The Hachioji Festival is returning after a long break! This year it runs from August 4th to 6th. A fireworks display will take place on July 29th at Fujimori Park. You can even see these fireworks from the school 😊 On August 6th, our students will volunteer at a multicultural coexistence booth. Everyone, please come to Hachioji!

For a field trip, we visited the newly opened “Kan Clean Center” in Hachioji last year. It’s a 15-minute bus ride from Takao Station and set in a lush, green area. The facility is very clean and spacious, using the latest systems to process waste. Facility information is available in multiple languages, making it easy for non-Japanese speakers to understand. Visitors can watch trucks enter the site and see how waste is collected up close. With activities like sorting quizzes, the students were able to learn while having a lot of fun.

Tanabata is almost here. Signs at Hachioji Station and the plaza in front of the station are already decorated for Tanabata. At our school, we also made Tanabata decorations. What we made will be displayed together with those from the neighboring ballet studio. Children who attend the ballet studio can read the wishes written by international students, and those students can learn what Japanese children are wishing for. It’s a small thing, but it has become a good opportunity for community exchange.

In front of Hachioji Station is a shopping street called Euro Road. Because no cars pass through here, it’s a great place for a stroll. Euro Road often hosts events. The photo shows a pottery market. On the next holiday, a Tanabata festival will be held there. On weekends you can sometimes see geiko performances and other events that let you experience Japanese culture, which makes the area popular with students. The shops along the street are quirky and fun, so do come and visit.

A classic way to spend your holidays. I took a walk around the local Mt. Takao in the morning and put my hands together to get rid of the evil at the Yakuo-in in the middle of the mountain.

Today I’d like to introduce Kuta Bali Cafe, an Indonesian restaurant a five‑minute walk from Hachioji Station. Many of our students visit regularly. You can enjoy authentic Indonesian dishes there. Because the food is halal, students say it’s great for eating with classmates without any concerns. The spice level can be adjusted, so even those who don’t like spicy food can eat here. I found the noodles especially delicious 😊

A new sake brewery has opened a five-minute walk from Hachioji Station! They haven’t commercialized any products yet, but the brewery plans to build a shop and is expected to grow rapidly. It’s quite rare to find a sake brewery so close to the station in a bustling downtown area. For international students, this will be a great opportunity to learn about Japan’s traditional sake up close.

A 15-minute walk from the school stands a shrine associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu’s retainer, Nagayasu Okubo. Nagayasu Okubo is famous for helping to develop Hachioji, and he was even featured on the TV show Buratamori. The shrine frequently hosts events related to Nagayasu Okubo. One such event will take place on June 17, so if you live nearby, do consider visiting. Hachioji has many historic buildings, so we sometimes study history in class before going on tours. At our school, we teach not only Japanese but also about the local area and Japanese history.

I visited the Mucha Exhibition at Yume Museum, a 15-minute walk from Hachioji Station. I visit Yume Museum several times a year, and compared with other exhibitions this Mucha show had noticeably more male visitors. Perhaps many men come to see images of beautiful women. I had seen a Mucha exhibition at another museum before; although smaller in scale, it featured many famous works and even included prints used on confectionery packaging from the period, so the collection felt very complete. I was pleased that photography was allowed inside the museum. The gift shop was well stocked, and I ended up buying quite a lot. At this Yume Museum in Hachioji, admission is free for junior high school students and younger. An annual pass costs 1,400 yen, which is a great deal. Hachioji offers abundant nature as well as shopping, and you can experience a variety of cultural attractions. Why not come to Hachioji and study Japanese?

Finally, all the students have arrived in the country, so we held the entrance ceremony! The Sri Lankan traditional garment osari and the Nepali traditional dress sari looked beautiful. Over the next two years, they will study Japanese to make their dreams come true. Please cheer them on✨

A store selling Asian groceries has opened one minute’s walk from the school, above the post office! They sell vegetables and frozen foods too, and the spacious interior made everything easy to find. I asked the shop staff for a recommended snack. The one in the photo is a Vietnamese soft candy. This soft candy is made from young glutinous rice. It has a light sweetness and a nostalgic taste. Many international students use shops like this when they first arrive in the country. Hachioji has several stores like this within the city, so it can be said to be a comfortable place for foreigners to live.

