[samurai007]

I lived in Japan from 1996-98, as a JET in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture (about an hour south of Osaka, near the foot of Koya-san). I taught at 2 high schools there, Hashimoto high school and a Technical school 1 train stop away.

I loved living there, overall. The people were incredibly friendly and helpful. I have so many anecdotal stories about "this one weekend I decided to ride my bike to Yoshino, following the Kinokawa River much of the way and crossing every bridge I came to..." or "I went on a homestay in Nachi, and dressed up as a samurai for the annual festival...", or just today, I told my brother the story about visiting Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama. I have hundreds and hundreds of photos of my time there, and innumerable memories and experiences that literally changed my life forever.