Kofu: Best Place in Japan
There were good times in the other places ~ Fukuoka, Kansai, Tsuchiura, and Hyogo, but Kofu is the place I lived not once, not twice, but three different times. I taught English in every place except Fukuoka, and my students were great! I got to know some of the adults as friends, spending time with them and their families, taking trips together, having barbeques.
But in Kofu, I made the strongest friendships, with people from all over the world. Every time I lived there, I had a different friend-set, but every time, those friends were the lifeblood for me. I can't stop myself from writing stories about Japan and things that happened there!
This lens is for all my people in Kofu, then and now.
Learn Japanese successfully on your own
Learning at least a little Japanese makes your whole trip better.
Whether you're just starting out, or at a more advanced stage, you can find what you need at Amazon.com. I myself have worked through several levels of study with books and study aids I got at Amazon.
Read Real Japanese: All You Need to Enjoy Eight Contemporary Writers
If you're reading kanji pretty well, this book takes you to the next level.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009) 
Used Price: $8.40
Langenscheidt's Pocket Dictionary Japanese/English English/Japanese
This is my favorite dictionary. Small, but packs a TON of information that makes language connections I need. This goes with me everywhere!
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $7.44
Japanese for Busy People I: Kana Version includes CD (Japanese for Busy People Series) (Bk. 1)
The 1st in a series, the "Busy People" series gets to the point but includes lots of good practice. I highly recommend the whole set!
Amazon Price: $17.82 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $16.17
The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary
This kanji dictionary opened up a new world of kanji confidence. Finding any kanji is a snap, and I don't ever go to Japan without it.
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $14.65
How to Sound Intelligent in Japanese: A Vocabulary Builder (Kodansha's Children's Classics)
Get beyond "pidgen" Japanese. Learn to speak with authority and use the right words, not just words that "will do."
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $8.75
Danni & Mu-chan's New Year's Card 2009
Just a few of my favorite people and things about Kofu and Yamanashi, Japan
In spring come the plum, cherry, and peach trees by turns, utterly breath-taking with their divine and subtle scents wafting through the air. In the summer, the grapes abound, the arbors shading the lots at family wineries. And in the fall, the beauty of Shosenkyo Gorge is unsurpassed and even the lines of cars full of fellow gazers cannot diminish the sense of lasting nature within it depths.
But it is the people of Kofu I love most. I'm including just a few snapshots here from the week of what some might call my "going away" parties, but my friends insisted, I would be back, and so we called them my "See You Later" parties. I think that's sweet, and I can't wait to go back one day and say to my friends, "Tadaimashita!"
(Just a little word I made up, but it came from an honest mistake and my friends, dear as they are, never let me forget it. I love it!)
Itterashai Party at The Rink, 2007
The Best Places in Kofu
Restaurants, bars, hotels, coffee shops, English schools.... these are my favorites, but feel free to differ. Or add your own! All entries must be places in Kofu, Japan.
Best Restaurant
The Rink. GREAT food: Chicken dippers, chimichanga more...0 points
Best Coffee Shop #1
Cafe de Crie, the little shop with the orange awni more...0 points
Best Coffee Shop #2
Papas, in Okajima Department Store. Big cups with more...0 points
Best Coffee Shop #3
Dan's Coffee, south of the station several blocks more...0 points
Best Coffee Shop #4
Tully's, on the south side of the station next to more...0 points
Best English School #1... or #2
SpeakEasy. They have been around for many years, a more...0 points
Best English School #2... or #1
B.E. English. Michael & Shane are both British more...0 points
Best Grocery Store
Pax. I bought fresh fruit and vegetables there tha more...0 points
Best Cheap Grocery Store
Ogino. The one downtown where Topos used to be. Th more...0 points
Sayonara Party at Eddie's, 1998
Pictures of Japan to remind you of what you love about that country!
The story of Yu & Mi
What a great-tasting drink! Danni wanted to call it "Kiss the Boys Goodbye", but Misaki had a better idea: Yu & Mi, after Yuki (her boyfriend) and herself. "Yu", and "Mi", the first syllables of their names. A very Japanese tradition, but also a great sound in English.
Misaki's Drink, "Yu & Mi", with Danni, at The Rink
With Mariko at The Rink
Still undecided about learning Japanese?
