North Kansai.Net -- An informative site (in English!), with profiles on Toyooka and the surrounding towns. Click on their maps! North Kansai.Net is the local internet service provider, which I use. They have an office right here in town, and I highly recommend starting an account with them!
Hyogo Business & Cultural Center -- Located in Kobe's sister city of Seattle, Washington (USA), this branch of the Hyogo prefectural government acts as a liaison for Japanese and American businesses, promoting investment in Hyogo (and, conversely, Japanese investment in Washington State). In addition, the Center promotes awareness of Japanese culture, by holding cultural events, classes, and activities. The website provides some information on Japan and Hyogo prefecture.
Kansai Time Out -- A monthly magazine published especially for English speaking residents of the Kansai (i.e., this) region. Along with articles on Japanese culture and society (especially relating to Kansai), it features calendars of events (concerts, performances, movie times, etc.) and a TV guide.
Stephen's Homepage -- Stephen Rothman, the current JET ALT at Toyooka Kita Junior High School, has his own site too. Lots of information, anecdotes, and links. Check it out!
Toyooka Jitsugyou High School English Club -- The website constructed by the English Club at Toyooka Jitsugyou High School (the vocational/technical high school located by my house, Jitsu-kou for short). David Newby, the current ALT, had his students create the site. It features a small glossary of words and phrases of slang in the local dialect called Tajima-ben (or Toyooka-ben). Tajima-ben is the local variation of the Kansai dialect, or Kansai-ben. Take a look at some of the words in the glossary; it may come in handy when trying to figure out what the heck people are saying to you here. (Especially words like dashike or -ge)...
Incidentally, a good book on Kansai-ben is Kinki Japanese, by DC Palter and Kaoru Horiuchi (published by Charles E. Tuttle Company, ISBN 0-8048-2017-1). It's fun to read, and really helped me out. Even just a few words or phrases in Kansai-ben, when used in the appropriate situation, will delight everyone here. Click here for a few of the most essential phrases in Kansai-ben one should know...
Giant Robot -- Although not related to Kansai or Toyooka, I thought I'd include this one. One of my favorite magazines, Giant Robot started out underground, but in recent years it has gained the attention of advertisers, and is starting to become slicker. It's basically on Asian and Asian-American pop culture, with many articles on the scene in Japan. Written mainly by Asian-Americans, it's an entertaining read, I think...
Japan Information Network -- A site chock full of information on Japan, from geography, history, culture, and arts, to science, government, politics, business, and economy. Check it out! |
