: Hayden Rhodes, New Zealand; Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Lilith Pendzich;

Continue reading »]]> aMANZAing Grace

Well, well… It seems the grace won’t stop. The Japanese a capella group Takarabune from Kobe interviewed and performing “amazing Grace” – the favourite song of all Manza onsen hotel employees. To find out why this is our favourite song and everybody loves it here you don’t even have to work here but only stay for one night and you will know why… Sorry but sometimes even a blog needs inside jokes.

Takarabune von Daaaaaaaaaaaax

Takarabune’s Germany/Switzerland tour dates:
28. 01. 2012: Gaggenau, Klag-Bühne
29. 01. 2012: Stuttgart, Theaterhaus
01. 02. 2012: Mannheim, Reiss-Engelhorn Museen
03. 02. 2012: Zug, Schweiz, Chollerhalle
04. 02. 2012: Limburg, Thing
05. 02. 2012: Frankfurt, Neues Theater Höchst
06. 02. 2012: Bramsche, Universum e.V. Filmtheater

Infos on Takarabune’s webpage
Youtube-Video: Takarabune
Youtube-Video: Takarabune: Happy Heaven
Youtube-Video: Takarabune: Lover come back to me
Youtube-Video: Takarabune: Mas Que Nada
Youtube-Video: Takarabune: Japanischer Song
Youtube-Video: Takarabune: Kono-Michi

Special thanks to: Mayumi Takahashi, Natsumi Uekita, Miyako Ushio, Kimiyo Yamagami, Mayumi Nakamura, Japan; Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Lilith Pendzich;

Continue reading »]]> They lost their hearts in India

Buddhist heart

Tukizi Hongangi Temple in Ginza, Tokyo

Obon Festival part two. In week nine I showed you some photos of the Obon atmosphere. What I missed to catch so far were the dances linked to this tradition, and of course the kimonos. It’s time to present you some footage from the festival. One of Tokyo’s biggest Obon festival takes place in front of the Tukizi Hongangi Temple in Ginza, one of Tokyo city’s trendier districts. But when looking at this temple it does not really look like a Japanese one, hm? Right, it’s orientated to Indish architecture. Why? Because Buddhism simply originates from India. And this temple is an homage to it. But now enough with writing. Time to celebrate. Enjoy!

Tsukiji Hongwanji Bon Odori Dance Festivities von Daaaaaaaaaaaax

Obon Festival

Kimono collection

Next entry will be about climbing Japan’s highest mountain Fuji San. CU then!

http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~kennyko/tsukiji/tsukinew.htm

Special thanks to: Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Lilith Pendzich, Germany; Brandon Lamb, U.S.A.;

Continue reading »]]> Well, all right. I was asked by some readers to make use of my tripod and to present some footage.

I’m presenting some of the challenges facing every English teacher in Japan. The biggest seems obviously to be to convey the Japanese people the difference between ‘L’ and ‘R’. Even more difficult is it to teach them the correct pronunciation. Hey what a fun job! Even my name causes them trouble. Either I’m called Dshimon or Shimon. But a regular ‘s’ does not exist in the Japanese language.

I’m not only an English teacher here by the way but I also look after the children. That does also mean to play with them and of course also to pay close attention so that they don’t starve because of my exhausting lessons. By the way my favourite game with the kids is ‘Simon says’.
Kirari Kids von Daaaaaaaaaaaax

Special thanks to: Hubertus Neidhart from Webspace Provider Network for excellent web page hosting services; Kuba San, Japan; Christoph Flossmann, Germany; Brandon Lamb, U.S.A.;