Koku
@seizanokuni.bsky.social
My life in Japan as I work as an Assistant Language Teacher. Somehow surviving on coffee
I feel like a golden retriever with how excited I get when the teachers ask me to do a favour or come to the class to help them outside of team teaching. I just hate staying in the staffroom so much...
January 22, 2026 at 10:54 AM
I feel like a golden retriever with how excited I get when the teachers ask me to do a favour or come to the class to help them outside of team teaching. I just hate staying in the staffroom so much...
I went bouldering for the first time yesterday... Now my arms are in pain
January 7, 2026 at 10:49 PM
I went bouldering for the first time yesterday... Now my arms are in pain
It was heart-warming to see some of my students calling me out of the staffroom to wish me happy holiday and safe travels home since I will be gone before school goes on winter break.
December 19, 2025 at 8:36 AM
It was heart-warming to see some of my students calling me out of the staffroom to wish me happy holiday and safe travels home since I will be gone before school goes on winter break.
Students are researching data for in class debates. I walk around and all the students are looking at Ace Attorney and practicing interjections. This is going to be interesting once winter break is over.
December 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Students are researching data for in class debates. I walk around and all the students are looking at Ace Attorney and practicing interjections. This is going to be interesting once winter break is over.
Over the weekend, I went to Lake Yamanakako to see some illumunations with my co-workers. At first, it was snowing, then it became sleet then heavy rain... I ended up with a fever the next day. Would do again.
December 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Over the weekend, I went to Lake Yamanakako to see some illumunations with my co-workers. At first, it was snowing, then it became sleet then heavy rain... I ended up with a fever the next day. Would do again.
I told my students that Friday was my last day in Japan and I would miss them dearly as I returned to the US. They were all visbly shocked, but when they found out I was just going back for the holidays, they asked for omiyage
December 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I told my students that Friday was my last day in Japan and I would miss them dearly as I returned to the US. They were all visbly shocked, but when they found out I was just going back for the holidays, they asked for omiyage
I finally did the 6-7 meme to the only other native English speaker at my school. She told me to stop being cringe...
December 11, 2025 at 11:18 PM
I finally did the 6-7 meme to the only other native English speaker at my school. She told me to stop being cringe...
Finally, in my third attempt on this mountain, there was a clear day for Mount Fuji. I think I am used to the stairs now, but my sister who is visiting was dying trying to climb up the stairs to the temple.
November 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Finally, in my third attempt on this mountain, there was a clear day for Mount Fuji. I think I am used to the stairs now, but my sister who is visiting was dying trying to climb up the stairs to the temple.
So my group of friends and I went to the mall to see the chainsaw man movie. I was relieved that I had not bumped into any of my students. When I sat down, I heard a "hello sensei"
Turns out the seats my group chose was next to my student and his friends... what luck
Turns out the seats my group chose was next to my student and his friends... what luck
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
So my group of friends and I went to the mall to see the chainsaw man movie. I was relieved that I had not bumped into any of my students. When I sat down, I heard a "hello sensei"
Turns out the seats my group chose was next to my student and his friends... what luck
Turns out the seats my group chose was next to my student and his friends... what luck
This is probably the only time of year when all the students come up to me all happy just to ask for candy which I give out. Some students I have never even talked to begin talking to me...
October 31, 2025 at 11:48 AM
This is probably the only time of year when all the students come up to me all happy just to ask for candy which I give out. Some students I have never even talked to begin talking to me...
Panicking as the JLPT is coming closer and I've been procrastinating
October 29, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Panicking as the JLPT is coming closer and I've been procrastinating
I suppose one thing I wish to do is to have my friends and I do silly little skits while I'm here
October 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I suppose one thing I wish to do is to have my friends and I do silly little skits while I'm here
My cousin came to visit. He looked at me like a mad man when I was climbing up inclines in the scorching sun like it did not bother me
August 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
My cousin came to visit. He looked at me like a mad man when I was climbing up inclines in the scorching sun like it did not bother me
My summer adventure through Japan continues using my students itinerary they created for me. This time and despite the rain, Shirakawa-go in Gifu with the polisci teacher! I began screaming once I realized it's the village Higurashi was based off of!
#Japan #Japantravel #Travel
#Japan #Japantravel #Travel
August 12, 2025 at 3:54 AM
My summer adventure through Japan continues using my students itinerary they created for me. This time and despite the rain, Shirakawa-go in Gifu with the polisci teacher! I began screaming once I realized it's the village Higurashi was based off of!
