Unzen – This Isn't Tokyo

It’s nice to be back. Even the smell of sulfur is strangely comforting! It’s extremely foggy since the town’s at a high altitude–but at least it’s not raining! I went around Shimabara a bit before coming here. My ryokan is adorable! And they’re making me veg food for dinner and breakfast! I’m off to have my first onsen experience(!) and walk around for a bit before dinner at 6.

Hi! I’m Smitha.

I’m an alumna of the JET Program. I currently live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

In 2018, I’m spending ~1.5 months doing the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage from late February through mid-April.

From 2005 to 2007, I lived in Ikeda-cho, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima-ken, on the island of Shikoku in Japan. I taught at 1 junior high and 6 elementary schools, and I taught 2 weekly community English conversation classes.

I’d maintained this blog during my time on JET, including the months before departure and the waves of reverse culture shock after returning to the US. I sought to capture my full experiences, both good and bad, to try to paint a realistic picture.

This blog “broke” sometime over the years; I had never meant to take it down. It’s finally back online, in the hopes that it gives prospective/current JETs some help or commiseration.

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