Kansai Gaijin

Japanese Escargot – Common Snail

Kyle Yates — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:54:33 +0000

Ok. Seriously, this article is not about the food. It’s about the little creature…the snail. I found one speeding across a stone as fast as his little body would take him. I think it is a good photo of a snail from Japan, so I want to share it with whoever finds it interesting.

Japanese snail

Sakura Blossoms Bring in Spring

Kyle Yates — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:46:48 +0000

Cherry blossoms, sakura in Japanese, once bloomed, announce to people in Japan that spring has come.

Droves of people throughout Japan gather under sakura trees to admire the beautiful flowers. Temperatures are still cool, but warm enough where picnicking is possible. The act of viewing cherry blossoms and picnicking is called hanami. Those who take time out of their busy schedule to enjoy hanami usually take a bento or bbq, something to sit on, usually a small plastic sheet or large blue tarp, a camera, sports equipment to play with their friends or coworkers and drinks…sake, beer, tea.

Hanami can be enjoyed anywhere there are sakura trees! It’s the Japanese way to celebrate the coming of spring.

Yamamayuga – Japanese Oak Silk Moth

Kyle Yates — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:56:10 +0000

Walked outside my place this morning and this huge moth was hanging out on the steps, probably because it was too cold to fly yet.

This moth roughly has a 110mm wingspan. It’s a big, beautiful moth!

Last Night in Sendai

Kyle Yates — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:53:06 +0000

Getting ready to eat our last dinner in Sendai tonight before we head back to the Kansai region.

Indonesian dinner cooked by two of our team members!

Day 2 – Minamisanriku

Kyle Yates — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:38:20 +0000

We drove up to Minamisanriku to where the tsunami was at the highest point. Many of the towns were completely demolished. The only homes left standing are on the higher hillsides. Most of the families still alive are living in those homes or shelters. Many of the men left are now working outside the area in other cities. The fishermen are working doing something other than fishing.

A fishing engineer came and visited and talked with me. He also asked me to add him to my Facebook friends list.

We talked to many people and handed out clothes. Some of the locals talked and joked around with us and took photos with us. We played with the kids and blew bubbles.

I met one family of four generations. Their homes are no longer standing and they all live in the shelter. Miki and her daughter Megumi and her newborn baby with no name yet along with the grandmother and grandfather. The grandfather came out later and gave me some tomatoes he grew to thank us.

I felt I didn’t want to take them but I also didn’t want to Insult him. So I took them.

They basically have nothing, but want to give us back something to thank us for giving them clothes.

Not many people around the world would do something like that as a gesture!

The Road to Sendai

Kyle Yates — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:50:04 +0000

Since the tsunamis and earthquake that hit Japan earlier this year, our church has been sending teams up to the region to help out. I have finally found free time to join a group.

Right now, we are in the van driving up to Sendai. It will take us roughly 12 hours.

The weather has cooled a bit from normal summer temps, enough where we shouldn’t have to worry about developing heatstroke.

The tasks we will be performing there will be carrying and loading things. Originally, we were set to cook and feed people, but because we mostly consist of guys, we have been given new tasks utilizing our God-given muscles.

We are open to helping any way we possibly can with open hearts.

Anticipating our arrival and getting to work!

Cooler Weather – Nice Change!

Kyle Yates — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:31:34 +0000

Summer in Japan is usually hot and muggy, especially in the Kansai region. This summer, however, the weather has only been hot and muggy only a few days here and there.

As of yesterday, a cool front has moved down causing most of Japan to cool off enough people don’t have to turn on their air conditioners at night. The temperature last night in Kyoto was around 23C/74F.

With temperatures like that, and it’s still August, it makes you wonder if autumn is coming earlier this year. If so, I won’t mind.

Katsudon

Kyle Yates — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:23:02 +0000

Katsudon is a typical one-word dish in Japan. In English it is called fried pork cutlet served over rice with a near-raw egg in top.

It’s a delicious dish! One of my favorites.

Shaved Ice on Hot Summer Days

Kyle Yates — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:59:49 +0000

One great thing about living in Japan is that Japanese food is so delicious. I love summer and the heat, but the hot muggy heat is sometimes unbearable. To make that more comfortable, I can eat shave ice.

Shaved ice is kakigori in Japanese. Here’s a picture of some kakigori that I made at my house.

Love Spring Flowers

Kyle Yates — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:53:29 +0000

Hydrangeas are called ajisai in Japanese. There are many beautiful colors and varieties around. My favorite is the type that blooms few flowers and has many little seed-looking balls between the flowers. The colors are usually dark purple to blue.

I planted hydrangeas in my back yard but they are pinkish red. I’m thinking all I have to do is change the acidity of the soil. Anyone know what is needed to change from pink to purple? Kinda like a litmus test.