Tokyo DisneySea just kicked off its "Sparkling Jubilee" 25th anniversary celebration on April 15 with a full year of festivities and special events ahead!

Check here for details and schedules:

www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/treasure/tds...

#DisneySea #Celebration #SparklingJubilee #JETAA #Japan

Hope, concerns spring from massive fountain show in Tokyo | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis Officials who opened one of the largest fountains in the world in waters off Tokyo are banking on making a big splash with tourists despite concerns from politicians over its high price tag and potent...

The Tokyo Aqua Symphony is one of the largest fountain shows in the world. The 250-meter-wide fountain shoots jets of water that reach up to 150 meters.

Visit Odaiba to view one of the 10 daily shows!

www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

#Fountains #Show #TouristAttraction #Odaiba #Tokyo #JETAA #Japan

The 20th Japan International Manga Award is now open for applications! This award honors artists who contribute to the promotion of manga outside Japan.

Submission period is April 15–June 30. Details are here:

www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/index_e.html

#Manga #JCulture #Award #Honor #JETAA #Japan

Hafu: “Foreign Passports This Way” and Other Everyday Moments in Japan - Savvy Tokyo SavvyTokyo Writer Tabitha Wilders shares her personal experience as a hafu in her early 30s living in Japan

A thoughtful essay on being Japanese while not looking stereotypically Japanese. For many JET alumni who stayed in Japan and now have families there these feelings might resonate.

savvytokyo.com/my-personal-...

#Japanese #Hafu #ハーフ #Double #ダブル #Image #Assumptions #JETAA #Japan

Brewer awakens sake's hidden spirit through wine yeast | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis HAMAMATSU--Brewmaster Akira Yamaguchi is conjuring up an intoxicating initiative at a long-established sake brewery: crafting rice wine products from wine yeasts.

The Hananomai Brewing Co. is developing innovative rice wines by brewing Japanese sake using French wine yeasts, resulting in new flavors and aromas. Learn about the journey here:

www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

#Sake #Wine #Yeast #Innovation #JETAA #Japan

31st Annual Katari Japanese Storytelling Festival 〜 All Things Must Pass 〜 - As Toronto spring quickly unfolds and slips away, join us to discover Japanese stories (told in English) and music that capture the beauty of impermanence! The 31st Katari Japanese Storytelling Festiv...

On May 2, Japan Foundation Toronto is holding the 31st Annual Katari Japanese Storytelling Festival.

This is a terrific opportunity to hear classic Japanese tales in English!

RSVP (free) here:

tr.jpf.go.jp/event/katari...

#Storytelling #Folktales #Toronto #JapanFoundation #Festival #JETAA #Japan

Nissan’s New Elgrand to Allow Hands-Free Driving Even in Urban Areas in Push for Domestic Market Turnaround <p>Nissan Motor Co.’s 2027 Elgrand large minivan will enable hands-free driving in urban areas by using AI to assess road conditions and other factors.</p>

How do you feel about hands-free driving technology?

Nissan will introduce its ProPILOT driver-assistance tech with the 2027 Elgrand minivan. ProPILOT is certified for multiple driving environments—including urban!

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/com...

#HandsFree #ProPILOT #Nissan #JETAA #Japan

Horizons: Japan Career Series | April 2026 — USJETAA Whether you're mid-contract, freshly off JET, currently navigating life in Japan or an alum considering returning, you're not alone. More JET alums than ever are choosing to put down roots in Japan, b...

Wondering how to establish yourself in Japan?

USJETAA & JETAA Tokyo's 3-part Horizons series covers key aspects related to living and working in Japan (or studying).

Register here for sessions 2 & 3

www.usjetaa.org/news/horizon...

#LifeInJapan #Home #Job #Study #USJETAA #JETAATokyo #JETAA #Japan

This Tokyo exhibition explores the process of curating art for an entire nation The University Art Museum in Ueno looks back at 50 years of ‘NHK Sunday Museum’, Japan’s most influential art-focused TV show

NHK Sunday Museum has been bringing art to people for 50 years. Now an exhibit at the University Art Museum in Ueno takes a look at how and why NHK Sunday Museum selected the works it did.

www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/t...

#NHKSundayMuseum #UniversityArtMuseum #Art #Curation #JETAA #Japan

Poster for the 11th Japan International Translation Competition to be held May 1st to May 31st, 2026

Translation is a skill and an art, one that requires meticulous attention to detail.

If you have a passion for translating literature, take a look at the 11th Japan International Translation Competition—it might be for you!

www.jlpp.go.jp/competition1...

