The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
Wireless Internet in Japan is Better Than Ever
Jun 25th
By Kevin Mitchell
Over a year ago, I wrote an article about getting EMOBILE wireless internet service on the HAJET website. Since then there have been hardware changes, as well as a competitive services that is gaining momentum. Let’s first look at EMOBILE’s new hardware offerings after the break.
June 2010 Project Outreach
Jun 23rd
This month… seeing (RED)
I’ve often talked about different ways to give money to charity. So far, they’ve all involved actually “giving”…that is, donating money directly to a charity or group.
Now I’ll be the first to admit, just giving away money is sometimes a little hard to do. We’ve been raised in such a way as to believe that we should get something solid and tangible for our money.
One particular organization has recognized this aspect of Western psyche, and because of that they’ve set themselves up a little differently than most groups. They are: (RED).
More >
Hotate Shabu Shabu
Jun 23rd
As a part of my cooking this month, I made a very short time lapse of me making (and eating) some hotate kinoko shabushabu/nabe.
Enjoy!
~Simon
HAJET President
New HAJET Theme
Jun 23rd
Recreated a whole new HAJET website look. Hope you like it.
~HAJET Webmaster
Taxes and Visa Reminders
Jun 17th
Greetings from Doucho! As we inch ever closer to the 2010-2011 JET year, I’d like to remind Hokkaido JETs of a few issues coming up in the near future:
- All 1st year US JETs: you’re coming up on the deadline to file your taxes in August. Hopefully you filed your extension back in April, but please don’t forget to file the actual tax return when the time comes.
- 3rd year continuing JETs: your visa will expire this summer! Please talk to your supervisor about getting the paperwork together to have your visa extended. You will have to go to immigration to get everything sorted.
HAJET Summer Meeting 2010
Jun 15th
The Summer Meeting of 2010
Shinshinotsu
Spring greetings from HAJET! We hope everyone had a refreshing and fun Golden Week, and are lavishing in the post-winter thaw. Things are finally turning green again! And that means HAJET’s Summer Meeting is just around the corner! Time to break out the shorts and sunscreen for a fun-filled camping weekend in Shinshinotsu!
Known as the “Slow Village,” Shinshinotsu (新篠津) is a relaxed, quaint town on the Ishikari River. Nearby Iwamizawa, this agricultural village of just over 3500 people, prides itself on organic farming. Its campsite in Shinotsu Park was just built last year, and is the perfect place to hold our summer meeting.
Getting There: Right in the middle of Tobetsu(当別) Ebetsu (江別), Iwamizawa (岩見沢), and Tsukigata (月形), Shinshinotsu is easily accessible by car, or train and bus.
By car: Accessible via Routes 12 and 275. For more details, see the map at the end of the packet, or try Northern Road Navi at http://northern-road.jp/navi/eng/index.htm
By train: Take the train to Iwamizawa or Kamihoro Mui (上幌向), then follow instructions for the bus. It costs ￥710 from Sapporo to Kamihoro. For specific fares and train times, visit the JR Hokkaido website at: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html
By bus: There is a bus from Iwamizawa (岩見沢) that goes to the Shinshinotsu Onsen in the park where we will be staying. It costs ￥470 each way. If you take the bus from Kamihoro Mui, it is ￥320 each day. Below is a simple time schedule. If you would like a more detailed timetable with a list of all the stops, please email Lisa Utsumi.
Accomodation: We’re setting up camp in the newly renovated Shinotsu Park Campsite. Be sure to bring your tent and sleeping bag, towel, toiletries, etc. The campsite has a spacious cooking area and toilets. And if you want to wash up, there are two onsens in the park. The entrance fee for the campsite is 200 yen/day, and the tent fee is 1000 yen/night. Please note that checkout time on Sunday morning is 10am. So if you plan on staying later, you will have to pay the daily fee of 500 yen. Please pay the fees directly to the campsite when you arrive or before you checkout on Sunday.
- If you are coming by car, you can park at the アイリス(Iris) Onsen.
- Don’t have a tent? No worries! HEC has tents you can rent for a minimal fee. Please contact John Nguyen at jhatnguyen@gmail.com if you are interested in renting a tent.
Check out the meeting packet for more info!
2010 HAJET Summer Meeting Packet (1.4MB DOC)
2010 HAJET Summer Meeting Packet (11MB PDF)
The 2010 HEC Camp Packet is Now Available!
Jun 11th
The 2010 HEC Camp Packet is now available in both English and Japanese! If you’re student was lucky enough to have been invited to camp, please read the Welcome Letter below which will include all the information you need about sending your student to camp. Give them a copy of the Camp Packet and urge them to send in their response forms before the June 21st deadline!
2010 HEC Camp Packet (646KB – PDF)
Welcome Letter for ALTs (81KB – DOC)
