ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン - Universal Studios Japan

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン (usually shortened to "USJ") is the Japanese import of Universal Studios in the US, located in Hollywood and Florida. Although it doesn't have a massive amount to do with Japan in the traditional sense, it's become a bit of an institution over here so I think it's worth having a look at. It's very easy to get to from 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe) or 大阪 (おおさか - Osaka), you're very likely to go there if you come on a holiday or school trip and it's lots and lots of fun. It's also one of the only chances you'll get to hear Arnold Schwartzeneggar speaking Japanese. If that's not a good Friday topic I don't know what is!

日本の四つの季節その１.5：梅雨 (にほんのよつのきせつそのいってんご：つゆ） - The Four Seasons of Japan 1.5: The rainy season

梅雨 (つゆ - tsuyu) usually runs for most of June and the first half of July, lasting for about 40 days. It isn't really considered a season in its own right, which is why I'm putting it as a ".5" - a mini-season during the transition from Spring to Summer. 梅雨 literally means "plum rain", because it coincides with the plum season. I find the name misleadingly gentle, bringing up images of gentle spring rains. Instead, I got to school so soaked this morning that I had to wring my socks out in the sink. I think a better name would be "doom rain" or "bring a spare set of clothes rain".

I don't think even the most optimistic people have too many positive things to say about 梅雨 - it manages to combine the most dreadful elements of the other seasons. Despite the soaking rain, it's still hot and unpleasant. The best word for it, I think is 蒸し暑い (むしあつい - mushiatsui), meaning "humid" or "muggy" - on the really bad days, it's hard to tell where your sweat ends and the rain starts. I'd definitely advise against coming over in the thick of it if you can help it. If not, invest in a good umbrella and some towels!

だんじり祭り - Danjiri Matsuri

While not quite as out of control as the 裸祭り (はだかまつり - Naked Festival), the だんじり祭り is still a bit of a sight to behold. A だんじり is a portable shrine that looks like a room-sized temple on wooden cart wheels. Several of these are filled with gongs, drums and people who aim to make as much noise as possible as they lumber tirelessly through the streets. The best bit? The only way to turn them seems to be to do a wheelie. It's like watching history's first monster truck rally.

納豆 - なっとう - Nattou

A quick quiz. I have a very strong flavour and smell. I'm very nutritious. Most people either love me or hate me. I'm often eaten for breakfast. It's almost a national pastime to feed me to unsuspecting visitors and enjoy their reactions. Who am I?

The correct answer is 納豆, but you could definitely be forgiven for saying Vegemite. In fact, a lot of the students who try Vegemite here say it's "オーストラリアの納豆" (Australia's nattou) because of the similarities. Let's have a look at "Japan's Vegemite" and see what it's all about.

ゴールデンウィーク (Golden Week)

ゴールデンウィーク (often shortened to the letters "GW" in Japan) is arguably the biggest holiday season in Japan, along with お盆 (おぼん - Obon) in mid-August and シルバーウィーク (Silver Week) in mid-late September. GW is basically a string of public holidays spanning from late April to early May that usually mean at least five days off work. It's the perfect excuse for Japan to pack her bags and go just about everywhere else you can imagine for a well-earned break. The only problem with travelling during GW is that everyone else has the same idea!

学校の生活その2：文化祭 (がっこうのせいかつその2：ぶんかさい - gakkou no seikatsu sono ni: bunkasai) - School Lifestyle 2: Culture Festival

The 文化祭, usually translated as "Culture Festival" or "School Festival" is a yearly event held at every high school in Japan and is probably the biggest one on the calendar. The teachers and students prepare months in advance and the time leading up to it is one of frenzied activity and anticipation. What's all the fuss about? Let's have a look and find out.

Places to visit in Hyogo 3: 神戸 (こうべ - Kobe)

It may be a bit redundant to call 神戸 a "place to visit in Hyogo", because chances are that if you come to Hyogo, you'll at least pass through. Nevertheless, I think it's time we had a bit of a look at the capital city of 兵庫県 (ひょうごけん - Hyogo Prefecture), my home away from home.