JETwit
jetwit.bsky.social
JETwit
@jetwit.bsky.social
https://jetwit.com/wordpress/ The official un-official website, blog, job listings, alumni magazine, etc. for the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Alumni community worldwide. Founded by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94) in 2008.
Were you one of the lucky few to view "Diamond Fuji" this week? There are only 2 chances per year when the setting sun and Mt. Fuji perfectly align, and the weather has to be clear for the phenomenon to be visible.

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

#DiamondFuji #Sunset #Rare #JETAA #Japan
Peak conditions: ‘Diamond Fuji’ visible from Tokyo Skytree | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
A “Diamond Fuji” dazzled Tokyo Skytree visitors on Feb. 3, with a crowd multiple rows deep packing into the observation deck's west-facing side to witness the setting sun align perfectly with the moun...
www.asahi.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Love citrus? But craving something sweet? How about kinkan no kanroni, or candied kumquats?🍊

You only need kumquats, sugar, water, and less than 1 hour. So why wait? Treat yourself to these golden wintertime sweets!

savvytokyo.com/kinkan-the-t...

#Kumquat #キンカン #Sweets #Homemade #JETAA #Japan
Candied Kumquat Recipe: The Tiniest Citrus Fruit With An Edible Peel - Savvy Tokyo
Elevate any snack at a moment’s notice—and maybe attract some health and wealth in the New Year—with this candied kumquat recipe.
savvytokyo.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:14 AM
JET Alumni Profile: Anise Overton

The Japan Society of Boston speaks with Anise Overton about her experience as a JET in Fukuoka Prefecture, 2023–2024.

www.japansocietyboston.org/post/anise-o...

#AlumniProfile #LifeAfterJET #Fukuoka #HomeAwayFromHome #JETAA #Japan
Anise Overton - Fukuoka (2023-2024)
Where were you in Japan as a JET and when? I was a high school Assistant Language Teacher in Fukuoka Prefecture, specifically in Iizuka-shi, during 2023-2024.What sparked your interest in applying for...
www.japansocietyboston.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Collective living can take a variety of forms. Last month we looked at multigenerational Kankan Mori in Tokyo; today, let's explore the Adult Women’s Dormitory Project in Osaka—a place single women of all ages can call home.

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

#CommunalLiving #Women #Aging #JETAA #Japan
Single women plan community home in Osaka to age together | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Their vision came together over tea, desserts and an array of colorful sticky notes.
www.asahi.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Setsubun is just around the corner. Are you ready to drive off any ogres by throwing beans? And do you have your giant ehomaki sushi roll to eat for good luck?

Learn more about celebrating Setsubun here:

www.japanlivingguide.com/expatinfo/ja...

#Setsubun #BeanThrowing #EhomakiSushi #JETAA #Japan
Setsubun: Welcoming Spring with Ogres, Beans, and Sushi
Celebrate Setsubun, Japan’s bean-throwing festival to welcome spring. Find out how you can enjoy this tradition believed to ward off evil and bring good luck.
www.japanlivingguide.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:48 AM
The other day we highlighted job hunting. But what about graduate school?

Check out USJETAA's university partnerships where all JETs and JET alumni qualify for scholarships and other perks.

www.usjetaa.org/university-p...

#GradSchool #Scholarships #UniversityPartnerships #USJETAA #JETAA #Japan
January 31, 2026 at 5:50 AM
Have you ever seen 34,000 runners competing all at once? The 2026 Osaka Marathon on Feb 22 is your chance!

Cheer on participants and get into the festive mood. Winners qualify for the 2028 Olympic team!🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

www.timeout.com/osaka/sport-...

#OsakaMarathon #Runners #Sports #Cheering #JETAA #Japan
Osaka Marathon 2026: What you need to know
Where to watch the race, how to get around and everything else you need to know about the Osaka Marathon
www.timeout.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Mottainai! Don't waste!

Japanese quality plus the "mottainai spirit" of making the most of items has created demand for used Japanese goods abroad.

These days, many Japanese products gain a second life in a new country.