#Translation #Competition #JETAA #Japan

Phylicia Bishop, ALT in Hokkaido, standing in front of a chalkboard in a Japanese high school classroom.

JET Alumni Profile: Phylicia Bishop

The Japan Society of Boston speaks with Phylicia Bishop about her experience as a JET in Hokkaido, 2010–2014.

www.japansocietyboston.org/post/phylici...

#AlumniProfile #LifeAfterJET #Hokkaido #NewPerspectives #LifelongConnection #JETAA #Japan

Narita renovated its Terminal 1 Observation Deck—it's now the "Garden Walk" and features footbaths! There's a tatami area for relaxing, too. So if you find yourself at Narita, go try out their new Garden Walk.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Narita #Footbath #Relax #Terminal1 #JETAA #Japan

Japan's Best Wisteria Spots: Where To See and Peak Bloom Dates Wisteria is one of Japan’s most cherished flowering plants. Here are stunning spots to see the cascading purple blooms across Japan.

Fuji (wisteria) comes into bloom just as sakura season ends, and there are many incredible wisteria gardens across Japan. Visit one to wander under curtains of pastel purple blossoms. It's an experience not to be missed!

www.tokyoweekender.com/travel/japan...

#Flowers #Fuji #Wisteria #JETAA #Japan

Come on over to the JETwit website for more Japan-related content. This recent post highlights Japan-relevant events in New York for the month of April. If you're in the Big Apple, check them out!

jetwit.com/wordpress/20...

#Events #NYC #April #JETAA #Japan

(Photo courtesy of ATG Entertainment)

Luxury Japanese Skincare: What’s Worth the Price Tag? - Savvy Tokyo Breaking down the five top luxury Japanese skincare brands that you need to know and which products you can go without!

Luxury Japanese skincare brands are renowned worldwide. But is the pampering they provide worth their high price points?

Savvy Tokyo tried lines from 5 brands and tells all. Check their reviews to stretch your yen!

savvytokyo.com/luxury-japan...

#SkinCare #CostBenefit #Price #Luxury #JETAA #Japan

New Bird Species Confirmed in Japan for 1st Time in 45 Years, Found on Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Pref. <p>A new bird species has been confirmed in Japan for the first time in 45 years.</p> <p>A team from the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology and the Forest Research and Management Organization announc...

For avid birdwatchers, a new species has been confirmed in Japan. Now you can add the Tokara Leaf Warbler to your checklists!

This warbler is endemic to the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima. Time for a southern vacation?

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/gene...

#Warbler #NewSpecies #Japan #JETAA #Japan

Inside the Newly Reopened Edo-Tokyo Museum The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku reopens on March 31, 2026, after nearly four years of renovations.

After 4 years of renovations, the Edo-Tokyo Museum has just reopened this week! Now you can once again visit the museum to experience and explore Tokyo as it was during the Edo and Meiji periods.

www.tokyoweekender.com/things-to-do...

#EdoTokyoMuseum #History #Museum #JETAA #Japan

Living or traveling in Japan as a vegan can be challenging since so many dishes include fish or fish stock.

Savvy Tokyo's guide to being vegan in Japan is a rich resource for finding truly vegan options throughout the country.

savvytokyo.com/being-vegan-...

#Vegan #Japan #Resources #JETAA #Japan

School uniforms in Japan embracing diversity amid shift to blazers in Reiwa era - The Mainichi TOKYO -- As a new academic year begins in April in Japan, the uniforms of junior high and high school students often catch the eye. Though blazers hav

The new school year is here, and with it, updates in school uniforms. Uniforms reflect how schools are balancing tradition with changes in society and climate.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#School #Uniforms #Trends #JETAA #Japan

6 best rooftop gardens in Osaka to relax and enjoy free city views Escape the crowds on the streets and head up to the free rooftop gardens above some of Osaka’s most popular landmarks

Cities offer so much, but sometimes we need some greenery, too. Whatever can we do? Explore rooftop gardens and green areas!

Here's a guide to some of Osaka's hidden rooftop retreats. Enjoy them freely.

www.timeout.com/osaka/things...

#RooftopGarden #Parks #Greenery #Osaka #JETAA #Japan

Japan research uncovers how coffee constituent limits growth of colorectal cancer cells - The Mainichi KYOTO -- A team of researchers in Japan has uncovered the mechanism by which caffeic acid, a polyphenol found in coffee, suppresses the growth of colo

It sounds almost too good to be true…but Japanese researchers have found that caffeic acid, present in coffee, suppresses the growth of some cancer cells.