Itterashai Party at The Rink (#2)
Great Japanese goods for sale on eBay
The only keyword on my eBay search is "Japanese." Every time I look, there are new items, from tradtional swords to kimonos to tea sets to dolls. It's fascinating to me, what comes up from just that one keyword!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
With Yuki & Misaki (of Yu & Mi fame), my "adopted" niece & nephew!
Another "See you later" Party shot... at The Rink
A Few Other Links to Kofu, Japan
- BornPlayDie - Japan Travel Photos
- Information for visitors to Kofu City, with experiences of travelling, hiking, and having fun in Japan.
- Real-Life Warlord Takeda Shingen and His Kai Today
- Pictures of Takeda Shingen of Kai since 1600 until last night, and his territory today in Yamanashi, Japan.
What if The Rink had its own airline?
More of Rokusan's lenses
- Water4Gas Charity Lens
- There are so many ads out there that tell you it's possible to use water for gas. Everything is sales though, and there are hundreds of scam artists around. Everyone's after a buck, right? So, how can you find the truth?I hope you will trust this lens. I wanted the truth, and to prove to you...
- Phone Bling Charity Lens
- When I got my first cell phone in 2007, in Japan ~ I resisted as long as I could ~ it was just the phone. A pretty blue phone, somewhere between royal blue and deep November sky. But I didn't want anything hanging off it. Just the phone, thanks. Actually, NOT having anything hanging off it was...
- 15 Minutes of Fame
- There's another Squidoo lens that has a Wall of Fame ~ you visit his lens, you tell him your claim to fame in the guestbook, and if thinks it's worthy to be added to his wall, a few days later there you are!How cool is that! This lens came from stumbling upon that one... thought I'd flesh out...
- The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- 'We the people....' Who grew up in the United States and doesn't know, the moment they read or hear those three words, the weight and import of the document they introduce? There has been much debate, argument, derision, admiration, and praise heaped upon this document ~ the Constitution of the...
- Get to the Point - Short Stories
- I love novels. A good novel can captivate me! I've got a few favorites that I've read so often the covers have been taped up. But I love short stories even more. I'm so busy, weeks can go by between the time I set a book down and pick it up again. Then I have to backtrack a little to remember...
The best way to get to Kofu
Plane, then highway bus
I take a plane to Tokyo, and from there, the highway bus clear to Kofu. The highway bus is very comfortable and quiet, and it's a great way to see the country on the 3-hour ride to the city of Kofu.
Konnichiwa! Thank you for reading my lens!
Have you been to Japan, too? I'd LOVE to hear your stories!
Are you planning a trip to Japan and have questions? Ask them here and maybe we can get others involved (because, although I like to imagine my expertise, I realize I don't have all the answers).
Squidster wrote...
Another wonderful Japan lens from you. I love the story and your pictures. Thanks for submitting to the Squidoo.Asia Directory. I'm looking forward to your other lenses!
Posted September 27, 2008
anthropos wrote...
Thanks for joining "Anything and Everything Travel" Group. We look forward to seeing your other travel related lenses in our group. Keep up the good work. For a categorized list of my travel lenses and other lenses see my Lensography..
Posted September 20, 2008
Rokusan wrote...
Thanks poddys & Jaguar Julie ~ I hope you DO get to visit Japan one day. And if you need an interpreter.... I know one! :-)
Posted September 13, 2008
JaguarJulie wrote...
Ah, how we would love to visit Japan -- a friend of mine is going soon as her daughter visits Japan often and bought her a ticket!!! Love your lens and the personal touches with all the cool photos. 5*****
Posted September 13, 2008
icjackson wrote...
Glad to have this lens in The 60 Day Squidoo Challenge Group!
It's awesome :-)
Posted August 17, 2008
Rokusan wrote...
* Capybara, I love being in the Travelmania group! Get to "travel" vicariously, which is way cheaper... and no surly air stewards! :-)
* PrancingPony, if you ever do get to visit Kofu, please come back and tell me about it. I would l-o-v-e- that!
* BigGirlBlue, I'm the blond, silly! (heh heh) Yeah, I went out all the time because that's what people do there. That's where my friends were, and we just didn't go into each other's homes (it's a pretty rare thing in Japan, compared to here).
* Evelyn, do you know, I was JUST thinking my lens tomorrow would be about the best resources for learning Japanese? I'm serious, I have a little sticky-note on my computer. But you've helped me ~ I can make part of it for adults who are learning, and part of it for kids. I'll Twitter when it's done.
Posted August 17, 2008