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

#Mottainai #SecondHand #Auctions #JETAA #Japan
‘Mottainai’ goods from Japan find eager buyers in global market | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
On a recent weekday in November, buyers from outside Japan showed up en masse at an auction center seeking secondhand articles.
www.asahi.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:28 AM
We love to share stuff about Japan here, but just a reminder that 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/

#JobHunt #Jobs #JETwit #JETAA #Japan
January 27, 2026 at 1:49 PM
In Kyoto this spring? Take note: the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association has announced a special exhibition that will open "five hidden cultural properties" to the public for a limited time.

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

#Kyoto #HiddenCulture #Temples #Shrines #SpecialExhibit #JETAA #Japan
Kyoto exhibition of cultural properties to be held this spring | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
KYOTO--The public will be offered rare access to temples, shrines and Buddhist statues normally closed off in the ancient capital in an exhibition to be held in two phases this spring.
www.asahi.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Have you heard of Awaji Island? Lying between Tokushima and Kobe, this island is often overlooked. But here's a fun article that points out some unusual things you can see and do there. Definitely worth a visit!

www.timeout.com/osaka/news/i...

#Awaji #淡路島 #Tourism #HaveFun #JETAA #Japan
I ran into Godzilla and Hello Kitty on this laid-back island just outside Kobe
A visit to Awaji Island, where pop culture collides with nature, meditation and excellent food
www.timeout.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Thanks to farmers markets throughout Tokyo, urban residents can buy farm-fresh produce, fresh baked goods, and more directly from growers and artisans.

Here's a list of Tokyo farmers markets worth checking out:

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

#FarmersMarkets #Tokyo #Fresh #JETAA #Japan
The Best Farmers Markets in Tokyo
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed weekend outing or fresh produce, these are some of the best farmers markets in Tokyo.
www.tokyoweekender.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Lotteria seems to have been around forever—but now they are disappearing. By March of this year, the last Lotteria will be rebranded as Zetteria.

Have you tried Zetteria yet? Did anything but the name change?

en.sedaily.com/internationa...

#Lotteria #Zetteria #Hamburgers #JETAA #Japan
January 22, 2026 at 5:29 AM
JET Alumni Profile: Stephanie Balakrishnan

The Japan Society of Boston speaks with Stephanie Balakrishnan about her experience as a JET in Kyoto Prefecture, 2015–2017.

www.japansocietyboston.org/post/stephan...

#AlumniProfile #LifeAfterJET #Kyoto #Connection #JETAA #Japan
Stephanie Balakrishnan - Kyotanabe, Kyoto (2015-2017)
Where were you in Japan as a JET and when?I was placed as an ALT in Kyotanabe, Kyoto Prefecture, from 2015-2017. I was very fortunate to have been placed in Kyoto, with its rich history and culture. K...
www.japansocietyboston.org
January 19, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Known for its collection of historical textile artifacts, the Marubeni Gallery is currently offering an exhibit exploring the evolution of kimono styles during the Edo and Meiji periods.

www.tokyoweekender.com/event/evolut...

#Kimono #Edo #Meiji #Marubeni #Gallery #Exhibit #JETAA #Japan
Evolution of Kimono Styles Exhibition
The Marubeni Gallery's exhibition on traditional fashion will explore how Japanese clothing developed throughout the Edo and Meiji periods.
www.tokyoweekender.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Food is intrinsic to culture and meals bring people together. But dietary restrictions can disrupt this.

These influencers are working to overcome one obstacle by ID'ing halal meals.

Pls share info re: other dietary needs below🙏

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

#Food #Community #Diet #JETAA #Japan
Influencers in Japan share halal spots for Muslim viewers | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
One early afternoon in November, Nanako Shibasaki popped into Hangry Joe's Tokyo in the capital's Akihabara district, which was bustling with foreign tourists.
www.asahi.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:18 PM
When you are craving a relaxing soak, but don't have an onsen nearby, what can you do? Bath salts to the rescue!

Here are some bath salts you can use at home to recreate that genuine hot spring feel.

www.tokyoweekender.com/health-and-b...