Across the street from the amanatto sweet bean shop introduced earlier stands a public bathhouse famous in Hachioji. That bathhouse offers unattended vegetable sales. This stall sells rare vegetables from the Tama area and displays a wide variety, so it’s fun just to browse 😊 International students often use these unmanned vegetable stalls. The principal of our school also keeps a farm in Hachioji City, and foreigners often ask him to sell produce. When I asked the students, they said these vegetables look fresher and tastier than those sold in supermarkets. I encourage everyone to try these rare vegetables that you can only find in the Tama area.

A carp streamer swimming in the Asa River in Hachioji! Tomorrow is Children's Day. I also ate Kashiwa mochi

[English/Japanese] This greengrocer sits in front of Nishi-Hachioji Station. The shop is currently closed, but a poster displayed there carried messages of support from many people. It is clearly loved by the community, and reading those messages warmed my heart. While Nishi-Hachioji has many supermarkets, it also has small shops like this one. Students at our school said they sometimes visit these small stores to enjoy the unique, friendly interactions they offer. Living alone far from home, they said, a simple greeting can ease feelings of loneliness. This is a greengrocer in front of nishi hachioji station. The store is currently closed, but there was a poster with messages of support from everyone. It is a shop loved by everyone. Reading it made me feel very warm. There are many supermarkets in Nishi-Hachioji, but there are also small shops like this. Students at our school said they sometimes use small shops for the kind of communication only they can provide. When living alone away from their country, they said, just being greeted makes their loneliness fade.

[English／日本語] I heard that an onigiri shop with a signboard cat had opened a minute walk from nishi hachioji station, so I went there. The name of the shop is "OLEALL☆". Their additive-free, pesticide-free onigiri and brown rice chiffon cake were very delicious. Mikan, the cat manager, 19 years old!, was napping on the seat next to us! She was very cute😊Onigiri are very popular with international students. They often buy them at convenience stores, but they often purchase them without really knowing what is inside. Most onigiri are tasty, so they keep buying them again and again. I heard that an onigiri shop with a signboard cat had opened a one-minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station, so I went to check it out. The shop is called OLEALL☆. Their additive-free, pesticide-free onigiri and brown rice chiffon cake were delicious. Mikan, the cat manager (19 years old!), was napping on the seat next to us! She was adorable 😊 Onigiri are also very popular among international students. They often buy them at convenience stores, but many buy them without fully knowing what’s inside. Since most onigiri are tasty, they end up buying them again and again.

It is 😄🌸 a drooping cherry blossom of Hachioji Daikoji Temple It was a splendid 400-year-old tree, and it was ✨ nice to be lit up. While feeling the solemn style of the power spot, I took 📸 a picture while receiving the power. * Click the image to see the original vertical composition!

[English/Japanese] There is a standing sushi bar in front of nishi hachioji station, a two-minute walk from the school. Its name is DARIME SUSHI. DARIME is written with the kanji for “forty-five.” They say it’s a secret word that sushi chefs understand. Standing soba is well known, but a standing sushi place is unusual. I went at lunchtime, and the customers were all women. Sushi is also popular with international students. Not only do they eat it, many choose sushi restaurants as their part-time jobs. As a result, they learn fish names before any other Japanese words. You’ll be surprised to find they know more about it than their teachers! There is a standing sushi bar in front of nishi hachioji station, a two-minute walk from the school. Its name is Darime Sushi. Darime is written with the kanji for “forty-five.” It’s said to be a slang term that sushi chefs understand. Standing soba is famous, but sushi is rare. I went there at lunchtime, and the customers were mostly women. Sushi is also popular with international students. Of course they eat it, but many students also choose sushi restaurants for part-time work. Because of that, they learn the names of fish before any other Japanese. You’ll be surprised that they know more about it than their teachers!