So enjoy your daily dose of coffee!

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Coffee #StopCancer #Prevention #ColorectalCancer #Science #JETAA #Japan

Yuko Yamaguchi, Hello Kitty’s Primary Artist, To Step Down After 46 Years Sanrio has announced that Yuko Yamaguchi, the artist behind Hello Kitty, will be stepping down to make way for a new designer.

A big otsukaresama to Yuko Yamaguchi, the artist behind Hello Kitty for the past 46 years!

Now Ms. Yamaguchi is retiring. Learn more about Ms. Yamaguchi and Hello Kitty's history and future here.😍

www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_cult...

#HelloKitty #YamaguchiYuko #Artist #Sanrio #JETAA #Japan

We hope you enjoy what we share about Japan here, but just a reminder: JETwit also has a website. And on that website we post a lot of job openings for those who have connections with Japan.

So if you're looking for work, come take a look!

jetwit.com/wordpress/

#JobHunting #JETwit #JETAA #Japan

From paper to plate: 80-year-old Osaka man crafts stunning 'fake food' with washi - The Mainichi OSAKA -- An 80-year-old man living in Osaka creates incredibly realistic

Seeing art in the everyday.

Kazuhiko Nishitaki ("Glasses Grandpa") started by making a paper cookie to slip into his wife's lunch. Now he crafts elaborate meals of washi paper that are considered art.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#PaperArt #FakeFood #Washi #GlassesGrandpa #メガネのおじいちゃん #JETAA #Japan

Weird Things To Do in Tokyo From butler cafes and drinking with monks to all-you-can-eat natto, here are some recommendations of weird things to do in Tokyo.

Just be different! This list of "weird experiences" in Tokyo will help you achieve that.

If you're a natto fanatic—it's got you covered. Always wanted to go out drinking with monks? That's covered too...and more!

www.tokyoweekender.com/things-to-do...

#Tokyo #Weird #Fun #BeDifferent #JETAA #Japan

Laura Escher - Okinawa (2023-2024) Where were you in Japan as a JET and when? I was placed in Okinawa as an ALT from 2023-2024. I lived in the south of Okinawa, inan area called Yaese. I taught at Koyo High School.What sparked your int...

JET Alumni Profile: Laura Escher

The Japan Society of Boston speaks with Laura Escher about her experience as a JET in Okinawa Prefecture, 2023–2024.

www.japansocietyboston.org/post/laura-e...

#AlumniProfile #LifeAfterJET #Okinawa #Culture #LifelongConnection #JETAA #Japan

Fukuoka Clam Digging Guide 2026 | Fukuoka Now Fukuoka Clam Digging Guide 2026. Discover popular spots around Fukuoka City such as Muromi River and Wajiro Tidal Flats, plus nearby areas including Buzen and Yukuhashi. Includes key information on th...

Clam digging season has arrived! Are you ready to head for the beach for some shiohigari?

This handy guide provides everything you need to know if you want to go clam digging around Fukuoka.

Happy Digging!

www.fukuoka-now.com/en/guides/cl...

#ClamDigging #Shiohigari #潮干狩り #Fukuoka #JETAA #Japan

Earliest Oe novels, penned as Todai student, unearthed | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis Two unpublished novels by Nobel laureate Kenzaburo Oe (1935–2023), penned before his official debut, have been discovered and are now his oldest known works.

Two early works by author Kenzaburo Oe were recently rediscovered, stashed in a clear file in the building where he once lived as a university student. For fans, this is like having two new stories to read.

www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

#KenzaburoOe #Discovery #NewStories #Literature #JETAA #Japan

Japan's Human Washing Machine Is Here and You Can Try It for Free The human washing machine that stunned Expo 2025 crowds is now available to buy in Japan for ¥60 million, and you can try it free in Ikebukuro this March.

Did you happen to see the "human washing machine" at the Osaka Expo? They say 98% of those who tried it out liked it.

Well, now this bath-of-the-future is for sale to the general public via Yamada Denki!

www.tokyoweekender.com/entertainmen...

#HumanWashingMachine #ミライ人間洗濯機 #JETAA #Japan

Japan lands two spots on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list for 2026 Get to know the cafés representing Japan on this year’s list

Coffee drinkers in Japan have something to be excited about: 2 cafes in Japan made the "100 World's Best Coffee Shops" list for 2026! One is in Tokyo, the other is in Osaka.☕

www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/j...

#Coffee #World'sBest #Tokyo #Osaka #JETAA #Japan