#Relaxation #Onsen #BathSalts #SoakAtHome #JETAA #Japan
10 Best Japanese Bath Salts for an Authentic Onsen Experience at Home
Get to know our picks for the best Japanese bath products like bath salts, essences and tablets to warm up on a cold day.
www.tokyoweekender.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:06 PM
鬼は外福は内 "Out with the bad, In with the good!"

It's time to start preparing for Setsubun at Daiichi-in Temple, where monks handcraft 2,000 lucky boxes to be distributed at the February bean-throwing festival.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#Setsubun #LuckyBoxes #Handmade #DaiichiinTemple #JETAA #Japan
Lucky box production in full swing at temple in Japan's Aichi ahead of Setsubun ritual - The Mainichi
CHITA, Aichi -- The production of
mainichi.jp
January 15, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Suitcases abandoned by tourists are causing a lot of headaches for hotels, but now businesses are getting innovative in ways to upcycle this discarded luggage. Take a look at this rooftop container garden, for example!

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

#AbandonedLuggage #Recycle #Upcycle #JETAA #Japan
January 14, 2026 at 9:56 PM
In longstanding tradition, Yontama the cat has been appointed the newest stationmaster of Kishi Station in Wakayama Pref. Yontama will be joining her predecessors in welcoming travelers to her outpost.

www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/n...

#Stationmaster #Cats #KishiStation #Yontama #JETAA #Japan
Japan Has a New Cat Stationmaster: Meet Yontama
It’s a great day to be a cat lover. Wakayama Electric Railway has just welcomed its newest employee for the next feline stationmaster.
www.tokyoweekender.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:46 PM
It's never too early for sakura🌸

JMC has released its updated 2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast, and it looks like the flowers will be appearing earlier than last year. Take a look and plan your hanami picnics!

www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/h...

#Sakura #CherryBlossoms #2026Forecast #Hanami #JETAA #Japan
Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2026 – updated Jan 8
Get an idea of when to expect this year’s blooms across Japan with this long-term forecast
www.timeout.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:55 PM
How many castles in Japan have you visited?

Some castles, like Matsumoto-jo and Himeji-jo, are well-known; others are more obscure. But all of them will sell you their official castle stamp to record your visit.

savvytokyo.com/a-guide-to-g...

#Collect #Stamps #Castles #Gojyoin #御城印 #JETAA #Japan
A Guide to Gojyoin: Japanese Castle Stamps - Savvy Tokyo
Discover what Gojyoin is by visiting Japanese castles and collecting stamps commemorating your visits. Learn more about it!
savvytokyo.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:13 AM
For fans of Japanese literature, here's a list of ten recent English translations of fiction works. Have you read any of these yet?

If not, now is the perfect time to pick one up and get started!

www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_cult...

#Bookworms #JapaneseLit #EnglishTranslation #JETAA #Japan
The Best Translated Japanese Fiction Books of 2025
Introducing ten of our favorite translated Japanese fiction books from 2025, to put on your list for the new year.
www.tokyoweekender.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Collective living creates third places—places other than home and work—where we can connect with others. Kankan Mori is one such community where multiple generations are building a life together.

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#CollectiveLiving #ThirdPlace #Community #KankanMori #JETAA #Japan
'Collective house' in Tokyo helps foster community, connections across generations - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- The shape of families has changed over time -- from multiple generations living under one roof to nuclear families, single-member households
mainichi.jp
January 10, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Have you ever watched a Japanese fire department's annual drill? It is a drill, but it's also quite a performance. Here's a report on Tokyo's fire department, which just held their drill Tuesday (Jan 6).

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

#FireDepartment #AnnualDrill #TokyoFD #JETAA #Japan
Tokyo Fire Dept's New Year drills feature ladder stunts, 4-legged disaster robots - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- The Tokyo Fire Department held its annual New Year drills on Jan. 6 at Tokyo Big Sight in the capital's Koto Ward, with more than 2,900 fire
mainichi.jp
January 8, 2026 at 5:25 AM