[English/Japanese] Mitsuhashi, a shop specializing in kanro natto (sweetened fermented soybeans), is a 15-minute walk from the school. Kanro natto is a Japanese sweet made by simmering beans in molasses and coating them with sugar. Mitsuhashi’s kanro natto is handcrafted with great care and has an elegant flavor. When I mention kanro natto to international students, they all react to the word “natto” and make disgusted faces. Many foreigners dislike natto, but when I explain it properly, they all say they would love to try it. Because many Southeast Asian countries have bean-based sweets, they find kanro natto intriguing. Kanro natto is not sold during midsummer, so if you’re curious, visit before summer arrives. A 15-minute walk from the school brings you to Mitsuhashi, a specialty shop for kanro natto. Kanro natto is a wagashi made by simmering beans in molasses and sprinkling them with sugar. Mitsuhashi’s kanro natto is made very carefully and has a refined taste. When I tell international students about kanro natto, they respond to the word “natto” with unhappy faces. Many foreigners dislike natto, but if I explain it properly, everyone says they’d like to try it. Since Southeast Asia offers many bean sweets, kanro natto piques their interest. Kanro natto is not sold in the peak of summer, so if you are curious, try to go before summer.

Cherry blossoms in 🌸 Asakawa in Hachioji Due to heavy rain the night before, a carpet of cherry blossoms was formed after a lot of dispersion! !️

[English／日本語] Hachioji had a castle called Katakura Castle 500 years ago. Today, there is no castle, but there is a park that tells the history of the castle. This park is popular among tourists because of its beautiful katakuri (dogtooth violet) flowers in spring. The park is also decorated with statues. The statue in the photo became famous because a kingfisher once perched on its shoulder. Hachioji is not only rich in nature but also home to many historical sites. At school, before visiting such historical places, students take classes to learn about the history of Hachioji. Many students know the word "samurai" but do not know much about the deeper history of the city, so everyone listens intently to the lessons 😊. Hachioji had a castle called Katakura Castle 500 years ago. Today there is no castle, but there is a park that passes on its history. This park is popular with tourists for its beautiful katakuri flowers in spring. The park also displays bronze statues and other works. The statue in the photo became famous because a kingfisher once landed on its shoulder. Hachioji is not only abundant in nature but also has many historical sites. At school, before visiting such historical places, students have lessons to study the history of Hachioji. Many students know the word "samurai" but do not know the deeper history, so everyone listens seriously to the talks 😊.

[English/Japanese] Cherry blossoms Someiyoshino have begun to bloom in Hachioji as well. Miharu-takizakura cherry blossoms with drooping branches, which bloom a little earlier than Someiyoshino, are now in full bloom. The photo shows the Miharutaki cherry tree at Shinshuji Temple in Katakura, Hachioji. The temple has a history of more than 500 years. It is a 10-minute walk from Keio Katakura Station. Please visit the temple. Hachioji has many old temples and large parks. We tell students where and which flowers are at their best depending on the season. Why don't you also study Japanese in Hachioji where you can enjoy the seasons? Hachioji has also started to see Someiyoshino cherry blossoms blooming. Miharu-takizakura, a cherry tree with drooping branches that blooms slightly earlier than Someiyoshino, is now at its peak. The photo shows the Miharu-takizakura at Shinshuji Temple in Katakura, Hachioji. Shinshuji has a history of more than 500 years. It is about a 10-minute walk from Keio Katakura Station. Be sure to pay it a visit. Hachioji is home to many old temples and spacious parks. We tell students where and which flowers are at their best in each season. Why not study Japanese in Hachioji, where you can enjoy the changing seasons?