#Japan #Japantravel #Travel
#Japan #Japantravel #Travel
~All I want to do is to watch Japanese dramas with English subtitles on Netflix without having to use a VPN~
August 6, 2025 at 8:05 AM
~All I want to do is to watch Japanese dramas with English subtitles on Netflix without having to use a VPN~
One travel spot my students recommend I do during their presentaion was Nippara Limestone Cave in Tokyo. I was able to drag the school clerk on this adventure!
#japantravel #tokyo #travel
#japantravel #tokyo #travel
August 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM
One travel spot my students recommend I do during their presentaion was Nippara Limestone Cave in Tokyo. I was able to drag the school clerk on this adventure!
#japantravel #tokyo #travel
#japantravel #tokyo #travel
Well, looks like I'm heading to Fukuoka in the autumn. I won some concert tickets... So many students chose Fukuoka for their summer project... So many omiyage to get them...
July 31, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Well, looks like I'm heading to Fukuoka in the autumn. I won some concert tickets... So many students chose Fukuoka for their summer project... So many omiyage to get them...
I asked my JTE, "Can you teach me some Japanese curse words?"
She said, "I can't tell you any."
I was like "Damn, I guess it is true that Japanese people don't really curse."
She responds, "No, I can't tell you because we're in the staffroom!"
She said, "I can't tell you any."
I was like "Damn, I guess it is true that Japanese people don't really curse."
She responds, "No, I can't tell you because we're in the staffroom!"
July 30, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I asked my JTE, "Can you teach me some Japanese curse words?"
She said, "I can't tell you any."
I was like "Damn, I guess it is true that Japanese people don't really curse."
She responds, "No, I can't tell you because we're in the staffroom!"
She said, "I can't tell you any."
I was like "Damn, I guess it is true that Japanese people don't really curse."
She responds, "No, I can't tell you because we're in the staffroom!"
I was trying to explain why imperial makes more sense than metric to the science teacher. I don't think I was able to convince him... He was especially confused when I told him the conversion from ft to miles. He was shocked that it was so complicated and I knew it at the top of my head.
July 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I was trying to explain why imperial makes more sense than metric to the science teacher. I don't think I was able to convince him... He was especially confused when I told him the conversion from ft to miles. He was shocked that it was so complicated and I knew it at the top of my head.
I need to save money...
July 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I need to save money...
It was so weird seeing my students not in their uniforms. It felt more awkward talking to them as I wasn't in my extroverted work mode, but in my everyday introverted state.
July 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
It was so weird seeing my students not in their uniforms. It felt more awkward talking to them as I wasn't in my extroverted work mode, but in my everyday introverted state.
I went to a out of school dance club performance b/c I wanted to support my students but I also wanted to be discreet about it. I immediately got caught by the them... being tall does have its disadvantages...
July 27, 2025 at 8:34 AM
I went to a out of school dance club performance b/c I wanted to support my students but I also wanted to be discreet about it. I immediately got caught by the them... being tall does have its disadvantages...
Some of my teachers figured out that I have a thing for the math teacher... They were really supportive of it and told me to go for it... They also being un-Japanese-like told me that I am doing a shit job talking to her... Here's hoping I can talk to her over summer break...
July 23, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Some of my teachers figured out that I have a thing for the math teacher... They were really supportive of it and told me to go for it... They also being un-Japanese-like told me that I am doing a shit job talking to her... Here's hoping I can talk to her over summer break...
Yesterday, after a brief stop in Yokohama, I went down to Enoshima to do what my students recommended... Most of the places were closed probably due to the Ocean Day, but the ramen shop great and the candle was a fun view!
July 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Yesterday, after a brief stop in Yokohama, I went down to Enoshima to do what my students recommended... Most of the places were closed probably due to the Ocean Day, but the ramen shop great and the candle was a fun view!
I travelled to Hakone today with my cousin. Apparently, if you eat this black egg, you will live longer... it tasted like a normal boiled egg... and I hate boiled eggs... Tomorrow, I will finally go to Enoshima!
July 20, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I travelled to Hakone today with my cousin. Apparently, if you eat this black egg, you will live longer... it tasted like a normal boiled egg... and I hate boiled eggs... Tomorrow, I will finally go to Enoshima!