Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Aug 3, 2020
Breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes it needs to be done
by Amy Chavez
Amy Chavez came to Japan in 1993 and, four years later, met her best friend. From there, things were a roller coaster.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE May 11, 2020
An island off the coast of COVID-19 presses pause on tradition
by Amy Chavez
Smaller towns in Japan aren't having to deal with the pandemic directly, but its effects are still being felt on lifestyles as festivals opt to cancel celebrations.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Apr 6, 2020
My life on the run from COVID-19
by Amy Chavez
Right now I am in voluntary self-quarantine after returning from overseas. When I flew into Kansai International Airport from the island of Bali on March 23, Indonesia wasn’t on the list of countries with known coronavirus infections, and local authorities had not yet asked ...
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Mar 9, 2020
Eco-friendly gift-giving in a society that's overwrapped
by Amy Chavez
We're all trying to do our best to help the environment, but some efforts may take more than just buying something with the word "eco" attached to it.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Jan 27, 2020
There's a case for climate concern but not everyone in Japan is ready to go the extra mile
by Amy Chavez
The people living on Shiraishi Island are already recycling, composting and reusing their plastic bags. How do we convince them to take the next step in environmental awareness?
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Dec 30, 2019
A Japanese tradition to greet the new year
by Amy Chavez
One new year tradition that has managed to stick around is making mochi, just make sure to watch your hands while you do it.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Nov 25, 2019
Waves of change washed over the Seto Inland Sea during the 2010s
by Amy Chavez
Attracting international tourists used to be the goal. Events and trends over the past decade, however, have caused a small island to rethink their tourism strategy.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Nov 3, 2019
Are Japanese classes in the countryside cram school worth moving out of the city?
by Amy Chavez
It seems like a good idea, move to the country and focus on Japanese. And it works, it just depends on what kind of Japanese you want to learn.
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Sep 25, 2019
Lifestyles on the Seto Inland Sea change with advancements in the fishing industry
by Amy Chavez
When I first came to Japan, I was stunned by the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea. Its thousands of peaked islands look as if they'd dropped straight from the sky and settled like gum drops on the water. Stretching 450 kilometers from Osaka ...
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Aug 25, 2019
An island festival steeped in history
by Amy Chavez
In 1185, Japan's Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genpei) clans played out the final battle of the Genpei War, the result of which would have a profound effect on Japan ushering in its first shogun with Kamakura as the shogunate. In the latter part of the ...
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Jul 21, 2019
Humanity is sure to come through for those on a modern pilgrimage
by Amy Chavez
As I made my way up the steep road to Kakurin Temple — aka Temple No. 20, I realized how foolish I had been to have bought a bicycle. Rising at dawn, I had ticked off temples 18 and 19 of the 88-temple Shikoku ...
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Jun 23, 2019
A Buddhist priest reflects on growing up on Shiraishi Island during a time of war
by Amy Chavez
Living on an island that was too small to receive direct attacks didn't stop the people living there from having to take extreme measures.