[English/Japanese] In front of Nishi Hachioji Station stands Kinuta Dental Clinic, a place many people living in the Tokyo metropolitan area know well. A large karakuri clock greets visitors at the clinic entrance; it has become a symbol of Nishi Hachioji. Every hour, the clock delights onlookers with an inventive mechanism and a story about teeth. Some of our students are currently receiving dental treatment. International students are said to be more prone to tooth decay because of changes in eating habits and stress. Our school offers health counseling so students can enjoy a healthy life while studying abroad. In front of Nishi-Hachioji Station, there is Kinuta Dental Clinic, which anyone living in the Tokyo metropolitan area might know. At the entrance of Kinuta Dental Clinic is a large karakuri clock that has become a symbol of Nishi-Hachioji. Every hour you can hear an entertaining mechanism and a story about teeth. Some of our students are currently undergoing dental treatment. International students are said to be susceptible to cavities due to changes in diet and stress. Our school provides health consultations to help students lead a healthy life while studying abroad.

[English/Japanese] The most famous gourmet cuisine in Hachioji is ramen. So well known among ramen fans that a style called Hachioji Ramen even exists, it differs from other ramen by using a generous amount of onions in the broth. In Nishi Hachioji, there is a Hachioji Ramen shop called Goemon that often has a line. It is a three-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station, so it is very close to the school. I tried it for the first time the other day! True to Hachioji Ramen, it was a very tasty bowl with the sweet flavor of onion. The international students at the Japanese language school love ramen. Some male students in particular eat it every day, to the point that it is one reason they gain weight. By the way, many female students tend to gain weight from eating bread. Hachioji’s most famous gourmet is ramen. So well known that there is a type called "Hachioji Ramen," it is familiar among ramen lovers. Unlike other ramen, Hachioji Ramen uses a large amount of onions in the soup. In Nishi Hachioji there is a popular Hachioji Ramen restaurant called Goemon that draws queues. It is a three-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station, so it is very close to the school. I tried it for the first time the other day! It was a very delicious ramen with the sweet taste of onion, just like Hachioji Ramen. The international students at the Japanese language school really like ramen. Especially male students sometimes eat it every day, which is one reason they gain weight. (By the way, many female students tend to gain weight from bread.)

[English／日本語] Tomorrow, February 22, is Cat Day. As previously mentioned, Hachioji is also a cat-friendly town. There are shelter cat cafes around Hachioji Station and nishi hachioji station. There are also many cats in the Hanamachi area, which I introduced earlier, and they are loved by the locals. Today we will introduce you to "shutters with cats painted on them" in Hachioji, the first of which is located in Hanamachi. The second one is a Nepalese curry restaurant located a 2-minute walk from nishi hachioji station. Both have great designs! Tomorrow, February 22, is Cat Day. As mentioned before, Hachioji is a cat-friendly town. There are shelter cat cafes near hachioji station and nishi hachioji station. The Hanamachi area I introduced earlier is also home to many cats loved by locals. Today I will introduce shutters painted with cats in Hachioji. The first is in Hanamachi. The second is a Nepalese curry shop a two-minute walk from nishi hachioji station. Both have lovely designs!

[English/Japanese] The other day I had lunch at Hokkaido Soup Curry Workshop Seven West, a three-minute walk from Nishi Hachioji Station. I chose the mild curry, but it was surprisingly spicy and offered a complex blend of spices. The best part was the bone-in chicken, cooked until it fell apart at the slightest touch of chopsticks. Most of the students enrolled at our school come from Southeast Asia. Nearly every one of their countries has a version of “curry.” When I show them how to make Japanese home-style curry, they are surprised at how different it is from what they know. They are even more amazed to learn that, within Japan, there is another style called Hokkaido curry. The other day I had lunch at Hokkaido Soup Curry Workshop Seven West, a 3-minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station. I chose the sweet curry, but it was quite spicy and I could taste a variety of spices. The chicken on the bone, which was cooked so well that it fell apart when touched with chopsticks, was the best part. Most of the students enrolled in our school are from Southeast Asia. Almost all of them have "curry" in their countries. When I show the students how to make Japanese home-style curry, they are surprised at how different it is from their own country. And they are even more surprised when they learn that there is another type of curry in the same country, Hokkaido Curry!

