HHJ 東日本大震災 Special - Part II
April 30th, 2011
Here is the second half of our earthquake special. We hope you don’t mind that it’s a bit long.
Although it’s almost been two months since the earthquake, the recovery efforts are still ongoing. Please continue to keep Japan in your thoughts.
HHJ 東日本大震災 Special - Part I
April 9th, 2011
Hi everyone,
It’s been one month since the big earthquake in Japan (referred to as 東日本大震災 (Higashi-Nihon Dai-Shinsai) here in Japan).
Aaron & I finally had a second to sit down and discuss what it was like before and after the earthquake. We ended up having WAAAAAAY too much to talk about and couldn’t fit everything in one episode. In fact, I had to cut out over half of it just to keep it down to a 2 part episode.
Part I is all about the earthquake itself–what it felt like, what we were doing, etc.
Part II (which will posted in the next week or two) will be all about what happened after the earthquake–the food shortages, power outages, radiation, etc.
We hope things here in Japan will return back to normal soon and we continue to send our thoughts to those who have suffered so much over the last month.
Best,
Kevin
An Update from Japan.
March 21st, 2011
First of all, a big “Thank You” to all of you who emailed, commented, and sent messages our way following the recent earthquake in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your concern.
Aaron & I (as well as our families) are OK.
I was in Tokyo and Aaron was just outside of Tokyo when the earthquake hit. It’s hard to explain what it was like except to say it was very scary. But as you all know, the real tragedy was not the earthquake but the countless tsunamis that ripped across the Tohoku coastline.
Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones or have been displaced as a result of this natural disaster.
Many of you have asked for an update on what things are like over here so I thought I would write a quick post about my observations.
Living in the Kanto area (away from the hard-hit Tohoku region), the biggest impact I’ve seen is a widespread sense of uncertainty–the uncertainty of the fate of loved ones living in Tohoku, the uncertainty of how big the next aftershock will be, when gasoline will be available again, if there will be a blackout today, what the current level of radiation is, what trains are running when, and simply when things will be back to “normal.”
It’s hard for us living in the Kanto area to complain when we see the destruction and suffering happening just north of us. But I definitely feel the level of anxiety rising around me.
That being said, we have been amazed yet again by Japan and its people. Even following a disaster of this colossal magnitude, everyone is calm–everyone has been cooperative, patient, polite and understanding. There is no chaos in the streets, no rise in crime, no angry citizens. The country has come together to help one another during this time of need.
So much has changed since March 11th, but we are doing our best to keep in good spirits and do our part to help with Japan’s recovery. Please join us by keeping Japan in your thoughts.
We will be back with HHJ as soon as things settle down.
-Kevin
Why are Aaron & Kevin wearing masks?
January 22nd, 2011
あけましておめでとうございます！Happy New Year! (…sorry we’re a little late)
今年もよろしくお願い致します。
Hope you’re having a great start to 2011!
Aaron and I are back with our latest episode of HHJ! And we’re wearing masks…
Why?
Watch and find out 
Kanpai,
Kevin
Who Says White Guys Can’t Taiko?
December 20th, 2010
The video you’ve all been waiting for! It’s Aaron’s Taiko debut.
I’ll leave it at that. Enjoy!
Kanpai,
Kevin
OK, who else wants to see Aaron play Taiko?
November 13th, 2010
Hello there,
Thanks for visiting us at ispeakjapanse.net. As promised in our last episode, today we’re going to talk about why we haven’t been drinking much on HHJ recently. PLUS, Aaron shares some of adventures tackling the world of Taiko here in Japan!
Enjoy!
Kevin
P.S. If you’re one of the people out there who haven’t tried our free Japanese Quickstart course yet, what are you waiting for? Check it out here.
“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” Japanese style
October 26th, 2010
We’re back with another episode of HHJ!
In this episode, Aaron and I revive our old HHJ style with drinks on the couch 
We’ll discuss favors in Japan and how important they are in everyday life here. We also talk a little bit about Japanese weddings!
Kanpai!
Kevin
What Happens in the Purikura Booth STAYS in the Purikura Booth.
September 28th, 2010
Howdy everyone.
We are BACK with our latest episode of HHJ! In this episode, we wanted to respond some viewer requests to showcase Japanese game centers. It’s pretty loud and the video’s a little shaky, but I hope you get a sense for what it’s like.
We even show you what’s it’s like inside a Japanese Purikura booth. Watch as we enjoy Sweet Sugar time (…you’ll get what we mean when you watch the episode)!
Sit back and enjoy
Kanpai!
Aaron & Kevin
Deadly Summer Heat & Zip-Lines Yippee!!
August 31st, 2010
It is HOT in Japan right now. In fact, it’s been like this all summer. Aaron and I have been doing our best to stay cool but it’s been tough.
In this episode, Aaron and I will take you to a sports park. Come along with us as we talk the heat, teach you some Japanese words, and race on zip lines! Who won?? You’ll have to watch to find out
Kanpai,
Kevin
Welcome to the dark side.
July 30th, 2010
Hi everyone!
Sorry for not posting in a while. I hope you’re doing well! It’s been EXTREMELY hot here in Japan and there’s been some world-class lightning shows almost every night. Pretty amazing stuff.
Anyway, in our latest episode of HHJ, Aaron and I want to discuss one of the dark sides of living to Japan. What is it? Well, you’ll just have to watch to find out
Kanpai,
Kevin
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