The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 20,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 5 Film Festivals
Filed under Blog Announcements
It’s been quite a year for me, as well as Japan and its neighbours. There was a flareup between China and Japan over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, Shinzo Abe became Prime Minister again, North Korea launched a satellite that went over Japanese airspace, and more. But I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about this blog.
Top 10 Most Popular Posts
In the past year, I saw a similar theme in post popularity as previous years. In fact, my most popular posts are all from before this year. They just keep being popular! Well, here they are:
Noteworthy Posts
There are some posts that I think that are rather important, though they may not be as popular subjects as above. I’d still like you to read about them.
My daughter has been born! – More important than any blog post on here, in my opinion.
Dangerous driving in Japan – This has been a big concern of mine this year, especially after nearly being hit by a car 4 times due to the driver not paying attention.
2012 Picture of the Week (21/52) – Solar Eclipse – This was just incredible to see.
The tradition of gift money – Is it really a gift?
Bullying in Japan – Very big problem in schools and businesses. Sometimes it can be extreme.
You’re from Canada, so… – Just answering a question I always get.
Sunset at Shonan Beach – Just some incredible colours.
Things I’ve heard often: My child could never do well! – This really irritates me. Support your kids, don’t demean them.
Oshogatsu 1: The local shrine and temple – I don’t want you to just read this post, but also the following 4 posts about the Japanese New Year.
There are so many more things, but these are some of the highlights of my year of blogging.
Here’s to a great 2013!
Filed under Blog Announcements
The mikan (みかん) is a kind of orange native to Japan, but also grown in China and other countries. It’s traditionally sold around the end of the year in Japan, and you can buy them in large bags or boxes. Does this sound familiar? In North America, it’s very common to buy Mandarin oranges in boxes for Christmas. Well, the mikan is a type of Mandarin orange. It’s also known as tangerine, satsuma orange, or even Japanese Mandarin orange.
Big bags of mikan.
With this, I close out the 2012 Picture of the Week. It was one extra, since I did two in one week sometime during the year. I just haven’t figured out when. Picture of the Week is not returning next year. However, I am doing another weekly series that’ll focus on Japan’s 47 prefectures plus the 5 largest cities to round out 52 weeks. I hope you enjoyed all 53 pictures!
Filed under Food, Picture of the Week
I just finished day 1 of my 8 day holiday, and I have plenty planned. Due to this weekend’s rain, I won’t be doing much out this weekend, but I will be working on my blogs a lot.
Non-blog plans include going to my in-laws’ house for New Year’s Day, as well as visiting Zeniarai Benten in Kamakura again. Not sure if I’ll take pictures for that, as I did last January.
As for this blog, I have plenty planned! I will be doing a year in review by the end of the year. I’ll also be starting a new series on Japanese prefectures and cities. This is meant to give some basic information, as well as showcase places I want to visit. Also, I’ll continue with photos from the past couple of months, and hopefully go back to photos from 3 years ago. Finally, I plan to back up all my Instagram photos and start posting more of them.
So, here’s to a good new year!
Filed under Blog Announcements
I’ve recently started doing restaurant reviews on my book and writing blog, I Read Encyclopedias for Fun. Of course, since I live in Japan, these restaurants are in Japan. I just wanted to let you know that if you’re interested in what’s available to eat in Japan, or if you’re looking for ideas for places to eat, you can check out my reviews.
Filed under Food
My family and I went to a Christmas party last night in Fuchinobe, Sagamihara city. Here are a couple pictures of Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas everyone!
A pedestrian bridge at Fuchinobe Station and some Christmas lights.
More lights outside the station.
Filed under Chuo-ku, Japan, Kanagawa, Sagamihara
Japan is home to many well-known companies, and is a commercial giant in the world. Japan is also home to many department stores. Sogo in Yokohama is one of the largest in the country, as is Takashimaya Times Square in Shinjuku. The Yokohama store of Takashimaya has 8 floors above ground and 2 underground floors. It contains many restaurants, a supermarket, and more. This picture was taken across the street from the store.
Just a little note about the numbering of this post. Somehow, I managed to get 52 pictures in 51 weeks. I’m not sure which week I posted 2 pictures. So, I’ll do a bonus picture next week.
Reflection on Takashimaya Yokohama store.
Filed under Japan, Kanagawa, Nishi-ku, Picture of the Week, Yokohama