[English/Japanese] Setsubun event was held at the school on February 3. Students made ogre masks and enjoyed bean-throwing. Hachioji, where the school is located, has a famous mountain called Mt. Takao, where a Setsubun event is also held every year. In 2020, our school participated in the Setsubun event at Mt. It was a very lively and fun event. On February 3, the school held a Setsubun event. Students made oni masks and enjoyed throwing beans. The school is in Hachioji, which is home to the famous Mt. Takao. A Setsubun event takes place there each year. Our school also took part in the Setsubun event on Mt. Takao in 2020. It was a very lively and enjoyable celebration.

[English／日本語] I would like to introduce "Nekoyaki" from a Japanese confectionery shop called "Nekoma," located in Soto Terrace, a spot promoting traditional culture in Hachioji that I wrote about in a previous article. This wagashi is very tasty, filled with lots of sweet bean paste. The cat face on this "Nekoyaki" is said to be modeled after a maneki-neko figurine that survived the Hachioji air raid. The maneki-neko is displayed in a shop near Soto Terrace. There are several places and objects in Hachioji related to the war. At our Japanese language school, we sometimes cover the Hachioji Air Raid in class. Why not come and study Japanese in a city with a rich history? I will introduce "neko yaki" from a wagashi shop called "Nekoma" inside Soto Terrace, a spot for sharing Hachioji's traditional culture that I wrote about in my previous article. This wagashi is very delicious, with plenty of anko sweet bean paste inside. The cat face on this "neko yaki" is said to be modeled after a maneki-neko (beckoning cat figurine) that survived the Hachioji air raid. The maneki-neko is displayed at a shop near Soto Terrace. Hachioji has several sites and items related to the war. At our Japanese language school, we sometimes take up the Hachioji air raid in class. Why don't you try learning Japanese in a town with history?

[English/Japanese] I visited Soto Terrace, a spot that opened last November to promote Hachioji’s traditional culture. It is a seven-minute walk from Hachioji Station. You reach it by passing through a narrow street in the hanamachi district. I visited at night, so it was very quiet, but I heard it gets lively with events on weekends and public holidays. There is a charming shop where I bought some cute sweets. I’ll report on those sweets next time. Hachioji is an old town with many events and places that preserve traditional culture. I think it’s a great city for international students to learn about Japanese culture! Last November, I went to Sōto Terrace, a spot that showcases Hachioji’s traditional culture. It is a seven-minute walk from Hachioji Station. You arrive by walking down a small street in the hanamachi area. I visited at night, so the atmosphere was very calm, but I was told it becomes very lively on holidays when events are held. There is a lovely shop where I bought cute sweets. I will report on the sweets I bought next time. Because Hachioji is an old town, there are many events and places that convey traditional culture. I think it’s a wonderful city for international students to learn about Japanese culture!

[English/Japanese] To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the start of the railroad business, JR East is rolling out “Pokégenic,” a photogenic photo spot experience featuring various Pokémon at stations and Shinkansen stops across the JR East area. I found this photo spot in Hachioji! It’s so cute. By the way, the anime popular among our students is Doraemon. JR East is celebrating the 150th anniversary of rail service by introducing “Pokégenic,” photogenic photo spots where visitors can snap pictures with a range of Pokémon at stations and on the Shinkansen within the JR East area. I discovered this photo spot in Hachioji — it’s adorable. Incidentally, the anime that’s popular with our students is Doraemon.

If you go further from Takaosan Yakuoin Okunoin, you will find Fuji Sengensha. This was done by Hojo Ujiyasu during the Sengoku period to solicit the Fuji Sengen Great Bodhisattva on Mt. Takao. During the national era, for those who could not go to Fuji from here due to the placement of enemy countries, Fuji Sengen Daibodhisattva was solicited to this Mt. Takao where they could see Mt. Fuji so that they could receive the same benefits without having to go to Mt. Fuji. I was glad that I was born in this peaceful era, that there were times when I could not live such a distance.